ITV

Tag: DVR

  • VdoCipher launches live streaming solution ZenStream with a DVR

    VdoCipher launches live streaming solution ZenStream with a DVR

    MUMBAI: Video hosting firm VdoCipher has announced the launch of ZenStream, a live streaming solution crafted to tackle pressing challenges faced by e-learning platforms, media houses, and broadcasters. Built on a robust infrastructure supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), ZenStream offers seamless scalability for up to 100,000 viewers per session, full HD playback, and remarkably fast integration into websites or applications within five minutes.

    ZenStream’s standout feature is its digital video Recorder (DVR) functionality, which empowers viewers by allowing them to rewind live streams by up to six hours, pause broadcasts, and revisit significant moments at their convenience. This innovative feature not only enhances viewer engagement and satisfaction but also builds trust, fostering long-term loyalty among audiences.   The company has a strong track record, having supported over 3,000 businesses in streaming approximately 260 million hours of video content across 180+ countries.

    VdoCipher  CEO & co-founder Siddhant Jain spoke about the importance of the DVR feature, stating, “traditional live streaming often leaves viewers helpless when interruptions cause them to miss critical moments, forcing them to rejoin the live feed without any way to catch up. ZenStream solves this with its DVR functionality, allowing viewers to rewind, pause, and revisit key moments seamlessly. Whether it’s a live cricket match, a conference, or an educational webinar, ZenStream ensures an enriching experience that adapts to the viewer’s schedule, making missed moments a thing of the past.”

    In addition to its DVR capabilities, ZenStream delivers an industry-leading live streaming experience characterised by smooth global playback and exceptional audience interaction. Key features include real-time audience engagement tools, automatic recording, and built-in digital rights management (DRM) protection, making it an ideal solution for various applications, from live sports events and educational lectures to entertainment broadcasts and corporate conferences.

  • OTT leads over TV on brand discussions among viewers: Study

    OTT leads over TV on brand discussions among viewers: Study

    MUMBAI: A study by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), a US-based not-for-profit research company, has found that 56 per cent of people who co-view OTT talk about the brands they see while viewing content on TV screens. Co-viewing is the act of watching with others. On TV it is 50 per cent. The survey was conducted on viewers aged 13-64 in the US.

    According to the study titled The OTT Co-Viewing Experience: 2017, 93 per cent of people co-view on TV through platforms such as OTT, linear TV, VOD, and DVR. This if followed by computer at 55 per cent, smartphones at 49 per cent and tablet at 39 per cent.

    OTT has a higher impact than TV when it comes to brand-related awareness. Whether its discussion about brands they see, changing their own or someone else’s mind about a brand, discuss it on social media, make a note to purchase it later, search information online or actually buy it, OTT leads over TV.

    Moreover, 64 per cent feel it is fun to watch with others while 69 per cent engage in talks about the video with their partners. 36 per cent of OTT videos are live programmes and the platform also gets people to watch longer format content (more than 30 minutes).

    Co-viewing on OTT has younger demographics aged 18-34 years compared to TV co-viewing of 13 to 64. These are the two top mediums for co-viewing in the US. Co-viewing content for OTT is picked collaboratively and the motive is to unwind themselves. It is also most prevalent among spouses (59 per cent on OTT) followed by children (41 per cent on OTT).

    Furthermore, 92 per cent of co-viewers pay moderate to full attention to the content while 69 per cent are focused on the ads. The study also found that OTT viewers tend to watch double the amount of ad-supported content than subscription services without ads.

    IAB research and impact senior VP Chris Kuist said, “Watching TV has always had an important social component and this has absolutely continued as OTT platforms become ever-more important parts of people’s viewing rituals. This social aspect of biggest screen in the house is powerful and is being amplified on OTT platforms in ways that can greatly benefit marketers.”

     

  • Budget 2016: Major relief for cable TV industry as STBs exempt from basic custom duty

    Budget 2016: Major relief for cable TV industry as STBs exempt from basic custom duty

    NEW DELHI: In a major relief to the cable television and industry, which will also boost digitisation, basic custom duty (BCD) has been exempted in several parts and components of electronic equipment including set top boxes (STBs) for television or internet.

    Presenting his budget for 2016-17, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced that parts and components, subparts for manufacture of routers, broadband modems, STBs for gaining access to internet, STBs for TV, digital video recorder (DVR)/network video recorder (NVR), CCTV camera/IP camera, lithium ion battery [other than those for mobile handsets] were being exempted.

    The excise duty on the above has been changed, falling from 12.5 per cent to four per cent.

    He also said excise duty on parts and components, subparts for manufacture of the above mentioned items was being exempted from the current 12.5 per cent.

