[opendtv] Re: This from another (open) thread - IPTV on LinkedIn
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:33:24 +0000
Dan Grimes wrote:
>> Honestly, the way I watch a lot of TV now, I have to disagree.
>> The TV, in my case, is much like a PC or tablet with a really
>> large screen.
>
> ... highlights two of the numerous differences between a
> television and a tablet I lazily did not write down: 1)your PC
> is an STB to your big screen
Remember, I had to take this approach only out of exasperation. The PC-STB
gives me the flexibility I was looking for in an integrated "connected TV." My
wife and I went to Best Buy, a few years ago now, to see what was available
along those lines. The pathetic choice of "connected TV" products convinced me
these guys were on the take, and that I had to do this on my own. Which is very
easy to do, don't get me wrong. Makes it that much more annoying that the CE
companies can't figure it out. Even the salesman was apologetic. So I wouldn't
make a big deal about the PC being a separate box. It shouldn't need to be.
> and 2) it is a very big screen indeed. The third important point
> is implied; it is not at all portable. But if you are only
> talking about the fact that you are using IP for the delivery and
> not trying to compare anything else, then I can see why you might
> disagree.
No, of course I'm talking about more than that. To list a few, the PVR function
is done "in the cloud." I don't need my own PVR, **nor** do you need to rent an
MVPD's proprietary STB/PVR for that "prime time anytime" feature.
The EPG function is also done "in the cloud," as part of the PVR function. I
don't depend on a single MVPD solution. Any number of portals available to me
have their own EPG/PVR functionality. They organize the content in a logical
way, they may provide a summary of the content, etc. All whiz bang features
that people assumed only their proprietary STB could offer.
Upgrades and interactivity in general are a natural byproduct when you're
connected to a two-way IP network. So anything along those lines, which used to
be the exclusive province of cable TV proprietary STBs, also goes away. Plus, I
can interact with a host of different schemes, created by a world full of
talented programmers.
And of course, I have access to TV from the entire world, interoperable, which
no MVPD could provide before. Only politics and "business model" considerations
limit this, and these limitations are on the DECLINE.
So I'm saying, IP delivery brings with it just about anything your
MVPD-exclusive innovation of yesterday gave you, and a whole lot more. The
proprietary STB of the MVPD can certainly be blotted out for good, because its
functions can all be replaced now. The politics is something else, of course,
as you mentioned.
As to portability, you know, a decent tablet (e.g. Surface Pro perhaps?) or
laptop can do the same thing. Voilà your portability. The only portability
issue is NOT in the system concept, but only in the large TV screen.
Bert
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