Dated: 20 June 2006
This year’s BroadcastAsia, hosted by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), is the largest ever in its 11-year history. Already the largest broadcasting show in the region, 847 companies from 49 countries visit Singapore again to showcase, demonstrate and to trade in broadcasting products and services. BroadcastAsia also takes its place in the newest addition to the Singapore Expo site, occupying Halls 7 and 8.
Making its first appearance is the specialty exhibit hosted under the Singapore Pavilion –an HDTV showcase. This underscores MDA’s focus on gearing up the nation to embrace high-definition TV, or HDTV. Together with its partners, MDA is setting up an HD showcase for visitors to witness first-hand the HDTV experience.
Six of Singapore’s leading digital multimedia development companies at this year’s BroadcastAsia, will participate in a special showcase of the latest digital technologies, applications and solutions by local enterprises in the broadcast industry.
Leading Singapore media companies developing innovative applications and solutions for HDTV, Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) and Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) technologies are exhibiting at the pavilion as well. They are Chimei Optoelectronics, GoMobile, Intevol, Kikker Interactive, Skycom Satellite Systems and Zentek Technology Singapore. Refer to Annex A for more information on the companies.
Through its Digital Technology Development Scheme, which provides funding support for the development of original and innovative products or processes that will help bring about value-added services, products and technology to the broadcasting industry, MDA actively works with local companies such as GoMobile and Kikker Interactive to boost the standard of Singapore-made application and services for the international broadcasting industry.
GoMobile’s pay-per-view wireless Multimedia Services project has developed a technology platform and software framework that will securely deliver on-demand audio, video and data services to mobile and fixed-line end users over existing DAB networks. It has been awarded a trial DAB multiplex broadcasting license in Singapore to showcase its technology solution to global partners.
The trial network will be available for the global DAB community to test innovative applications, and serves to strengthen Singapore’s unique position as a regional trial hub. GoMobile is set to launch a commercial secure financial information solution over DAB networks in Pakistan at the end of year. In addition, GoMobile intends to develop trials in India, Taiwan, Dubai, Malaysia and New Zealand which will eventually lead to commercial implementation.
Dr Christopher Chia, MDA’s Chief Executive Officer said: “Being in the heart of cosmopolitan Asia not only helps us to understand and gain access to many markets in the region, we also serve as a test bed for global companies that are seeking to test new concepts or enter new markets. When enterprises are given the opportunities and environment to raise their profile, broaden their exposure at international platforms and foster greater cooperation between the media industries in the region and globally, the experience is invaluable to their development and to market commercially viable technology.”
“MDA, through its Digital Technology Development Scheme, will continue to champion the development of innovative and experimental work to encourage more media talent to extend beyond their boundaries to gain greater international exposure and commercial success. This underscores MDA’s commitment in developing Singapore as a vibrant testbed for the media sectors in the region and globally,” added Dr Chia.
Also through the Digital Technology Development Scheme, MDA supported Kikker Interactive in its development of a Digital TV Ticketing Solution for Cinema –a ticketing system that allows digital TV owners to reserve and purchase cinema tickets through the interactive TV application. Kikker plans to interface its application with the online cinema booking systems of one of Singapore’s large cinema chains before being deployed internationally.
Both GoMobile and Kikker Interactive will showcase their developments at the Singapore Pavilion. In addition, the other Singapore digital media technology companies will be showcasing their latest products and services;Skycom Satellite System will be featuring its HD set-top boxes, Zentek will be demonstrating its IPTV technology and CHIMEI Singapore will be presenting its ultra-high definition TVs.
Experience HDTV “Live”
In driving this year’s focus on HDTV, MDA, together with industry partners, will be presenting a HD technology showcase at the Singapore Pavilion. In addition to broadcasting live transmission content from both the terrestrial and cable trials, the HD corner will showcase the differences in quality between Analogue, Standard Definition and High Definition transmissions. Trailers of recent local HD productions as well as the specially-produced MDA HD educational videos will be screened.
These mark the start of MDA’s efforts to promote the deployment and adoption of HDTV in Singapore. MDA will continue to collaborate with local service providers and content developers to develop and deliver compelling HD content and services to consumers over various media platforms, including IPTV, to bring the best media experience to Singaporeans.
Said Mr Yeo Chun Cheng, MDA’s Chief Information Officer: “HDTV has the potential to revolutionise the way we watch television and interact with one another. Over the last few years, many countries around the world have begun the migration to HDTV. In Singapore, the MDA is committed to seeking out the best and most viable media platforms to provide the best HD services and content for Singapore. The trials are an important step in bringing in a superior media experience to Singapore, whilst allowing local service providers to explore viable business opportunities as they harness HD technology to provide consumers with wider choices and better quality services.”
Visitors to the Singapore Pavilion can also witness the full suite of end-to-end high definition production workflow from production to content presentation through a high-definition theatre system demonstrated by Panasonic Singapore.
The Singapore Pavilion is located at Stand 8M2-01 in Hall 8 of the Singapore Expo.
For more information, please contact:
Sharanjit Kaur
Senior Manager, Communications
Media Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: 6837 9973
Email: Sharanjit_KAUR@imda.gov.sg
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