Europe debates the next TV technology: costly issue is which high-definition route to take

Article Abstract:

Western European telecommunications officials and corporations debate which High-Definition Television (HDTV) technology to sanction. France's state-owned Thomson Consumer Electronics and Philips Electronics are proponents of multiplexed analog components (MAC), a technology that some doubt will remain viable into the 21st century. While these two telecommunications giants support MAC, other European telecommunications experts prefer digital signal technology. Digital technology, which provides superior quality while using less bandwidth, has been preferred in the US. European industry observers say that France's preference of the MAC standard has as much to do with politics as it does with technology. Thomson lost 2.7 billion francs in 1990, and has made a significant investment in developing MAC HDTV technology. Currently, no traditional television broadcasters are transmitting in MAC because of high conversion costs. Broadcasters will have to be convinced of the commercial appeal and potential profitability of MAC HDTV before they begin to schedule programming under the standard.

Standards, Europe, Television broadcasting industry, Standard, Standardization, Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Science and technology policy, Activism, Political protest, High-definition television, High definition television, Thomson Consumer Electronics, Comparison, Digital Signals, Political Issue, Analog Signals

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Makers of automated-home systems see a future of TVs talking to thermostats

Article Abstract:

Industry associations and companies are developing home automation systems that could eventually be in wide use, as long as their prices are brought down within the range of average homeowners' ability to pay. Home automation systems are electronic systems that allow household appliances such as televisions and dishwashers to communicate with each other. A National Association of Home Builders limited partnership has been developing Smart House, a system that took $40 million and eight years to develop. The association has been demonstrating the system in 17 prototype model homes. Installation of the Smart House system would cost approximately $15,000, and the system can only be easily installed in new homes. Less expensive systems, such as Honeywell Inc's $4,000 TotalHome and the Electronics Industry Association's $500-to-$700 Cebus, or simpler versions such as X-10's $20 remote controls, may fair better than Smart House.

GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTORS, Construction industry, Consumer electronics industry, Technology application, Appliances, Automation, Product introduction, Home appliances, National Association of Home Builders of the United States, Outlook, Product Development, New Technique, Electronic Industries Association

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British Sky Broadcasting gives U.K.'s satellite TV a costly chance of success

Article Abstract:

British Sky Broadcasting faces an uphill battle to become profitable by 1993. The satellite television company is the result of a merger between Rupert Murdoch's Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting Ltd. The two companies were merged in Nov 1990 after an expensive advertising battle that put both companies in the red. The combination of the two company creates a combined access to 1.8 million out of 22 million households in Great Britain. A resistance to satellite television in Great Britain and a decreasing advertising market causes some industry observers to become skeptical about the company's future.

Communication services, not elsewhere classified, United Kingdom, Management, Television broadcasting, Broadcasting, Business planning, British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC, Satellites (Astronomical bodies), Great Britain, Strategic Planning, Satellites

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