Vision adds HDBT products to its Techconnect connectivity range. This new product sends uncompressed HDMI (1080P, 3D), RS-232, and power over an unshielded CAT5e cable.

Unlike most other manufacturers this Technconnect product has an audio decoder in the receiver that takes audio embedded in the HDMI signal and makes it available in analogue format.

Proprietary Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) means only a single power supply unit is required at either end to power both the transmitter and receiver.

There are 70m and 100m versions of the product, and Vision package it either as a transmitter and receiver set, or individually. Vision’s HDBT products work with HDBT products made by other makers.

Go HDBT Products in the Techconnect connectivity range

Intel highlight its living room ambitions at TV Connect 2013-- revealing the Intel Media Server Reference Design (MSRD), a hardware and software design kit for Intel-based media servers and STBs.

Aimed at OEMs and system builders, the MSRD uses the dual-core Atom CE5300 system-on-chip (with integrated power management, 3D/2D graphics engine and H.264 B-picture hardware encoder) and pre-integrated components including media engine, broadcast stacks, virtualisation and motion control technology.

A number of companies provide MSRD technology-- namely Futarque (DVB-T2/T/C broadcast and media sharing stacks), Videon Central (aVia media engine) and Hillcrest Labs (Freespace Motion Engine software).

The hardware platform is designed by Prodrive.

The MSRD will be available by April 2013 from either Intel or Videon Central.

Go Intel Launches Reference Design for Media Processors

ThinkFlood, maker of the RedEye universal remote control system, announces it is shutting down-- handing over IP (software, databases, etc) to a creditor looking for a buyer for the technology.

Current RedEye customers will be able to continue using hardware and apps, but certain licensed tech (such as the device code database and TV program guide) will be unavailable once licenses expire.

However ThinkFlood promises it will keep servers running to allow completion of RedEye system configurations, at least for the near future.

Founded in 2007, ThinkFlood planned to develop a "device for managing, sharing, and displaying digital pictures" before releasing the RedEye hardware and software URC solution in 2008.

BitTorrent launches the open beta version of BitTorrent Live-- a peer-to-peer video streaming service harnessing the power of torrenting while reducing the infrastructure requirements of video streaming.

A 3-year development, BitTorrent Live works the same way torrents do. It removes the middleman in favour of a direct connection between broadcaster and viewer, turning each user into a "miniature broadcaster." As a result the technology is not only easier to use (since it does not demand centralised servers), but also cheaper to implement.

The company claims broadcast delays are just 5 seconds, while all the technology demands from users is the installation of a small plugin in their web browser of choice.

Currently the service is being pitched for both large broadcasters (both offline and online) and amateurs making use of services such as Ustream.

BitTorrent was a boon for piracy, to put it mildly-- according to a 2012 report from Canadian analyst Sandvine torrents make up 10-15% of all internet traffic in Europe and the US.

Go BitTorrent Live

VidaBox announces the "New LiivNAS"-- a more compact redesign of the LiivNAS Media System, now with silent cooling, up to 4TB of internal storage and Dune HD media player support.

Like previous models the LiivNAS carries a "Drop-n-Rip" drive for unencrypted CD, DVD and Blu-ray archiving, as well as 2-way movie metadata for Crestron and Control4 control systems.

Sonos Controller and iTunes installation support also comes as an optional feature.

The redesigned system is just 76mm tall, allowing installation in more space-limited setups. The previous model takes around 3U of rack space.

The New LiivNAS is shipping and available now.

Go The New LiivNAS

Roku launches a premium update of its streaming STB lineup-- the Roku 3, now with a more powerful Broadcom processor promising easier and quicker access to web-based entertainment content.

The update includes a refreshed user interface, as well as an enhanced remote featuring built-in 3.5mm jack (allowing private listening) and motion-based game control capability.

Customers can also control the STB through iOS and Android device apps.

Dual-band wifi, ethernet, USB and HDMI (with 1080p video support) come as standard, while traditional analog output connections and HDMI passthrough have been dropped.

The Roku 3 ships in the US from April 2013, but the company gives no mention of European availability (outside of the UK and Ireland) as yet.

Go Roku 3