Program Details

CABSAT MENA Knowledge Exchange

CABSAT MENA Broadcasting Conference
"Going HD – Business Plans and Technology Options"
3 – 5 March, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

Implementing HDTV services is increasingly receiving attention from forward looking broadcasters. One of the drivers for this renewed interest is the maturing of the MPEG-4 AVC compression technology and availability of products using this technology. The second driver is the growing market demand from the consumers, catalysed by easier availability of large screen displays at relatively affordable prices. Both these factors are combining together to move the industry in meeting the market requirement.

At this juncture it is difficult to believe that any broadcasters would go in for SD-only content delivery while considering digital transition. In fact, the negative effects of legacy issues five years down the road will force all new digital entrants to seriously consider going straight to HD services. There are, of course, other implications, for example, in spectrum and delivery platform areas.

In parallel, there is also increased awareness on digital implementation issues and business plans for digital TV and mobile broadcasting services. Broadcasters are on the look-out for the magic mix of delivery platforms and applications that could propel these new broadcasting services. A balanced mix of platforms and reliable revenue streams is what the broadcasters need.

The CABSAT 2009 Broadcasting Conference will address several issues that need to be addressed in the decision making process on going digital TV and HDTV. It aims to provide the participants with the requisite information and real-life experiences in these areas, both from inside of the Middle-East and from other parts of the world. This regional event will offer support for the broadcasters in commencing their preparations for taking up SD and high definition services, providing in depth understanding of the technology usage and business prospects. The conference will provide a platform for broadcasters and other industry players to exchange views and experiences on launching HD services.

Day 1: Tuesday, 3 March

11:00 pm – 11:45 pmRegistration
12:00 pm – 12:30 pmOpening & Keynote Address
Keynote Address :
The melting ice cube: Analogue business in the Digital World
By Edward Borgerding CEO, Abu Dhabi Media Company
12:30 pm – 2:00 pmSession 1 : Technologies for Digital TV Broadcasting This session addresses the modern technologies that are required for making delivery of SD and HDTV services more efficiently and cost effectively. Digital broadcasting is driven by its strength in providing content, services and value adds. And technology developments play a major role in this.

Topics:
  • OFDM to HDTV Delivery: An Analysis Dr. Abdullah Saleh Alaraimi, Senior TV Transmission Engineer, Ministry of Information, Oman
  • Better Signals – Better HDTV Jörg Schmidt, General Manager DEV Systemtechnik
  • Migration of Contribution Links to AVC Ian Trow, Director of Broadcast Solutions, Harmonic
  • Frequency Spectrum and Digital Dividend Sharad Sadhu, Technical Director, Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union
  • Evolution and Revolutions in Satellite Broadcast Technologies Jean-Pierre De Muyt, VP Sales, Newtec
2:00 pm – 2:30 pmSponsored Session by UK Trade & Investment
  • Delivering HD to the Middle East
    Chairman: Roger Stanwell – CEO, IABM
    Keynote speaker: Andrew Davies - Business Development Manager Television Systems Ltd
    Keynote speaker: Mike Whitaker - Vice President, Broadcast Operations & Technology
    Showtime Arabia
2:30 pm – 3:30 pmLunch sponsored by UK Trade & Investment
3:30 pm – 5:00 pmSession 2 : Technologies for Content Production
This session addresses all important aspects of HDTV and SD programme production technology employed in the studios and outdoor. It addresses technical, workflow and financial aspects of setting up such facilities and generating multi-platform content, customised content and management

Topics:
  • Cost-effective File-based Workflows for HD Production Graham Collins, Senior Systems Engineer, Advanced Integration, Omenon
  • TVB Hong Kong HD Drama Production Workflow: Case Study Henri Alexander, General Manager - EMEA, EVS
  • HD Broadcast Cameras: What is Required of these in Future Nigel Arnot, Director of Product Marketing – Cameras, Thomson Grass Valley
  • Wireless Camera Technologies: Meeting Challenges of High Definition and High Frequencies Mather Al Ali, General Manager - MENA, Vislink
  • Customized, Personal Content is the Key Jayant Rangari, General Manager (DVB-H), IPTV, Eurostar
5:00 pmDay 1 Concludes

Day 2: Wednesday, 4 March

11:00 am – 11:25 amRegistration
11:30 am – 1:30 pmSession 3 : TV Business – How to go about it in the Middle East
Effective business plans are a basic requirement in the digital TV equation. This session deals with the business aspects of setting up SD and HDTV services by terrestrial broadcasting and through the satellite, focusing on the environment obtained in the Middle East. It explores the revenue streams, audience acceptance, technology infrastructure, content issues, need for HDTV services and the market place for sustained survival of digital TV broadcasters in the region.

