Nab2010
Latest
LG proposes an update to ATSC for non-real-time content
Broadcasters are always looking for ways to make better use of their allotted spectrum and since even the highest quality HD signals use a variable bit rate, there are always some bits that go to waste. Up until now broadcasters have used multicasting to put those extra bits to work, but since each channel has a minimum bitrate, this tends to lower the maximum bit rate of the primary HD feed -- which usually causes some very blocky HD. At NAB this week, LG was demonstrating new tech that could allow broadcasters to use those extra bits to send high quality (3D even) non-real-time programming -- of course the TV or set-top would need some disk space available to store the programming until you are ready to watch it -- kind of like the old Moviebeam service worked, but obviously a digital version. LG hopes this will make it into ATSC 2.0 in the next few years and we do too as this concept has lots of bandwidth potential. You see because while the big game on Sunday afternoon might require the full 19.3 Mbps, most other programming uses half that. So in other words, if a channel doesn't multicast, they are probably sending you about 553 Gigabytes of null bits a week. Show full PR text LG Electronics Demonstrates World's First ATSC Non-Real-Time 3D TV Broadcast Spare broadband capacity utilized to cache 3D programming for more home entertainment options LAS VEGAS, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics is paving the way for next-generation digital television (DTV) broadcast standards and advancing its leadership in 3D television with the first public demonstration of Non-Real-Time (NRT) technologies contemplated in ATSC 2.0, a new activity of the Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC). The world's first broadcast of NRT 3D TV takes place at the 2010 National Association of Broadcasters convention which runs through April 15 in Las Vegas. LG's NRT technology takes advantage of unused bandwidth in broadband digital TV transmissions. While viewers are watching live ATSC DTV broadcasts, the NRT function can simultaneously cache other broadcasts in the background onto hard drives or USB flash drives so the content can be viewed at a later time. LG has successfully tested the ATSC-compatible technology in Korea with SBS, one of the country's premier terrestrial broadcasters. "LG is at the forefront of developing this technology for digital broadcasting," said Dr. Woo Paik, president and chief technology officer, LG Electronics Inc. "NRT 3D broadcast is a prime example of our leadership in 3D TV, and it fits very well with LG's efforts in the developments associated with the newest ATSC technologies." The demonstration at the NAB show, conducted in cooperation with SBS, is built around prototype LG NRT- and 3D-capable HDTVs to record and replay 3D ATSC programming stored on an external USB drive. The experimental broadcast showcases the capabilities of emerging ATSC 2.0 technologies, expected to be the next enhancement in the ATSC family of standards, perhaps as early as 2011 or 2012. LG expects NRT technology to have enormous commercial potential with broadcasters and content providers taking full advantage of the flexibility of ATSC broadcasting to deliver additional services such as Internet radio and video-on-demand (VOD). For consumers who have already bought or plan to purchase LG 3D HDTVs, the company plans to offer a software upgrade so they can take full advantage of additional content through the NRT and 3D ATSC services when they become commercially available in the years ahead. Also at the NAB show, LG Electronics is demonstrating how Internet connectivity related to ATSC 2.0 will help enhance the DTV viewing experience. With a hybrid terrestrial transmission and IP (Internet-Protocol) service, Korean broadcaster KBS and LG will showcase enriched content for viewers and exciting applications for broadcasters. The demonstration will highlight features on prototype LG broadband TVs, including an advanced electronic service guide, VOD capability, and clip services.
Working RED EPIC camera demonstrated at NAB 2010
Well, RED promised that it would be demonstrating a working RED EPIC camera at this year's NAB show, and it's now delivered. In case you're not up to speed on all things RED, the EPIC is a 5k camera, and can be used in a whole range of different configurations from a small handheld setup for video or still photos, to a fully-outfitted camera rig suitable for a feature film. Head on past the break for a pair of videos from the Scarlet User Podcast, and hit up the source link below for plenty more shots of the camera -- not to mention some accessories including the just-announced RED Station. [Thanks, Zac]
TVLogic debuts 56-inch LUM-560W 4K x 2K LCD a few years ahead of time
Oh sure, it's not that we've never seen a 4K x 2K display before, but few are both a) this small and b) this connected. Introduced over at NAB 2010, the LUM-560W is quite a different beast from the two OLED sets already shown by TVLogic. Boasting a 56-inch 10-bit panel, a native 3,840 x 2,160 resolution, 1,500:1 contrast ratio and support for the company's own color calibrator utility, the only major bummer is the totally corporate bezel that we're forced to deal with. There's also too many ports to count, but we'll try: four HDMI inputs, four DVI-D inputs, four 3G/HD/SD-SDI inputs and four 3G/HD/SD-SDI outputs. There's nary a mention of price of availability, but you'll probably need a nice archive of raw RED footage before you genuinely care about either.
