IPTV @ IBC 2010
September 2010
IBC 2010 in Amsterdam saw an increase of 8.7% in attendance, compared with last year, making attendance of 48,521 the second highest on record. In comparing attendance to that of 2009, conference organizers hoped to offer a message of optimism. In our own informal assessment, the floors of most of the venues were well attended. However, the organizers need to improve promotions for the overflow region annex, building 13, which did not enjoy the attendance of the more established venues (buildings 1-12). Linking the Mobile Zone and the IPTV Zone together appeared to work well, despite the acoustical problems.
3-Device Wins Over 3-Dimension
Although conference organizers pushed hard to elevate the role of 3D (3-Dimension) content development and distribution, the real excitement came from 3D as in 3-Device or multi-screen display, or multi-display or 3-Screen by its other names. Given the advent of the topic of CDNs and Cloud Computing and how they are being driven by the IPbased demand to display content on multiple screens (sometimes called TV Everywhere or TV Anywhere), IPTV Operators worldwide want to provide linear and on-demand video to the PC, STB and Smartphone in a seamless manner. Where does OTT (Over-the-Top) fit into this? The answer is simply OTT will either co-exist or enhance the IPTV, Cable and Satellite Operators in pursuing the multi-screen future.
Since the real theme of the show for IPTV Operators was “the road to multi-display,” several key issues were highlighted by key IPTV Vendors and Panelists:
• Use of the CDN or the Cloud to enhance multidisplay service, as illustrated by Akamai, Alcatel-Lucent, ARRIS, Cisco, Envivio, Ericsson, Harmonic, Motorola, RGB Networks and others.
• Use of the iPad (or a tablet) as an in-room 2nd screen that also acts as a TV remote control and
a social media device, as displayed by Accedo, Ericsson, Motorola and NDS.
• Improved back office control as a means to achieve multi-device control, as demonstrated by Ericsson, Espial, Motorola, NSN and others.
• Improved multi-display multi-platform security as shown by CoreTrust, Irdeto, Latens, Verimatrix, and Viaccess.
• The merging of the Hybrid TV category and OTT category into a STB that does both, as illustrated by 3view, ADB, AirTies, Amino, Motorola and Netgem.
• The emergence of turnkey IPTV systems for unique applications like medical, hospitality and educational as illustrated by Skitter, Snap TV, and Vidiom.
• The emergence of Social Networking on second screen devices (like iPad or smartphones) as a means for Content Owners to expand usage, as illustrated by Accedo, Irdeto, Orca and SeeSaw.
So, while 3-Dimensional theaters and high-end home systems are on the increase, multi-display services over IP will be the bigger force in driving IPTV markets forward.
Source: MRG, Inc., September 2010 IPTV Bulletin
EPG Has Little Influence on Content Discovery
September 2010
According to a study by online research firm ResearchNow and sponsored by London-based TV Genius, a recommendation engine company, consumers are using the electronic program guide (EPG), but it has little influence over what they actually choose to watch. Research found that traditional media, such as newspapers and magazines, are more effective in the content discovery process.
The survey showed that 81% of respondents in continental Europe either “occasionally” or “frequently” use the EPG when watching television, with the figure for the U.K. alone rising to 96%.
Of those consumers who “occasionally” use the EPG, only 3% said that the EPG was influential over what they watch. 37% said that magazines were major influencers. Among “frequent” users, only 35% said that the EPG was influential.
Analyst Comment: At last, a little good news for the print media business.
Source: MRG, Inc., September 2010 IPTV Bulletin
Skitter — A Turnkey IPTV Solution that Cuts CapEx
September 2010
For some Telcos, especially Tier-2s and Tier-3s in the U.S., moving to IPTV can be a very expensive decision. Even companies as large as Qwest have decided not to implement IPTV just yet. With rural Service Providers in the U.S., getting to out-lying customers can be difficult, especially since the farther away from a central office a customer lives, the weaker the DSL signal along the copper wire. That leaves many customers without the ability to get IPTV.
U.S.-based media technology company Skitter, however, has its own end-to-end solution that uses IP video delivery at much lower bitrates than traditional IPTV. Skitter does this by extending the reach out further to the DSL plant in order to generate new revenue for customers. Since many small Service Providers may not have the money or time to spend on implementing a pure-play IPTV solution, using Skitter.TV is a faster, less expensive alternative. Skitter also provides broadcast and Web content into one merged delivery method using a Telco’s managed network, rather than use the open Internet for delivery.
Skitter was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., and already has some Tier-2 customers in the U.S. using Skitter.TV. Hill Country Telephone in Texas, U.S.A., recently completed “phase 2” of its deployment. Hill Country expects to launch its IPTV services in late 2010.
Source: MRG, Inc., September 2010 IPTV Bulletin
|
