4.0 A convergência digital

Há cada vez mais alternativas (convergentes) à rádio

«From Inside Radio:

TiVo ... is teaming with digital music service Rhapsody to deliver thousands of Internet radio stations and four million songs through any broadband-connected TiVo box. The feature will allow users to search for music directly from their TV where they’ll be able to browse charts of Rhapsody’s most popular artists, find weekly lists of new releases, or listen to thousands of radio stations. Current TiVo subscribers will get a free 30-day trial of Rhapsody. They then can opt to pay $12.99 a month to keep the service.

Mark Ramsey não acredita na ideia: «where's the need? If I have a fancy audio system hooked up to my TV I can ALREADY listen to a slew of digital audio channels on a cable system (as well as radio stations on my Time Warner one). So that "convenience" - in case it is convenient - already exists. What this process adds is complication, not simplicity.»

Mas há quem não concorde: «You could use the same argument you're making here against iPods: "Where's the need for an iPod? I can already listen to a slew of audio channels on my radio!"As to simple, how hard is it:
1) You don't need to buy any hardware
2) You don't need to fiddle with wires or new desktop boxes
3) You don't need to use a docking station, USB cable, or any other method to get the music on your stereo
4) You sign up, press a few buttons on your remote, and you're listening to your music through your own stereo in the order you want.»

fonte: «The beginning of the end of "one-to-many"», Ramsey, Hear2.0, 11/10/07

Um receptor FM e internet

«The Sagem My Dual Radio 700 is a multimode radio which wants to be loved by everyone. You want Internet radio? You got it, via WiFi or Ethernet. You want FM sounds? Check, complete with RDS. MP3 player, yep via a USB port. Alarm clock? All right already, so you’ve got two programmable alarms. Throw in a big LCD screen, a remote control and two speakers – no we can’t see the other one either – and you’ve got yourself a real jack of all le trades. Apparently the price should not exceed €150.00 when it arrives next month.» («Sagem My Dual Radio 700 - Internet radio a la terrestrial», The Red Ferret Journal, 21/03/07)

e o primeiro receptor portátil de internet?

«Australian company Torian is now shipping its Infusion, which it claims is the world's first mobile Internet radio, or Wi-Fi radio. The radio, which also doubles as an MP3 player, debuted at the CeBIT conference in Germany this week. [Video: Internet radio goes mobile] If you're a real sports fan or someone who likes to listen to music from around the globe, Infusion kind of makes sense. I say kind of because while it will give you access to just about every Web radio station or Web sports broadcasts, it requires you to be in range of a Wi-Fi hot spot. If, however, you're a listener who is satisfied with the pop radio stations, then buy yourself a $10 portable radio or continue using your iPod. The company is also producing what it calls an Internet radio module that third party manufacturers can adapt to other devices like a car radio -- perhaps another nail in the coffin of satellite radio -- or your home hi-fi system. Other features of Infusion include 16 presets of your choice, MP3 player with five hours of playback, and 4GB of expandable memory plus an SD card slot, FM radio receiver, and headphones. The price is expected to be about $230» (fonte: March 21, 2007, «Infusion: World's first portable Internet radio, infoworld.com)

A rádio (DAB) deve preocupar-se com a tv móvel

Se o standard escolhido para a tv portátil for o DVB-H (da Nokia) isso será mau para quem tem DAB. Por causa da falta de convergência. «For a radio broadcaster, DVB-H is bad news: because it’s not backwards compatible with anything, so you’ll have more transmission costs to get onto this new platform. For a manufacturer or network provider, it’s not particularly good news either: a brand new network will have to be built, and in many cases (the UK included) the frequencies won’t become free for another few years. And for the consumer, it’s also bad news: my device will only pick up those broadcasters who’ve elected to spend money to broadcast on this new network.»

