ITV

Category: IPTV

  • Telkonet launches IPTV trials in New York

    Telkonet launches IPTV trials in New York

    MUMBAI: Telkonet, Inc., the provider of in-building broadband access over existing electrical wiring, announced that they have begun deployment to beta customers and testing of its Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service in New York City. Telkonet’s NuVisions IPTV service delivers traditional cable TV programming and enables subscribers to surf the internet, receive on-demand content, and perform a host of Internet-based functions via their TV sets.

    As per an official release, the NuVisions IPTV service will deliver a host of bundled services such as television, internet, and telephone service over the NuVisions’ gigabit network that connects the properties it serves in a redundant gigabit ring within New York City – a virtual fiber optic network in the air. NuVisions also plans to add more channels and features, such as video-on-demand, movies, games and interactive content, to the service when fully deployed. With NuVisions’ IPTV service, subscribers can use the television via remote controls and wireless keyboards to watch TV programs, surf the Internet, communicate with building services, and shop with neighborhood vendors or national retailers.

    NuVisions IPTV service can be deployed rapidly and at a lower cost than current cable televisions systems. It can offer consumers many advanced features, such as the ability to record several programs simultaneously without having to add more tuners. The NuVisions IPTV service is seamlessly integrated into a building as it relies on existing telephone wires for delivery to subscribers.

    The use of IP technology enables direct communication between a subscriber’s IPTV device, which replaces the much larger traditional set-top “cable box”, and the NuVisions control center. As a result of this direct connection to the control center, functions currently performed by stand alone devices, such as digital video recorders (DVR’s), are now incorporated as features of the new offering controlled through the IPTV device, the release adds.

  • Cable ops in US shift strategies to meet IPTV threat; report

    Cable ops in US shift strategies to meet IPTV threat; report

    MUMBAI: As telcos are gearing up to deploy competitive pay television offerings, a new report from market research division of Light Reading, Heavy Reading indicates that cable companies in US are revamping their video programming offerings.

    The cable ops are primarily doing it to fend off growing competition from IPTV services being launched by incumbent phone companies, adding more interactive services to their existing MPEG/QAM broadcast networks.

    The report suggests that the cable Next-Gen Video Plans and the Future of IP delves deeply into the next-generation video plans of North American multiple system operators (MSOs) as they prepare for the coming assault from telco IPTV and continue to defend against the competitive threat of direct-broadcast satellite providers.

    The report further analyzes the evolution of cable video from both a technology perspective and a business perspective, focusing not just on how MSOs are changing their networks, but also on how they are changing their business models with respect to video on demand (VOD) and the growing trend toward non- linear programming in general.

    “MSOs have no near-term plans to swap out their existing infrastructure to adopt end-to-end IP, nor is this type of move immediately necessary,” notes Heavy Reading and author of the report senior analyst Sterling Perrin. “In the near term, the MSOs plan to mimic the interesting features of IPTV using their existing MPEG/QAM networks.”

    Perrin adds, however, that switched digital video (SDV) could be a precursor to an MSO move to an end-to-end IP network — once SDV proves to be able to deliver quality equal to that offered now by conventional cable networks. “Cable end-to-end IPTV would require the final — large — step of replacing currently installed cable set-top boxes with IP STBs,” he says. “The rest of the network is moving to IP already.”

    Cable Next-Gen Video Plans and the Future of IP delivers a complete analysis of the Next Generation Network Architecture (NGNA) initiative from CableLabs, the cable industry’s research consortium, including how and when NGNA is likely to be deployed by leading MSOs. The report provides details covering product and market strategies of more than a dozen technology suppliers, including Ciena, Cisco Systems (and its Scientific-Atlanta subsidiary), Fujitsu, Motorola, and Nortel Networks.

    The methodology adopted has been exclusive one-on-one interviews with key executives from leading North American cable MSOs provide rich insight into this emerging market sector. Cable MSOs interviewed for the report include Comcast, Cox Communications, Rogers Cable, and Time Warner Cable.

