- ActiveVideo Networks has announced that Greg Brown has been promoted to the position of Vice President, Product Development, and that Mark Dawson, Vice President, Product Management, and Dr. Lena Pavlovskaia, Vice President, Advanced Development, have assumed expanded roles. All three executives report to John Callahan, CTO of ActiveVideo Networks. Earlier this year, ActiveVideo Networks strengthened its position in the fast-growing market for delivery of interactive services from the network “cloud” through the acquisition of Avinity Systems BV, a Netherlands company that now serves as ActiveVideo’s European headquarters. ActiveVideo Networks anticipates that its cloud-based interactive TV solutions will be available to more than 5 million homes worldwide by the end of 2009.
-
Gefen is now making available its HDMI v1.3 to 3G SDI Converter — this standards converter provides a simple yet quality method of integrating consumer video sources using the HDMI v1.3 format and professional 3G SDI displays. A plug and play methodology makes this solution valuable to anyone seeking to connect pro and consumer video equipment while supporting the most current formats and HD video. Interconnecting different formats also allows broadcasters can save on studio equipment costs. The Gefen HDMI v1.3 to 3G SDI Converter works with all high definition audio/video devices including STBs, gaming consoles, and Blu-ray players, but will not convert HDCP compliant video as per HDCP specifications. It does support all HDMI v1.3 features including deep color in its transition to the 3G SDI format at resolutions to 1080p full HD. Displays can be using the standard, high or 3G SDI format. Audio is output alongside in two-channel L/R analog audio for signal monitoring. The Gefen HDMI v1.3 to 3G SDI Converter comes with one HDMI input, and two 3G SDI outputs for displaying video in mirrored mode. A tiny switch on the underside of the unit allows users to control features and test performance with 3G mapping levels, testing patterns and RGB ranges.
- Large cable operators will no longer be restricted on the percentage of all subscribers they may serve, a U.S. appeals court in Washington has ruled. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in favor of large cable companies such as Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable and against the Federal Communications Commission, The Wall Street Journal reported. The FCC first imposed a 30 percent ownership cap in 1993 to limit the number of subscribers large cable operators could serve. The court struck down that limit in 2001, saying it was unconstitutional, but the FCC brought it back in 2007 saying allowing large cable companies to grow would harm customers. Cable companies challenged the cap several times citing competition of satellite TV and the video services offered by phone companies. The cap meant no single company could serve more than 30 percent of the market. The court said the FCC did not take into consideration the impact of the newer service providers when it reinstated the cap. Only Comcast is close to reaching the 30 percent limit and it was the strongest opponent of the cap.
Satnews Daily
September 1st, 2009
digiGO! — The Digital (R)Evolution