Issue 20, Volume 3

 

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* Wifi / Mobile*

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Who Will Win the 4G Race?

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Although WiMax supporters claim that 4G is WiMax, we believe this is a wrongful assertion. Future versions of WiMax may become potential 4G candidates, and OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) modulation will be a key component of 4G, but 4G is definitely not WiMax.

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http://www.technewsworld.com/story/58256.html

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T6 Commentary:  Sprint has made many efforts to make a viable product out a frequency license it would have lost once the great FCC frequency auction started. Branding WiMax as the 4th Generation mobile device platform has been among its hardest promoted. What was once scoffed at is  – if begrudgingly – now seen as a major component of progression to 4G systems.  While the defined format as described by Sprint may not survive intact many parts will be used to mesh with others to make a final 4G standard.  Many of the obstacles come down to cost of infrastructure, not just for the minor upgrade to towers for handling WiMax.  Several test systems in South Korea show need for more transmitters and specialized repeaters to make the WiMax system viable in both urban and rural installations while delivering on the promise of features. The Wimax dream, which I have rhapsodized on at length in previous T6’s, of a full fledged mobile centric competitor to the standard broadcasters will have to wait a bit longer.   

 

For a more positive article on the potential WiMax ‘revolution’ check out the article: “Will WiMAX Crack Fortress Europe? " .

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802.11n Coverage and Range in the Enterprise

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So – what happens when 802.11n comes to the enterprise? Will we deploy WLANs the same way? Not exactly.

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http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3684736

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T6 Commentary: An interesting take on the issues and hard decisions to come for those thinking of making a staged migration to the n standard.  Amongst the concerns is the potential for interference due to differing channel bandwidths used by the a/b/g versus n. A short but informative article on the potentially release stalling debate See Progress, controversy mark IEEE 802.11 plenary meeting from the EE times website.

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Groups Urge FCC to Open Wireless Networks

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Advocates say that requiring winning bidders to open their networks to all devices would lead to an explosion of innovation. But wireless companies who oppose open networks say the change could disrupt service and devalue the spectrum.

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http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12344564

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T6 Commentary:  Just as the great format wars of the  HD discs is starting enter its final phase, a long brewing war over how and who should have access to the to-be-former analog Television Frequencies is heating up.  With the FCC setting a final date for all broadcasters to migrate over to digital transmissions and forfeit the analog spectrum, everybody wants a piece o’ the pie.   The issue was only a minor dust up when only  a few start up companies looked to be afforded the opportunity to bid on level ground with the big players.  Then Goggle stepped in and all hell broke loose.  The Cell companies are now pulling out claims of interoperability interference and the specter of unregulated features running amok on networks. The article addresses this with:

“Consumer groups disagree. After all, they say, back in 1968, the phone company claimed that using unauthorized phones would disrupt their network — a claim that proved to be false”

It appears that the truth of the matter is really centered on the control of the end user by restricting hardware –(phones) to specific network and access to full mobile entertainment.   Opening up the frequencies to a company like goggle and the ilk could sway significant numbers of end users to switch from traditional cell networks to this new market. Verizon, AT&T, Et al have good reason to be concerned. 

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* Audio*

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Sony Offers SACD Car Audio

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Sony said it is offering the XAV-W1 DVD player because it recently began seeing “a need on behalf of some of the audiophiles in the mobile segment for a different experience

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http://www.twice.com/article/CA6464118.html

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T6 Commentary:  I was half tempted to add the very Fark like tag line of  “In other news someone actually buys SACD’s”  I am sure a small but vocal group convinced someone at Sony that this was a great idea.  I am also pretty sure that this someone will not be working at Sony for much longer. The SACD format is not even a blip on the SoundScan radar and the number of manufactures who offer SACD devices is limited to be generous..  I have to wonder if anyone at Sony took a look at their own home SACD player sales?  Considering the agony inducing list of Sony missteps over the last year and a half I am getting my popcorn ready, finding a comfy seat and waiting to watch the carnage unfold for it has gone beyond puzzling and sad to a morbid – almost gleeful - fascination with witnessing the next train wreck.

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* Format Wars *

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Japan Porn Biz Backs Blu-Ray

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Sony is offering technical support there

. The publication- PC World-  reports that Sony is offering technical assistance to adult film studios in Japan, something that's been lacking in the U.S.

