Sony expands its memory card offering

Sony is set to bring its special blend of quality, reliability and performance to the memory card market with the launch of a range of SD/SDHC and microSD/microSDHC cards. Providing high memory capacity to consumers in compact devices, these cards can be used in cameras, mobile phones, and laptops which use SD card format. The new range of memory cards are all class-4-speed (except for the microSD 2GB card) for high-definition recording and include unique benefits like x-Pict story and File Rescue software. Masaru Tamagawa, MD, Sony India said "The new memory cards range SD/SDHC and microSD/microSDHC will complement Sony's existing Memory Stick line up, satisfying the needs of a broader range of users, and strengthening Sony's position as a full-line media supplier. In addition to the current models, Sony also intends to expand the product line-up to address the price conscious customers and capture 35 percent share in the SD card market by 2010-11".

The cards are designed to get the best performance from sophisticated Hardware. Class 4 data transfer speed means stable HD Video recording and better speed to cope with the advanced functions of compact digital cameras. Sony's SD/SDHC memory card range features storage capacity of up to 32GB, while the microSD/microSDHC memory cards are able to store up to 8GB of data.

Abhishek Bachchan to be face of Videocon d2h

Videocon d2h had announced its association with Bollywood actor, Abhishek Bachchan as the face of their DTH brand in Mumbai. Videocon d2h, which launched its operations in the second Quarter of 2009, also unveiled an array of the world's first satellite product range, consisting of satellite LCDs, satellite color televisions, satellite DVDs and satellite box, offering direct-to-home services. Currently Videocon d2h is present across the length and breadth of India through a dealer and distributor base of around 40,000. Backed by technological innovation, the company has set up state-of-the-art digital infrastructure including a technology centre in Noida and three high-end 24x7 call centers in Pune, Dehradun, and Bangalore; manned by multi-lingual customer service associates, trained to solve all customer queries in 10 languages.

Speaking about Abhishek Bachchan as the brand ambassador for Videocon d2h, Anil Khera, CEO, Bharat Business Channel Ltd. (BBCL) commented, "Abhishek makes a perfect match with the Videocon d2h brand attributes of innovation and high-quality entertainment. As our brand's face, he will be instrumental in communicating the benefits to consumers across the country. It is our privilege to be associated with an actor of his caliber and excellent standing in the entertainment industry." Speaking on the occasion of his association with Videocon d2h, Abhishek Bachchan said, "I am delighted to be associated with the brand which has combined technological innovation with a range of products. Videocon d2h is the only one which epitomizes the true meaning of Direct-to-home as it connects the viewer directly through their latest product offerings, which no other brand has to offer currently. These Satellite Products receive DTH services directly; they do not need a set top box". Videocon d2h has partnered with Irdeto, as it offers pay-TV operators a versatile, modular and scalable Conditional Access System (CAS) that protects content conveyed over cable, satellite, terrestrial, IP, mobile, and hybrid networks. Similarly, they are also associated with Tech Mahindra as their IT partners and IBM to provide a world-class technology infrastructure.

Autodesk Software core to realization of James Cameron's creative vision in Avatar

From start to finish, software from Autodesk played a pivotal role in helping James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment, pioneer new methods of virtual moviemaking, for Cameron's history-making motion picture Avatar. "When James Cameron conceived the idea for Avatar 15 years ago, the technology was not available to make it," said Nolan Murtha, digital effects supervisor at Lightstorm Entertainment. "Over the past few years, with the help of Autodesk software, we were able to bring his vision to life. On the sets, we essentially created a live video game of each scene; we could see what the movie was going to look like and make adjustments right away, rather than waiting until post-production." The filmmakers re-created the live-action shooting experience by using Autodesk MotionBuilder performance capture software on set. Performances by live actors were applied onto digital characters and viewed in real time. The digital characters were seen within virtual environments, which were prebuilt with MotionBuilder and Autodesk Maya visual effects, animation and rendering software. In addition, Autodesk Mudbox digital sculpting software was used for asset creation, and then Maya was again used for final scene creation and finishing.

Sennheiser India enhances service support

Sennheiser Electronics India has enhanced its service center with the most advanced and sophisticated technological features, to provide the best service support for its partners and consumers. Highlighting the great service support, Suman Thakur, RF Specialist & Manager Customer Service, Sennheiser India, said, "At Sennheiser, we are committed to providing world class services. Sennheiser service is not merely a repair centre but a competence centre which will support pre and post-sales services on all product groups from Sennheiser. We value our relationship with our business partners and therefore want to ensure that we provide the best product experience to them." Sennheiser offers technical support in terms of multi-channel RF system designing and frequency management to ensure smooth wireless operation in broadcast studios, live concerts, TV serial shoots, and reality shows. It has opened a new service centre in Mumbai in April 2009. Both the service centers are equipped with premium Rhode & Scwarz test gear where repairs of premium wireless equipment is carried out by highly-skilled engineers. Customization of product is also carried out as per the requirements of our prestigious customers. Sennheiser offers swap services to the consumer segment directly from the two service centers.

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific brings Discovery HD to India

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific announced today the launch of Discovery HD, a 24-hour high-definition channel in India. Discovery HD is a premium service that features the highest quality content from across Discovery Networks' most popular channels, as well as select exclusive content. Discovery HD will bring audiences closer to their world with breathtaking imagery and expansive detail, featuring programming on the wonders of the world ranging from culture, science, and natural history to travel and lifestyle themes. Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager, India, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, said, "The emergence and growth of digitization in India is critically dependent on the broadcasters' competence to offer differentiated, credible and entertaining content. Discovery HD brings the network's thrilling factual content to life - sound effects are more realistic, images larger than life and situations more gripping than ever before." The launch of Discovery HD expands Discovery's portfolio in India to six networks. Discovery broadcasts five other networks in India, including Discovery Channel, Discovery Travel & Living, and Animal Planet - the only 24-hour channel dedicated to wildlife.

OmniBus Systems expands regional presence with appointment of Iain Wood

OmniBus Systems had announced the appointment of Iain Wood as regional sales manager responsible for market development in the Middle East, India, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. Wood's appointment marks the expansion of the company's activities in these regions, driven by growing sales and demand for OmniBus products, and in particular for the flagship OmniBus iTX IT-based transmission and automation platform.

"The regions Iain will be spearheading for OmniBus are ones in which the company has already achieved some notable successes, but demand and interest in our products have risen sharply in recent months," said Mike Oldham, OmniBus CEO. "The rollout of HD through these regions, together with the growth of multi-format delivery as mobile TV and Web-based services proliferate, means that we offer exactly the technologies today's broadcasters and media companies want. Iain's addition to our team comes at a perfect time as these dynamic markets develop."

OmniBus iTX is the next-generation solution that makes the conventional broadcast automation, master control and playout chain obsolete. Combining and exceeding all the functions of a conventional chain in a single integrated suite of software applications, iTX is flexible, open and feature-rich, and it offers a significantly more configurable and responsive end-to-end solution for a wide range of operating environments. With market-beating support for SD and HD formats, and exceptional ability to integrate with third-party systems, iTX delivers the most powerful solution available while significantly reducing the investment required to launch and operate high-quality channels in broadcast, IPTV, mobile TV, disaster recovery and business continuity applications.