    Other key findings of the report include:

    MSOs will leverage IP technology (and vendors) to expand their reach beyond the TV and set-top box as they branch into new areas, including delivery of content to mobile devices and to PCs. IP is well entrenched in MSO aggregation and core networks, but non-TV video service will likely be the first beachhead of IP in the access network — where preserving traffic in an IP form and building on the enormous industry support for IP (meaning lower costs) makes sense.

    MSOs are facing a spectrum crunch as they look to next-generation services to compete with both satellite and the telcos, but the situation is not dire. Cable executives interviewed for this report insist they have plenty of unused capacity in their networks. The efforts and innovation of the next three to five years will center on how best to tap that unused capacity.

    Deployment of SDV, when it does happen, will not necessarily boost sales of optical transport equipment. SDV is really about doing more with the same – – i.e., boosting the number of video channels available to subscribers without adding any new capacity to the network. The migration will likely be similar to that for VOD, which by its switched nature has allowed MSOs to ratchet up programming choices without having to dedicate much additional bandwidth (if any) to it.

    Cable Next-Gen Video Plans and the Future of IP costs $3,795 and is published in PDF format. The price includes an enterprise license covering all of the employees at the purchaser’s company.

  • Optibase brings turnkey IPTV solutions to Broadcast Asia 2006

    Optibase brings turnkey IPTV solutions to Broadcast Asia 2006

    MUMBAI: Optibase Ltd., a provider of advanced digital video solutions, has announced that it will demonstrate its IPTV and digital video solutions at Broadcast Asia 2006, which will be held in Singapore from 20 – 23 June.

    The company will showcase Optibase’s flexible model design providing customers with future-proof video solutions to meet the evolving requirements of Telcos and service providers.

    Visitors to the Optibase booth will see the following demonstrations:

    A turnkey solution for IPTV with Optibase MGW-1100 integrated carrier grade TV streaming platform, Orca Interactive’s middleware service delivery platform and BitBand video servers streaming MPEG-2 video. Optibase can deliver turnkey all-in-one solutions, in addition to its encoders or transcoders, by providing systems integration and bringing together components from IPTV ecosystem partners.

    Live encoding of MPEG-4 AVC High Definition (HD) resolution technology, providing efficient HD bandwidth utilization without compromising video quality and allowing the use of existing MPEG-2 content which requires no additional decoding or processing equipment. MPEG-4 AVC HD is currently the only format that enables Telcos to provide high definition channels to DSL subscribers.

    MPEG-2 HD encoding and decoding through Optibase MovieMaker 200 HD, designed for professional quality ingest of HD for broadcasting, video on demand (VOD), ad insertion, program initiation and post-production studios, as well as for integrators working on high-resolution military simulation or surveillance projects.

    Also, on display at the Optibase booth, a professional digital video ingest system co-developed with Venaca Inc. leading provider of media asset management solutions. When part of a Digital Asset Management (DAM) system, the integrated solution enables top quality video capture, Edit Decision List (EDL) creation, annotation archive retrieval, editing and asset management at the same time.

    “With MPEG-4, operators can reach more people with IPTV services, delivering additional streams to each home. Telcos want to deliver services like HDTV in order to stay competitive with satellite and cable, Optibase’s MPEG-4 technology and our proven interoperability with leading STBS, will enable Telcos to deploy advanced HDTV that will help them generate revenue and sustain subscribers,” said Optibase vice president marketing Yossi Aloni.

    Optibase will also discuss the recent announcement that it was selected by India’s state-owned major telecom, MTNL, to provide encoding solutions for the first IPTV deployment to go live in India.

  • IPTV can build bridges in global communication: NMRC Report

    IPTV can build bridges in global communication: NMRC Report

    MUMBAI: To date, mainstream media attention on Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) has focused for the most part on such entertainment programming as the amateur videos of YouTube.com and popular television shows such as Lost that now are made available for download to iPods. 

    According to a major new report from the New Millennium Research Council (NMRC), IPTV allows consumers not only to customize their video programming experience, but also empowers organizations of all types to directly and more inexpensively access new and/or targeted global audiences often otherwise unavailable to them via traditional television. 

