Streamers' Hopes Dashed

by Harry Martin

Washington - Jun 20, 2002 - A June 20 ruling by the Librarian of Congress, which has ultimate authority for administering US copyright laws, dashed the hopes of Internet radio stations by requiring webcasters to pay substantial royalty fees to record companies. The new rates for Internet-only webcasts were reduced from the previously-approved 0.14 cents per song per listener to 0.07 cents. The rate for broadcasters streaming their signals onto the Internet will remain at 0.07 cents. Webcasters say these rates are so high as to threaten the viability of webcasting.

FCC Forms Spectrum Policy Task Force,Begins First Task

Arbitron and IBOPE Partner on PPMTrials In Latin America

New York - June 13, 2002 - Arbitron and IBOPE Media Information are cooperating in the testing of Arbitron’s Portable People Meter (PPM) technology in Latin America. The Portable People Meter is an audience tracking technology for terrestrial, satellite and Internet radio stations as well as broadcast, cable and satellite television. It is currently undergoing a U.S. market trial in Philadelphia and is being evaluated in a number of countries around the world.

The exclusive agreement will give IBOPE access to operational data from Arbitron’s U.S. market trial. IBOPE and Arbitron will work jointly with radio and TV broadcasters, advertisers and advertising agencies to help them evaluate the PPM technology. The two companies will also cooperate in an effort to introduce the PPM into a number of Latin American countries.

IBOPE is the largest research group in Latin America, having a presence in the Ad Hoc, Public Opinion, Consumer Panel and Media Research markets through its own resources and its investments in different companies. IBOPE Media Information offers TV audience measurement services in 13 countries as well as advertising expenditure and radio audience measurement services and other media related products, such as TGI, which is held in partnership with Kantar Media Research in several countries.

DRM Receives IEC Approval

FCC Needs Updated BAS Info fromStations

Sirius Upgrades to PAC v4

New York - June 10, 2002 - Sirius Satellite Radio will introduce a new, advanced audio enhancing technology in time for its nationwide service roll out on July 1. This new version of the PAC v4 Audio Codec, developed by Ibiquity Digital, is derived from a series of technologies that include the latest generation of psychoacoustic modeling, based on a deeper understanding of hearing physiology.

According to Ibiquity, this new version of the PAC v4 Audio Codec is the most advanced audio compression software on the market, and a significant advance over the previous generation of perceptual codecs. It responds rapidly to audio signals to provide an ‘open sound-stage’ effect, with a high dynamic range and stereo separation. It also uses a sophisticated model for encoding audio signal harmonics to achieve higher coding efficiency for complex signals. In addition to the psychoacoustic modeling, the technology incorporates features such as an adaptive filtering capability and efficient multi-stage noiseless coding.

Designed by a research team led by Dr. Deepen Sinha, and formulated to work hand-in-hand with Sirius’ S>PLEX technology, Sirius expects that the new version of PAC v4 will provides optimum sound quality for all channels, while maintaining maximum bandwidth efficiency. S>PLEX is the system deployed by Sirius that allocates bandwidth in real time to music channels with more demanding sound, such as classical, jazz and rock.

Harris to Distribute D.A.V.I.D.

Cincinnati - Jun 20, 2002 - Harris has signed a non-exclusive reseller agreement with Digital Audio Video Integration and Development (D.A.V.I.D.) Systems Inc., developer of DigaSystem. DigaSystem features a scaleable, modular open architecture that enables instant access to digital audio files over a network. With addition of the DigaWebSystem enhancement, radio stations can manage content via Internet or intranet connections outside of the DigaSystem environment.

A Munich-based company, D.A.V.I.D. Systems Inc. was founded in 1991 to develop a digital storage system for news content. Encouraged by the positive reaction of the market and supported by the experiences of its customers, more content modules were added helping D.A.V.I.D. GmbH become a leader in German-speaking countries and Scandinavia. Today, DigaSystem addresses the automation needs of radio stations including exchange, production and management of content, delivery methods and Web access. The North American market is managed by D.A.V.I.D. Systems Inc. located in Warrenton, VA.

DMG Radio Melbourne Chooses Klotz

Munich and Sydney – Jun 19, 2002 - Klotz Digital Australia was awarded a four-studio radio station contract by DMG Radio Australia. The project was recently installed in Melbourne and is already on air. Klotz Digital Australia supplied DMG Radio Australia with the Klotz Digital Vadis AudioMedia platform. DMG purchased 15 Vadis 880 Frames, four Vadis D.C.II Digital Audio Broadcasting Consoles and nine LCD Routing Selector Panels for its new Melbourne facility. This new facility houses two on-air studios, one news studio, one news preparation area and two production suites utilizing Klotz Digital LCD Routing Selector Panels for the new radio station license called NOVA 100. The Klotz Digital Vadis platform provides central routing and signal distribution via its fiber optic network. Intercom, logic, and remote control functions are supported under the central control of the Klotz Digital Vadis software.