Já se for o DMB... «DMB is based on DAB technology - so, for a radio broadcaster, DMB is good news: because it’s backwards compatible with DAB Digital Radio. That iRiver device picked up Das Erste, but also picks up nearly twenty different digital radio stations. For a manufacturer or network provider, that’s also good news: because the radio companies have already paid to build a DAB network, and the frequencies are already internationally allocated. And for the consumer, that’s also good news: a consumer that thrives on content and choice (and all consumers do, no matter what Mark Ramsey says) will get the content they already know and love with DAB Digital Radio, as well as additional multimedia content with DMB television services»

É a velha questão da convergência: «DMB is the only way for them to deliver broadcast television. Because it can deliver radio as well. The choice of mobile TV technology really does matter for radio broadcasters. If the world chooses DMB, any DAB radio broadcaster will be available on millions of new devices at no extra cost. If the world chooses DVB-H, we won’t be. It’s time to get involved.»

fonte: «Why radio should care about mobile Tv», James Cridland, 18/03/07

Um receptor internet portátil e convergente

Faz isto tudo. Por isso diz que reinventa a experiência de ouvir rádio («Imagine your clock radio being able to tune in to any radio station in the world that streams online, or listen to podcasts on your radio … without the need for a computer interface or peripheral») :

Features of The Phoenix radio include:

• alarm clock
• eight preset radio station buttons and search mode
• rechargeable batteries and integrated internal charger for portability
• lightweight – under two pounds
• integrated stereo speakers and spatialization enhancer technology for digital sound quality
• can plug into any hi-fi stereo system or headphones with analog outputs
• connects to any 802.11b/g wireless network with its easy Wi-Fi connection
• no computer interface necessary
• allows for Bluetooth^® connectivity with adapter offered through Com One
• bookmark favorite stations and songs for instant access
• listen to missed shows with radio-on-demand or podcasts
• embedded software for easy connection to the Internet-based service distribution platform, content & service customization, firmware upgrade over the air, push & pull interactivity and management of subscription or click & buy functions
• lets you listen to MP3, WMA or uncompressed audio (WAV and AIFF) and supports Real Audio

fonte: «Com One Reinvents the Radio Experience» BusinessWire, 9/01/07 

Convergente e barato

«The good thing about technology is that even if it starts out on the pricey side, you know that at some point it'll slide sufficiently down the tech scale to be affordable to even the slimmest wallets. This DAB radio comes with a CD player built in, and still costs a reasonable £100»

Grava tudo do ar (até de mais?)

 O Replay A/V -8.02 da Applian Technologies grava tudo.

«Applian Technologies can take just about any kind of programming stream and transfer it to almost any kind of personal digital replay device. Replay A/V version 8 can grab XM and Sirius online programming, whatever's being played in web-only radio or video stations, podcasts, material from Windows Media, Real, Flash, Shoutcast, iTunes Radio and more. It can be used live or programmed to activate at a given time. It produces MP3s or CDs. (...) There's a media revolution going on now, and Replay A/V is destined to be a huge part of it." RBR observation: Where Dettering sees a "revolution," we see a copyright nightmare. A difficult situation is only going to get worse, since the inventors sitting in their garages and basements, limited only by their own ingenuity, can work at a lightning clip. (...)»

fonte: RBR news, «Streaming device captures on-line programming», 28/12/06 (v23 n250)

Conteúdos polifórmicos

«“a sobrevivência dos media passa por preparar os meios para distribuírem conteúdos em multiplataformas”, [Pedro Norton, administrador dos jornais do grupo Impresa] opinião partilhada pelos outros intervenientes. Explicando que esta necessidade é motivada pela “mudança nos hábitos de consumo” dos portugueses, até porque os “jovens consomem diferentes formatos em simultâneo”, Bernardo Bairrão considera que a televisão “deve estar preparada para oferecer conteúdos quando e onde os jovens quiserem”. “Os conteúdos são o factor chave entre as múltiplas plataformas de distribuição e por isso devemos estar preparados para este mundo”, sublinha. Concordando com a necessidade a criação do produtos multiplataforma, Francisco Penim foi mais longe ao avançar com o conceito de “conteúdo polimórfico”. “Este é conceito pensado de raiz para potenciar conteúdos, ter mais coisas e atingir mais pessoas, e não apenas limitar a aproveitar o existente e disponibilizar em multiplataformas. É um pensar mais abrangente. Potencia novos modelos de negócio, novas maneiras de fazer dinheiro, audiências, cross programing, cross selling”, entre outros.»

fonte: «Futuro dos media passa pela produção multiplataforma», Meios e Publicidade, Hugo Real, 22 de Novembro de 2006

Convergência a qualquer custo

A notícia (outubro 2006) de que o Channel 4 passou a oferecer podcasts áudio de um programa de televisão («Unreported World»), com o propósito de permitir que o espectador do programa o possa ouvir quando e onde quiser, mostra que a ideia de convergência ainda não foi bem compreendida (convergir a todo o custo, mesmo que se sacrifiquem as imagens de um programa de televisão) e que a tecnologia tem de evoluir para permitir podcasts de programas (completos) de televisão

Nokia «Internet tablet» (com radio via net)

«What's particularly compelling about the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet is that it's not only the first to be billed as an "Internet Tablet," but also its software is built entirely from open source components. Parts of it come as a result of direct community participation via the Nokia 770's community site.

