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Major manufacturers of IFE systems include 2007 . Most of the difficulties these producers encounter are traditional to those of avionic electronic systems. Such issues are system safety, Cost Efficiency , Software Reliability , Hardware Maintenance , and user compatibility. HISTORY The first in-flight entertainment began to first appear in the 1960s on Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 aircraft. These early in-flight entertainment systems consisted of in-seat audio that can be heard with hollow tube headphones. When Widebody Aircraft (such as the Boeing 747 and McDonnell Douglas DC-10 ) began to enter service, the first video systems began to appear, featuring a film projected onto a screen. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, CRT -based projectors began to appear on newer widebody aircraft, such as the Boeing 767 . Some airlines upgraded the old film IFE systems to the CRT-based systems in the late 1980s and early 1990s on some of their older widebodies. Around the same time, CRT-based displays began to appear over the aisles of narrowbody and widebody aircraft. In the mid 1990s, the first in-seat video systems began to appear, and LCD technology started to replace CRT technology as the display technology of choice for overhead video. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the first in-seat audio/video on-demand systems began to appear. IFE is offered as an option on almost all wide body aircraft in service today, while some narrow body aircraft are not equipped with any form of IFE at all. This is mainly due to the aircraft storage and weight limits. The Boeing 757 was the first narrow body aircraft to widely feature both audio and video IFE and today it is rare to find a 757 without an IFE system. Most 757s feature ceiling-mounted CRT screens, although some newer 757s may feature drop-down LCDs. Many Airbus A320 series and Boeing 737 NG aircraft are also equipped with drop-down LCD screens. Some airlines, such as WestJet and Delta Air Lines , have equipped some narrow body aircraft with personal video screens at every seat. Others, such as Air Canada , have even equipped some Regional Jets with audio-video on demand (AVOD). SYSTEM SAFETY AND REGULATION One major obstacle of creating an IFE system is the system's safety. With the sometimes miles of wiring involved, voltage leaks and 2007 . In order for the intended IFE system to pass this code, it must be independent from that of the aircraft's main power source and Processor . By separating the power supplies and data links from that of the aircraft's performance processor, in the event of a failure the system is self sustained, and can not alter the functionality of the aircraft. Upon the completion of all applicable Codes the IFE system is up to standards for use in the United States, however the rules and regulations may be different when applying for use in other countries. COST EFFICIENCY Further complicating issues when creating a safe IFE system is the concept of 2007 , which eliminates the possibility of having upgrade difficulties. Each airline is finding interesting ways to pass on this additional cost to their customers. Some airlines are passing the cost directly into the customers ticket price, while some are charging a user fee based on an individual customers use. Some are also attempting to get a majority of the cost paid for by advertisements on, around, and in their IFE. SOFTWARE RELIABILITY Software for IFE systems must be aesthetically pleasing, dependent, reliable, compatible, and also must be user friendly. These restrictions account for expensive engineering of individually specific software. In addition to the regular 2007 VARIETIES OF IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT Cabin music Soft music is often piped through the PA System and is heard in the cabin upon boarding, disembarkation, taxiing and take-off of the aircraft. The music is often chosen to be pleasant and soothing, and exhibits characteristics similar to Elevator Music . In accord with the cabin music, some airlines are now installing music in the restrooms. This is done to ease some of those who become sick and uncomfortable while in the air. Cabin lighting A recent addition to 2007 . Audio entertainment Audio entertainment is provided in the form of several selected channels a passenger may choose covering various genres of music, as well as news, information and comedy. Much like radio shows, most music channels are pre-recorded and feature their own DJs to provide chatter, song introductions and interviews with featured artists. In audio-video on demand (AVOD) systems, software such as MusicMatch is used to select music off the music server. Phillips Music Server is one of the most widely used servers running under Windows Media Center used to control AVOD systems. This form of in-flight entertainment is experienced through Headphones that are distributed to the passengers after take-off. The headphone plugs are usually only compatible with the audio socket on the passenger's armrest (and vice-versa), and some airlines may charge a small fee in order to obtain a pair. The headphones provided can also be used for the viewing of personal televisions, if any. Recent IFE systems have been made compatible with ,Tuesday April 10 2007 . ' ''ice'' IFE system.]] Video entertainment Traditionally, video entertainment is provided via a large video screen at the front of a cabin section, as well as smaller monitors situated every few rows above the aisles. Sound is supplied via the same headphones distributed for audio entertainment. However in recent times, personal televisions (PTVs) for every passenger have become more popular, providing passengers with a selection of channels broadcasting new and classic films, as well as comedies, documentaries, children's shows and drama series. Some airlines also present news and current affairs programming, which are often pre-recorded and delivered in the early morning before flights commence. PTVs are operated via an In flight Management System which stores pre-recorded channels on a central server, and streams them to PTV equipped seats during flight. AVOD systems store individual programs separately, allowing a passenger to have a specific program streamed to them privately, and be able to control the playback. Some airlines also provide 2007 . In-flight movies The first 2007 .Today there are various types of in flight movies that are offered. There are those personal on demand