NOVA 100 is now five months old and has won the first two rating periods for 2002 making it the number one radio station overall in the Melbourne metropolitan market. Predominately a music station, the unique programming format, which has been established by DMG Radio Australia has been extremely well accepted by the listening audience.

DMG Radio Australia is one of the largest commercial radio networks in Australia. With 62 regional and metropolitan radio stations spread over five states, DMG operates stations in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Audio Precision Founders RegainCompany Control

Beaverton, OR - Jun 18, 2002 - Nearly two years after selling the company to a small group of private investors, two Audio Precision Inc. founders and the current CEO are re-investing in the company. With this move, founder Bruce Hofer gains a majority share and becomes chairman of the board. Robert Wright, founder and a principal engineer at Audio Precision, as well as Alan Miksch, CEO, have also acquired shares.

A leader in audio test and measurement for nearly two decades, Audio Precision was founded in 1984 by four engineers and managers who first met at Tektronix Inc. The decision to sell the company in September 2000 was made when one of the founders chose to retire. After the sale, Hofer stayed on as the company¹s temporary president and CEO. Miksch was brought on board as CEO in March 2001 to accommodate Hofer¹s desire to return to a more purely technical role. Hofer is an accomplished analog design engineer. In the industry, he is regarded as the the "precision" in Audio Precision.

Hofer's new role as chairman will allow him to contribute at the strategic planning level and remain technically active. He plans to devote most of his time to new product strategies and development.

Hofer noted that the company's new focus will be on short-term performance but rather look to longer-range strategic issues. He stresses that this event represents a change in top-level direction and not a change in management. In addition to the buy-back of majority control, plans are in place to strengthen Audio Precision¹s board of directors with senior people in the industry.

The official transaction took place at the Portland offices of Donald Krahmer Jr. of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. Krahmer, an Oregon emerging business and technology lawyer, which represents Hofer in this matter.

RAM Gears up for WPJX Project

Wauconda, IL - Jun 18, 2002 - Multicultural Broadcasting of Chicago has chosen RAM Broadcast Systems to design and build its new on-air and production facilities in Zion, IL. RAM Broadcast Systems will build the new studios at its corporate facilities in Wauconda, IL, and then ship the completed work and install it at WPJX. RAM has been designing and building studios for more than 35 years.

RDA Systems Named Dealerfor Auditronics Radio Broadcast Consoles

St. Louis - June 14, 2002 - Auditronics, part of the Wheatstone family of products, has named RDA Systems and its online division SystemsStore.com as a national dealer for the complete line of Auditroincs audio broadcast consoles. RDA is providing sales and installation support for all Auditronics models, including the digital ALM and 220 consoles, and the 2600 analog console.

RDA is already a factory-qualified installer of the entire Wheatstone product line. Since 1994, RDA Systems has provided consulting and studio installation services to radio, television and cable as well as performed radio consolidation and upgrade projects of all sizes around the United States.

Univision to Combine with HispanicBroadcasting

Los Angeles and Dallas - June 12, 2002 - Univision Communications, a Spanish-language media company in the United States, and Hispanic Broadcasting, a Spanish-language radio broadcasting company, have entered into a merger agreement under which Univision will acquire Hispanic Broadcasting in an all-stock transaction currently valued at about $3.5 billion. The total enterprise value of the transaction is also $3.5 billion because Hispanic Broadcasting has essentially no debt.

Under the agreement, each share of Hispanic Broadcasting common stock will be exchanged for a fixed 0.85 shares of Univision Class A common stock, representing a premium of about 26 percent to Hispanic Broadcasting’s 30-day average share price. Univision shareholders will have about 73.5 percent and Hispanic Broadcasting shareholders 26.5 percent of the combined company’s fully diluted economic ownership. The transaction is expected to be tax-free to the shareholders of both companies.

The combination brings together the two leading Spanish-language media companies to create the premier broadcasting, marketing and entertainment company serving the nation’s 35 million Hispanics, the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. By adding the leading Spanish-language radio broadcaster with 55 stations serving the largest Hispanic markets to Univision, which already owns the leading U.S. Spanish-language TV broadcast and cable networks, TV station group, record labels and online portal, the combined company will have the ability to cross-promote its TV networks, TV and radio stations, programming and artists. In addition, the combination will provide national and local advertisers unprecedented opportunities to efficiently sell products and services to Hispanics through multiple media platforms.