    The service tax on the services of Information Technology software on media bearing RSP, are being exempted, provided appropriate Central Excise duty is paid with effect from 1 March.

    The mutual exclusiveness of levy of excise duty and service tax on information technology software [in respect of software recorded on media and “not for retail sale”] has been ensured by exempting from excise duty only that portion of the transaction value on which service tax is paid, with effect from 1 March. Thus, it remains at 14 per cent.

  • Budget 2016: Major relief for cable TV industry as STBs exempt from basic custom duty

    Budget 2016: Major relief for cable TV industry as STBs exempt from basic custom duty

    NEW DELHI: In a major relief to the cable television and industry, which will also boost digitisation, basic custom duty (BCD) has been exempted in several parts and components of electronic equipment including set top boxes (STBs) for television or internet.

    Presenting his budget for 2016-17, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced that parts and components, subparts for manufacture of routers, broadband modems, STBs for gaining access to internet, STBs for TV, digital video recorder (DVR)/network video recorder (NVR), CCTV camera/IP camera, lithium ion battery [other than those for mobile handsets] were being exempted.

    The excise duty on the above has been changed, falling from 12.5 per cent to four per cent.

    He also said excise duty on parts and components, subparts for manufacture of the above mentioned items was being exempted from the current 12.5 per cent.

    The service tax on the services of Information Technology software on media bearing RSP, are being exempted, provided appropriate Central Excise duty is paid with effect from 1 March.

    The mutual exclusiveness of levy of excise duty and service tax on information technology software [in respect of software recorded on media and “not for retail sale”] has been ensured by exempting from excise duty only that portion of the transaction value on which service tax is paid, with effect from 1 March. Thus, it remains at 14 per cent.

  • Cisco launches cloud video solutions for broadcasters, media cos

    Cisco launches cloud video solutions for broadcasters, media cos

    MUMBAI: Cisco has unveiled its new ‘Infinite’ suite of cloud-powered video solutions, which will help broadcasters, media companies and service providers deliver outstanding TV experiences to multiple screens, utilising one cloud, on any access network, within the home and on the go.

     

    Cisco introduced two members of the Infinite family namely Infinite Home and Infinite Video. While Infinite Home will cater to any screen over two-way and telco networks, Infinite Video will cater to a variety of consumer electronics devices via unmanaged over-the-top (OTT) Internet connections. Both will deliver full-featured linear, on-demand and cloud DVR (cDVR) video experiences.

     

    Cisco senior vice president and general manager, service provider video software and solutions Yvette Kanouff said, “The video business is changing and consolidating fast. Our customers tell us they need video infrastructure that delivers the most compelling customer experiences to multiple screens, across a dynamic mixture of networks and devices. The result is Cisco Infinite Solutions. No other company has the leadership in cloud and orchestration, the network expertise and the video product scope to deliver anything like this.”

     

    Each solution applies Cisco’s cloud and virtualisation technologies to transform how video works, enabling service providers to cut the time it takes to perform standard business operations, thereby increasing their competitiveness and reducing their costs.

     

    Infinite solutions are pre-integrated to minimise time to deploy, and use open-source components and offer open APIs to enable faster integration and customisation.

     

    Whether Cisco Infinite solutions are deployed as software-as-a-service (SaaS) or private cloud, every Infinite solution is based on the same software components, so video operators initially choosing one solution and deployment mode can easily migrate to others as needs evolve.

     

    N Screen Media digital media analyst and strategic consultant Colin Dixon said, “Getting video services to market quickly and keeping them competitive is crucial to video operators in today’s web-speed marketplace. Cisco’s Infinite cloud and virtualisation solutions suite is exactly the type of technological approach capable of delivering against this need for speed. And that agility will have huge implications for operator competitive position.”

     

    Kabel Deutschland senior vice president Florian Landgraf added, “As we announced in January, Kabel Deutschland is developing a next-generation video service based on a new cloud-powered TV platform. The platform moves control and functionality into the cloud, making it quick and easy for Kabel Deutschland to rapidly update features and offer new services. Kabel Deutschland is working with Cisco on this new platform, which uses Cisco’s Infinite Home solution.”

     

    Eastlink senior vice president engineering and CTO John Fitzgerald said,  “We plan to trial Infinite Video next quarter to deliver next-gen personalised video to multiple screens. We need a solution that combines a great user experience and comprehensive video services with fast time-to-market and continuous improvement that only the cloud can deliver. Cisco’s Infinite Video promises these characteristics plus the operational readiness, scale and flexibility we expect from Cisco, and we are looking forward to seeing the product in action.”