    In order to provide a more well-rounded perspective on the emerging industry, the NMRC report focuses on two companies — Interactive Television Networks Inc., (ITVN) of Irvine, CA and Communication Technologies, Inc. (COMTek) of Chantilly, VA. — that are in the vanguard of IPTV.

    Entitled The State of IPTV 2006: The Advent of Personalized Programming, the new NMRC report finds: “With the expansion of broadband access and the growth of computing and video production equipment, industry analysts believe IPTV is realizing its potential as a viable programming platform that can compete with cable, satellite and other traditional video mediums … IPTV is also seen by providers and industry watchers as a gateway for new content providers.”

    The findings of the report points out, “IPTV is not simply offering traditional television programming through another device or connection. The low costs of creating content allows just about anyone to produce a ‘television show.’ IPTV providers are already offering content from sports leagues to home cooking shows and more. The video content is making the web experience more robust for consumers, presenting information in compelling formats that greatly interests existing and new audiences. This new programming vehicle, allowing organizations and individuals to transmit their messages to an audience of their choice, could be the ‘killer application’ that experts agree is needed to catapult IPTV to equal footing with traditional television.”

    Commenting on the report, Harris Interactive vice president and senior consultant for the technology research practice Milton Ellis said: “When you consider that IPTV is a new technology offering, the future for IPTV does look promising … in our recent study of 1,093 US. adults, conducted from 2 to 8 December, 2005, 18 per cent said they would sign up and try it immediately if it was available for their PC and TV set-top box. That would seem to suggest that many adults are poised to get on board if service providers drove up awareness and familiarity and offered the right value proposition.”

    University of Massachusetts Computer Science Department research scientist Amherst Michael Zink said: “IPTV is an interesting, emerging video platform that will offer a variety of services beyond traditional TV broadcasts. The NMRC presents an up-to-date technology and service analysis of the state of IPTV in 2006.”

    As is noted in the discussion of the two case studies in the NMRC report, ITVN and COMTek offer somewhat different versions of IPTV. COMTek has developed a new managed IPTV service called “PowerTV,” which is comprised of two distinct offerings: PowerTV Multicast and PowerTV On Demand. 

    The report also discusses that each service provides COMTek customers with the ability to create their own Internet television “channels” that distribute video content and integrated interactive features such as email, e-commerce, VoIP and information retrieval via the Web. COMTek recently utilized its PowerTV service in conjuction with Earth Day Network to connect 16,000 classrooms nationwide in a discussion about global warming. Using different technologies and platforms, ITVN offers IPTV through a set top box that translates video services sent via the Internet into digital images for viewing on a regular television. ITVN currently provides programming networks such as Silver Screen Network, the National Lacrosse League, and ITVN Live. Content is available to ITVN subscribers in both 24/7 linear and on-demand formats.

    As a participant in the phone-based news event launching the NMRC report, COMTek CEO and founder Joseph E. Fergus said: “COMTek sees IPTV maturing into an industry over the next several years that will serve two distinct groups in cost-effective ways that old-fashioned television just can’t do. The soon- to-benefit groups include consumers that are highly mobile and whose television viewing habits are not restricted to living rooms or sports bars. This group includes business professionals, lobbyists, Generation X and ‘Generation Next.’ The second group that will benefit from IPTV consists of entities such as federal, state and local governments, non-profits and other organizations that historically could not afford to create their own television channels.”

    KEY NMRC REPORT FINDINGS

    * Market forecasts for IPTV are enthusiastic. According to a study by Insight Research Corporation the Internet video market “is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of nearly 32 percent over the next five years.” Deloitte TMT reported that digital convergence of services and products could generate revenue of approximately $55 billion for IPTV through 2010. The Multimedia Research Group predicted the number of IPTV subscribers to reach 36.8 million in 2009. Research and Markets identified a potential eightfold increase of new IPTV subscriptions to 36.9 million. In its most recent report, Infonetics predicts that the IPTV subscriptions will increase more than 40 times in North America.It is clear that market experts see tremendous potential for IPTV growth in the near term.

