Backward-compatible 3DTV exhibited

A broadcast and technology consortium in Italy is demonstrating an over-the-air digital 3D TV system that is backward-compatible with 2D TV sets, according to one of its members, reports TV Technology.

The group held a news conference last week in Turin revealing the implementation of the system in the northern Italian region of Piemonte.

Participants included Sisvel Profile, CSP Innovazione nelle ICT and Quartarete TV, which is now carrying the service that ostensibly allows “those with HD TV sets to watch 2D HD TV, even when the transmissions use 3D techniques.” Sisvel said the backward-compatibility was possible “due to an innovative technique for formatting stereoscopic images, known as 3D Tile Format, which makes it possible to integrate two 720-pixel frames within a single 1 080-pixel frame.

Claiming that it would be tough to achieve complete migration of broadcast services from analogue to digital system by 2013 as recommended by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, government said the needs of stakeholders must be protected, notes Business Standard.

"This migration will be a complex exercise. It also requires huge investment from various stakeholders. All their needs must be protected. Issues like procuring set-top-boxes on a huge scale will also have to be considered," Information and Broadcasting secretary Raghu Menon said.

He was addressing a seminar 'Digital visions at addressable India' organised by the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia.

KPFT 90.1 FM in Houston has unveiled hour of news from the Al Jazeera English radio network, reveals 39Online.

The Bayou City is one of three markets along with Berkeley, California, and New York where Al Jazeera English will air on Pacifica-owned radio stations. This new broadcast is putting some on edge, the report says.

Since Al Jazeera English was commenced in 2006, it has become a world leader in the coverage of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe as well as North and South America.