BERLIN, GERMANY: The Internet Media Device Alliance (IMDA) has announced a baseline certification standard for standalone internet radio players.
Called IMDA Profile 1, the standard aims to protect consumers by aligning competing technologies and future-proofing internet radio product design.
Major Internet radio manufacturers and broadcasters are backing the IMDA certification standard to ensure new products will access the majority of streamed audio broadcasts, available now and in the future. It is estimated that certified radios will today receive around 90 percent of the world’s radio stations currently broadcasting over the Internet.
For manufacturers of internet radios, the certification standard aims to reduce time to market and marketing risk by removing the prospect of rival technology wars. At the same time, online broadcasters adhering to IMDA Profile 1 will be able to reach target audiences using fewer audio codecs, cutting associated costs.
Mark Hopgood, an IMDA steering committee member and Frontier Silicon’s director of marketing, commented: "Audio data streaming over the internet is faced with a unique set of challenges, from codec design through to play list format, countless choices need to be made.
"If a universal standard isn’t specified now, when the market for internet radios is in its relative infancy, manufacturers risk entering a technology war, like the Betamax/VHS war of the ‘80s. If this happens, many early adopters will end up with obsolete products -- this needs to be avoided at all costs. Technology wars create market uncertainty, which hurts manufacturers, hurts broadcasters and, most importantly, hurts the consumer."
IMDA Profile 1 sets out to harmonise the technologies currently used by internet radio manufacturers and broadcasters. Specifically, the baseline standard stipulates devices must decode both WMA and MP3 codecs; use HTTP streaming with 301 and 302 redirection; accept play list formats M3U, ASX, PLS with new line separation for URLs in plain text; and receive stereo streams via two channels or by downloading a mix of both.
"More and more consumers are discovering great audio content from around the world over the internet on an increasing number of different devices," added John Ousby, an IMDA steering committee member, vTuner's director of broadcaster services and the BBC's former head of distribution technology for audio and music. "Aligning technologies for internet radio devices is an important step for continued rapid growth.”
Harry Johnson, chairman of the IMDA’s steering committee and president of vTuner, concluded, "Internet radios bearing the IMDA certified logo will be in the shops before Christmas, marking 2009 as a watershed moment for internet connected media devices.”
To speed the adoption of Profile 1, the IMDA is running a ‘fast track’ certification programme for a limited period. Information is available from www.imdalliance.org. Future IMDA Profiles will set standards for different types of internet connected media devices, for example video players.
The IMDA was launched in 2009 to develop and promote a set of open, interoperable standards and device profiles for internet connected media devices. Its steering committee comprises many of the world’s leading players in streaming media: Awox, BBC, Deutsche Welle, the European Broadcasting Union, Frontier Silicon, Global Radio, Pure, Reciva, SWR and vTuner.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Frontier Silicon module world’s first combined Internet radio, DAB and FM receiver to achieve IMDA profile 1 certification
IFA, BERLIN, GERMANY: Frontier Silicon, the leading supplier of connected audio technology, has announced that its Venice 6.2 module and Jupiter 6.2 reference platform are the first combined DAB, FM and Internet radio products to become IMDA (Internet Media Device Alliance) profile 1 certified.
This means that any radio products being developed by Frontier Silicon’s customers incorporating these modules or platforms also benefit from this approval, providing a faster time for achieving certification of their final end product to consumers.
The role of the IMDA is to define a series of end-to-end technical standards, functions and profiles, which will encourage the development of a wide range of compelling mainstream Internet media devices with a degree of consistency and interoperability for consumers, while enabling differentiation for manufacturers and broadcasters. Its certification program was rolled out yesterday at a half-day IMDA Summit at the IFA conference in Berlin.
IMDA profile 1 certification defines an IP radio receiver specification that maximises interoperability between broadcasters and content providers. Hence manufacturers that develop their products to this specification can be confident that the maximum number of services will be able to run on their products.
