Special Report IPTV@IBC2009
added services to increase ARPU. wireless devices to simplify establishing range of other vendor’s nomadic
While the technology is currently video grade home networks. These mobile devices such as iPODs, PSPs
available to deliver advanced IPTV developments will allow the delivery of each with its own DRM and video
based services, there still needs to be high quality HD streams with minimal format. However these issues are being
customer desire in order to secure packet losses to devices in the addressed, most notably by the Digital
IPTV issubscriptions and deliver revenues. One
connected home without the need for a Living Network Alliance (DLNA). DLNA
area where service providers can very hard-wired connection.
certainly a
is not a standard as such, rather a group
easily make their offering more Ease of use is a key area and it’s
success in its
of standards that devices have to
attractive is in the look and functionality possible that IPTV within the connected
own right,
support. Quite simply if devices support
of the User Interface (UI) and Electronic home could be developed to such an
but it can act
DLNA they will be interoperable.
Program Guide (EPG). A solution as extent where content is searched using Unfortunately there are a lot of devices
as the
simple as a managed DVR package a browser interface on a PC or laptop. on the market today that are not fully
closely linked to an up to date, easily This is simply because it is more catalyst to DLNA compliant. They have some
accessible and easy to use EPG can also convenient to use a keyboard and
help deliver
elements of DLNA but not all of them
help provide the added value needed mouse rather than a TV remote control,
so much
so it’s possible to encounter cases
to increase a service provider’s ARPU. but also presents the opportunity to
more value
where a device won’t accept a certain
An EPG with strong search capabilities choose content while away from the
during the
format because it doesn’t support that
for both DVR and network content is a home network. The selected items element of DLNA. Consequently it’s vital
currentsimple yet important factor.
would then be downloaded or that devices claiming to be DLNA
Consumers are also becoming more streamed to view as VoDs on the TV.
period of
compliant support every element of the
demanding thanks to the high quality, Service providers can also take
rapid
DLNA family. One of the important
high specification video devices benefit from additional functionality
evolution
standards included in DLNA is Universal
available over the counter from myriad delivered by the CPE, including software
and
Plug and Play (UPnP). UPnP is a
vendors. From the subscriber’s as a service and support for home IT standard which when used correctly
change...
perspective, the functionality of a requirements via the network. Cisco’s will ensure that devices do talk to each
standard IPTV set-top seems very basic recent acquisition of Pure Digital Recent other without any specific
compared to consumer media storage Technology brings with it access to
research
interoperability testing. By ensuring that
devices currently available. Service technology that supports auto-discovery
predicts that
deployed CPE complies with DLNA,
providers can counter this by deploying of devices that are connected to a
more than 4
service providers can ensure that their
IPTV Customer Premises Equipment consumer’s home network. It also has
billion video
managed home networks will remain
(CPE) with enhanced functionality that the capacity to be remotely operated open and flexible allowing consumers
streams percan add value in its own right as well
by a service provider in order to to add their own DLNA compliant
as delivering easily accessible advanced perform diagnostics on a consumer’s
month will
devices.
services. A key issue that can add value home network, configuring a router or
be delivered
Looking to the future, with an IP
if addressed is the storage and connecting devices. This level of
through
based medianet platform supporting
distribution of personal content. In functionality gives service providers the
Internet-
the connected home there is an
conjunction with proven value-adds opportunity to offer a range of services extensive range of products that service
enabled
such as VoD and Digital Video Recorder never before envisaged and the chance providers could offer in the future
(DVR) the whole package can help to improve customer stickiness. set-top boxes including consumer versions of
increase APRU and reduce churn. As the technology has developed,
by 2012 and
successful enterprise applications such
Recent research by The Leichtmann the architecture for the connected
service
as TelePresence video conferencing and
Research Group (LRG) in the United home has been refined. There are
providers
WebEx web conferencing. Quite how
States indicated that 66% of DVR users solutions being developed that will
with a the
such advanced services would be
desired multi-room-DVR (‘Ability to allow service providers to offer multi- monetised within a service provider’s
most capableaccess DVR service from any TV set in
room IPTV delivery without the need for business model is yet to be seen, but
the home’). Furthermore, research a set-top with full functionality at every
network
the customer desire is certainly there.
completed in May 2009 revealed that viewing location. By providing a central
and CPE
IPTV is certainly a success in its own
45% of the survey respondents would DVR, lower specification (and lower
platforms
right, but it can act as the catalyst to
be willing to pay up to $4.99 per room cost) devices can be used as IP clients
will be best
help deliver so much more value during
per month for MR-DVR. An additional to the DVR at each viewing location. the current period of rapid evolution
placed
12% would be willing to pay up to There is also the issue of DRM. The and change. It is not surprising that
$9.99 per room per month. Not network attached devices will have to to take service providers are remaining prudent
surprisingly, many of the telcos in the be able to decrypt the content from the
advantage
with their capex during the current
US have underscored their whole home DVR. The level of DRM applied by
of this
recession, but when economic
DVR solution as a key part of their content owners would make such a
opportunity.
conditions improve, the service
marketing message as a means to system very difficult to implement providers that have shown the foresight
attract customers and reduce churn. today, however as technologies such as and confidence to invest in an IP-based
High definition IPTV is another DTCP-IP are implemented, at least platform will be best placed to increase
premium service that can deliver protected streaming services in the their market share and increase ARPU.
increased ARPU and streaming it on a home should become possible. Recent research predicts that more than
home network would certainly add There are currently issues to be 4 billion video streams per month will
value, but there are still a number of overcome, especially with connectivity be delivered through Internet-enabled
technical barriers associated with the and DRM within the connected home. It set-top boxes by 2012 and service
architecture of the home network that would over-simplify the situation to talk providers with a the most capable
have to be overcome. As part of its about moving any content to any network and CPE platforms will be best
ongoing R&D, Cisco is developing device within the connected home placed to take advantage of this
advanced and optimised 802.11n especially when you consider the huge opportunity.
www.ibeweb.com l OFFICIAL GUIDE TO IPTV@IBC2009 september/october 2009 l ibe l S15
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