"Advanced Video Services: From Broadband to Wireless," a full-day forum at NAB2006 in Las Vegas, will explore how IP based on MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) can enhance the range of revenue-generating services by providing a radically different viewing experience with feature-rich TV and mobile broadcasting. NAB joins with the MPEG Industry Forum and ISMA (Internet Streaming Media Alliance) in presenting this special event April 23 based on the experiences of business and technology leaders at the vanguard of next-generation networks.

Senior executives from Alcatel, AT&T Operations Inc., IBM Digital Media, Motorola, Nagravision, Nokia, PBS and Video Networks Ltd. are all featured half-hour speakers who will examine the state of advanced video services and the role of open standards in the ecosystem. The full-day forum includes a morning session on technology and integration, an afternoon session on business and content issues, interactive roundtable panels with all the speakers, and breakfast and lunch networking opportunities. Both MPEGIF and ISMA also will present an update of their work in developing and promoting open standards for IPTV and other areas of advanced network services.

The morning technology session, moderated by author and consultant Peggy Miles, president of Intervox Communications, examines:

• Transport issues with Tiaan Schutte, vice president, information, Alcatel Communication and Entertainment (ICE) Business Unit, Fixed Solutions Division
• Set-top box development with Dr. Ajay Luthra, sr. director, Advanced Technology Group at Connected Home Solutions, Motorola Inc.
• A look at the IPTV Application Layer with Peter Guglielmino, IBM Digital Media chief technical officer
• Content protection capabilities with Robin Wilson, Nagravision vice president of business development
• Customer-endpoint equipment with Mark Selby, Nokia vice president, multimedia
• A roundtable panel with the morning speakers, including questions from the audience

The afternoon business session, moderated by Digital Tech Consulting (DTC) Chief Analyst Myra Moore, features:

• Content Owner: Andre V. Mendes, Public Broadcasting Service chief technology integration officer
• Content Aggregator: Roger Lynch, Video Networks Ltd. chairman and CEO
• Service Provider: Jeff Weber, AT&T Operations Inc. vice president, product and strategy
• An interactive roundtable with the afternoon speakers

"Advanced Video Services: From Broadband to Wireless" will be held in conjunction with NAB2006 in Las Vegas on April 23 in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room S221 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees can register online at http://www.nabshow.com/Conferences/sessiondetail.asp?id=1204175 by April 19 for $245 for members and $295 for non-members. Tickets will be available at the registration as space allows.

Both MPEGIF and ISMA also are sponsors of the AVC Alliance booth (Booth # SL1976 South Hall 2) at NAB2006 where companies will demonstrate products using MPEG-4 AVC (H.264). The two organizations are hosts of the Multimedia World Reception the opening evening of NAB, April 24, from 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Room S221 after the forum.