Pace Micro Technology unveiled digital terrestrial personal video recorder (PVR) in Britain that would allow over-air viewing with PVR features, company said. “Twin Digital TV Recorder,” expected to retail for about $540 just before Christmas, gives viewers access to more than 20 free digital TV channels and allows them to pause, rewind, fast- forward, etc. PVR has 20 GB hard disc drive, twin digital tuners, dual recorder.
More details on PlayStation 2 (PS2) shipment numbers were made available by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) after our Thurs. deadline. Company said 40.04 million units of console that we reported had been shipped were through Sept. 17. Breakdown by region was indeed 12.06 million for Europe and other PAL countries, 17.01 million for N. America and 10.97 million for Japan, as reported (CED Sept 20 p2).
Apparently setting stage for radio version of personal video recorder (PVR), terrestrial digital radio developer iBiquity Digital acquired exclusive worldwide license for Command Audio (CA) patents, technology and other assets in field of digital radio, companies said Tues. Companies are privately held and terms of agreement weren’t disclosed. IBiquity said acquisition set stage for radio broadcasters to provide consumers with content on-demand, as well as selecting radio programs via electronic guide, scanning content and pausing or saving for later listening. CA technology also will give content providers and advertisers tools to design innovative programming, iBiquity said.
Terrestrial digital radio developer iBiquity Digital acquired exclusive worldwide license for Command Audio (CA) patents, technology and other assets in field of digital radio, companies announced Tues. Companies are privately held and terms of agreement weren’t disclosed.
Proposed exemption from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) disclosures of critical infrastructure-related data was dropped from homeland security bill (HR-5005) marked up Thurs. by House Commerce Committee. White House-initiated plan to create cabinet-level Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) includes language that would prevent public release of network vulnerability data submitted voluntarily by industry, move that’s backed by Internet and telecom interests and has gained momentum in Congress. However, Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.), who also advocates creation of narrowly crafted FOIA exemption for threat data shared with govt., said any changes in FOIA “must protect the purposes” of existing disclosure laws.
After “polarizing experience” for CE industry from Broadcast Protection Discussion Group report (CED June 6 p1) on content protection for DTV, Thomson said it planned to discuss issues and present its positions at news briefing planned for late Wed., after our deadline. Spokesman told us company supported “broadcast flag” but would express its concerns about content controls that flag might trigger in CE equipment, as well as its concern that single digital interface favored by some parties was not to advantage of consumers or industry.
As reports continue to emerge indicating Microsoft might be planning to introduce follow-up to its Xbox videogame console as soon as next year, SWS Securities analyst Arvind Bhatia told us introduction of new machine so soon after first version of game machine could be “disruptive” to market and do more harm than good. Xbox wasn’t introduced in N. America until Nov. and next game console cycle hadn’t been expected by game makers and analysts until at least 2005.
WorldCom’s financial scandal could have repercussions on entire communications industry and how it’s regulated, said Washington policymakers, analysts and others who follow sector. FCC Comr. Copps said scandal “should give us some pause at the Commission before we rely fully on [corporate] data” when reviewing applications for mergers and other financial changes. It might be better for FCC to do its own analysis, he said. One industry lobbyist warned that companies would have tougher time getting deregulatory action on Hill, for example broadband relief sought by Bell companies through measures such as Tauzin-Dingell, because Congress was expected to become much tougher on corporations in general. Randolph May, senior fellow at Progress & Freedom Foundation, said he had hoped WorldCom’s problems wouldn’t lead to backlash against deregulation because bankruptcy was “about accounting practices and human frailties, not regulatory policy.”
Time Warner Cable is using its video-on-demand capabilities in novel way, giving 130,000 digital subscribers in Raleigh, N.C., chance to see wedding of local radio personality Madison Lane. Her guest list apparently was short, but by putting videotape of wedding on Time Warner’s server, fans of WDCG-FM personality will be able to see wedding and have ability to pause, fast-forward and rewind with cable company’s iControl service. “'Madison’s Wedding’ is proof that VoD offers amazing potential,” said George Douglas, vp-sales and mktg., Raleigh division.
Software bugs in hard disc recorder from U.K.’s Sky+ have prompted credits on monthly fee for subscribers to BSkyB’s digital satellite service. Meanwhile, TiVo in U.K. apparently has solved shortcoming of recording programs that start early or run late, but has raised hackles there by sending sponsored programs to PVR without subscribers’ knowledge.