    * The iPod-ization of video is creating on-demand culture that is ripe for IPTV. Online video interest in general is also growing. A February 2006 survey by the Online Publishers Association found that 24 percent of American Internet users watch online video at least once per week.The projected rate of IPTV growth is partially driven by technological innovations like the iPod that are creating an on-demand culture coupled with and lower costs for the production of high quality video.

    * The strongest market potential for IPTV is among younger consumers. Awareness of IPTV is directly related to age, with younger respondents indicating a higher level of knowledge about online video services. An Accenture survey examining IPTV attitudes in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain found approximately 70 per cent of respondents of the ages 25-34 were aware of IPTV, whereas less than 50 percent of respondents ages 55-64 were aware of the technology. Age was also a factor when considering the willingness to pay extra for IPTV services. Although 73 percent of respondents were not very willing or not at all willing to pay extra, younger respondents had a higher acceptance of IPTV costs.

    * Obstacles to success for IPTV remain to be addressed. Challenges do exist for the IPTV field. Regulatory hurdles, including local franchise rules for some IPTV providers and content/digital rights management issues still must be addressed. There are also concerns that online content will not compare favorably with traditional television in the near term and consumers will not be interested. However, many of the technical hurdles that prevented IPTV from emerging earlier have been addressed. Networks now have sufficient capacity to deliver video and in-home devices (set top boxes and computers) can present the programming in easy-to-use formats. By leaping over traditional video transport systems, IPTV avoids many of the regulatory and technical pitfalls that exist in traditional television. Experts identify this attribute as a key reason for IPTV’s growth and its ability to create major change in the video marketplace.

    * IPTV industry standards may be needed. Industry experts believe many of the technical hurdles to IPTV deployment have been overcome. “Transport is frictionless” according to one IPTV provider and the technology for consumers receiving and viewing video over IP is readily available. Even though the technology has arrived for IPTV to flourish, some industry analysts believe standards will be required for the many different types of equipment and services. Without standards, experts believe, it will be difficult for IPTV systems and their many component parts to interact seamlessly.

    * Potential regulatory/legal challenges for IPTV still loom. IPTV providers who offer video content directly online face fewer regulatory barriers. One issue that will be important to these types of IPTV providers is piracy and digital rights management. Copyrighted content will be available over IPTV networks, and analysts believe providers will have to be vigilant to protect both their content producers and customers. While media reports indicate Hollywood movie and television studios are interested in online distribution, there are still fears that content will be viewed illegally and the producers will lose money.

  • Ericsson launches end-to-end IPTV solution

    Ericsson launches end-to-end IPTV solution

    MUMBAI: Ericsson has unveiled an end-to-end IPTV solution, which will make possible a complete range of IPTV services, such as broadcast TV, video on-demand, network personal video recording and electronic programming guides.

    According to an official release, Ericsson’s solution provides telecom-grade performance, meets scalability requirements and involves complete life-cycle management. It also includes guidelines for integration with IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) functions, such as charging and end-user authentication, which is unique on the market. It combines its portfolio with key products from world-leading partners.

    Ericsson Multimedia Solutions VP Claes Ödman says, “IPTV is much more than traditional TV broadcast over the IP network – it is about integrating media with communications services to deliver personalized, interactive television no matter where the viewer is.”

    The end-to-end solution is the first step in Ericsson’s long-term evolution of TV services.

    “Based on our broadband experience, our standardization efforts and our global IMS leadership, Ericsson has a long-term vision for TV and a migration path to help operators meet the challenge,” Ödman says.

    Ericsson’s vision of personalized IPTV services delivered over broadband is based on open standards, including the combination of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) technologies, for digital entertainment, with the IMS standard for delivering enriched communications services. Ericsson is committed to working with appropriate standardization bodies to achieve economies of scale and inter¬operability in IPTV reference architecture and interfaces, the release adds.

  • BNS Hong Kong to source content for Thailand’s True IPTV service

    BNS Hong Kong to source content for Thailand’s True IPTV service

    MUMBAI: Hong Kong based IPTV solution provider Broadband Network Systems Ltd (BNS) will source and aggregate digital television channels for the Thailand-based True Corporation’s IPTV platform. As per the deal, BNS is working with True IPTV to acquire key lifestyle content for its IPTV platform.

