Connected TVs come of Age. Now what do we do with them?

The connected TV has kind of sneaked up on us. Whilst consumers have been captivated with HD and then 3D, the industry has been busy connecting TVs and STBs to the internet. Indeed Parks Associates reports that over a quarter of HDTVs are now connected, and that by 2015 that figure will rocket to over 75 per cent.

Whilst Video on Demand is seen as the biggest application, the possibilities are almost limitless. Shopping, gaming, movies, information, even healthcare applications could be delivered to TVs. And with big players like Google and Apple playing the the market, it’s sure to develop beyond the movie.

TV makers interested in learning more about the software technology behind the connected TV are invited to attend one of a series of free seminars, starting in Hong Kong, Feb 23. Or register your interest for a European seminar.

More information on the Parks Associates report.

DVB-T2 gains momentum in Europe. Where next?

First adopted by the UK in 2010, DVB-T2 is built on the foundations of the well-established DVB-T system, offering an increased efficiency of 30-50% in its use of spectrum compared to DVB-T. The improved efficiency allows extra channels and sharper HD pictures.

The UK adopted DVB-T2 in March 2010 quickly followed by three other European operators: Europa 7 in Italy, Boxer in Sweden and DNA in Finland. Other countries, including Austria, Germany, Denmark and Czech Republic are expected to follow suit this year.

With many countries yet to implement the original DVB-T, there remains a question mark over whether to go straight to T2, or press ahead with the mature –T technology.

DVB.org has published a useful article, providing more info

 

IT Giants Snap Up Comms Companies- Video key to demand

Qualcomm’s $1.3 Billion acquisition of chip maker, Atheros, reflects the growing desire of the IT industry to dominate the comms semiconductor market. Key spur to this is plethora of comms standards, and the demand video places on them.

In the long-term, the winners will be companies that can own the end-to-end solution

As reported in the New York Times this week “… as data needs grow … companies will feel pressure to make acquisitions to compensate for holes in their product lines, said Anil Doradla, a research analyst at William Blair & Company.”

 

HD is king of the revenue generators

With CES in full swing, it seems it’s all about 3D. But manufacturers would be wise to keep an eye on the key revenue generators – HD & interactive TV

The migration from SD to HD is providing a massive spur to the DTT set-top box market, according to In-stat Research, and that trend is set to continue for some years yet: “The worldwide annual value of all DTT STBs shipping will be very close to US$ 6 Billion in 2014.”

More info from In-Stat

YouView and HbbTV- new revenue opportunities

Broadcasters and content aggregators are rubbing their hands together at the prospect of new on-line revenue streams that YouView and HbbTV present. They have vast libraries of TV and film content bursting to get out, and the technology will give them the means.

Application stores,  interactive gaming and gambling will generate new revenue streams via the internet connection and provide many forms of interactive entertainment for consumers.

How can CE manufacturers react to the new standards to ensure they are first to market with the right products?

OBS’ insights are here.

Including the excluded

Last month, President Obama signed into law the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. This act includes a number of provisions to ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind as technology in television and the internet changes. New User Interfaces, closed captioning, programming, guides and menus need to be developed for set-top boxes.

This is a major stepping-stone that will ensure talking TV technology will become a standard application in every television and set-top box throughout the world over the next 5 years.

You can find the full Act here