Frontier Silicon is the first to have a certified receiver product that combines internet radio, connected home audio streaming, DAB/DAB+ digital radio and FM radio – in a single device. This in turn provides radio manufacturers with a turnkey IMDA profile 1 certified internet radio product for fast-track certification of their own end products offering these features.
A number of lead customers already benefiting from Frontier Silicon’s IMDA profile 1 certification – including Roberts Radio, Revo Technologies, and M3 (the leading internet radio manufacturer in Germany) –- also showed their certified end products at the IMDA Summit at IFA.
The cost-optimized Venice 6.2 hardware module and accompanying IR2.0 Software Development Kit (SDK) enable the industry’s most comprehensive and versatile Internet radio, DAB and FM solution available, offering a complete hardware and software package for consumer electronics manufacturers looking to deliver products enabling multiple content streams, Internet radio, DAB/DAB+, FM, home networked audio, USB and premium music services.
The Venice 6.2/IR2.0 solution provides one-stop shopping for consumer electronics (CE) brands and their ODM (original device manufacturer) partners wanting to offer digital music services on their home audio devices.
The feature-customizable software stack enables easy integration into CE home devices, and the module provides access to over 12,000 Internet radio stations via the Frontier Silicon web portal, together with the listener’s own digital music library using UPnP. Also available are a comprehensive choice of premium streaming music services, including Pandora, Last.fm and SiriusXM.
The Venice 6.2 module is also available as part of Jupiter 6.2, a fully-qualified reference platform that provides a complete Internet radio reference design, with DAB/DAB+ capability and an LCD graphic display supporting Frontier Silicon’s enhanced user interface.
The Jupiter 6.2 platform is fully tested to conform to wireless network connectivity and will include wireless certifications as well as interoperability certification programs. Comprehensive certification support enables customers wishing using the Venice 6.2 module to certify their products with minimal time-to-market and cost.
This means that any radio products being developed by Frontier Silicon’s customers incorporating these modules or platforms also benefit from this approval, providing a faster time for achieving certification of their final end product to consumers.
The role of the IMDA is to define a series of end-to-end technical standards, functions and profiles, which will encourage the development of a wide range of compelling mainstream Internet media devices with a degree of consistency and interoperability for consumers, while enabling differentiation for manufacturers and broadcasters. Its certification program was rolled out yesterday at a half-day IMDA Summit at the IFA conference in Berlin.
IMDA profile 1 certification defines an IP radio receiver specification that maximises interoperability between broadcasters and content providers. Hence manufacturers that develop their products to this specification can be confident that the maximum number of services will be able to run on their products.
Frontier Silicon is the first to have a certified receiver product that combines internet radio, connected home audio streaming, DAB/DAB+ digital radio and FM radio – in a single device. This in turn provides radio manufacturers with a turnkey IMDA profile 1 certified internet radio product for fast-track certification of their own end products offering these features.
A number of lead customers already benefiting from Frontier Silicon’s IMDA profile 1 certification – including Roberts Radio, Revo Technologies, and M3 (the leading internet radio manufacturer in Germany) –- also showed their certified end products at the IMDA Summit at IFA.
The cost-optimized Venice 6.2 hardware module and accompanying IR2.0 Software Development Kit (SDK) enable the industry’s most comprehensive and versatile Internet radio, DAB and FM solution available, offering a complete hardware and software package for consumer electronics manufacturers looking to deliver products enabling multiple content streams, Internet radio, DAB/DAB+, FM, home networked audio, USB and premium music services.
The Venice 6.2/IR2.0 solution provides one-stop shopping for consumer electronics (CE) brands and their ODM (original device manufacturer) partners wanting to offer digital music services on their home audio devices.
The feature-customizable software stack enables easy integration into CE home devices, and the module provides access to over 12,000 Internet radio stations via the Frontier Silicon web portal, together with the listener’s own digital music library using UPnP. Also available are a comprehensive choice of premium streaming music services, including Pandora, Last.fm and SiriusXM.
