D-Link announces firmware upgrade enabling HD media player to access Internet TV

September 27, 2007 – D-Link has announced a firmware upgrade for its DSM-520 MediaLounge Wireless HD Media Player which will enable users to access Internet television programming and content from sites such as YouTube, Google Video, BBC News and others.

Sling Media introduces two new Slingboxes

September 27, 2007 – Sling Media has announced the addition of two new Slingboxes for the UK market, the Slingbox PRO and the Slingbox SOLO.

48% of European homes now receive digital TV

September 27, 2007 – There were 83mn homes in Europe receiving digital TV transmissions as of the end of June 2007, out of a total of 166mn in 20 Western European countries, according to Milan-based research firm e-Media Institute.

Broadband video market in US has grown ‘significantly’, says new research from Parks Associates

September 26, 2007 – The number of paying users of online video sites in the US has grown ‘significantly’ between 2006 and 2007, according to new research from Parks Associates.

Spanish satellite operator Digital+ launches new DVR

September 26, 2007 – Spanish satellite operator Digital+ has launched a new Digital Video Recorder (DVR) for its domestic market, which gives access to both digital terrestrial television (DTT) and its own satellite transmissions.

Online game revenues in China double within one year

September 26, 2007 – Revenues from online games in China have nearly doubled in the past year, according to new research from Shanghai-based analyst firm iResearch.

Consumers “will buy more” with secure DRM that gives more purchasing options

Consumers will buy more content if they are given more purchasing options enabled by robust Digital Rights Management (DRM).  That was the view of the Chief Evangelist for Macrovision, Richard Bullwinkle, when Connected Home News spoke to him recently.

EchoStar to buy Sling Media for $380mn

September 25, 2007 – EchoStar Communications has agreed to buy Sling Media, developers of the Slingbox device, for $380mn in cash and EchoStar options.

Horizon Semiconductors introduces single chip dual channel HD decoder and integrated transcoder for cable & satellite STBs

September 25, 2007 – Horizon Semiconductors has launched what it claims is the industry’s first single chip multi-standard dual-channel HD decoder with integrated encoder/transcoder for the cable and satellite set-top box (STB), Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and home media centre markets.

X-OOM to launch media centre application for Nintendo Wii

September 24, 2007 – X-OOM Software is to launch a media centre application for Nintendo’s Wii games console in October, which will enable Wii owners to access their music, video and other files stored on a networked PC via their console.