DENVER – As cable guys filled hotels and the enormous Colorado Convention Center became cluttered with cable gadgets; it only seems fitting that the never-ending snowfall has caused some TV screens connected to satellite dishes to go black…
(I’d like to thank Greg O’Brien and Cartt.ca, together with the Ontario Chapter of SCTE, for providing me with this great opportunity. It has already been an incredible learning experience and it has only just begun.)
Third-party training
A common theme during the presentations this morning was the need for collaboration. SCTE wants to work globally as successfully as it has in North America, and before that, in Great Britain. Mark Dzuban, SCTE’s president and CEO, urged his fellow members to share information regarding problem solving during new service implementation. If this idea catches on, then cable MSOs could be working together on a number of levels in the future.
This is an opportunity for third-parties to get involved in all aspects of the business and become threads that connect all MSOs around the world.
Jones/NCTI, a leading provider of technical training, education and consulting services for professionals in the cable and broadband industry, introduced today the new Installer Online Course, a foundation for individuals undertaking Jones/NCTI’s Technical Career Path and an essential preparation for the company’s “Broadband Digital Installer” and “Installer Technician” courses.
“Our customers in the cable and broadband industry are increasingly asking for programs that are either completely online or have more online components,” said Robyn McVicker, president of Jones/NCTI. “This new online format provides our students with the flexibility they need to complete the course while still maintaining a full-time job and other outside commitments.”
This also creates an opportunity to standardize the customer experience across the globe, too, says the company. Jones/NCTI continue to enhance their products according to the feedback they get. So as more companies provide input, the strengths of all companies are implemented in the products. For more information go to www.jonesncti.com.
Thought you bought your last TV? Think again
A few years ago you cracked and bought your first HDTV. Not long after, your “buddy” told you about his new HDTV and how much better it was than yours. You put up with it as long as you could, but every time you watched the NFL at his house it made you feel inferior. So you saved and saved and recently bought the best TV available: LED 1080p at 240Hz. Everyone at the stores assured you there could never be a better picture.
Well the picture quality hasn’t improved. They just added a dimension.
I was excited to see the 3D exhibits and was looking forward to sitting back in my lazy-boy on Sunday and watching the football jump out of the TV. It is the coolest thing! Just buy the 3DHDTV and you’re set!
But, what? I can’t believe there’s no way to use current-gen HDTVs in a 3D experience. Sony, Panasonic and many more showcased their latest efforts to bring 3D to the home.
However, for those of you that change TVs with the seasons, I found the one for you. It is made by Hyundai IT Corp and does something no other 3DTV does. It actually converts regular 2D images sent today from your friendly cable provider into 3D. They did it without requiring bulky active glasses, and are the only manufacturer to do it, so far. Check them out at www.hyundaiIT.com and get ready to annoy your friends!
Dan Chelchowski is the winner of the 2009 Cartt.ca SCTE Ontario Chapter Cable-Tec Expo editorial internship and is covering the conference for Cartt.ca.
