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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- January 10, 2003
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o Microsoft SPOT Technology to Stream Data to Wristwatches Over FM Band
o 3D Online Community Developer There Raises $11 Million, Launches Beta
o TiVo Develops HDTV Recorder, Introduces Home Networking Service
o Video Editing Firm Pinnacle Buys Germany's Steinberg Media Technologies
o Switzerland's BridgeCo Wins $13.3 Million In Second Round
> DMW Publications: Special Rates for DMW Subscribers
> DMW Events: Early Bird Discount - Digital Music Forum | March 3 | NYC
> Featured: USC M-Commerce Event, UCLA Extension Class
o Briefly Noted: Sony - 1GB Memory Stick, Microsoft - Media2Go, DirecTV
Samsung DVR, Sony Music - Sony Ericsson, IBiquity Digital, Microsoft -
HighMAT partners, Avid Technology - Television Broadcasts Limited, DDD
Group - ViewSonic, Sirius Satellite Radio - BMW, CinemaNow, Microsoft -
MPEG LA - codec licensing fees
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> Jobs: Event Volunteers (NYC)
> Events: Games & Mobile Forum, April 28, NYC
> Marketplace: Entertainment & Corporate Legal Services, Game Industry
Report, iTV Chronicle, Homeland Security Directory, Interest-Based
Navigation
Full Classifieds located beneath "Briefly Noted" section below.
To post a Classified Ad:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/mainpostingpage.html
or contact Tinzar Than at tinzar@digitalmediawire.com
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o Microsoft SPOT Technology to Stream Data to Wristwatches Over FM Band
Las Vegas -- Microsoft has introduced a new wireless media delivery
technology that uses the FM radio band to deliver sports scores, weather
and other information to a wristwatch. The SPOT (Smart Personal Objects
Technology) devices use Microsoft's DirectBand technology, which utilizes
a small unused portion of radio stations' FM signals to broadcast a
continuously updated stream of data to SPOT watch-wearers. Chipmaker
National Semiconductor created the chip used in the devices to receive the
data stream. Microsoft did not reveal pricing or date of availability for
the devices, but National Semiconductor CEO Brian Halla told CNET News.com
that, eventually, "the watches will be shrink-wrapped in 7-Eleven next to
the Altoids, and people will get them for $20 with service."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030109/sfth040_1.html
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-980055.html?tag=fd_top
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o 3D Online Community Developer There Raises $11 Million, Launches Beta
Las Vegas -- There, Inc., developer of an immersive 3D online environment
for entertainment and communication, announced that it has raised $11
million in new financing and launched a public beta test of its online
world. Angel investors included 3DO CEO Trip Hawkins; CNET founders Halsey
Minor and Shelby Bonnie; DoubleClick CEO Kevin Ryan; and Wired magazine
co-founders Jane Metcalfe and Louis Rosetto. Resembling the idea of the
recently released "The Sims Online," There allows users to create their
own avatar and build and decorate their virtual houses with virtual
currency called Therebucks. In development for four years, There said its
target market is adult men and women whose main activity online is
"socializing." "There leverages the popularity of online socializing and
the growth of massively multi-player games (MMOGs) to deliver compelling
experiences and personal connections better than chat rooms or online
games can provide on their own," said There, Inc. CEO Tom Melcher.
http://www.there.com
http://www.there.com/there_overview_release.doc
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o TiVo Develops HDTV Recorder, Introduces Home Networking Service
Las Vegas -- TiVo, a manufacturer of digital video recorders that allow
viewers to pause and record live television, announced on Friday it has
developed the first platform that supports recording in high-definition
television (HDTV) format. The device will record all high-definition
formats, including 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i, from ATSC terrestrial HD
broadcasts or satellite HD broadcast. San Jose, Calif.-based TiVo said
that it will license the design to electronics manufacturers by the end of
the year, and also that DirecTV is working jointly on a version that will
be capable with its satellite TV service. Separately, TiVo announced its
"Home Media Option," a home-networking software upgrade that will allow
users to stream music and pictures from their computers over a wired or
wireless connection to TiVo devices in their homes. The service will be
available in the spring for a one-time fee of $99, and $49 per additional
TiVo unit. In addition to remote scheduling of programs, the service will
offer a selection of music from Universal Music Group and images from
Corbis Collection. A new TiVoGuard copy-protection system will ensure that
encrypted video may not be intercepted while streaming, and that video may
not be sent outside the home.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030109/sfth015_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030109/sfth016_1.html
http://www.tivo.com
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o Video Editing Firm Pinnacle Buys Germany's Steinberg Media Technologies
Mountain View, Calif. -- Pinnacle Systems, a supplier of video editing
technology, said that it has acquired Steinberg Media Technologies, a
digital audio software firm based in Hamburg, Germany, for $24 million.