Once booted, users are greeted with a slick interface with direct access to several applets, including a Google search window, contact list and a music player preset to AccuRadio HitKast. It also has a Web shortcut pointing to the "Tableteer," which points to a homepage intended for 770 users with support and update information Included.

Boot time was surprisingly long -- roughly 10 seconds. However, potential buyers need to understand that this device is not a PDA nor is it a laptop. Think of it as somewhere in between.

Users are able to manage and rearrange these applets as desired, although the process for doing so seems a bit disjointed. Until the applets are properly aligned -- something that doesn't come automatically -- you're unable to perform other tasks with the device.»

fonte: «LinuxWorld Product Review: The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet», By Jason Gilmore, 21 Aug 2006 | SearchOpenSource.com

 

Convergência: câmara fotográfica com música

«Convergence takes many forms, and Samsung is offering the latest combination concept. The South Korean electronics giant is readying its NV3 music-enabled digital camera, an idea previously kicked around by Olympus. The Olympus attempt was unsuccessful, though the Samsung NV3 offers a range of newer, multimedia tie-ins. Outside of snapshot and camcorder capabilities, the camera also allows users to upload videos and music files from a PC. And once the music files are loaded, they can be played back through headphones or through on-deck, stereo speakers.

The NV3 also delivers 7.2 megapixel photo resolution, which easily trumps rival solutions from mobile phone manufacturers - and many other stand-alone cameras. That will help to attract more serious photographers, and the MP3 capabilities will offer a nice perk to increasingly media-hungry consumers. The NV3, which is part of a larger NV series, will hit various markets this fall, just in time for the holiday buying season. The NV3, NV7, and NV10 all feature an ultra-slim form factor, and a black exterior.»

fonte: «Samsung Prepares Music-Enabled Digital Camera», Digitalo music news, 10/7/06

Satélite via HD? (act)

É a confusão total...

«XM wants to transmit its signal into HD Radios. The satcaster applied for a patent in December 2005 to send its signal - as well as that of MP3s, CDs and other digital sources - via IBOC. Such a scheme would keep its signal digital throughout the entire transmission path, and eliminate the need for analog FM modulator add-ons, it says in the application published this month by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.»

fonte: «XM Wants to Co-Exist With IBOC», 22/6/06, http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=9242

Act a 26/6/06: Assim percebe-se (um pouco) melhor:

«Washington - Jun 15, 2006 - The idea of modulating an audio signal to a radio frequency so that it can be heard via a traditional radio receiver is not a new idea. When FM was young, there were plenty of converters to receive the FM and remodulate it to an AM frequency. Today, every media player offers an option to listen to the device via an FM radio.

In an ironic twist of the idea, XM Satellite Radio has filed a patent application that describes a system to receive an XM broadcast and then remodulate it on an FM HD Radio signal. The process would keep the audio signal in a digital form through the entire chain instead of converting it to analog at the input to the add-on transmitter.»

fonte: «XM Files Patent for HD Radio Converter», 19/6/06 Radio Currents Online

Viva a convergência (no Japão)

«U.S. consumers may soon have the opportunity to subscribe to terrestrially-based streaming audio and video services via third generation mobile phone handsets, but Japan remains a step ahead as it becomes the first nation to offer consumers streaming audio on handsets via satellite, according to the latest edition of NAB's Radio Tech Check.

NTT Docomo of Tokyo will offer a satellite radio package to consumers equipped with Mitubishi's new Music Porter X model handset. The satellite channels will originate from Mobile Broadcasting (MBCO), a Japanese provider currently offering more than 30 channels of audio as well as multi-channel video services via a single geostationary satellite with a terrestrial gap-filling network operating at about 2.6GHz. That system has been operating as a stand-alone service since 2004»

fonte: «New Japanese Handsets Include Satellite Audio Services», beradio, 21/6/06

Paula Cordeiro: «O anúncio do primeiro telemóvel capaz de receber rádio por satélite, transforma velhos transístores e walkan's fora de moda, num novo gadget, presente no quotidiano da maioria dos cidadãos»

A rádio (via net) chega às consolas

A Tversity anuncia ter disponibilizado um sistema que permite trazer a rádio da net, entre outras facilidades, a uma série de dispositivos:

«This includes devices like networked TVs, DVDs, Stereo Receivers, Digital Media Adapaters/Receivers, Mobile Phones, Satellite and Cable set-top-boxes and more.