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http://www.tvpredictions.com/japanbluray073007.htm

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T6 Commentary:  In the past one could reliably forecast how quickly a media format would spread –(okay, ya caught me, pun intended) and take market share by watching the level of involvement in what has become known as the ‘Adult Industry’. This was true for the Guttenberg press and it was true for VHS, but many feel it will have no sway in the HD-DVD | Blu-Ray war. Why? Them damn internets son!  The explosion of available ‘Adult Entertainment’ has muted the value of physical media, aside from the rental market. (I was tempted to but resisted using the term hard media here – and yes, I know way too much about the market dynamics of PrOn).

So we now come to Sony and their love hate relationship to the aforementioned industry.  Initially Sony made it very clear they would not allow licensed pressing plants to handle adult material. Then they denied this was the case and stated it was the pressing plants refusing the material, and that was just fine by Sony.  Now Sony has not made any effort to stop a Taiwanese plant from working with the Japanese adult market and has publicly announced it would provide technical support to the production companies.  Why now?  Market dominance.  Sony is making every effort to quash HD-DVD, especially in their home market and Europe where the battle has been neck and neck – and in some cases with HD-DVD winning significant numbers.

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Xbox HD DVD Gets Price Cut

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The price, which is being offered only in the United States, will take effect Aug. 1. Also, purchasers of an Xbox 360 and HD DVD drive between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30 will be eligible for five free HD DVD movies through “The Perfect Offer” campaign from the HD DVD Promotion Group.

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T6 commentary: Microsoft trying their damn best to prop up the format.

See also “ HD DVD: The format war ain’t over ‘till it’s over”   http://www.newsfactor.com/news/HD-DVD--War-Ain-t-Over--Til-It-s-Over/story.xhtml?story_id=132008M3YEHO

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* New Media  *

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BBC Makes Most Shows Available For Free Download Over the Internet

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British Broadcasting Corp. made most of its shows available to download over the Internet, free of charge, in what may be the boldest online broadcasting push by a large television network.

Called the iPlayer, the BBC's service lets anyone in Britain download TV shows a week after they have been broadcast. The shows automatically erase themselves from the computer after 30 days, to stop piracy.

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118555700349980491.html?mod=technology_main_whats_news

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T6 Commentary: The BBC –despite recent turmoil- has found a way to combat the YouTube and Joosts of the world, by offering its content free. While the weeks wait for the ability to download an episode is not too much of a bother, I regret the 30-second self-destruction.  As a fan of Show X, I would want to keep a library of episodes.  Perhaps the BBC will, if the current policy proves successful, offer subscription fees to access any show at any time.  With digital ‘Watermarking’ techniques as an effective deterrent to mass piracy this could be an self-contained answer to its copyright plagued instigators.   

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* Da Bizness  *

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Circuit City CEO Pitches Concept Stores

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The CEO of Circuit City Stores pitched cable-operator partnerships here, describing the concept stores the retailer is testing in partnership with companies including Comcast and Ethan Allen furniture stores in an effort to provide a more complete customer experience.

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http://www.twice.com/article/CA6463255.html

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T6 Commentary: Best Buy has the magnolia stores and the Geek Squad, Circuit City joins the fray with similar and a new concept in-store ‘cradle to grave’ service. In an effort to find new revenue streams especially with the thinning margins on once high-ticket items such as plasma the Box stores are actively pursuing not only the custom install market, but also the boutique stores themselves. What happens when you cannot find a store to take over? Recreate it in own fashion, completely outfitted with accessories you sell- from 50”  flat panels to theater chairs..  The partnership does not break any new ground with the all in one concept; the market to which the box stores are selling the concept is a potential tempest. This is a direct shot at the custom install shops and their clientele, and those who wish they could afford to be. An especially telling quote in the article:

“Another concept test, in Massachusetts, is “Connect,” powered by Circuit City and Comcast. The storefront has a boutique feel, with the buyer and associate seated on couches to envision the products in the consumer’s home”

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Check out T6’s ‘Culture Corner’ with links to bands you should know and Inspired technical links from those who inspire me.

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Does anyone actually read the liner notes? Let me know, the comments section of T6 is now open.  At the end of every issue find the Comments link.

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All quoted material is the copyright of the respective sites and \ or authors- except were noted or comments are clearly mine.

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All T6 commentary opinions expressed are mine alone and are not necessarily those of Crestron Electronics, its employees, associates or even their families. Just my big mouth