The Venice 6.2 module is also available as part of Jupiter 6.2, a fully-qualified reference platform that provides a complete Internet radio reference design, with DAB/DAB+ capability and an LCD graphic display supporting Frontier Silicon’s enhanced user interface.
The Jupiter 6.2 platform is fully tested to conform to wireless network connectivity and will include wireless certifications as well as interoperability certification programs. Comprehensive certification support enables customers wishing using the Venice 6.2 module to certify their products with minimal time-to-market and cost.
Oberthur Technologies and Comex Electronics sign partnership agreement
PARIS, FRANCE: Oberthur Technologies SA and Comex Electronics AB have agreed to a strategic partnership that will boost companies' business activities in the growing market of authentication and logon systems with smart card solutions.
Oberthur will provide world leading products and services in smart cards and Comex will include Oberthur Technologies products and services in their solutions with card readers and smart cards.
"We see this partnership as a very strategic channel for providing security for authentication and logon solutions up to the highest level of security criteria's in the world. For example, Comex is very excited about Oberthur Technologies validated fingerprint comparison technology embedded on smart card chip like the ID-ONE COSMO.
"It provides a very secure way of authenticating the card holder with exceptional performances in terms of interoperability, accuracy and speed, while maintaining an error rate lower than the defined thresholds. Oberthur is enthusiastic about integrating with the Comex BioSec Reader(TM)," says Curt Svinge, Business Manager of Oberthur Technologies Sweden.
"We see this partnership as a very important step to strengthen Comex position as a highly recognized supplier of data security at a level approved for national security. This will improve our joint marketing possibilities throughout the world within this segment of highly secured products." says Mikael Aronowitsch CEO of Comex Electronics AB.
The companies' first joint marketing effort will be at Defence Systems & Equipment International 2009 (DSEI) fair 8-11 of September in London, at booth 705.
Oberthur will provide world leading products and services in smart cards and Comex will include Oberthur Technologies products and services in their solutions with card readers and smart cards.
"We see this partnership as a very strategic channel for providing security for authentication and logon solutions up to the highest level of security criteria's in the world. For example, Comex is very excited about Oberthur Technologies validated fingerprint comparison technology embedded on smart card chip like the ID-ONE COSMO.
"It provides a very secure way of authenticating the card holder with exceptional performances in terms of interoperability, accuracy and speed, while maintaining an error rate lower than the defined thresholds. Oberthur is enthusiastic about integrating with the Comex BioSec Reader(TM)," says Curt Svinge, Business Manager of Oberthur Technologies Sweden.
"We see this partnership as a very important step to strengthen Comex position as a highly recognized supplier of data security at a level approved for national security. This will improve our joint marketing possibilities throughout the world within this segment of highly secured products." says Mikael Aronowitsch CEO of Comex Electronics AB.
The companies' first joint marketing effort will be at Defence Systems & Equipment International 2009 (DSEI) fair 8-11 of September in London, at booth 705.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Samsung maintains worldwide LCD-TV lead in Q2
EL SEGUNDO, USA: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. in the second quarter maintained its lead in the global LCD-TV market, partly due to a surge in shipments of its LED-backlit sets, according to iSuppli Corp.
Samsung’s worldwide LCD-TV shipments for the second quarter amounted to 5.7 million units, up 605,956 from 5.1 million in the first quarter, the largest unit increase of all LCD-TV brands during the quarter. The 12 percent growth gave Samsung a market share of 18.5 percent.
“Samsung in the second quarter was very aggressive in introducing and marketing LCD-TVs that featured LED backlights,” said Riddhi Patel, principal analyst, television, for iSuppli. “This put Samsung at the forefront of this fast-growing technology trend, helping to boost the company’s sales during the period.”
Unlike traditional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) televisions that generate their own light, LCD-TVs require an additional illumination source—or backlight—in order to present a visible image. LCDs historically have employed Fluorescent Lamps (CCFLs) as backlights. However, because of price reductions, LEDs in recent years have become a viable alternative to CCFLs.