Steinberg is the third German company that Pinnacle has acquired in the
past two years. The others companies are VOB Computersysteme, a provider
of DVD publishing software and FAST Multimedia, a provider of video
editing systems.
http://shorterlink.com/?4EWADS
http://www.steinberg-ag.net
http://www.pinnaclesys.com
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o Switzerland's BridgeCo Wins $13.3 Million In Second Round
Zurich -- BridgeCo, a developer of entertainment network adapters (ENAs)
based on embedded, secure software, said it has secured $13.3 million in
second round funding. Principal investors are Benchmark Capital,
Earlybird, Infineon Ventures and Intel Capital. BridgeCo CEO Christof
Heidelberger said the funds will be used to aid the continued expansion of
the market for ENAs.
http://www.bridgeco.net
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==========================================
DMW Publications: Available for DMW Subscribers NOW!
December Law & Policy Report
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Digital Media Law & Policy Report (December)
A new report every month - must-read publication on legal and policy
matters related to digital media. 38 pages of case summaries, news and
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legal counsel and business leaders.
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DMW Events: Digital Music Forum, March 3 | NYC
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Digital Media Wire Presents...
DIGITAL MUSIC FORUM
March 3, 2003 | New York City | 9:00AM - 7:00 PM
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events/MusicForum_030303.htm
A full-day forum focusing on business & legal issues impacting the music
industry today. The agenda includes 2 keynote addresses, 4 moderated
panels and breakout sessions.
Invited speakers include:
Chris Gorog, CEO, Roxio
Sean Ryan, CEO, Listen.com
Marc Schiller, CEO, Electric Artists
David Del Beccaro, CEO, Music Choice
Dennis Mudd, CEO, Musicmatch
Ned Sherman, CEO, Digital Media Wire
John Jeffrey, EVP & General Counsel, Live365
Trey Bowles, VP, StreamCast Networks
Phil Corwin, Partner, Butera & Andrews
Jonathan Potter, Exec. Dir., Digital Media Association
Ted Cohen, VP, EMI Recorded Music
Bryan Biniak, EVP, Moviso
Richard Conlon, VP, Business Development, BMI
Vincent Peppe, Legal Counsel, Licensing, SESAC
Gerd Leonhard, Founder, LicenseMusic.com
Joe Lazlo, Senior Analyst, Jupiter Media
Tim Nilson, VP, Mobile Technology, Sony Music
Paul Sherman, Founder & Editor, Potomac Tech Wire
Nicholas Lehman, VP, Business Development, MTV
David Brudnicki, Sr. Dir., Mobile, AT&T Wireless
Josh Warner, Founder, Like Media
Mark Ghuneim, SVP, Emerging Tech., Columbia Records
Michael Penn, Artist, United Musicians
Michael Hausman, Co-Founder, United Musicians
John Perry Barlow, Co-Founder, EFF
Early bird registrations: $150 until January 31
February registrations: $200 until February 28
At the door: $250.
Pre-Register at: http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1024
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==================
FEATURED SECTION
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Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm
USC's M-Commerce to the Max Conference, January 16, Los Angeles
MCommerce to the Max, Industry Leaders Roundtable Event. Join us January
16, 2003, 8:00am - 8:00pm, at the University of Southern California,
Davidson Conference Center 3415 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
90089. Digital Media Wire readers receive
academic rate ($150.00).
Register online at:
http://www.marshall.usc.edu/web/CTM.cfm?doc_id=4615
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UCLA Extension Course: Digital Entertainment
The definitive course on the intersection of entertainment and technology
is returning to UCLA Extension this January. Digital & Hollywood: How Do
We Pick Up The Pieces & Move Forward? begins Tuesday, January 28th @ 7pm.