Devices with a web browser (XHTML-MP or WAP 2.0) and media streaming or downloading capabilities like Mobile Phones, PDAs, the Sony PSP, and more.

Devices with an RSS reader and media streaming or downloading capabilities like the Sony PSP, iTunes/iPod and more.»

 TVersity can handle almost any media format and streaming protocol whether it is coming from your home network or the Internet including live and on-demand Internet streams. This makes it possible to access from your device of choice, Internet TV and Radio stations, audio and video Podcasts, photo blogs and photo feeds (from flickr and other sources), Internet playlist communities (like Webjay.org), video search engines (from Yahoo, Google and others) and much more.

A internet nos aviões

«AirCell and a unit of JetBlue said Monday that they plan to turn airplanes into Wi-Fi hot spots as early as next year. If regulators approve, the services would let fliers use laptops to e-mail, tap corporate networks, surf the Web, play games and possibly even watch movies on domestic flights, all for about $10 a trip. They also might make cellphone calls, though that faces tougher regulatory hurdles and consumer resistance to chattering neighbors. (...) "You want to make it possible for people to do what they do in the office, in the hotel, at Starbucks and in the airport lounge," says Jack Blumenstein, CEO of AirCell, which provides wireless services for corporate jets via satellite. Service, he says, could roll out next summer. (...) LiveTV would not offer cellphone service, Frisco says. If Wi-Fi services are approved, passengers might be able to use new wireless phones that have voice-over-Internet technology.»

fonte: «If approved, planes could become Wi-Fi hot spots as early as next year» USA Today, 6/5/06, Paul Davidson, http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2006-06-05-inflight-broadband_x.htm?csp=34 

 

Ouvir rádio no bluetooth?

«Texas Instruments introduces a Bluetooth chip that rocks, dude! Its BlueLink 6.0 platform couples FM radio reception (mono and stereo) with Bluetooth in a single chip. This module also co-exists neatly with Wi-Fi. The notion is that a handset could be an FM tuner without additional chips or integration; this feature must be a top request as music players are added into phones. One analyst predicts 400m units with FM reception by the end of the decade.

Of course, if I put on my other hat, I know that HD Radio, a digitally encoded form of AM and FM radio, has begun making headway in the market. HD Radio uses unused guard bands around the primary analog frequencies to deliver crisp, even multi-channel audio. It makes a lot of sense in about two years to have HD Radio-only AM and FM tuners in handsets. About 700 stations broadcast HD Radio today and only a few car receivers, one high-end home receiver, and one tabletop radio can tune in these broadcasts. A few thousand stations will have added HD by 2007»

fonte: «If This Bluetooth Is Rocking, Don't Come-a Call Waitin'», Glenn Fleishman, March 30, 2006)

Uma tecnologia interessante (e convergente)

Como juntar o FM com o computador? Este sistema grava e guarda tudo o que ouve no FM para o computador!

«Snaptune, Inc. has released Snaptune™ One, a new software product that ‘downloads’ complete songs, talk shows, interviews and live sessions directly from FM radio to a PC.

Snaptune One records, isolates, and identifies complete songs, talk shows and other interesting segments automatically.

Users pick their favorite local radio stations from a list for their location, and Snaptune does the rest. Snaptune One displays a list of the songs playing on the radio as it finds them. Users can sort them, play them, write them, burn them, or transfer them to an iPod or other media player.

Snaptune uses pattern-matching techniques to find songs without any reference to play lists or other external data allowing it to work on almost any radio station.

Snaptune One can podcast directly across a home network to iTunes on a user’s laptop and from there onto an iPod. »

(fonte: Corey Deitz, Radio About, New Software Downloads Complete Songs From FM Radio to PC, 11/3/06)

(ACT) Um bom sinal de convergência em Portugal!

