BROADCASTING: SAGEM AND TPS DEVELOP NEW DIGITAL TERMINAL.

PositionTelevision Par Satellite

In partnership with the T?l?vision par Satellite (TPS) platform, Sagem of France on April 29 took the wraps off a digital coder that has a hard disk to allow viewers to watch a programme that is already in memory, whilst another programme is being recorded. With its computer-like hard disk, the TPS Platinium will have a 40-hour storage capacity to allow viewers to compile a small personal catalogue of films, sports events or programmes. Despite the total of 40 hours, solely 15 or so can be used freely by viewers, Jacques Espinasse, Managing Director of TPS, told reporters in Paris. The rest will be "pre-empted" by TPS, who will offer direct downloading on the basis of new subscriber-only services, such as games, films or sport on demand ("pay-per-view"). TPS is not planning to bring out the new generation decoder until its rival CanalSatellite (Canal+ group, subsidiary of Vivendi Universal) makes the first move, but this operation has fallen behind schedule. The new-generation decoder has been available for several months in the United States where sales have been fairly disappointing.Just one remote control is needed for...

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