digiGO! — The Digital (R)Evolution™

Edgeware has announced that Iskon Internet d.d., a subsidiary of incumbent Telco T-Com Croatia, is now deploying Edgeware’s Orbit-2X server platform to deliver advanced on-demand IPTV services, including network Personal Video Recording (nPVR), catch-up of live TV, and Video-on-Demand (VOD). With Edgeware’s Orbit-2X server platform, Iskon´s nPVR service allows subscribers to record as much as ten hours of live TV in the network, with a catch-up TV service that enables viewers to replay the last 48 hours of broadcasts from the four most popular TV-channels in Croatia. Iskon.TV, Iskon Internet’s IPTV service launched in April 2009, is now available in nine Croatian cities, offering more than 40 TV channels and a number of converged triple play services.

Fast Forward Video’s (FFV) Omega HD digital video recorder (DVR) will play a center-court role in the HD international broadcast of the 2009 U.S. Open Tennis Championships, to be held Aug. 31 through Sept. 13. Mobile production company All Mobile Video (AMV), selected by the United States Tennis Association to provide the integrated HD feed for global broadcasts, will use the Omega HD to provide smooth and seamless video playout and replay throughout the tournament. Specifically, the Omega HD will be used to store and play out the fill and the key elements for “bugs,” “sprites,” and video replay transitions throughout the event. The Omega HD operates under transparent control from the video production switcher.

See and hear the Omnia presentations at IBC2009, stand 8.D29. Omnia 6EX/ 6EXi offers dual, simultaneous processing paths for HD Radio and conventional FM, the world’s first non-aliasing digital clipping system, with composite clipping for the ultimate in competitive loudness; a high-precision, Multi-Band Look-Ahead Limiter (invented by Omnia) for perfect HD/DRM Radio processing; a six-band limiter for conventional FM, with adjustable crossovers for surgically-precise control over your signature sound; an integrated Dorrough Loudness Meter; and, of course, the ground breaking 96 kHz, 24-bit platform that delivers full 20 kHz bandwidth for HD Radio broadcasts. The Omnia ONE app is ready wherever signal processing is needed and quickly adapts to users’ needs with simple, free software downloads. It can be used in the studio, for transmission, and even in networked applications, thanks to its Livewire™ interface. It even has dual software banks allowing you too easily switch between styles. Current versions include AM, FM, Multicast / DAB, and Studio Pro. Omnia 8x combines the power of eight discrete three-band stereo Omnia audio processors in a single, networked box to dramatically improve the sound of your streams. It uses the LivewireTM standard for professional networked audio over Ethernet, so you can connect directly to your Axia IP-Audio Network or pair it with an Axia AES/EBU or Analog Node for use as a standalone, high-density audio processor.

The Community Idea Stations, a family of PBS stations based in Richmond, Va., has selected Snell’s content management and distribution solutions to drive its new, state-of-the-art digital operations center. Snell‘s automation, routing, and master control products manage and transport two HD and five SD video streams for the broadcaster’s three public television stations, WCVE and WCVW in Richmond and WHTJ in Charlottesville, Va. The Community Idea Stations‘ new operations center is anchored by a 256×256 Sirius router, which transports all SD, HD, and analog signals with ample capacity to handle additional inputs and outputs as the operation expands. Router operations are supported by MCM, Snell’s highly flexible PC-based router control system. Snell’s Morpheus automation solution provides seamless multichannel playout for all seven broadcast streams. The operation also includes five Snell Masterpiece master control switchers and terminal gear from Snell’s Vistek modular infrastructure range, which handles a variety of tasks such as analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion, audio processing, up- and down-conversion, and video processing.

The FCC has blessed the $483 million merger ‘tween Sprint Nextel and Virgin Mobile USA, and with the antitrust clearance now given, all seems to be on the forward push. Last July, the plan for Sprint was to acquire Virgin Mobile, which would see Sprint then becoming more involved in the lower end, prepaid mobile market, much to the consternation as what would then be done with their Boost prepaid unit. The latter offers unlimited calls to users for a set, monthly fee. With the Virgin deal, Sprint would now find themselves in the arena of the prepaid market where calls are completed on a per minute basis. Sprint has claimed this acquisition will increase the Company’s cash flow, which would be a good move, as the firm has had some difficulties due to customer churn. Last steps? The FCC will probably have to take a look at some of Virgin Mobile’s international licenses that would move over to Sprint, but such should not be of too much concern.

Broadcast systems integrator TV Magic and broadcast equipment rental firm Bexel Broadcast Services have finalized an agreement by which the two companies will collaborate on jointly developed system integration projects. The new business alliance will give both parties powerful new resources for building their brands, enhancing their services, and further extending their market presence. TV Magic and Bexel foresee expanding their collective reach into new business opportunities that draw on the specialty and resources of each organization. TV Magic will use the equipment, support, and services of Bexel to provide comprehensive and innovative solutions to their clients. Likewise, Bexel will have access to TV Magic’s integration and engineering, design support, project management, configuration and programming, training, and CAD services.

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