News and Notes: 16 June 2008


Journey into the digital future with BroadcastAsia 2008

Largest-ever Singapore Pavilion will anchor the event, showcasing cutting-edge technologies that will change how we use and interact with media.

BroadcastAsia is back, and this 13th instalment of the region's premier digital multimedia technology event promises a glimpse into the digital future.

Themed “Digital: The Journey Forward”, BroadcastAsia2008 – which opens tomorrow – will cover 22,000 sq m of the Singapore Expo, with 760 companies from 46 countries taking part.

Its anchor group pavilion will be the 1,200 sq m Singapore Pavilion, showcasing a record 50 local companies on the cutting edge of digital broadcasting. This compares with just 180 sq m and 10 local firms in 2004.

“The pavilion captures MDA’s vision to grow a vibrant media hub, and create a conducive environment for the test-bedding of innovative applications, services and technologies,” said Dr Christopher Chia, CEO, Media Development Authority of Singapore. “We also aim to attract more broadcasters and industry players to use Singapore as a launch pad to regionalise their businesses.”

Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive of MDA, with Mr Stephen Tan, Chief Executive of event organiser Singapore Exhibition Services (left) and Mr Michael Yap, Executive Director of the Interactive Digital Media R&D Programme Office (right), sharing highlights of BroadcastAsia 2008.

With pre-registered visitors admitting sourcing budgets of US$1.8 billion, this target looks achievable.

What’s in store? Here are a few highlights of the Singapore Pavilion.

  • Technology group PGK, together with UzoneMedia, will showcase their mobile media distribution platform for public transportation. The solution lets passengers find their entertainment and food options in their vicinity, and will be rolled out in about 1,000 taxis in Singapore in a few months’ time.
  • MXR Corporation, formed in 2004, is a pioneer in “mixed reality” or “augmented reality”. With a computer and a web cam, users can interact with the world on the screen by manipulating physical markers on cards or cubes. So, for example, children from as young as three years can change how a fairytale is being told on a computer, simply by manipulating cubes in front of the webcam.

A preview of wIzQubes, a mixed-reality storytelling toy by MXR Corporation.

  • Broadband infrastructure and technology company Qmax Communications is exhibiting inPerson, which supports multi-party conferencing. Unlike Skype or MSN, the unit, which works with wi-fi or LAN connection, offers enterprise-quality sound and images.

  • The world’s first location-specific mobile television network will also be presented at the Singapore Pavilion. PICO DVB-H Basestation, by Innoxius Technologies, is one of the smallest self-contained DVB-H headends in the world, but facilitates mobile television in a building, for example. Working through broadband IP infrastructure, the content can be fed on-site, either by operators or users.

BroadcastAsia 2008 runs from 17 to 20 June at Singapore Expo and is open to trade visitors. It is held alongside CG Overdrive – Asia’s unparalleled computer-graphics event – and a host of other events under the Infocomm Media Business Exchange.

During this week, MDA will also be organising the first-ever Regional Seminar on Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB). Comprising workshops and presentations, the event aims to provide technical and policy training to support the efforts of Asean countries in the adoption of a common digital TV broadcasting standard.

We will be bringing you highlights of BroadcastAsia 2008, CG Overdrive and the Regional Seminar on DTTB throughout this coming week. Stay tuned!

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