This nine week program features informative, stimulating, and
free-wheeling discussions with the senior executives who are who are
creating the future of digital entertainment. Digital Media Wire
subscribers receive a special $45 discount off of the $430 list price. To
register and take advantage of this special offer, simply visit the UCLA
extension website (www.uclaextension.org), click on the Quick Link tab and
enter the following special registration code: N8513
http://www.uclaextension.org
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Briefly Noted:
(Berlin) Sony Europe on Friday announced the upcoming release of a 1GB
capacity Memory Stick storage card, used to store audio and video data on
portable devices like camcorders, digital cameras and music players. The
Memory Stick PRO format was developed jointly by Sony and SanDisk Corp., a
manufacturer of flash memory cards, and features MagicGate copyright
protection, as well as new security called "Access Control function" that
prevents third party access if the card is stolen or lost. Some devices
can already support the new format with a software patch, although Sony
said a line of Memory Stick PRO media-enabled devices is expected to ship
in Spring 2003.
http://www.sony-europe.com
(Las Vegas) Microsoft has introduced a prototype for a portable media
player based on its "Media2Go" platform, developed jointly with chipmaker
Intel. The 20GB devices will feature both USB and IEEE-1394 connectivity,
and function as an MP3 player, portable DVD player, personal video
recorder and digital photo viewer. Microsoft said electronics
manufacturers including Samsung, ViewSonic, Sanyo and iRiver will
introduce Media2Go devices for the 2003 holiday shopping season.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030109/sfth062_1.html
(Las Vegas) Satellite TV firm DirecTV on Friday announced that it
partnered with consumer electronics firm Samsung to create the Samsung
DirecTV DVR (digital video recorder), which will go on sale in the second
quarter for $199. The 35-hour capacity device will also require a $4.99
monthly subscription to DirecTV DVR with TiVo. Samsung said higher
capacity DVRs will be manufactured later in 2003.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030109/nyth159_1.html
http://www.samsungusa.com
(Los Angeles) Major record label Sony Music's Mobile Products Group
announced that it has partnered with mobile device maker Sony Ericsson, to
offer Sony Music embedded on new cell phones. Beginning in the first
quarter of 2003, select new Sony Ericsson phones will come pre-loaded with
up to four embedded polyphonic ringtones of songs from Sony Music artists.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030109/92393_1.html
http://www.sonyericsson.com
(Las Vegas) IBiquity Digital, developer and licensor of HD Radio,
announced on Friday that 40 large, midsize and small markets, spanning 26
states and 20 formats will begin broadcasting using HD Radio on AM and FM
stations in early 2003. HD Radio technology allows radio stations to
broadcast a digital signal alongside their existing audio signals. Station
groups using the technology will include Infinity, Clear Channel, Cox,
Entercom, Radio One, Hispanic Broadcasting, Susquehanna and Bonneville.
http://www.ibiquity.com
(Las Vegas) Microsoft announced that 11 additional companies have pledged
their support of its HighMAT technology, co-developed with Panasonic,
which creates a standard interface so that burned CDs and DVDs can easily
be read in consumer electronics like stereos and DVD players. In addition
to Panasonic and Fujifilm, the standard will now also appear on products
and software developed by Apex Digital, JVC, Ahead Software, Aplix,
B.H.A., ECI, Pinnacle Systems and Sonic Solutions, as well as in chip
designs from Equator Technologies and ESS Technology.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030109/sfth035_1.html
http://www.highmat.com
(Tewksbury, Mass.) Avid Technology, a provider of digital video
technology, said on Thursday that it has received a multimillion-dollar
order from Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) in Hong Kong, the world's
largest producer of Chinese-language programming. Exact terms of the deal
were not disclosed. The technologies to be provided include simultaneous
real-time editing, newsroom production and shared storage.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030109/92215_1.html
(Las Vegas) DDD Group, a developer of 3D video transfer and display
technologies, announced on Friday that it will work with ViewSonic to
jointly develop 3D display products based upon ViewSonic's LCD and plasma
display technologies. Uses for the products will include interactive
gaming and business presentations.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/230100058&ticker=ddd.l
http://www.ddd.com
http://www.viewsonic.com
(New York) Sirius Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered
digital radio programming, announced on Friday that BMW will offer its
receivers as an option on 2003 BMW 3 Series, 5 Series and X5 vehicles.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030109/nyth165_1.html
http://www.sirius.com
(Marina del Rey, Calif.) CinemaNow, a unit of Lion's Gate Films that
offers Internet-based video-on-demand programming and delivery technology,
announced on Friday its CinemaNow Premium Pass, an expansion to its
subscription service that increases the number of films available for
downloading and streaming. Marina del Rey, Calif.-based CinemaNow also
will begin offering a free 7-day trial of its service, which normally
costs $9.95 per month.
