* Cox drops claims, DirecTV drops lawsuit
By Brian Santo
DirecTV has dropped its lawsuit against Cox Communications, in which it charged the latter with false advertising claims about the relative quality of HD video each provides.
Cox has stopped claiming that “HD looks better with cable” on its Web site. Spokespersons from both companies were unavailable for comment.
The move is the latest development in an ongoing series of claims and counterclaims played out in satellite and cable TV advertising. Time Warner Cable has complained about DirecTV ads, and DirecTV has a similar suit pending against Comcast.
* RGB picked by Mexican cable op for digital simulcast upgrade
By Mike Robuck
RGB Networks announced today that Grupo Hevi – a cable operator in Mexico with more than 300,000 subscribers – is using RGB’s products to upgrade three of its largest systems to a digital simulcast architecture.
Grupo Hevi is deploying RGB’s Broadcast Network Processor (BNP) and Simulcast Edge Processor (SEP) in its systems serving the cities of Nuevo Laredo and Tampico, in the state of Tamaulipas, and in Zapopan, a major city in the state of Jalisco.
In its simulcast architecture, Grupo Hevi is using BNPs to optimize the bandwidth of its digital programming, which is then delivered to the edge of the networks, where SEPs decode it to analog to support their analog subscribers. Grupo Hevi is also using RGB’s Modular Media Converter (MCC) to support its transition from ASI to Gigabit Ethernet.
* Verizon extends FiOS TV, high-speed Internet offerings
By Traci Patterson
According to The Oregonian, Verizon began quietly turning on its FiOS TV service in homes around Washington County, Ore., this week.
Also, Verizon’s high-speed Internet offering, based on broadband DSL technology, is now available to more consumers and businesses in the Ashland, Va., area.
Verizon has also upgraded customer phone lines in Vermont – in Bakersfield, Rockingham, Salisbury, Sunderland and West Hartford – for high-speed Internet service. And the company has expanded the service in Bennington, Castleton (Fair Haven Exchange), Jericho, Ferrisburg, Middlebury, Morrisville, Rutland, Shelburne, Wardsboro and Wilmington.
* DirecTV buys DVR company’s assets, rolls out HD in Ariz.
By Traci Patterson
D&M Holdings Inc. has sold most of the assets of its ReplayTV brand to DirecTV. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The ReplayTV Personal HD is an all-in-one DVR solution that allows consumers to watch and record HDTV on a PC or playback the content on an iPod.
Additionally, DirecTV has launched HD programming in its Tucson, Ariz., designated market area.
KGUN/ABC, KOLD/CBS, KMSB/FOX and KVOA/NBC will be available to consumers in HD. The satellite provider now offers HD broadcast channels in 68 cities, and the company plans to offer 100 national HD channels by year’s end.
* BroadLight names Gewirtzman as its new CEO
By Mike Robuck
BroadLight, a supplier of GPON semiconductors and software, announced that Raanan Gewirtzman has been appointed as the company’s new CEO. Gewirtzman succeeds former CEO Andrew Vought, who resigned for personal reasons after four years of service.
Gewirtzman joined the company in 2003 and has been responsible for BroadLight’s product development and operational excellence, the company said. He was promoted to the position of COO last year and will take over the responsibilities of CEO immediately.
* Streaming21, Microsoft, others form Digital Home Alliance
By Traci Patterson
Streaming21 – along with Microsoft Taiwan, WNC, Sampo, Gigabyte and Chenbro – have announced the formation of the Digital Home Alliance.
The goal of the alliance is to build and expand a solid digital home ecosystem to drive the worldwide digital home industry, Streaming21 said. The platform enables media display on TVs and provides an easy management system for personal content through the PC.
The Home Server allows users to manage personal content, enjoy Internet community content and display real-time Internet content on TVs. It also offers features such as Personal Video Recording (PVR), streaming music, IPTV, VOD and more.