Several drivers have influenced manufacturers to design more efficient over-the-air (OTA) transmitters, including government regulations, socially conscious corporate mandates, and general operating cost reduction. The ultimate goal for vendors like GatesAir is to deliver high-efficiency, over-the-air systems that deliver low total cost of ownership for their customers.
This white paper looks at the latest generation models of OTA transmitters, such as the GatesAir Maxiva UHF range of transmitters with PowerSmart 3D technology, and how they are playing a role in OTA broadcasting’s progression through higher efficiency designs. This not only includes energy consumption. It is further based on a new modular system approach that relies heavily on software, making these systems easier to operate and maintain. This means that the OTA transmitter will continue to be a major asset for broadcasters everywhere.
Both legacy TV and PC are losing ground to smartphones and tablets and will continue to do so over the next decade, with mobile video accounting for over 20% of total viewing by then. This is among insights from The Diffusion Group’s (TDG) latest report, TV Gets Personal — Trends in Mobile Video Viewing, 2015-2025, which suggests the trend is being driven by cultural factors associated with the increasing capability of mobile devices and networks.
In 1956, Zenith released the first television remote to gain widespread popularity. It worked on ultrasound waves and was the size of a small Bible. Functionality was pretty basic: it could turn the TV on and off, scroll through all 13 channels and mute the volume. In the nearly 60 years since its debut remotes have steadily evolved, morphed and grown to all sizes and shapes, even integrated into our cell phones and tablets to become part of our everyday connected lives. Although this physical interaction with the TV is evolving, the on-screen interactive experience is not keeping up with the needs of TV viewers.
Having been once the new kid on the block IPTV is now part of the pay TV mainstream facing the rising challenge of OTT, but it still has momentum even in the leading developed markets. IPTV single handedly dragged the US pay TV market back to growth in the last quarter of 2014 after two quarters of decline, while the same happened in several European countries including the Netherlands.
Optical and imaging tech vendor ImmerVision has debuted a 360°panomorph front-facing camera for smartphones and tablets. The software package facilitates the capture of videos and pictures in 360° and the navigation of the images or video in 360°, live or in playback mode.
The UK’s DPP may have set the bar high in terms of standard file-delivery and compliance but other territories are working toward their own version which means vendors need to rework their tools to fit.
John Watkinson* looks at the importance of virus protection and some methods to help prevent cyber-attacks. Some steps may include proper staff training to adopting unique hardware and software designs.
Controlling content quality for delivery in an increasingly diverse array of formats to multiple platforms is time-consuming and costly, particularly in the rush to prepare and exchange file-based media between post production, distribution and broadcast facilities. There are now ways to automate that time-consuming process, but the question broadcasters and facilities houses should ask themselves when they are considering an investment in auto-QC technology is, “Does this auto-QC software just tell me where the problems, are or will it tell me where they are and fix them for me”?
