Multi-screen

Cablevision up to 75,000 hotspots for Wi-Fi service

April 8, 2013 12:09 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Cablevision announced this morning that its Wi-Fi service, Optimum WiFi, was now enabled across more than 75,000 hotspots in its New York Metropolitan footprint. Cablevision also said its Wi-Fi service has been used more than one million times by its subscribers since it was first launched in Long Island back in 2008.

Research: STBs bounce back in 2012; Cisco leads the way

April 8, 2013 12:03 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Infonetics Research’s recent study said that the set-top box market, which includes IP, cable, satellite, hybrid boxes, bounced back last year. According to Infonetics, the global set-top box (STB) market, totaled $4.6 billion in the fourth quarter of last year, which was up 3 percent sequentially

Motorola sets practical demos of HEVC

April 5, 2013 2:09 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

One of Motorola’s demos next week will feature a real-time HEVC encoder delivering streaming content to a Google Nexus 10 tablet for real-time decoding and playback, the company said. A second demo will showcase real-time HEVC HTTP live streaming to an Apple iPad (4th generation). A third will show an IP set-top box decoding HEVC.

Telenor Sweden readies for multi-screen

April 4, 2013 2:21 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Telenor Sweden will deploy Ericsson Multiscreen TV solution for its customers, enabling it to deliver content to a wide range of connected devices. Separately, Ericsson will be showing its LTE video delivery system at the NAB Show next week.

Midcontinent launches whole home service

April 4, 2013 1:59 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

The MSO has begun deploying a whole-home service based on TiVo equipment and technology. It will roll out the service in Rapid City and the Northern Black Hills area in South Dakota, followed by Minnesota, North Dakota and the remaining South Dakota markets in the coming months.

RGB upgrades video processor

April 3, 2013 1:37 pm | by Brian Santo | Products | Comments

The company’s Video Multiprocessing Gateway (VMG) Gen 2 incorporates a new scalable plug-in module the company says offers more than double the transcoding capacity of its VMG predecessor. The system is particularly suited for delivering TV Everywhere services.

Cogeco Cable launches guide apps

April 2, 2013 1:27 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Cogeco Cable has launched two new apps, one subscribers can use for content search and discovery and then also to set home equipment to record programs, the other enables remote scheduling of PVRs. Both apps were developed with Rovi Corp.

Apple Buys Wi-Fi location startup

March 26, 2013 12:20 pm | by Associated Press | News | Comments

Apple has bought WiFiSlam, a startup that has been developing a way to use Wi-Fi hotspots to help smartphones navigate large indoor spaces, like stores, airports and conference centers. The purchase is part of Apple’s efforts to bolster its own mapping and location capabilities, after breaking up with Google Inc. last year.

Bright House Networks updates app

March 25, 2013 12:42 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Bright House Networks has rolled out the next version of its Bright House TV App (BHTV), which includes a new interactive program (IPG) guide and remote DVR capabilities. The new IPG lets users navigate through up to seven days of program listings and has extensive search capabilities.

AT&T tunes in WatchESPN lineup

March 25, 2013 12:27 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

AT&T U-verse subscribers can now tune into ESPN’s WatchESPN web portal to view live sporting events on their smartphones and tablets via the WathcESPN app. AT&T customers who subscribe to ESPN’s linear networks can now stream live events and programming from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPNU

Cox adds cloud-based storage for iPhone, Android devices

March 21, 2013 12:36 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Cox Communications has added in a free cloud-based storage element for iPhone and Android devices through its Cox Secure Online Backup. Cox Secure Online Backup is free to all of the cable operator’s data customers. The service lets subscribers store, share and backup files in a cloud.

SeaChange reveals another Adrenalin customer

March 20, 2013 1:48 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Com Hem in Sweden will be using SeaChange’s Adrenalin back office system to support its forthcoming multiscreen service due for rollout later this year. Com Hem will use TiVo technology to deliver broadcast TV channels, VOD, catch-up TV and start-over for TiVo set-tops, LAN set-tops, smartphones and tablets.

Comcast strikes up free Wi-Fi at Citizens Bank Park

March 20, 2013 12:24 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Baseball fans can tap into Comcast’s Wi-Fi access points for free during Phillies games at Citizens Bank Park. In its hometown of Philly, baseball fans at the games can access the hotspots with their wireless devices even if they’re not Comcast Xfinity Internet subscribers.

S3 Group appoints O’Carroll to board

March 19, 2013 11:54 am | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

S3 Group announced that it has appointed former Rogers Communications executive Dermot O’Carroll to its board of directors. O’Carroll spent 17 years at Rogers Communications before retiring last year as senior vice president of network engineering and operations.

Disney, News Corp. finalizing plans for Hulu

March 18, 2013 2:14 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

At issue is whether Hulu should completely dedicate itself to the free streaming of TV shows with ads, or whether its value lies in paid subscriptions for viewers. Disney is said to prefer the ad-supported model, while News Corp. prefers a paid service. The two might put the operation back up for sale.