    The scope of the service provided by BNS includes sourcing and aggregating digital television channels from around the world for distribution over True’s broadcast services.

    True Corporation Public Company Limited has over 400,000 broadband subscribers and has launched Thailand’s first IPTV service, True IPTV, in early April 2006 with 10 channels across entertainment, music, lifestyle, kids and news categories, states an official release.

    “Working with an experienced content aggregator like BNS will enable us to secure the sought-after content needed to expand our services quickly,” says Broadband Broadcast and Multimedia GM at True Corporation Plc Paisit Vatjanapagorn.

    Director of Strategy and Content at BNS, Alita Wong says, “Offering compelling and unique content is one of the most important aspects of a successful IPTV service. We are excited to work with True Corporation and look forward to delivering a differentiated content mix which drives subscriptions.”

  • Motorola and Sentivision to provide set-tops for major Japanese IPTV rollout

    Motorola and Sentivision to provide set-tops for major Japanese IPTV rollout

    MUMBAI: Motorola, Inc. has announced that Sentivision, a provider of media technologies and products for digital entertainment, has selected the Motorola VIP series IPTV set-top platform for providing video service to Japanese subscribers.

    Sentivision becomes the first service provider outside of North America to deploy the Motorola VIP set-top, further establishing Motorola as a leading global provider of Telco TV solutions.

    As a standards-based, open-architecture platform, the Motorola VIP series set-tops can be integrated with middleware from any provider. This means that service providers like Sentivision can offer a suite of advanced applications to their users that best serve the needs of the local market. For this service deployment, Sentivision will port its advanced middleware suite to the Motorola set-top platform.

    Motorola provides a robust IPTV platform that brings high-definition TV (HDTV), video-on-demand (VOD), digital video recording (DVR), multi-room streaming, and other connected home applications into subscribers’ homes.

    “Our middleware integration was made simple by using Motorola’s leading digital IP video platform. The open nature of the platform and the expertise brought together by combining Sentivision and Motorola is sure to result in a robust video offering to customers,” said Sentivision CEO Yochi Akase.

    “Motorola IPTV solution combined with Sentivision middleware will bring some of the most advanced video services available into the homes of Japanese customers. We are proud to add Sentivision to our IPTV ecosystem. Together, we can create a unique video entertainment service delivered through one of the most advanced digital set-top platforms available,” said Motorola corporate vice president and Connected Home Solutions general manager Doug Means.

    The Motorola VIP1200 series of IP-based set-tops gives service providers an advanced and flexible platform for delivering next-generation video content and services. Designed to meet operators’ evolving business needs and consumers’ desire for television choice, these set-tops leverage Motorola’s decades of experience in video delivery and the company’s proven expertise in emerging standards and new network architectures. The Motorola VIP1200 series supports industry-leading video codecs, digital rights management (DRM) solutions, and software from multiple middleware vendors.

    The VIP1200J series includes the following set-top models with connectors and options specifically for the Japanese market:

    VIP1200Japan, Single TV High Definition IP set-top
    VIP1216Japan, Single TV High Definition IP set-top with integrated hard disk drive (HDD) for digital video recording (DVR)

  • Goldstone Technologies signs MoU with SPL for IPTV services

    Goldstone Technologies signs MoU with SPL for IPTV services

    MUMBAI: Goldstone Technologies Ltd will be launching the Next Generation IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) services in alliance with SPL Innotech Pte Ltd (SPL).

    SPL is a Singapore based company and is the sole company providing complete end-to-end solution for IPTV consisting of head-end equipment, Middleware, Billing, deliver protocols and set top boxes.

    Goldstone Technologies and SPL Innotech Pte Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 9 April to provide end-to-end IPTV solutions worldwide with the server stationed at Singapore.

    SPL through this MoU agreed to provide complete end-to-end IPTV solutions to Goldstone Technologies apart from granting an exclusive right to market the IPTV products in India.

    Goldstone Technologies through this technology caters IPTV solutions to a whopping 18.5 million NRI population spread across the globe including 3.5 million Telugu inhabitants.

    The company will be taking up the projects providing end-to-end IPTV and to market exclusively IPTV products in India.

