special report the connected world supplement
broadcast services. Interestingly, the ‘unicast burst’ solutions to this problem typically also provide continuous video quality enhancement via retransmission on request, helping mask the unavoidable but damaging effects of occasional packet loss which occur in all IPTV deployments. By including support for retransmission and fast channel change mechanisms, based on the DVB specifications, the Forum addresses both of these valuable and increasingly popular techniques. ‘Multi-screen’ services are one of the
vogue topics for service providers and consumers alike, with many operators moving rapidly to allow consumers to view their content on any appropriate device. Supporting this trend, the OIPF specifications provide for the transfer or handover of service sessions from one device to another, the simultaneous sharing of content between users, and the use of one device to control others - in particular, the use of a mobile phone as an RCU (remote control device) for TV services. In first generation IPTV services,
bandwidth limitations frequently blocked any possibility of implementing desirable network-based timeshift and PVR functionality. PVR was implemented via more expensive in-
home devices containing hard drives, and timeshift was simply not achievable at TV quality (no practical possibility of storing the entire contents of multiple channels in-home). But as broadband network speeds improve globally, these services become more feasible and often have significant financial and technical advantages over home-based solutions. Release 2 of the OIPF specifications supports the network- based approach, allowing compliant service providers to reduce the cost of individual in-home PVR devices (often subsidised by the service provider) and eliminate a single point of failure (the in-home hard drive). As always, the specifications are
available free-of-charge from the Forum website:
www.oipf.tv.
Merger with bmcoforum
In another significant move demonstrating a commitment to the importance of comprehensive integration of mobile devices with fixed-line IPTV services, in January 2011 the OIPF and bmcoforum (Broadcast Mobile Convergence Forum) announced plans to join forces, merging the activities of bmcoforum into the OIPF.
Panel 1: Features of OIPF Release 2 specifications
• HTTP adaptive streaming of live and on-demand content. • Support for retransmission and fast channel change, based on the DVB specifications. • Use of mobile devices for remote control, based on the support of DLNA remote control remote user interface. • Network-based time-shift and PVR. • Sharing of content between users. • Support of widgets for declarative/browser applications. • Metadata and signaling procedures for emergency alert services. • SIP support for multi-media communication services. • Personalised content channel service. • Content bookmarking. • Session/service continuity through transfer or handover. • Trickplay and playout controls/restrictions. • Digital media purchase. • Better integration with CI+ based conditional access systems. • SAML-based single sign-on.
The resulting strong single entity
has broad representation and influence across the fixed and mobile broadband industries, as the two bodies have each established a leading position in their respective spheres of activity. Multi-screen approaches including
TVs, PCs, mobile devices and other screens are a logical next step for TV
www.ibeweb.com l the connected world supplement september/october 2011 l ibe l S21
Continued on Page S30.
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