videos which are stored in an aircraft main IFE computer system. From there they can be viewed on demand by the user as they choose. Along with the on demand concept comes the ability for the user to Pause , Rewind , Fast Forward , or jump to any point in the movie. There are also the movies that are commonly shown throughout the aircraft at one time usually on a screen in the front of the cabin. Personal televisions ' new ''Krisworld'' IFE system.]] Most major airlines have now installed personal televisions (otherwise known as PTVs) for every passenger on most long-haul routes. These televisions are usually located in the seat-backs or tucked away in the armrests for front row seats and first class. Many different systems are used and vary from different airlines. There are those that utilize a few channels, or Direct Broadcast Satellite Television which enable passengers to view live TV broadcasts. Some airlines also offer video games using PTV equipment. In accordance with increasing amenities being provided on board flights, audio-video on demand (AVOD) entertainment has also been introduced. This enables passengers to pause, rewind, fast-forward or stop a program that they have been watching. This is in contrast to older entertainment systems where no interactivity is provided for. AVOD also allows the passengers to choose between an assortment of movies stored in the aircraft computer system. With the introduction of new aircraft and the rapid advances in aviation technology, it is rare to find new long-haul planes being delivered without PTVs. Moving-map systems A moving-map system is a real-time flight information video channel broadcast through PTVs and cabin video screens. In addition to displaying a map that illustrates the current position and direction of the plane, the system also reveals details concerning the flight to passengers such as the altitude, airspeed, distance to destination, distance from origination and local time. Moving-map system information is derived from the aircraft's flight computer systems. It is often generically referred to as Airshow, one of the first moving-map systems now owned by 2007 . Panasonic Avionics Corporation now offers a similar product known as '''iXPLOR''' on their latest IFE systems. Honeywell also offers a similar product known as '''JetMap'''. Data communication IFE producers have begun to introduce intranet type systems into their designs. Virgin America 's ''RED'' Entertainment System allows for passengers to Chat amongst one another, compete against each other in the provided games, talk to the Flight Attendants and request, and pay for in advance, food or drinks, and have full access to the Internet and Email . In an upcoming Airbus A380 aircraft, data communication via satellite system will allow passengers to connect to live Internet from the individual IFE units or their laptops via the in-flight 2007 . NEXT-GENERATION SYSTEMS Currently there are only a few complete IFE systems incorporating live data/TV and on-demand capabilities. ,Wednesday April 11 2007 . Currently there are three IFE Systems in the aviation industry that are billed as "next-generation", Singapore Airlines ' ''KrisWorld'', Emirates Airlines ' ''ICE'' Entertainment, and ''RED'' entertainment system from Virgin America . KrisWorld Audio, video, and games on demand Installed in ,Wednesday April 11 2007 . KrisWorld contains 80 on-demand movies for passenger viewing, a predetermined assortment of television shows, 12 music channels and 180 CD titles on demand. KrisWorld has also contracted with Nintendo to provide 91 Nintendo game titles for passenger use on demand. KrisWorld Interactive KrisWorld also includes ''Flight Path'', an improvement on the existing moving map system present in most IFEs. KrisWorld also includes a feature dubbed ''Destination Info'', an interactive Guidebook for each of Singapore Airlines destination cities. Destination Info gives passengers access to street directions, Restaurant guides, and local event listings for a particular day. ''Live Text News'' is KrisWorld's in-flight news service. It updates via ,Wednesday April 11 2007 . Language tutorials KrisWorld is also the first IFE system to introduce Berlitz World Traveler as a feature of their IFE. ''Berlitz World Traveler'' is a program that assists passengers in learning any one of 22 languages, providing access to tutorials and quizzes. ICE Information Operated by Emirates Airline , ''ICE'' is another example of a next-generation in-flight entertainment system. ICE (Information Communication Entertainment) is currently operating in all of Emirates Airline's Airbus A340-500 , and all of Emirates Airline's Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 777-200 fleet. The system is based on the 3000i system from Panasonic Avionics Corporation . ICE provides passengers with a direct data link to BBC News . ICE is the first IFE system to be connected directly to automatic news updates. This is complemented by ICE's ''Airshow'' moving-map software from Rockwell Collins . Along with this software comes ICE's unique system of exterior cameras located on the aircraft. These cameras can be viewed by any passenger through the IFE system during takeoff and landing. Communication ICE also contains a link to an in-flight 2007 . Entertainment Similar to KrisWorld, the entertainment system from , Wednesday April 11 2007 . Virgin America's RED Audio, video, and gaming Released in summer of Wednesday, April 11 2007 RED Interactive RED's controller is the first to provide a ''QWERTY'' Wednesday April 11 2007 . RED also offers passengers full broadband access to chat, and Instant Message amongst passengers, along with having unrestricted access to the Internet , and Email . DigEplayer Alaska Airlines which used to primarily fly shorter flight lengths had a narrowbody fleet with little to no IFE systems aside from basic audio packages. As their operation expanded, however they needed IFE for their longer flights. The DigEplayer, a portable digital media device is passed out as a standalone unit much like food and drinks are passed out. CINEINFLY CineInfly puts a global all-inclusive offer of onboard entertainment on an individual and single screening support , the AV704 by ARCHOS , travellers will be able to choose among a large range of contents. Hours of programme already downloaded and ready to be seen: movies TV shows, and musics concerts, news, sports and Games. CineInfly is a french firm, a part of TF1 channel. EXTERNAL LINKS
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