LEDs deliver multiple advantages compared to CCFLs, including greater power savings, thinner form factors and the elimination of toxic materials employed in CCFL manufacturing.
Worldwide shipments of LCD TVs with LED backlights rose to 604,000 units in the second quarter, up 75 percent from 345,000 in the first. Shipments of such sets are expected to rise by 170 percent in the third quarter and by another 20 percent in the fourth quarter.
For all of 2009, shipments of LCD-TVs with LED backlights are predicted to reach 4.5 million units, up by more than a factor of 10 from 438,000 in 2008. By 2013, shipments will rise to 98.8 million, accounting for 42.5 percent of the global LCD-TV market.
Sales rise for both high-end and low-end LCD-TVs
Global LCD-TVs shipments rose to 30.7 million units in the second quarter, up 14.1 percent from 26.9 million in the first.
“Consumers in the second quarter continued to buy more LCD TVs despite the economic downturn due to the introduction of more advanced models and because of price declines for older sets,” Patel observed.
Consumers in developed economies who already have purchased flat-panel sets now are buying replacement or additional LCD-TVs that have enhanced features. In addition to LCD-TVs with LED backlights, these consumers are purchasing larger televisions and sets with faster refresh rates, i.e., 120Hz and 240Hz, which yield higher-quality pictures and superior presentation of fast motion.
Meanwhile, retail prices for older models declined in the second quarter, despite a glass shortage that has driven up pricing for some LCD panels. The price drops attracted first-time LCD-TV buyers, as well those with lower incomes and consumers in developing economies.
Global average selling price for all LCD-TVs remained flat in the second quarter compared to the first. However, pricing for the most popular size range for LCD-TVs, i.e., 30- to 34-inches, decreased by 4 percent sequentially in the second quarter.
“While panel prices may have risen, LCD-TV makers have taken some reductions on their margins to reduce pricing and maintain sales momentum,” Patel said. “Furthermore, in some cases, retailers are willing to compromise on their mark-ups to ensure the ongoing uptake of these sets.”
On a percentage basis, the fastest growth in the second quarter was achieved by LG Electronics, whose shipments rose by 20 percent to reach 3.5 million units, up from 2.9 million in the first quarter.
“LG’s strong growth was due to the company’s increased shipments to the emerging markets, where consumers are now looking at buying their first LCD TVs,” Patel said.
The figure presents iSuppli’s ranking of the Top-5 LCD-TV brands in the second quarter.
iSuppli: Quarterly Global Ranking of the World's Top-Five LCD-TV Brands (Ranking by Percentage of Global Unit Shipments)
Source: iSuppli, Sept. 2009
Samsung’s worldwide LCD-TV shipments for the second quarter amounted to 5.7 million units, up 605,956 from 5.1 million in the first quarter, the largest unit increase of all LCD-TV brands during the quarter. The 12 percent growth gave Samsung a market share of 18.5 percent.
“Samsung in the second quarter was very aggressive in introducing and marketing LCD-TVs that featured LED backlights,” said Riddhi Patel, principal analyst, television, for iSuppli. “This put Samsung at the forefront of this fast-growing technology trend, helping to boost the company’s sales during the period.”
Unlike traditional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) televisions that generate their own light, LCD-TVs require an additional illumination source—or backlight—in order to present a visible image. LCDs historically have employed Fluorescent Lamps (CCFLs) as backlights. However, because of price reductions, LEDs in recent years have become a viable alternative to CCFLs.
LEDs deliver multiple advantages compared to CCFLs, including greater power savings, thinner form factors and the elimination of toxic materials employed in CCFL manufacturing.
Worldwide shipments of LCD TVs with LED backlights rose to 604,000 units in the second quarter, up 75 percent from 345,000 in the first. Shipments of such sets are expected to rise by 170 percent in the third quarter and by another 20 percent in the fourth quarter.
For all of 2009, shipments of LCD-TVs with LED backlights are predicted to reach 4.5 million units, up by more than a factor of 10 from 438,000 in 2008. By 2013, shipments will rise to 98.8 million, accounting for 42.5 percent of the global LCD-TV market.
