Intel Media corporate VP Erik Huggers told a conference its plans for an over-the-top virtual cable TV service include ITU’s newly-approved HEVC, the new, high-efficiency video compression format (now known as H.265).

With a roughly 2X improvement in bandwidth efficiency over H.264, Intel’s service will have an easier time slipping under ISP’s bandwidth caps than Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Xbox Live, and other current OTT services.

H.265 will also allow Intel to deliver higher-quality HD video over limited bandwidth than Netflix or the others currently deliver. Industry experts speculate H.265 could enable 4K video delivery over IP at about 15 Mb/s. That opens up the possibility that Intel could deliver at least some limited amount of 4K video, which might make Hollywood content owners happy after ramping up 4K production with so few distribution outlets available.

Most STBs lack the processing power to decode H.265 (even if it could be loaded onto the device). By starting from scratch with a new box, Intel may leapfrog current players.

Go Intel Confirms Web TV Ambitions

Well, we didn’t win the iPad Mini in the AMX Editor RPM Challenge. But congratulations to AV Magazine Deputy Editor, Paul Milligan who proved to be a more rapid project maker beating our score by seconds with his impressive time of 3 minutes 15 seconds.

That’s how long it took him to configure a theoretical AV install project which included AMX’s Enova DVX 3150HD, a DVD, a room PC, a TV and a lighting system, complete with a customisable macro - a scenario that could ordinarily have taken 12-15 hours of programming time.

And that proves AMX’s point: even journalists can use AMX's Rapid Project maker (RPM), a cloud application that lets installers configure an AMX system online-- without the need for a programmer, using a step-by-step wizard-based approach.

Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2013 hosts more than just mobile devices-- Samsung reveals the HomeSync Media Hub, the company's answer to STBs of the Apple TV variety at the Barcelona show.

An Android-powered (Jelly Bean, specifically) yet non-Google TV device, the HomeSync carries a 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 1TB of storage and allows one stream content a variety of sources via HDMI, USB, ethernet, wifi and Bluetooth to HDTVs.

Galaxy device owners can also use the STB to view stored media on bigger displays.

Samsung gives no details on the interface the HomeSync adopts (other than that it should be a familiar experience for Android users) but confirms Google Play store acess and support for up to x8 separate user accounts (complete with file encryption and user-specific IDs and passwords).

The HomeSync will be available from April 2013.

Go Samsung HomeSync

Remote Technologies Inc. (RTI) joins the KNX technology creator and owner KNX Association in a move to ensure tighter integration between RTI control solutions and KNX-compatible devices.

KNX is an international home and building control standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3) used in many sectors, including lighting and shading control, security and HVAC systems, audio/video and energy management. Over 7000 devices in 120 countries use of the KNX protocol.

Current RTI control systems integrate with KNX-compatible devices via 2-way driver from COMM-TEC group member Vivateq, RTI's European distribution partner. The driver works with Vivateq's CTG-KNX/IP gateway, with ethernet networks acting as communications link between KNX-compatible devices and RTI XP-series processors.

"We are excited to say we've taken the next step by becoming a KNX member," RTI says. "By becoming a member of the KNX Association, we're demonstrating the importance of having full control and 2-way communication with KNX-compatible devices, ensuring that RTI can provide dealers with effective control solutions in any residential or commercial project."

Go RTI

Go KNX

Intel confirms ambitions to enter the online TV market-- at the AllThingsD Dive Into Media conference Intel corporate VP of media Erik Huggers claims the company will provide a "superior experience" to what is currently available.

The development comes from Intel's newly formed media division formed by former Apple, Jawbone, BBC and Microsoft employees.

Apparently already in testing, the Intel take on STBs delivers live TV via the internet (with smaller channel bundles than what cable companies offer) and a "Catch Up TV" video-on-demand service.

In other words, the company is gunning for both cable and video-on-demand business through an Intel-powered "an all in one solution" providing "not a value play but a quality play.”

ISE 2013 is the 10th for Remote Technologies Inc. (RTI), one where company has a number of European product launches-- such as the Apex home control platform.

First seen at CEDIA Expo 2012, the Apex is a platform for the RTI control ecosystem. It supports remote programming and project management, allowing installers to service, update and maintain the system remotely via the cloud.

The system comes complete with multiple in-wall touchscreens, remote controllers, HDBaseT matrix switches, multi-room audio systems and a variety of automation drivers.

Most RTI handheld remotes also get a 3rd radio together with wifi and ZigBee-- 433MHz.