  • Most Millennials still pay for TV

    Most Millennials still pay for TV

    MUMBAI: While it’s not startling that Millennials (consumers in the 16-24 year-old age group) watch a lot of TV online, it might be more unexpected that the vast majority of them haven’t cut the cord, according to a new study (PDF) from Verizon Digital Media Services (VDMS), the company’s cloud video unit.

     

    As a group that translates to multiple screens and represents about 21 per cent of total consumer spending, Millennials spend three times as much of their TV time watching online – 34 per cent versus 12 per cent among non-Millennials, VDMS found in a study that surveyed 1,000 consumers (800 Millennials and 200 non-Millennials) and based its findings in part to in-home interviews with eight selected Millennials.

     

    But 75 per cent of the Millennials surveyed haven’t cut the cord and still pay for TV through a traditional MVPD, the study revealed.  And most (64 per cent) also pay for an online streaming subscription, versus 33 per cent of surveyed non-Millennials. Only 14 per cent of the Millennials surveyed said they had never watched TV from an online source, versus 44 per cent among non-Millennials.

     

    Here is a look at how the Millennials surveyed broke down their total TV distribution time, 41 per cent was for live TV, 34 per cent online, 15 per cent on the DVR, and 10 per cent using VOD.

     

    But broadcasters could have some reason for concern. While Millennials are generally brand loyal, not a single broadcast network made the top ten list of brand loyalties among the Millennials surveyed, VDMS said.

     

    According to the survey, the top 10 brands among Millennials were: Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, Google, Walmart, Netflix, Apple, Microsoft, McDonald’s, and Samsung. Verizon was 16th.

     

    Among other findings:  40 per cent of Millennials want access to live TV online, 40 per cent want 4K/Ultra HD video, 25 per cent want device and session shifting, and 19 per cent want interactive TV.

  • Parks Associates: TV related apps gaining in popularity

    Parks Associates: TV related apps gaining in popularity

    MUMBAI: New research from Parks Associates reveals that usage of TV apps is on the rise, with 55 per cent of US smartphone owners and 61 per cent of tablet owners using TV-related applications at least once a month.

     

    The firm expects the number of global TV-app users to reach 1.29 billion by 2019.

     

    More than 70 per cent of TV-app users are believed to be satisfied with the TV show or network apps they use, Parks Associates reports. More than 23 per cent of US smartphone owners ages 18 to 34 have used a TV app on their smartphone to schedule a DVR recording, while more than 22 per cent have used an app that transforms their smartphone into a remote control for their TV or set-top box.

     

    The company also states that TV app usage is altering the use cases for multiple connected devices; currently 57 per cent of connected game console owners are using the device to watch TV shows.

     

    It’s also seeing new revenue opportunities emerge through in-app solutions in the smart home and Internet of Things. And predicts in-app solutions to be a large focus of its 2014 Connections Conference, where its analysts and industry leaders will address the changes surrounding the connected home and implications for consumers and businesses.

  • Rovi announces guide solution for SD and HD digital terminal adapters in North America

    Rovi announces guide solution for SD and HD digital terminal adapters in North America

    MUMBAI:  Rovi Corporation ROVI +0.07%  , a global leader in entertainment discovery, today announced the launch of a guide solution for standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) digital terminal adapters (DTAs) devices for North American cable operators. With the addition of this new guide, Rovi now offers discovery solutions that span across the array of cable platforms – from basic DTAs and advanced digital video recorders (DVRs) to second screen devices – that can help cable-TV service providers improve the user experience across their entire subscriber footprint.

     

    Frequently used for secondary televisions not connected to an advanced digital set-top and in homes that subscribe only to basic cable services, DTAs are basic cable boxes used to enable cable operators to upgrade their systems to an all-digital environment. In North America, cable companies are transitioning to all-digital in order to support bandwidth intensive services such as HD channels, multi-screen devices, and high speed data that are becoming increasingly popular with subscribers. DTAs provide cable operators with opportunities to more easily expand their service offerings, optimize the use of bandwidth, and enhance the experience for consumers by introducing a guidance experience on more set tops across their subscriber-base in North America.

     

    The capabilities included in the Rovi DTA Guide are the ability to find out what’s on TV, tune channels directly from the program grid, set parental controls, and set language options for the guide and audio. Rovi DTA Guide, anticipated to be broadly available to North American cable operators in early 2014, supports the growing market for DTA set-top boxes in this industry-wide transition to an all-digital environment. Rovi is currently working with many DTA providers, such as Cisco, Evolution Digital and Pace, to test and pre-port Rovi DTA guides.

