Thomson Film Grain & HD over IP

Thomson showcased its new products services and technologies for the Media & Entertainment industries at CES, covering a wide range of products and technologies:

High-definition
Thomson presented leading-edge high-definition technologies which have been developed to facilitate distribution of digital content in high-definition through the use of current network infrastructure. This is achieved in part through-

Advanced compression
Applications of Thomson's advanced compression technology, such as IP networking with real-time encoding of broadcast streams on handheld devices, were on show. Thomson also emonstrated their Film Grain Technology, recently approved as an optional HD DVD-Video application format for the next generation high definition DVD disc (HD DVD disc), by the DVD Forum Steering Committee. Film Grain Technology is a new type of digital compression technology which reduces the amount of bandwith needed to store and transmit high-definition video files while preserving a film's original creative look and feel.

Security
Thomson's global approach to content security was also presented, including end-to-end scalable and renewable solutions covering state-of-the art encryption and key management systems, content watermarking, authorization and authentification using professional DRM solutions and the creation of trusted networks based smart cards.

Thomson seems to be involved in every stage of the high definition production and distribution chain, providing an array of HD equipment and services for its Media & Entertainment clients, some of which were on show at CES. The Group's Grass Valley cameras and equipment, for instance, bring HDTV to millions of sporting fans; Technicolor services help filmmakers and broadcast producers realize their projects, add visual effects and reach both neighbourhood and home theatres.

High Definition Video over IP 
Based on its leading position in Set Top Boxes (STB) and broadband access (#1 in STB and DSL (data), with 17% market share), Thomson has developed an IP STB with Microsoft and demonstrated four advanced IP Video receivers including models that deliver high-definition video. Scheduled to be available in the second half of 2005, these receivers will enable telecom operators to deliver HDTV content over existing IP networks such as DSL.

Triple Play 
Enabling triple play services is the driving force behind the growth in demand for DSL products. Thomson is addressing these needs with its new generation of residential and business gateway products which feature ADSL2+ for improved reach and rate and 802.11g for wireless connectivity. These products are designed to easily and securely deliver a wide range of added value services such as video, voice over IP, content filtering and printer sharing.

Home Networking 
Thomson introduced a host of intelligent digital connectivity products at CES, including a new set-top home networking receiver that easily distributes digital content from the personal computer to the high-definition television through fast wireless or wired connections. The Acoustic Research Digital MediaBridge is the first device in this category to feature built-in 802.11g WiFi capability to securely distribute high-definition images from the PC to the HDTV set.

Mobility products 
Other innovations include an "intelligent" remote control that can manage up to 15 components and features an LCD touch-screen control panel, integrated atomic clock and internal room temperature sensor, as well as the versatile RCA Cell Phone Docking System, designed to allow consumers to make cellular phone calls using a standard home telephone.

Digital Audio Products 
Thomson presented a line of full-featured RCA Lyra digital audio products at CES. New RCA mp3 players include a model that combines the functionality of a music player, stopwatch, calorie counter and heart rate monitor, and a new model of the RCA Lyra AudioVideo Jukebox targeted at consumers who want all their audio, video, photo and computer files in one small device. The Jukebox can hold up to 80 hours of video content transferred from the PC or can record directly from a TV, cable or satellite set-top receiver using standard video and audio connections.