    Goldstone Technologies also announced that it will issue 19,00,000 equity shares to Goldstone Exports Ltd and 54,00,000 equity warrants convertible into equity shares of Rs 10 each to M/s Summit Communications Pvt Ltd (27,00,000) and M/s Horizon Television Pvt Ltd (27,00,000) on preferential basis subject to the approval of shareholders for the purpose of redemption of optionally convertible redeemable preference shares (OCRPS) and the repayment of IDBI loan.

  • NeuLion to demonstrate IPTV platform at NAB 2006

    NeuLion to demonstrate IPTV platform at NAB 2006

    MUMBAI: NeuLion will demonstrating its IPTV platform at NAB 2006 in Las Vegas from 22-27 April.

    The platform connects the Internet to the TV, delivering high-quality streaming content that the consumer can watch on wither the TV or PC. NeuLion says that it is is leading the evolution of video distribution with its patented iPTV Platform and will be demonstrating at NAB 2006 how it delivers high quality video to the home or business using existing high-speed Public Internet connections.

    NeuLion executive VP and co-founder Chris Wagner says, “iPTV is the hottest technology and is the future of home entertainment and business applications. NAB is the ideal venue to showcase the transformation that this technology will bring to the media industry.”

    The company adds that the market opportunities for IP based video services are exploding with new revenue opportunities. The convergence of broadband and broadcast delivery will inevitably disrupt existing telecommunications and television industries as they collide and collapse conventional boundaries.

    Today’s distribution/broadcasting of multimedia content is predominantly based on transmission over satellites, cable and terrestrial transmission systems. With these existing systems the interactivity is difficult to provide. By accelerating the introduction of fast data networks to end-users, a fourth method of direct access to users becomes possible, i.e. broadcasting via public broadband IP networks.

    NeuLion works with content partners to develop end-to-end solutions for multimedia IPTV services. The NeuLion IPTV platform encodes, delivers, stores and manages an unlimited range of multimedia content, and the Operational Support System (OSS) maintains all billing and customer support services.

  • IPTV India 2006 to be held in New Delhi on 7 April

    IPTV India 2006 to be held in New Delhi on 7 April

    MUMBAI: New Delhi will host a conference IPTV India 2006 on 7 April. It will witness key global industry players with a sharp focus on Indian market to examine the range of technology issues, alternatives and challenges facing the industry today as well as successful business strategies & solutions for the future.

    The inaugural session will discuss IPTV in India: Opportunities & Challenges. Session I will focus on Why IPTV: Market & Business Drivers and session II will talk of IPTV: Examining & Implementing Best Practices in India. And, Session III will discuss Operational Challenges Facing The Service Providers In Transforming To An IPTV Business.

    Some key speakers at the conference include Trai fromer member Dr Devendra PS Seth, Airtel CTO Mobility Jagbir Singh, Sun Microsystems Telecom director Kapil Sood, BSNL planning & new services director RL Dube, DoT, ministry of communications & IT Sr. deputy director general, Telecommunication Engineering Centre R N Padukone.

    UTStarcom Inc. MD South Asia Vijay Yadav, Siemens Public Communication Networks (Pvt.) Ltd. MD Michael Kuehner, Alcatel South Asia Ltd. Vice President & Head Sales – India, Fixed Communicatins Group, Anuj Kapur are few other speakers participating in the conference.

    In an ever changing scenario service providers are fast realising the importance of shifting from a voice-centric model to an IP centric model in which video and other content rich interactive services play a key role.

    Service providers and leading global players are aggressively eyeing the booming Indian market for delivering the triple play of voice, video and data services in an integrated wireless context.

    At the seminar, various issues will be analysed including DRM, security, billing and the acceptable business model for all the parties involved in Indian context, from access networks to services control and delivery to QoS and customer experience to content and multimedia applications.

    Insights to Indian content owners and aggregators to understand their requirements for putting premium video on the Indian service provider’s broadband network and examining the developed India specific success factors for the IPTV value chain will be given.

    The seminar will also analyse different India specific IPTV service delivery models, concerns and requirements of the Indian content industry for working with the Indian service providers.