Cabletime's innovative IPTV MediaStar Solution makes Middle East debut at PALME 2005

Now in its third year, PALME - the Middle East's premier professional sound, light, music, audio visual and systems integration exhibition - has firmly established itself as a must attend event on the industry trade show calendar, and has already attracted a large audience of industry professionals from all over the Middle East region.

Built to run over existing and future networks, the Evolution IP based solution promises to revolutionise video signal delivery by extending the reach of visual communications within an organisation, and has been designed to take advantage of the developments in technology that allow efficient digital video delivery over IP based networks. As well as enabling the delivery to be separated from sensitive data networks, this process also offers a robust and cost effective means of distributing a large number of channels to an unlimited number of screens and desktops.

Amongst the many applications suitable for Evolution are corporate communications, which often require a one-to-many multicast, locally, nationally or internationally, and may involve the delivery of live TV channels, specific training programmes and messaging. The provision of digital signage is increasingly being carried out over IP networks and applications range from small displays in retail outlets to giant outdoor displays in stadiums and arenas.

The versatile MediaStar Evolution Encoder is available in two different formats; a standalone Evolution Appliance Encoder and rack-mounted Encoder Module. Each comes in three versions, MPEG-2 for customers who already use MPEG-2 decoders or devices on their networks, MPEG-4, which offers quality enhancements and scalability making it ideal for new installations, and a third which combines MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 providing customers with a fully flexible solution. The encoders have dual stream capability, delivering the best performance with minimum network impact. One high bitrate stream directs video to large displays where quality is paramount, and a lower bitrate stream is simultaneously encoded and directed to desktop PCs for software decoding.

The Evolution Endpoint, based on MediaStar's established video and audio delivery device has been adapted for use with IP networks and supports both compression standards, MPEG 2 and MPEG 4. Cabletime has invested considerable time and resource to ensure that the MediaStar Evolution architecture can cope with future demands in order to protect customer investment.

Cabletime is also demonstrating MediaStar Pro and MediaStar compact - unique and highly cost effective solutions for organisations requiring video media on their plasma screens and to the desktop - at PALME 2005. With installations throughout the world in banks and financial institutions, schools, sports stadia and shopping malls, MediaStar's pedigree is unmistakable.

MediaStar Pro is the only complete solution for professionally managed multi-channel video and audio delivery, while MediaStar compact has been specifically developed to meet the need for versatile TV and AV delivery - flexible and easy to use, it is the ideal solution for many different applications.

End users, systems integrators, value added resellers and consultants can see demonstrations of the products and discuss their own specific requirements with experts from Cabletime at PALME 2005, which is internationally acknowledged as the key forum for the industry in the Middle East.

Supported by PLASA UK, the professional lighting and sound association (one of the few shows in the world to receive their official endorsement) and other major industry associations such as APIAS (Italy), Secartys (Spain), VPLT (Germany) and ILDA (U.S.), PALME has rapidly grown into a unique, comprehensive showcase, featuring major international manufacturers, key regional suppliers, installers and integrators from the professional entertainment and project installation industries. A highly focused B2B event, it is dedicated to putting key regional decision makers in contact with the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers.

Clear evidence of this continuing commitment is the launch of three brand new vertical arenas at PALME 2005. INSTALL, a dedicated business arena for the AV installation sector will highlight the latest technological trends and developments for residential and commercial property. Event 360 will showcase the latest product and service solutions available in the staging of live events from a small corporate function to a huge sporting occasion, while MUSAC will be dedicated to musical instruments and accessories.

"These three new sectors further enhance the focus of the event, providing an unrivalled platform for companies aiming to maximise their share of the business opportunities throughout the MENA region" said Darren Brechin, Project Director, PALME. "The highly lucrative Middle East sound and lighting sector alone is estimated to be worth $2 billion a year within five years, and major industry players are choosing PALME as the launch platform for new products and innovations - over 100 regional launches are taking place at PALME 2005."

Following the outstanding success of PALME 2004 which attracted 3,275 trade professionals from across the region, this year's event is 100% larger in terms of floor space, with over 400 international and regional exhibitors taking part.

"The boom in construction throughout the region continues unabated, especially hotel development. Billion dollar projects are announced on a virtually daily basis, so it's a tremendous period for the industry, and there is massive demand for the products and services displayed at PALME," concluded Brechin.

Organised by IIR Middle East, PALME 2005 takes place between April 24 and 26 at Dubai's state-of-the-art International Exhibition Centre.