(22 March 2007 1:25 am)

MUMBAI: BroadcastAsia, digital multimedia and entertainment technology event is set to kick off one again at the Singapore Expo from 19-22 June showcasing the latest digital technology, professional equipment and services.

This year's BroadcastAsia will feature a HD (high definition) studio demonstrating a full suite of high definition production workflow - from production to final content output. Industry professionals will be on hand to explain the features and processes of the studio as well as highlight the differences in quality between standard definition and HD transmissions to visitors.

In partnership with various industry organisations, the BroadcastAsia International Conference will feature a series of sessions focusing on critical industry issues and will bring greater clarity to the new technological and business opportunities within the industry. It will also cover areas in file-based production, media production and development, digital multimedia, IPTV, content delivery to creating new opportunities, informs an official release.

Over 800 exhibiting companies including Harris, Sennheiser, Miranda, Vizrt, Magna, Innoxius, Conax and Qualcomm will demonstrate a spectrum of products and applications from media content creation to delivery including new technologies birthed as a result of digital convergence. Group participation is also expected at BroadcastAsia2007 with pavilions from Singapore, China, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, USA and UK.

BroadcastAsia2007 expected to attract over 10,000 industry professionals, decision makers, vendors and buyers from 50 countries.

"This year's conference saw over 60 representatives who responded to its call for contribution. The overwhelming response was an indication of the industry's enthusiasm to use the conference to share and update fellow professionals," commented Singapore Exhibition Services project manager for communications events Calvin Koh.

Interactive, digital media and entertainment in the spotlight:

Spread over a total of eight halls, BroadcastAsia, alongside with CommunicAsia, EnterpriseIT, InteractiveDME and ComputerGraphics Overdrive -- will see the gathering of over 2,400 companies as they come together to demonstrate the transforming powers of digital technologies that are redefining the boundaries of traditionally-segmented telecommunications, networks, enterprise solutions and entertainment arenas.

Reflecting the growing importance of the interactive digital media industry in Singapore, which had been identified as a key growth sector for the local economy, interactive and digitised media and entertainment content will be a highlight on the show floor, adds the release.

According to industry observers, the estimated size of the global media and entertainment industry in 2009 is expected to hit US$1.78 trillion, while the Asia-Pacific market is predicted to reach US$431 billion in the same period. Some 'hot' converged applications include digital cinema, IPTV, connected digital home devices and online gaming, amongst others.
Some 'hot' converged applications that visitors can expect to see include mobile entertainment, IPTV, connected digital home devices, as well as mobile and online gaming, amongst others.

Some of the key enabling technologies that will occupy prominence on the show floor this year are:
- Wireless -- covering 3G, HSDPA, WiMax/ WiBro, Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC), as well as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Embedded technologies
" Broadcasting -- covering Satellite, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) and Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)
- Digital Networks -- covering Next Generation Networks (NGN), Voice over IP (VoIP) and Information Security

CG Overdrive will also be held alongside BroadcastAsia for the first time, to answer the growing interest in animation and demand for Asian animated content.

One of the main highlights of CG Overdrive is a knowledge-centric conference that will address topics such as character animation techniques, character modelling and production of CG cinematics for gamers. Fringe activities like digital film screenings, digital art gallery and networking parties will also be staged.