(3 March 2007 5:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Asia’s digital multimedia and entertainment technology event, BroadcastAsia, will return to Singapore Expo from 19-22 June 2007 to showcase the latest digital technology, professional equipment and services.

Over 800 exhibiting companies including Harris, Sennheiser, Miranda, Vizrt, Magna, Innoxius, Conax and Qualcomm will demonstrate a full spectrum of products and applications from media content creation to delivery including new technologies birthed as a result of digital convergence.

Strong group participation is also expected at BroadcastAsia2007 with pavilions from Singapore , China , France , Germany , Italy , Korea , USA and UK . More than 80 per cent of the show floor has already been filled.

This year’s BroadcastAsia will also feature a high definition (HD) 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.

Over the years, BroadcastAsia has proven to be a one-stop sourcing ground for broadcasters, production and post-production companies as well as network with the industry. BroadcastAsia2007 expected to attract over 10,000 industry professionals, decision makers, vendors and buyers from 50 countries.

Adding greater depth to event is the BroadcastAsia International Conference. In partnership with various industry organisations, the conference features a series of sessions focussing on critical industry issues and will bring greater clarity to the new technological and business opportunities within the industry.

Addressing the “how”, “what”, “where” and “why”, the BroadcastAsia2007 International Conference will cover areas in file-based production, media production & development, digital multimedia, IPTV, content delivery to creating new opportunities.

Calvin Koh who is the project manager for communications events with organizer Singapore Exhibition Services “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”.

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.

The convergence of media, communications and IT has dramatically changed the landscape of the media and entertainment industry, and is revolutionising the way we think, live, work and play. According to industry observers, the estimated size of the global media and entertainment industry in 2009 is expected to hit $1.78 trillion, while the Asia-Pacific market is predicted to reach $431 billion in the same period. Some ‘hot’ converged applications include digital cinema, IP TV, 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 top 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. Despite being a relatively young trade show, CG Overdrive has built a reputation as a must-see event for computer graphics and animation enthusiasts in the Asia-Pacific region.

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 be staged to connect CG enthusiasts to the gurus.