Niveus shows how it can help cable and satellite providers get HD on your PC
It's just a tech preview, but our favorite high end Media Center maker, Niveus, is showing off Project Snowbird at NAB this week. Niveus hopes its PC client will help cable and satellite providers bring more premium HD content to the PC. This version was copying and streaming content from a Dish Network DVR and works with Sling's protocol, DLNA and DTCP-IP -- you remember it right, the CableLabs certified DRM for IP transport? Also baked in is Microsoft's PlayReady so envisioning playing the content on a Zune HD or in Media Center aren't too unfounded either. Dish Network was involved to show its commitment to working towards this type of solution in the home, but Niveus hopes to get all the providers on board and is anxious to fill in the PC client no matter what protocol the provider wants to use. We're told that these goals are inline with those of the IP Gateway we've been talking about, so it'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out. But at this point there aren't any product announcements and so this might just be yet another tech preview that never makes it to our homes. More shots of what it might look like after the break.
SmallHD goes smaller, denser with DP-SLR monitor
Care for another nugget from NAB show floor? Good. The folks behind last year's SmallHD DP1 monitor are back, this time with yet another display with (nearly) too many pixels to count. In an effort to cram more into less, these guys have crafted a field monitor that measures just 4- x 6- x 1-inches, yet the resolution has actually increased. The 5.6-inch (diagonal) display on the DP-SLR packs a 1,280 x 800 native resolution, and you'll also find HD-SDI inputs (optional), four mounting points and support for voltages from 5x to 18v. Users who get in now will see their units ship in June, but you'll have to hand over $899 (or $1,199 with SDI) in order to get in line. Oh, and don't even bother letting your mind run wild with home automation uses for this if you know you're lacking in the disposable income department.
FLO TV to offer time-shifted viewing, pay-as-you-go, web-based content later this year
It looks like FLO TV is about to get a little more interesting. Alongside your automobile and your various smartphones, you'll soon be able to turn to your smartbooks, e-readers, and tablets to access your mobile TV service. The diabolical plot begins when the company launches "new applications that integrate video with web-based content" for distributing "live mobile TV and rich mobile media services to a range of new devices." What does all this mean, exactly? Aside from some additional interactivity for advertisers, the service is planning on announcing pay-as-you-go and pay-per-view billing, as well as time-shifted viewing (you know, like a DVR). We don't know what existing hardware will be able to take advantage of this, but we're sure that a combination of pausing shows and pay-as-you-go would make new devices much more attractive to the casual user. Look for things to start happening the second half of this year. PR after the break.
RED Station makes modular storage look good
ARRI may have attracted the majority of attention from camera nerds at this year's NAB show with its ALEXA camera, but RED is making a respectable showing itself, and has now introduced its new RED Station modular storage unit. That consists of a typically RED-looking base station, along with either a CompactFlash card reader module or a 2.5-inch SSD / hard drive reader, or both. Each of those modules also naturally packs an ample supply of ports, including not one but two FireWire 800 ports, and a single eSATA and mini USB port. Of course, all that doesn't exactly come cheap, with each piece of the puzzle set to run about $250 when they roll out on April 16th. RED isn't quite done with NAB just yet, however, as it also plans to show off a working EPIC camera at the show.
SnapStream's monster DVR records 50 channels at once, even when nothin's on
Get ready for an acute case of DVR inadequacy courtesy of SnapStream, which has pieced together what it's calling the world's largest DVR, and we're inclined to believe them. Run a coax in the back and, with a fully configured unit, you can record a whopping 50 channels simultaneously onto over 100TB of storage. The trick is it's actually five separate rack-mounted SnapStream DVRs that all join together to share storage, work across tuners, and to fight the evil King Zarkon from the planet Doom -- or at least to record all the Voltron reruns ever aired, ever. No word on the cost of a fully-configured rack, but given the size of that thing (check out the door in the background for comparison) we're thinking it might not fit in our entertainment center anyway. %Gallery-90009%
