Blog articles from 07/2009

Demand for high-definition content, time-shifting, and interactive applications will drive growth in the set-top market The demand for interactive and personalized television services will push annual worldwide set-top box shipments over 200 million by 2013, as providers overhaul their current base with next-generation models. The research firm’s latest report Set-Top Boxes: Outlook says the global digital transition and new distribution channels like DTT, IPTV, and...

From most news sources this week we hear progress, or lack thereof, of our government’s work on a comprehensive health plan. The most credible voices of opposition hammer on the notion that loss of choice and control will reduce the ability for consumers to reduce the costs of their care. Apply that same thinking to energy consumption. Today I have the choice, on a balmy Texas-in-July afternoon, to reduce my energy consumption by changing the thermostat. But aside from choosing to be...

The Broadband Forum, a global consortium of approximately 200 member companies dedicated to the development of global broadband network specifications, will be unveiling the Q209 global broadband figures and IPTV statistics at this month’s Broadband World Forum Europe event in Paris. The research will be made public by Robin Mersh, Broadband Forum’s Chief Operating Officer on September 8, 2009. He will also provide a brief update on BBFs latest work, and new developments around the...

Web video is available to FiOS TV subscribers that have the Home Media DVR feature ($19.99 per month). I received a note from Verizon this morning noting that the implementation of Internet video and My Video (personal/home video) for the Home Media DVR service across the FiOS TV service footprint has been completed. Now, all new and existing Home Media DVR subscribers have the ability to view Internet video content and personal/home video on their FiOS TV screen. New Home Media...

Note: I am a paying Carbonite user (since April), upon the recommendation of my older brother, whose hard drive crashed, resulting in the loss of many digital photos. I had the opportunity to brief with David Friend, the chairman and CEO (and co-founder) of Carbonite , the online backup provider. The Carbonite folks reached out to me following my quote in an article in PCWorld regarding the recent shuttering of a number of once highly-touted online backup services: AOL ( Xdrive...

Big week for connected TV news, with announcements made regarding Blockbuster OnDemand and Samsung and the introductions of the Rovi Liquid media guide aimed at integrating broadcast/cable, online, and personal content into one user interface. Now, Sonic Solutions has announced a Roxio CinemaNow® Widget that will be available on connected TVs running the Yahoo! TV Widgets.

Macrovision officially changed its name to Rovi, and they announced a new media guide for the CE industry. Called "Liquid," the new media guide solution is comprised of three distinct, but integrated solutions: a Television Content Guide, a Broadband Content Guide and a Personal Content Guide. The Television Content Guide is a linear broadcast television discovery solution that CE manufacturers can embed into their devices. The Broadband Content Guide connects users to...

TWICE is reporting an interesting promotion between Mitsubishi and over-the-top video box provider VUDU. Starting tomorrow, Mitsubishi will offer a VUDU HD set-top box free along with $50 worth of movie credits for the purchase of most Mitsubishi TV models. The VUDU box and movie credit offer (a $200 value) will be available through all authorized Mitsubishi retailers, and will run through Aug. 10.