Sales rise for both high-end and low-end LCD-TVs
Global LCD-TVs shipments rose to 30.7 million units in the second quarter, up 14.1 percent from 26.9 million in the first.
“Consumers in the second quarter continued to buy more LCD TVs despite the economic downturn due to the introduction of more advanced models and because of price declines for older sets,” Patel observed.
Consumers in developed economies who already have purchased flat-panel sets now are buying replacement or additional LCD-TVs that have enhanced features. In addition to LCD-TVs with LED backlights, these consumers are purchasing larger televisions and sets with faster refresh rates, i.e., 120Hz and 240Hz, which yield higher-quality pictures and superior presentation of fast motion.
Meanwhile, retail prices for older models declined in the second quarter, despite a glass shortage that has driven up pricing for some LCD panels. The price drops attracted first-time LCD-TV buyers, as well those with lower incomes and consumers in developing economies.
Global average selling price for all LCD-TVs remained flat in the second quarter compared to the first. However, pricing for the most popular size range for LCD-TVs, i.e., 30- to 34-inches, decreased by 4 percent sequentially in the second quarter.
“While panel prices may have risen, LCD-TV makers have taken some reductions on their margins to reduce pricing and maintain sales momentum,” Patel said. “Furthermore, in some cases, retailers are willing to compromise on their mark-ups to ensure the ongoing uptake of these sets.”
On a percentage basis, the fastest growth in the second quarter was achieved by LG Electronics, whose shipments rose by 20 percent to reach 3.5 million units, up from 2.9 million in the first quarter.
“LG’s strong growth was due to the company’s increased shipments to the emerging markets, where consumers are now looking at buying their first LCD TVs,” Patel said.
The figure presents iSuppli’s ranking of the Top-5 LCD-TV brands in the second quarter.
iSuppli: Quarterly Global Ranking of the World's Top-Five LCD-TV Brands (Ranking by Percentage of Global Unit Shipments)
Source: iSuppli, Sept. 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
In-car GPS with TV market experiences huge growth despite auto crisis
PARIS, FRANCE: Faced with competition from smartphone applications, GPS manufacturers are offering added value by incorporating new functions such as TV.
DiBcom, the leading provider of multistandard mobile TV solutions, is proud to announce that its technology is now integrated into leading brands Mio and Garmin Navigation devices to enable the reception of digital television. The company has witnessed a significant increase in sales of components for these devices.
New generation Sat Navs offer multimedia functionality
Because drivers generally use their vehicle for familiar journeys, the navigation function of a GPS device in only used for approximately 6 percent of all trips. New Sat Nav devices must therefore offer additional feature to enable users to appreciate their utility during the remaining 94% of the time.
Sat Navs have now become veritable mobile multimedia devices which combine satellite navigation, digital television and other multimedia options.
By integrating DiBcom technology, the future looks bright for new GPS devices.
DiBcom's new DiB9090 chipset is built into the new Free-to-air televsion-enabled GPS receivers. Given the high volume of sales of these devices during 2008 and 2009, Yannick Levy, CEO of DiBcom is confident about their future.
He said: "The penetration rate for digital television and other multimedia functions built into GPS devices could reach 20 percent in Europe by 2011. Korea was the first country to witness an almost 100 percent penetration rate for mobile television integrated GPS devices.
"In Europe today, the rate is lower, partly due to the difficulty experienced in receiving free-to-air signals. We will however, soon witness a similar trend as free-to-air digital television is indeed 'free' and our technology offers solutions for reception difficulties," he concluded.
DiBcom, the leading provider of multistandard mobile TV solutions, is proud to announce that its technology is now integrated into leading brands Mio and Garmin Navigation devices to enable the reception of digital television. The company has witnessed a significant increase in sales of components for these devices.
