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IBiquity Signs Top Radio Groups to Convert 2,000 Stations to Digital

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 5, 2005 - 3:01am.
Las Vegas -- IBiquity Digital, a developer of digital radio broadcasting technology, announced on Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with 21 of the nation's leading radio groups to accelerate the rollout of its HD Radio technology. Under the agreement, broadcasters including Clear Channel, Infinity, Cox, ABC Radio, Emmis, Entercom and Susquehanna have committed to convert 2,000 of their AM and FM radio stations to digital. Another 500 stations have already begun the transition or are currently broadcasting an HD Radio signal. Clear Channel, the nation's largest broadcaster, has to date converted 65 stations to HD Radio, and plans to outfit 95% of its stations in the top 100 markets with digital broadcast equipment within three years. Maryland-based iBiquity also said the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) will soon offer a total of 309 digital stations. In addition to audio content, iBiquity's HD Radio allows stations to broadcast a wireless data feed to consumer receivers that could include traffic or weather information, in addition to song and artist information. The technology allows broadcasters to trasmit a digital signal alongside traditional analog signals, smoothing the transition as consumers begin to adopt the still-pricey digital receivers. Separately, iBiquity announced that it partnered with digital audio developer iLab America to create automotive, tabletop and home HD Radio receivers for release by the end of the year.
tags: IBiquity | Digital | Radio Groups |

Sony Plans March Launch for PSP Handheld Game in U.S., Europe

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 5, 2005 - 2:59am.
Las Vegas -- Sony Computer Entertainment president and CEO Ken Kutaragi said on Wednesday that the company plans to launch its new PSP (PlayStation Portable) handheld video game system in the U.S. and Europe in March, Reuters reported. The device launched in Japan on Dec. 12, where Sony shipped 510,000 units of the $190 device. Sony plans to ship 3 million PSP units worldwide by March 31. Rival Nintendo has seen strong sales of its new handheld, the DS, which has already sold 1.3 million units in the U.S. and Japan, and will see 5 million units shipped to worldwide retailers by March 31.
tags: Sony | Europe | Launch | U.S. | March | PSP Handheld Game |

Sirius, Microsoft to Develop Mobile Satellite Video Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 5, 2005 - 2:56am.
New York -- Sirius Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered digital radio programming, announced on Wednesday that it is collaborating with Microsoft on the creation of a satellite video service. The mobile video service, which will utilize Microsoft's Windows Media Video 9, will initially feature two or three channels designed primarily for children riding in cars equipped with Sirius. "We will take the DVD experience to the next level, offering the best content easily available to families and consumers," said Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin. The service is expected to launch in the second half of 2006. Separately, Sirius also said that the $129 Star Mate -- which, at about the size of a deck of cards, is its smallest satellite radio receiver -- will ship to stores this month. New York-based Sirius ended the year 2004 with just over one million subscribers to its $12.95 per month radio service.
tags: Sirius | Microsoft | Develop | Mobile Satellite Video |

Comcast, Car Electronics Firm Delphi to Launch Mobile Video Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 5, 2005 - 2:55am.
Las Vegas -- Cable TV and broadband provider Comcast announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with automotive electronics manufacturer Delphi to develop an in-vehicle entertainment system. While Delphi will develop the receiver device, expected to be based on its wireless-enabled rear-seat video system, Comcast will examine ways to allow users to access video content. The system will enable users to transfer video and other content from a home PC or server to the in-vehicle receiver over a wireless connection. The companies anticipate a timeline of between 6 and 18 months for evaluation and development of the service. Separately, Delphi introduced a repeater device that can boost the satellite radio signal from XM Satellite Radio within the home. The $169 Delphi XM Signal Repeater has a range of 75-100 feet and can relay the satellite signal through walls and floors in the home to additional receivers, priced at $69 each.
tags: Comcast | Launch | Delphi | Mobile Video | Car Electronics |

Imation Develops "ForceField" Protective Coating for CDs, DVDs

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 5, 2005 - 2:53am.
Oakdale, Minn. -- Imation Corp., a manufacturer of CDs, DVDs and other storage media, on Wednesday introduced its new proprietary "ForceField" scratch resistant coating for optical discs, designed to resist scratches, dust, smudges and everyday wear. Imation said the coating repels up to 100 times more dust than a standard disc, and allows fingerprints and surface smudges to be more easily wiped away -- similar to how car wax causes liquids to bead up rather than bleed and smear. "Say goodbye to excessive skips and playback interruptions, worrying about scratches, handling CDs and DVDs by their edges, or searching for lint-free cleansing cloths," said Tom Lally, Imation executive director of sales and marketing. "This means no more worries about disc scratches or smudges that can result from slipping CDs in file folders, sliding DVDs across countertops or handling discs with your fingers." Minnesota-based Imation will begin shipping ForceField discs to retailers nationwide in February.
tags: CDs | DVDs | Imation | ForceField | Protective Coating |

Sonic Solutions to Offer HD DVD, Blu-ray Authoring Systems to Movie Studios

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 5, 2005 - 2:50am.
Las Vegas -- Sonic Solutions, a provider of professional and consumer DVD creation software, announced on Wednesday that it is developing systems for professional production of both HD DVD and Blu-ray next-generation high-capacity DVDs by Hollywood movie studios. Novato, Calif.-based Sonic said its HD DVD authoring system will be available in the summer of 2005. The company partnered with Japan's Matsushita (Panasonic) to develop a Blu-ray authoring system, but did not provide a timetable as to when the system would be available to movie studios. Both HD DVD, developed by Toshiba, and Sony's Blu-ray format will boost the capacity for DVDs beyond the current standard 4.5GB to up to 50GB per disc, enabling storage of high-definition video.
tags: Blu-ray | HD DVD | Movie Studios | Sonic Solutions |