Based on both companies’ latest public guidance, Univision will have estimated combined pro forma 2002 net revenues, before potential synergies, of about $1.39 billion to $1.44 billion and 2002 EBITDA of about $433 million to $469 million. Before potential synergies, the transaction is expected to be accretive to free cash flow per share in the first full year immediately following the close and beyond.

On completion of the transaction, Hispanic Broadcasting will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Univision Communications and will continue to be based in Dallas. No changes are expected in Hispanic Broadcasting’s management or operations. McHenry T. Tichenor Jr. will serve as president of the new Univision radio group. In addition, Tichenor and a designee of Hispanic Broadcasting will join Univision’s Board of Directors, increasing it to 10 members. After the merger, Univision’s Board will include A. Jerrold Perenchi (the chairman of Univision), Tichenor, Venevision (a member of the Cisneros Group of companies) and Grupo Televisa S.A. The acquisition, which has been approved by the Boards of both companies, is expected to close by year-end, subject to approval by the shareholders of both companies as well as regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Hispanic Broadcasting’s two largest shareholders, the Tichenor family and Clear Channel Communications, have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction, as has Perenchio, Univision’s controlling shareholder.

Hispanic Broadcasting currently owns and operates 55 radio stations in 13 of the top 15 Hispanic markets and reaches 60 percent of all U.S. Hispanic homes. The company also owns and operates a network of Hispanic community-focused bilingual websites.

Univision Communications' operations include: Univision Network, which reaches 97 percent of U.S. Hispanic households; Telefutura Network, which reaches 72 percent of U.S. Hispanic Households; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 22 TV stations; TeleFutura Television Group, which owns and operates 28 TV stations; Galavision; Univision Music Group, which includes the Univision Music label, Fonovisa Records label and a 50 percent interest in the Mexican-based Disa Records label as well as Fonomusic and America Musical Publishing companies; and Univision Online, the Internet provider. Univision Communications is headquartered in Los Angeles, with network operations in Miami and TV stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States.

Z-Systems Names Transamerica AudioGroup as Distributor

Gainesville, FL - June 12, 2002 - Transamerica Audio Group has been appointed the exclusive North America sales and marketing representative to handle the range of products manufactured by Z-Systems, a supplier of digital audio interface and signal processing products for the recording, mastering, broadcast and post-production markets. Headed by Brad Lunde, Transamerica Audio Group is a U.S. distributor for high-end audio products, with a dealer and rep network covering all 50 states. In addition to sales and distribution, Transamerica will manage Z-Systems’ marketing programs.

Z-Systems currently manufactures four groups of digital audio products: Digital Detangler series digital audio routers, Detangler Pro series routers, Z-Sys Sample Rate Converter series and the Z-Sys High End Digital Signal Processing group.

Chrysler Adds Sirius Radios asFactory Install

Chelsea, MI - June 12, 2002 - Beginning this fall, Chrysler customers can tune into a new listening experience while driving as Sirius Satellite Radio launches as a Mopar product offering in 2003 model year cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans. Chrysler will offer Sirius Satellite Radio as a Mopar dealer-installed option this fall on the following 2003 model year vehicles:

• Chrysler

  : PT Cruiser, Sebring Sedan and Convertible, 300M, Concorde, Voyager, Town and Country;

• Dodge

  : Stratus Sedan, Dakota, Durango, Ram, Intrepid, Neon, Caravan, Grand Caravan;

• Jeep

  : Liberty and Grand Cherokee.
  
  The suggested retail price for the installed radios will be $299 plus labor, and a Sirius Satellite Radio subscription costs $12.95 per month.

Tytelstar Enters Eureka DAB ReceiverMarket with TI

Houston - June 10, 2002 - Tytelstar, one of the largest DVD original design manufacturers in the world, has introduced a new DAB receiver based on the Texas Instruments Eureka digital audio broadcast (DAB) chipset. The new hi-fi receiver is the first in a line of products Tytelstar will develop for the digital radio market. The company plans to merge the company’s traditional strengths in DVDs, satellite set-top boxes and other electronics devices with its newly developed experience in digital radio, resulting in next-generation convergence devices.

The TI DRE200 is currently being used in a variety of digital radio receiver products, including hi-fis, PCI cards, battery-operated handheld and portable tabletop radios. The DAB solution provides everything a designer needs to build a low-power, cost-effective digital radio. At the heart of TI’s DRE200 is a low-power chipset consisting of a DSP-based digital baseband processor and a number of TI analog products including converters, power management devices and passive devices. An evaluation module (EVM) based on the reference design is also available, allowing customers to work with an operational system from the beginning of the development process. In addition, TI offers dedicated digital radio support in Korea to help customers such as Tytelstar get their systems into production quicker with minimal development risk.