New generation Sat Navs offer multimedia functionality
Because drivers generally use their vehicle for familiar journeys, the navigation function of a GPS device in only used for approximately 6 percent of all trips. New Sat Nav devices must therefore offer additional feature to enable users to appreciate their utility during the remaining 94% of the time.
Sat Navs have now become veritable mobile multimedia devices which combine satellite navigation, digital television and other multimedia options.
By integrating DiBcom technology, the future looks bright for new GPS devices.
DiBcom's new DiB9090 chipset is built into the new Free-to-air televsion-enabled GPS receivers. Given the high volume of sales of these devices during 2008 and 2009, Yannick Levy, CEO of DiBcom is confident about their future.
He said: "The penetration rate for digital television and other multimedia functions built into GPS devices could reach 20 percent in Europe by 2011. Korea was the first country to witness an almost 100 percent penetration rate for mobile television integrated GPS devices.
"In Europe today, the rate is lower, partly due to the difficulty experienced in receiving free-to-air signals. We will however, soon witness a similar trend as free-to-air digital television is indeed 'free' and our technology offers solutions for reception difficulties," he concluded.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Consumer electronics market forecast to 2012
DUBLIN, IRELAND: Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Consumer Electronics Market Forecast to 2012" report to its offering.
The consumer electronics industry has been witnessing a phenomenal growth globally over the past few years. This growth can be attributed to the revolutionary technological developments taking place in the consumer electronics industry.
The revolution brought by the digital technology has enabled the consumer electronics sector to profit from the growing interaction of digital applications, such as camcorders, DVD player/recorder, still camera, computer monitor, LCD TV, etc. In 2008, the global consumer electronics market was worth $335.2 billion.
According to our new research "Consumer Electronics Market Forecast to 2012", the global consumer electronics market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of around 5 percent during 2009-2012. Also, during the same period, the global consumer electronics shipment will grow at a CAGR of around 5 percent. Various factors driving the future growth have been thoroughly studied in the report.
On the regional front, we found that the American region, mainly US, is driving the global consumer electronics industry, closely followed by Europe.
In future, Asia Pacific region will constitute the major portion of the consumer electronics industry, mainly due to the increase in demand from the developed countries in the region. Also, the American region alongwith the European region will see a decline in their market shares because the markets there have attained saturation and only the advent of new technology will boost the demand.
Our research foresees continuous development of digital technologies which are revolutionizing the consumer electronics industry worldwide. Moreover, the continuously falling prices of consumer electronics in several regions are also giving a reason to higher number of consumers to spend on consumer electronics.
These factors indicate that the consumer electronics industry has bright future ahead, particularly in countries like China and India where the economy is moving at a relatively fast pace.
The consumer electronics industry has been witnessing a phenomenal growth globally over the past few years. This growth can be attributed to the revolutionary technological developments taking place in the consumer electronics industry.
The revolution brought by the digital technology has enabled the consumer electronics sector to profit from the growing interaction of digital applications, such as camcorders, DVD player/recorder, still camera, computer monitor, LCD TV, etc. In 2008, the global consumer electronics market was worth $335.2 billion.
According to our new research "Consumer Electronics Market Forecast to 2012", the global consumer electronics market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of around 5 percent during 2009-2012. Also, during the same period, the global consumer electronics shipment will grow at a CAGR of around 5 percent. Various factors driving the future growth have been thoroughly studied in the report.
On the regional front, we found that the American region, mainly US, is driving the global consumer electronics industry, closely followed by Europe.
In future, Asia Pacific region will constitute the major portion of the consumer electronics industry, mainly due to the increase in demand from the developed countries in the region. Also, the American region alongwith the European region will see a decline in their market shares because the markets there have attained saturation and only the advent of new technology will boost the demand.
Our research foresees continuous development of digital technologies which are revolutionizing the consumer electronics industry worldwide. Moreover, the continuously falling prices of consumer electronics in several regions are also giving a reason to higher number of consumers to spend on consumer electronics.
These factors indicate that the consumer electronics industry has bright future ahead, particularly in countries like China and India where the economy is moving at a relatively fast pace.
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