Companies will showcase the latest products relating to High-Definition TV and IPTV at the 12th Middle East International Cable, Satellite, Broadcast and Communication Exhibition ( CABSAT2006 ), according to organiser Dubai World Trade Centre ( DWTC ).

The premier show, scheduled to be held from 7th to 9th March 2006 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will display high-definition TV and IPTV equipment and technologies, LCD / Plasma TVs and receivers from major manufacturers including Thomson, Panasonic, Arabsat, Technosat, Horizon Satellite, JVC, Eurostar, eVision.

“The show’s focus on high-definition TV will generate substantial interest from the region for specialised equipment and services, from HD cameras and servers for broadcasting studios to HD-compliant set-top boxes and LCD/Plasma TVs for receiving HDTV broadcasts for consumers.” said Wayne Heads, Director – Technical Department, Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union. “The exhibitors will be looking towards the region’s long-term HD business prospects.” Mr. Heads added.

Among the products and services that will be on display include the World’s first 70-inch SONY rearscreen LCD HD projection TV using the Silicon X-tal Reflective Display technology, Omneon’s HD Media Server, DVB-S2 compression technology and Kaon’s HD Set Top Box.

HDTV is reaching an increasingly wider audience worldwide. “With the progressively successful implementation in the US, a renewed interest in Europe and Asia’s continuing migration to HD over the next five to ten years, the Middle East is the next big market for upgrading broadcasters to HD and introducing HD consumer products,” said Mr. Heads.

DisplaySearch, reputed market research firm, estimates that global flat-panel TV makers sold 26.5 million sets in 2005, including nearly 19 million LCD TVs and more than 5 million plasmas. By 2008, the figure could reach 77 million, with LCD TVs rising to 60 million units and plasma to 13 million.

CABSAT2006 has already received endorsement and support from several key regional and international indusrty organisations including Arab States Broadcasting Union ( ASBU ), Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union ( ABU ), International Association Of Broadcasting Manufacturers ( IABM ) and Global Satellite Forum ( GVF ).

As part of the event, the CABSAT2006 Broadcast Conference is being organised on March 8th & 9th by the ABU, in association with ASBU and the IABM. Topics discuss will include developments across a wide range of services and applications, including HDTV, IPTV and Mobile TV. Other conferences held during CABSAT include GVF Satellite Symposium and SatLabs Middle East Satellite Symposium.

CABSAT2006 covers a gross floor space of 13,680 M2 and expects to welcome over 7,500 trade visitors over the three days.