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Press Release: 08th March, 2005
Broadcast Leaders Join Hands to Demonstrate Region’s First Live HDTV Transmission via Satellite
ARABSAT, Samacom, SONY and Harmonic join together for Live High Definition Television (HDTV) feed from the floor of
CABSAT March 8-10, 2005
Four leading players in the region’s broadcast industry announced today that they have joined forces to demonstrate the region’s first ever Live HDTV transmission via satellite during the CabSat Exhibition being held in Dubai March 8 -10, 2005.
The leading innovators on this project are:
§ ARABSAT -- the region’s leading satellite services provider – is contributing transponder capacity on its ARABSAT 2B satellite
§ Samacom -- the leading provider of satellite communication services in the Middle East -- is providing end-to-end system operation and uplink services to the satellite
§ SONY Broadcast & Professional MEA is providing the HDW-750P HDCAM camera, (J-H3 HDCAM Player & various High Definition Monitors)
§ Harmonic Inc (through its Regional Technology Partner GloCom based in Dubai) is providing its High Definition Television Encoding Technology the DiviCom MV450.
The Sony HDW-750P high definition camera will be shooting live from the CABSAT 2005 show floor and the signal will be encoded using Harmonic’s MV450 HD Encoder and transmitted to the ARABSAT 2b satellite by Samacom’s transportable antenna at the exhibition. The signal is then received and displayed live in the exhibition booths of both ARABSAT and Samacom on the CabSat show floor.
This is the first time that live HDTV has been transmitted via satellite in the Middle East.
“HDTV is the most important technological development in the broadcast industry since the arrival of colour television and ARABSAT is proud to play a leading role with our partners in showing that HDTV is already here,” said Khalid A. Balkheyour, ARABSAT President & CEO. “This partnership represents an important step towards implementing our core strategy of offering our customers quality, reliability, and service.”
“We are very happy to play a key role in the demonstration of this technology,” said Najla Al Shihhe, Marketing Manager of Samacom. “The demonstration charts out a new path for the delivery of HDTV via satellite to consumers in the region. Our participation in this event gives us an excellent opportunity to reinforce our commitment to serve broadcasters targeting the Middle East,” she added.
“Sony Broadcast & Professional in the last two years have been actively involved in the region working to provide High Definition End to End solution for content. The opportunity to transmit this content now will enable the consumer to see the massive technical enhancement High Definition picture quality brings to the home. We believe that HD will become the ‘standard’ format for everyone in the near future,” said David Castle, HD, Marketing Manager Sony Broadcast & Professional ME.
"Harmonic is an established leader in its high-end encoding technology enabling HD services around the world and we’re thrilled to be part of this exciting trial in demonstrating that the end to end technology is ready for the reception of HD services to the MENA region," said Zahid Mirza, Managing Director for GloCom, a Technology Partner of Harmonic in the MENA region.
About ARABSAT
ARABSAT is dedicated to enabling the Arab World with a range of satellite-based communications services. ARABSAT continues to offer customers multi-mission satellite services, such as television, telephony, Internet and the provision of VSAT and other interactive services that meet both current and emerging demands of ARABSAT customers. The ARABSAT vision is to be recognized as the pioneer of satellite communications in the Arab World. ARABSAT is committed to continuously expanding its services in order to meet the evolving needs of customers, delivering an unparalleled level of service by maintaining a quality product, employing the most skilled individuals, and remaining educated in new technologies.
ARABSAT Dubai Regional Office:
Mr. Zaid Al-Khudairi, Regional Manager, Gulf States
Tel: +971 4 367 1113
Fax: + 971 4 367 8059
E-mail: zaidk@arabsat.com
Address: P.O. Box 502050, Dubai Media City, Dubai,
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