     

    “For many cable TV subscribers, the guide has been designated as ‘only for the advanced DVR.’ Now that it is available on lower-end devices in addition to the premium set top box, cable TV subscribers including Basic and Expanded Basic households, can enjoy a better experience on every TV in their home,” said Michael Buchheim, senior vice president of product management for Rovi. “The guide experience is no longer limited to the premium digital subscribers, and cable operators will be able to use it to show the added value that they bring to their customers.”

     

    Rovi plans to demonstrate DTA Guides for industry executives in a private suite at Caesars Palace during the CES tradeshow in Las Vegas, January 7-10. Invited attendees can view Rovi services and technologies driving entertainment discovery and monetization, and learn first-hand how Rovi works with leading brands to unlock the full value of their entertainment offerings.

  • Cox launches cable TV app for iPad that learns what users like to watch

    Cox launches cable TV app for iPad that learns what users like to watch

    MUMBAI: Cable companies have been rolling out their own apps for years now.

    But Cox Communications’ new Contour experience, which incorporates a tablet app, aims to go beyond the usual offerings with a suggestion engine that learns what you like to watch, viewer profiles for up to eight people and the ability to watch different channels on the tablet and television.

    Cox director product marketing Bruce Berkinshaw said the company didn’t construct Contour to fit its own notions of how to surf cable channels. Instead, the app was designed around how customers want to use it.

    Support for other tablets is expected by the end of the year.

    Cox Communications unveiled Contour earlier this month nationwide, and the app was downloaded more than 10,000 times in the first week.

    The app, which is designed to work on the same network as the DVR, works by overlaying a transparent menu over a live feed of a preview channel.

     
    The main menu offers access to on-demand content, links to channel-based apps like CNN or ESPN and a selection of suggested channels based on the preferences and viewing habits of the person using the Contour app.

    Users can search for shows using a traditional program grid, a keyword search or a scrolling list of channels near the current preview channel. Tapping on a program will instantly bring up more information about it as well as the options to record it on the DVR or add it to a watch list.

    The currently playing channel on the app can even be changed like a traditional remote control by swiping up or down. When the user is ready, the app can change the TV’s channel to match the channel on the tablet.

    The new DVRs can record up to six shows at once and have two terabytes of storage, or 1,000 hours of programming. Berkinshaw said the DVRs can be networked, allowing customers with two networked DVRs to record up to 12 channels at once.

  • Seagate announces new drive for DVRs

    Seagate announces new drive for DVRs

    MUMBAI: Seagate Technology which offers hard drives and storage solutions has announced the Seagate Video 2.5 HDD, a 2.5-inch drive specifically engineered for use in 24/7 video applications like digital video recorders (DVRs), set-top boxes (STBs), and surveillance applications.

    The company says that the product focuses on three areas of importance to manufacturers – high reliability, acoustics, and energy efficiency. Featuring reliability, the drive has an annual failure rate of approximately 0.55, based on current configurations, enabling it to keep product in the field longer while reducing the cost of field deployment and maintaining customer retention. It also boasts 24/7 operation capabilities in extended temperature ranges and enhanced acoustics for near silent operation – features crucial for consumer electronics and video applications.

    The Video 2.5 HDD provides home entertainment manufacturers one and two disk, cost-optimized solutions for today‘s high-definition (HD) video recording applications. Featuring capacities up to 500 GB, manufacturers can benefit from its lower-power performance and slim form factor without sacrificing the streaming capabilities or reliability of Seagate‘s 3.5-inch video drive. Its low power consumption, 24×7 operation, and support of up to 12 streams of simultaneous HD content also make it ideal for surveillance DVR applications.

    Seagate VP marketing Scott Horn said, "We pioneered the HDD video market more than a decade ago and as such are leveraging our vast knowledge of this technology to bring consumers the most reliable video drive in the world. The CE industry has extremely specific criteria and needs when it comes to storage and the Video 2.5 HDD is built to meet and exceed their rigorous demands."

    The living-room environment requires superior acoustic management to limit audible distractions during operation of DVRs and STBs and the Video 2.5 HDD enables designers to build the quietest home entertainment systems possible. Operating below the range of audible sound for the human ear at just 22db, the drive provides optimized acoustics for home entertainment components.

    Maintaining Seagate‘s goal of delivering sustainable products, the drive reduces packaging materials by 53 percent and overall freight up to 30 percent, over previous 3.5-inch offerings, by efficiently packing and shipping more units with fewer materials than larger drives. It also contributes to sustainable energy initiatives by achieving a 55 percent improvement in power savings over comparable 3.5-inch offerings, enabling system integrators to meet aggressive new energy requirements. The Seagate Video 2.5 HDD is built without the use of harmful chemicals like the fire retardant bromide and is PVC free.