Patriot Acquires Antenna Toolingfrom Eagle Communications

Albion, MI - June 7, 2002 - Patriot Antenna Systems has the acquired tooling, inventory and other various assets in a purchase agreement with Eagle Communications, a satellite antenna manufacturer in Jackson, MI. The purchase included tooling and inventory of 3.7 and 4.5 meter antennas, in addition to a set of high-volume production tools for a commercial quality 0.75 meter antenna. All tooling and inventory have been transferred to the Patriot Antenna Systems facility in Albion, MI, and effective immediately all products will be sold under the Patriot brand name.

The 0.75 meter antenna (shown here) obtained in the acquisition is designed for direct-to-home or broadband satellite services (BSS) applications. Patriot plans to upgrade the 0.75m for performance as a two-way VSAT ground station antenna for Ku and Ka-Band satellite Internet applications.

ERI Names Jones to EngineeringManager

Chandler, IN - May 7, 2002 - Electronics Research Inc. (ERI) has hired Kinsley Jones in the position of engineering manager for the company’s Antenna Division. Jones’ broadcast industry career spans 35 years and includes experience in radio, television and satellite technology.

In this newly created position, Jones will plan and direct all engineering activities of the division, including product development, product management, engineered systems and technical services for manufacturing, installations, and consulting. Additionally, he will lead marketing and engineering efforts to develop new products for broadcast and other related industries. He will also participate in strategic business planning, and implementation of annual business planning and control.

Jones’ experience and employment history highlights include positions of importance with Drake-Chenault as director of engineering; district sales manager for Harris Corporation; national sales manager for Moseley Associates; several management positions at Andrew Corporation; and, most recently, as regional sales manager for Thales Broadcast and Multimedia.

HHB USA Appoints New President,Moves to Larger Facility

Simi Valley, CA - Jun 17, 2002 - HHB USA has announced a move from West Los Angeles to larger office and warehousing facilities in Simi Valley, CA. The relocation is necessitated as HHB expands its own product offering to include HHB CD recorders, recording media, tube processors and location recorders, and adds to a portfolio of exclusively distributed lines, which already includes Ashdown Engineering, Kamesan, Lynx, Quantec, Rosendahl and TL Audio.

HHB USA's move to larger premises coincides with the appointment of a new president, Doug Schwartz. Taking over from David Beesley who returns to the UK, Schwartz is an experienced audio industry professional serving time in retail and as an independent rep before establishing his own highly successful professional audio and video accessory company, Pacific Supply and Trading Co. Schwartz now assumes dual roles as president of both companies.

Beginning June, 21, 2002, HHB Communications USA Inc can be contacted at the new address:
743 Cochran Street, Buildings E and F
Simi Valley, CA 93065-1976

Phone and fax numbers remain as before:
Phone: 310 319 1111
Fax: 310 319 1311

Continental Electronics Adds Coveragefor Midwest

Spacewise Intros Broadcastmate

Terrasonde Adds Precision Mic toAudio Toolbox

Boulder, CO - June 12, 2002 – Terrasonde has added two new accessories for the Audio Toolbox. The new systems bring the Audio Toolbox to ANSI type 1 standards, for more precise measurement capabilities. Terrasonde’s Precision Microphone System and Precision Microphone System LN (Low Noise) will be available on June 21.

The Precision Microphone System and Precision Microphone System LN provide a precision microphone and a battery-powered preamplifier that interface directly with the Audio Toolbox and Audio Toolbox Plus via any standard XLR cable. The systems function without change using as much as 250 feet of cable for added flexibility. The microphone and preamplifier are connected with an included 6-foot cable. The Terrasonde microphone and preamplifier are designed to be stable under various physical conditions and will perform to spec even at 50°C and 95 percent humidity. The components of the Precision Microphone System and Precision Microphone System LN are resistant to temperature change at a rate of 0.01dB/C° between -10°C and +50°C. Additional features include:

• Self-noise: 20dBA (14dBA LN)

• Frequency Response: 10Hz to 20kHz, +/-0.7dB

• Long-term Stability: >250yrs/dB

• Nominal Diameter: ½” for use with standard calibrator

• Influence of Humidity: <+/-0.1dB (non-condensing) at 55°C, 95%

• Response Characteristic: Free Field 0°

• Temperature Coefficient: -10°C to +50°C: 0.01dB/C°

• Preamplifier Gain: Switch selectable, 20dB, 30dB, 40dB

• Fully Balanced output

• Power: two standard 9V alkaline batteries

• Mic/Preamp Connection: 6’ cable included

• Toolbox Interface: up to 250’ with standard XLR cable