Dated: 10 June 2008
Record 50 exhibiting companies to showcase pioneering solutions and cutting-edge technologies
BroadcastAsia2008, themed “Digital: The Journey Forward”, returns, bringing together 760 companies from the broadcast and digital media industry to showcase the latest products and technologies. The annual event, held alongside CommunicAsia2008 from 17 –20 June 2008, at the Singapore Expo is expected to attract over 68,000 trade attendees. About 50 percent is expected to come from overseas, reflecting the international nature of the event.
The Singapore Pavilion will be the anchor group pavilion at BroadcastAsia2008. Led by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), the 1,200 sq metre pavilion will house 50 Singapore companies at the forefront of the new digital broadcasting wave, showcasing the best of the Singapore media industry’s capabilities. The companies will exhibit pioneering technologies, applications and services in digital broadcasting and media, as well as cutting edge experimental Interactive &Digital Media (IDM) projects. Of these pioneering solutions is the launch of the world’s first terrestrial DAB AAC+ (Digital Audio Broadcast) commercial operation by Rediffusion, as well as two-way interactive broadcasting services in taxis by QMax and PGK.
The digital media landscape in Singapore has witnessed significant developments in the last twelve months. The launch of SingTel’s IPTV service mio TV, MediaCorp’s high definition channel HD5 and the announcement of Singapore Press Holdings’ Razor TV service are testament to the innovation and vibrancy of the industry. Experimentation with new mobile broadcasting services has increased with companies like Innoxius Technologies, Singapore Digital and MediaCorp (in partnership with M1) now holding trial licences from MDA to conduct commercial and technical studies of mobile broadcasting.
“The Singapore Pavilion at BroadcastAsia2008 not only showcases innovative commercial products and services, it also provides a glimpse into the future through the exciting IDM exhibits. 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. This approach aims to encourage multi-platform content development and innovation in IDM sectors. We also aim to attract more broadcasters and industry players to use Singapore as a launch pad to regionalise their businesses”, said Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, MDA.
Apart from the Singapore Pavilion, BroadcastAsia2008 visitors will also witness the future of broadcasting at NHK’s Super Hi-Vision (SHV) wide-screen system feature. Boasting a resolution 16 times higher than HDTV and a 3-D audio system with 24 speakers, the SHV system is being showcased for the first time in Asia, outside of Japan. Visitors can also expect a bigger and more comprehensive HD Xperience. This year’s HD Xperience will demonstrate how Media Asset Management (MAM) technology can be leveraged to help broadcasters transform their workflows and benefit more from open standards based production and archiving. The HD Studio will present a comprehensive and end to end overview of how HD content is developed and delivered to the end-user.
CGOverdrive2008 –Asia’s unparalleled computer graphics event designed for CG professionals and enthusiasts –will also return for the third consecutive year. CGOverdrive is organised by Visual Communication Order with Singapore Exibition Services as strategic partner. The event is supported by MDA.
“The broadcast and digital content industry is growing faster than ever, driven by the proliferation of local and regional companies providing products and services for the Internet, TV distribution, regulated gaming and video games,” said Mr Stephen Tan, Chief Executive of Singapore Exhibition Services, the organiser of BroadcastAsia2008. “We are also seeing more globally-renowned broadcast and production firms coming to the market and setting up production facilities in Singapore. BroadcastAsia acts as a key annual fixture and a very relevant platform for players from this burgeoning sector to do their sourcing, purchasing and networking.”
A journey into the future at the Singapore Pavilion
The highlight of the Pavilion is a cutting-edge showcase of digital technologies that will change the way people consume and interact with media. They are some of the early commercial offerings brought about by the support of the multi-agency IDM Research &Development Programme Office (IDMPO) hosted within MDA.
The IDM journey will take visitors into the future of interactivity, where physical locations will be enriched by intelligent rich media solutions for more pervasive and intelligent interactivities. From two-way interactive broadcasting in taxis by QMax and PGK, to online face recognition for the creation of personalised avatars by XID Technologies, and online conference solutions, visitors will witness how media has gone beyond the constraints of traditional broadcasting to reach consumers in more personal and entertaining ways.
The IDM showcase will also showcase new types of user interface with the virtual environment, including a virtual in-building information and navigation of the Singapore Pavilion by G Element, using tangible mixed reality by MXR Corporation.
Also in the spotlight are exhibits by MDA’s Digital Technology Development Scheme (DTDS) recipients showcasing cable TV, Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) and mobile broadcasting technologies. DTDS is a scheme that supports local companies in developing original and innovative products, applications and services for the broadcasting industry. A key IPTV exhibit is the Pay TV Head-end System developed by NewMedia Solutions, which is a locally-developed system that provides a cost effective end-to-end solution for emerging markets and niche pay TV operators. Components of this head-end system are already being commercially deployed in continuous 24x7 commercial broadcast operations at SingTel’s mio TV in Singapore and U Television in Malaysia.
Among the mobile broadcasting projects is the Pico DVB-H Basestation developed by Innoxius Technologies. Touted as one of the world’s smallest form factor DVB-H base station, this product leverages on a building's wired IP infrastructure to provide indoor broadcasting of mobile TV signals (eg. DVB-H) and location-specific content.
In addition, Rediffusion will launch the world’s first terrestrial DAB AAC+ (Digital Audio Broadcast) commercial operation. More commonly known as DAB+, it uses the latest audio compression technology and can broadcast up to 30 audio channels of CD-stereo quality for the same bandwidth currently used.
Regional Conferences
In addition to the Singapore Pavilion at the exhibition, MDA will be organising two events during the BroadcastAsia week which will provide platforms for engagement with regional partners on digital broadcasting. MDA is co-organising the inaugural Regional Seminar on Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Canal France International (CFI) and the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD). The seminar will provide technical and policy training to support the collective effort of ASEAN countries in the adoption of a common digital TV broadcasting standard.
MDA will also host the 6th ASEAN Digital Broadcasting meeting on 19 June. This closed door meeting will discuss the adoption of technical specifications for basic SD and HD set-top boxes. This meeting follows from last year’s endorsement of the DVB-T standard as the common ASEAN terrestrial DTV standard.
The MDA led Singapore Pavilion is located at 8F4-01, Singapore Expo Hall 8.
Please see the Annex for the list of participating companies.
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About Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd
A pioneer of the fast growing and vibrant exhibition industry, Singapore Exhibition Services (SES) is Asia’s top organiser of trade events with a diverse portfolio of exhibitions and conferences in Communications, Engineering, Machinery and Lifestyle industries. SES events consistently attract a high level of overseas participation with foreign exhibitors accounting for almost 80% of the show floor. SES is a member of Allworld Exhibitions Alliance, a global network with over 50 offices worldwide. For more information, please visit www.sesallworld.com.
Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA)
Formed in 2003, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) plays a vital role in transforming Singapore into a Global Media City and positioning it at the forefront of the digital media age. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote developments in film, video, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation, media services and Interactive Digital Media. At the same time, in ensuring clear and consistent regulatory policies and guidelines, MDA helps to foster a pro-business environment for industry players and increase media choices for consumers. For more information, visit www.mda.gov.sg and www.smf.sg
About BroadcastAsia and CommunicAsia
BroadcastAsia, themed “Digital: The Journey Forward”, offers the latest in digital and interactive media, addressing the value chain of content creation, management, and distribution. www.Broadcast-Asia.com
CommunicAsia is a global event where the business of technology comes to life, showcasing the latest digital technologies across mobile networks and applications, network infrastructure and satellite communications. www.CommunicAsia.com
Annex
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