«TV Cabo lança serviço de rádio na Powerbox
Andreia Ferreira  

O cliente TV Cabo que já possua uma Powerbox terá que desligá-la e voltar a ligar para passar a ter disponíveis 13 das principais estações de rádio portuguesas. Antenas 1,2 e 3, RDP África, Rádio Clube, Rádio Capital, Rádio Comercial, Cidade FM, Best Rock FM, Oxigénio, Marginal, Radar e Rádio Europa Lisboa são as estações parceiras do projecto nesta fase inicial. A tecla amarela do comando da Powerbox dá acesso à opção Rádio numa operação que se quis «simples e funcional» afirmou o director do projecto, Francisco Matos Chaves. «Antes de optarmos pelo serviço de rádio em detrimento da introdução das playlists dos canais de música, quisemos ouvir os clientes», acrescentou. Em Maio de 2005, iniciou-se o processo de troca das TV Box analógicas pelos descodificadores digitais Powerbox junto dos clientes com canais Premium. Este processo de trocas deverá estar concluído até ao final do primeiro semestre deste ano. (Diário Digital, 15-03-2006 12:43:10)

Mais: «Ao DN, Francisco Matos Chaves, director dos canais multimédia da TV Cabo, explica que o sistema "pode vir a permitir a medição das audiências", mas não sabe quando tal será possível.» COMENTÁRIO: Talvez no dia de são nunca à tarde... A audição de rádio via televisão (com a inevitável ausência de portabilidade) será sempre residual, mesmo que se apresente complementar e possa ter alguma utilidade. Mas daí até poder servir para medir audiências?... E já não falo do facto de apenas «500.000 subscritores do serviço digital terão acesso às emissoras»

C-o-n-v-e-r-g-ê-n-c-i-a-!

"A Motorola e a Burton Snowboards anunciaram o lançamento de um blusão para a prática de desportos de Inverno equipado com a tecnologia bluetooth. Na manga esquerda do blusão encontra-se um painel de controlo que torna possível efectuar chamadas e aceder a uma selecção de músicas. Os altifalantes e microfone estão localizados no capuz. Este blusão é o primeiro de uma linha de produtos desenvolvidos pela Motorola e pela Burton. Em breve serão lançados um capacete e um gorro"

in Meios e Publicidade, Motorola lança blusão com ligação bluetooth, Rui Oliveira Marques, 31 de Janeiro de 2006

Um canivete suiço com mp3 e rádio FM? Convergência...

Convergência digital, eis uma expressão que pode ser encarada como demasiado "determinista tecnológico", mas que me parece ser decisiva face às actuais tendências do audio.

De outra forma, como se explica que a Victorinox esteja a lançar um dos seus canivetes suiços com leitor de Mp3 e rádio FM? " Victorinox, que já havia lançado um canivete suíço USB, do tipo pen drive , apresenta-nos agora um produto com um leitor de áudio digital integrado... Um regalo para todos os "McGyvers" com veia musical.
Com uma capacidade de 1 GB, o S. Beat lê ficheiros MP3, WAV e WMA, sendo capaz de armazenar cerca de 250 músicas. Possui ainda rádio FM e função de gravação de voz."

A convergência da rádio-satélite como exemplo a seguir

A rádio hertziana devia pôr os olhos neste exemplo:

"When Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio first introduced their subscription audio services, both companies expected success to come primarily from the automobile market. As most radio listening is done in the car, the two companies worked to sew up exclusive licensing deals with major car manufacturers.

But in the four years since satellite radio began, new technologies are making additional demands on listeners' time and dollars.

Today, satellite radio is competing not just with broadcast radio in the car, but also with MP3 players, which can hold thousands of songs and can be hooked up to car stereo systems. And unlike bulky satellite radio receivers, pocket-size MP3 players can be carried everywhere and are useful in the gym.

To compete with portable music devices, both XM and Sirius have had to start offering their programming over a range of devices and services. Both companies charge $12.95 a month for their programming, and discounted multiyear contracts are available.

In addition to the service in cars, consumers can now hear Sirius channels on the Dish Network [um conglomerado de empresas com a tv por cabo no centro das operações] and on Sprint cellphones. XM can be heard by AOL subscribers, on AirTran and JetBlue flights and on DirecTV [basicamente TV por cabo mas muitos outros serviços] 

"We want to make our service available over as many products as possible," said Robert Law, senior vice president of Sirius's consumer electronics division.

For now, standard radios and MP3 players still have the edge on easy music delivery. Broadcast radios are cheap and are incorporated into virtually every home stereo system, while satellite radio tuners are mostly stand-alone devices. And satellite signals cannot be received without a special antenna. "(in New York Times, 12, Janeiro de 2006, "Satellite Radio Leaves the Car to Go Home and on Walks", By ERIC A. TAUB)