Topics:
  • State of Broadcasting Industry in the Region Jawad Abbassi, Founder & General Manager, Arab Advisors Group
  • HD Deployment in Middle East Homes: Strategies, Trends and Synergies David Fernandez & Miguel Churruca, Product Manager & Marketing Director, Blusens
  • Going HD in the Middle East TV Environment Nick Grande, Managing Director, Channel Sculptor
  • Key Decision Issues in Digital Implementation Upali Arambewale, Head of Transmission Technology and Spectrum, ABU
  • "All-IP" Broadcast Exchange Networks: ASBU's First Experiences Serge Van Herck & Abdelrahim Suileiman, CEO of Newtec & Technical Director of ASBU, Newtec & ASBU
  • New Opportunities for Interactivity: Convergence of TV and Broadband Jean-Christophe Jubin, Sales & Marketing Director, HTTV
  • The Role of MPEG-4 within Contribution David Mitchinson, Business Development Director, Tandberg Television
  • Engaging Viewers Through New 'Technology' Sally Rawlings & Paula Bryne, Business Director / Head of Interactive, BDA & Push Button
1:30 pm – 2:30 pmRefreshment break
2:30 pm – 3:30 pmCTO Round Table – Panel Discussion
Topic:
Technology Uptake in Challenging Times
  • Dr Riyadh Najm, President, Arab State Broadcasting Union (ASBU)
  • Sharad Sadhu, Technical Director, Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union, (ABU)
  • Mike Whittaker, Vice President, Broadcast Operations & Technology, ShowTime Arabia
  • Hasan R Sayed Hasan , Head of Media Technology, TwoFour54
  • Hassan Chahine, CTO, Dubai Media Incorporated
  • Roger Stanwell, CEO, International Association for Broadcasting Manufacturers (IABM)
3:30 pmDay 2 Concludes

Day 3: Thursday, 5 March

11:00 pm – 11:25 pmRegistration
11:30 pm – 1:30 pmSession 4 : Strategies for Mobile Broadcasting
Mobile broadcasting is the way to the future for the traditional broadcasters, even for other industry players. This session provides updates on mobile broadcasting, providing mobile multimedia services to audiences and developing new business strategies for successful implementation.

Topics:
  • Building a Sustainable Mobile TV Market
    Nicolas Chevalier, Head of Product Marketing Mobile TV, Nagravision – Kudelski
  • Digital Terrestrial and Mobile TV Deployment: What about the Cost?
    Koen Willems, Product Marketing Director, Mobile & Terrestrial TV equipment, Newtec
  • Approach and Partnership for a Viable Mobile TV Project
    Alan Waller, Sales Manager, Sidsa
1:30 pm – 3:30pmSession 5 & Closing Remarks : Adding value to digital services
This session addresses the implementation aspects of enhancements that add value to digital TV and HDTV services. It outlines how higher quality audio and attractive value added services can be realised. Digital TV broadcasting is driven by its core strength in providing richer content and more services.

Topics:
  • The Challenges of 5.1 Digital Audio in an HDTV plant
    Richard Ansell, Infrastructure Product Specialist – EMEA, Miranda Technologies
  • Maintaining Audio Quality in the Age of Digital Radio
    Simon Daniels, Sales Manager, Audio Processing Technology
  • IPTV: Personalized and Connected Cross-Platform Television Experience
    Alan Delaney, IPTV Business Development Director, Tandberg Television, Ericsson Group
  • Satellite Distribution for HD-SD Services
    Timothy M. Jackson, Vice President, Media Product Management, Intelsat
3:00 pmDay 3 Concludes

*Information correct at the time of publication. Details maybe subject to change without prior notice

On-site Conference registration fees: AED 120. Kindly proceed to Organiser's office Hall 1 to pay & register

  • Supported By

  • GVF
  • ASBU
  • ABU
  • IABM
  • ASPCC