http://www.cinemanow.com
(San Francisco) CNET News.com on Friday reported on reactions to
Microsoft's recently announced licensing terms for the versions of its
Windows Media video and audio codecs that can be utilized in non-Windows
devices, like camcorders and DVD players. Microsoft will charge 10 cents
per decoder, 20 cents per encoder, or 25 cents for both, while rival MPEG
LA -- a consortium of companies holding patents on the MPEG-4 video codec
-- is charging 25 cents per encoder and decoder, or 50 cents for both.
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-980007.html?tag=fd_top
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===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================
To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm
Digital Media Wire seeks two volunteers to assist in producing an event in
New York City on March 3, 2003. Those interested in participating in the
full-day event should contact tinzar@digitalmediawire.com
_____________________________________________
====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm
Digital Media Wire Presents...Games & Mobile Forum
April 2003, New York City
Focusing on games and mobile entertainment opportunities and business
models. Panel topics will include "The Battle to Control the Living Room:
Is the Game Industry Winning?", "Mobile Games: Business Models & New
Opportunities", "Legal & Policy Issues Impacting the Game Industry &
Mobile Entertainment", and "Home Networking: Technology for Modern Living
& Entertainment."
Door Tickets Price: $250. For Early Bird Specials, pre-register at:
http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1025
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==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm
Entertainment & Corporate Legal Services
Top Credentialed Attorney with 9 years of experience representing major
studios, entertainment start-ups, VCs, investment banks and other blue
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trademark registration and disputes, copyright issues and other
transactional and contract law services. Qualified in California and
Texas. Retainer required to commence services. Tel. 323-363-3620.
_____________________________________________
Game Industry Law & Policy Report
Special industry report covering law & policy matters impacting the game
industry. The 15-page report includes case summaries, news and analysis,
feature article and an exclusive interview with Doug Lowenstein,
President, Interactive Digital Software Association. Price: $19.00
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm
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For those who believe in ITV - "Interactive TV: The Definitive Chronicle"
Covering the period 2000 to the present, this sourcebook presents a
complete history of the news and events that have shaped the business of
iTV since the beginning of the 21st Century. Culled from countless
sources, including the Digital Media Wire database, this 175 pages PDF (on
CD) covers all of the major players as well as the legal and financial
issues that helped shape the industry. Key research and industry
projections as well as a host of facts, figures, resources and thousands
of iTV-related links are included. Price: $ 55.00.
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm
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Only 35 copies remaining of Directory of Homeland Security
This is your company's final chance to purchase the inaugural edition of
the Directory of Homeland Security: a 160-page book that lists all federal
and state agencies involved in homeland security. The directory includes
names of over 1,500 homeland security officials, profiles of 500 agencies
involved in homeland security, and a detailed list of technology companies
in this sector. The directory is sponsored by NETSEC, Greenberg Traurig,
AT&T and the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
To purchase the directory, go to: http://www.homeland-directory.com
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Etronica helps you "Find the Good Stuff FAST!"
Etronica's unique software toolset enables "Interest Based Navigation" of
Digital Content. The Patent Pending software tools can be incorporated
directly into content websites and portals, installed in TV settop boxes
or integrated as OEM components. The tools drive the automatic tagging,
indexing, and categorization of text. A recommendation engine suggests
highly relevant new information to users as they interact. Personalized
advertising and commerce offerings can also be automatically served.
Contact us to learn more: info@etronica.com
http://www.etronica.com
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Digital Media Wire, Inc. leverages its integrated media network to provide
exceptional value to individuals and companies determined to capitalize on
the convergence of media, entertainment and technology. Digital Media
Wire, the first in a series of business-intelligence publications,
delivers original daily briefings on the business, legal and financial
developments shaping digital media.
Digital Media Wire is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, an international
network of publications that includes Potomac Tech Wire, New England Tech
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_____________________________________________
Editor: Mark Hefflinger
Chief Executive Officer: Ned Sherman
Marketing Director: Tinzar Than
Copyright 2003 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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