Logitech's new acquisition to enhance video technology communication

Logitech International announced the acquisition of the assets of Paradial AS, a Norway-based leading provider of firewall and NAT (network address translation) traversal solutions for video communication.

Paradial’s technology addresses one of the most significant barriers to the widespread adoption of Internet-based video communication: challenges encountered when calling across protected networks. Traversing any firewall while maintaining a high level of security, the Paradial technology enables seamless video calling between people inside the walls of an enterprise and those inside other enterprises, in remote offices or telecommuting. While Logitech is already offering Paradial technology to LifeSize customers through an OEM agreement, the acquisition allows the company to closely integrate firewall and NAT traversal across its video communication product portfolio, enabling reliable, high-quality end-to-end HD video calling over highly protected networks.

With the acquisition of Paradial, Logitech is taking another step toward delivering seamless HD video communication to anyone and anywhere.

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DivX Announces New Partnership With China TV Market Leader, HisenseDivX

DivX, Inc. a leading digital media company, and Hisense Electric Co., Ltd., the number one TV company in China, announced that Hisense has selected DivX Plus HD technology to be integrated in its new line of digital TVs. These revolutionary TVs will enable the playback of DivX Plus HD video using the MKV container, enabling consumers to enjoy videos at HD resolutions up to 1080p in the DivX format using the TV's USB slot.

Hisense is the number one LCD TV brand in China for seven consecutive years, and its share of the LED TV market in China was more than 30% as of May 7, 2010. Its products are also exported to over 130 countries and regions throughout the world. As the first DTV OEM in China to support DivX Plus HD, Hisense's first DivX Plus HD Certified DTV will be available to consumers first in China and soon after in Europe.

DivX Plus HD Certification is the premium level of certification available from DivX, optimized for consumer electronics products and supports the playback of all content created with DivX software. Available on here, DivX Plus Software allows users to create and playback H.264 video in an .mkv file container. DivX Plus HD Certified devices will playback all previous versions of DivX video and DivX Plus HD video files with the .mkv file extension and AAC audio created with third-party tools.

Known for great performance, visual quality and interoperability on any DivX Certified device, DivX provides consumers with a comprehensive digital media solution supporting the majority of high-quality Internet video on their TVs or other consumer electronics devices. In addition, DivX also supports the secure playback of major Hollywood titles from major studios, and many online movie download sites now distribute Hollywood content in the DivX format worldwide.

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TRaC reaffirms relationship with Motorola

Leading testing and compliance consultancy, TRaC Telecoms and Radio, has announced it is to continue its long-standing relationship with Motorola.

Motorola’s NBBS remote device software device management platform is used by TRaC—whose testing services include telecommunications, DSL and radio—to test Customer Premises Equipment that utilizes the Broadband Forum’s specification and ensure interoperability.

Motorola’s NBBS Auto Configuration Server was developed specifically to meet the requirements that broadband service providers often insist CPE vendors adhere to.

DIRECTV and Panasonic Launch Nation's First Suite of 3D Channels

DIRECTV, the world's most popular video service and Panasonic, a world leader in 3D TV technology, ushered in a new age in the rapid growth of 3D entertainment for the home with the launch of three 3D channels, including n3D powered by Panasonic – a linear channel dedicated exclusively to 3D programming and viewable on 3D television sets including Panasonic's line of award-winning VIERA Full HD 3D TVs.

n3D will also offer special events such as the running of the NASCAR Coke Zero 400, the local broadcast of the Yankees-Mariners series and DIRECTV's exclusive, national broadcast of FOX Sports 2010 MLB All-Star Game in 3D.

In addition to n3D, DIRECTV is also launching DIRECTV Cinema in 3D on channel 104, which is currently offering IMAX titles Deep Sea 3D and Under the Sea 3D and n3D On Demand on channel 105, which is currently delivering replays of ESPN's 3D coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches. DIRECTV also launched ESPN 3D on channel 106.

Panasonic is the exclusive presenting sponsor of DIRECTV's n3D channel. In January at the Consumer Electronics Show, DIRECTV and Panasonic announced their plans to launch 3D TV channels and have since worked together to leverage relationships with programming partners and movie studios to obtain new and existing 3D content. For more information on DIRECTV's 3D channels please visit here.

Last month, DIRECTV HD customers received a free software upgrade enabling them to have access to the 3D channels on DIRECTV. DIRECTV HD customers will need a 3D television set and 3D glasses to view 3D programming on DIRECTV.

Panasonic is a global leader in the development of end-to-end Full HD 3D technology solutions including the world's first Full HD 3D video camera that records to solid-state memory, Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc authoring, and the award winning VT-25 Series of Full HD 3D VIERA Plasma TVs and 3D Blu-ray Disc Players. For more information on Panasonic's Full HD 3D technology, visit here.

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Gigle Networks Technology Pushes Solwise Adapters to Gigabit Speeds, Enables 'No-New-Wires' Installation

Gigle Networks, the leading developer of intelligent multi-PHY switching devices for both wired and wireless entertainment grade home networking, announced that Solwise has selected the company's solution for its Mediaxtream/HomePlug AV Ethernet adapter. Gigle Networks' HomePlug AV chipset with Mediaxtream technology enables the Solwise adapter to deliver ultra-high-speed, low-latency connections for residential gateways, game consoles, media players, PCs and IPTV set-top boxes.

Gigle Networks' chipset uses the company's patented Mediaxtream technology to deliver wireline Gigabit-class performance with minimum latency, while maintaining full interoperability with other certified compliant 200Mbps HomePlug AV products and forthcoming IEEE 1901 products. The fully integrated device includes dual physical-layer interfaces, media access control and Smart Mesh home/Quality-of-Service/Class-of-Service switching capabilities. Smart Mesh capabilities coordinate traffic management for optimum performance and coverage in difficult signal environments or over long networking connections in the home.

Gigle Networks' chipset also meets European 2011 Code of Conduct requirements for adapters and QoS, which is essential for video distribution around the home. Additionally, all Gigle Networks devices support Gigle Networks' Xtendnet intelligent switching technology, which amplifies and re-times signals on the powerline for improved network coverage. They also meet the active and standby power requirements for adapters of the Energy using Products Directive Lot 6.

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