Difference in technology used by various operators proves to be a barrier, say players. In response to the consultation paper issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Friday, direct-to-home (DTH) operators said the proposed interoperability of set-top boxes (STBs) faced serious limitations. "There are issues, as older operators like Dish TV and TATA Sky use the MPEG-2 technology, while new operators use MPEG-4. So, as of today, interoperability does not look like a feasible option," said the managing director of a DTH company on condition of anonymity. MPEG is a file compression methodology. While both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 are widely used, latter has additional features.
In the consultation paper, Trai sought recommendations from stakeholders to check the possibility of manufacturing STBs that can ensure technical compatibility and effective interoperability among DTH operators. The regulator sought suggestions on how interoperability could be implemented in the DTH industry and what would be its likely impact on service providers. Stakeholders have been requested to offer suggestions by September 7 and counter-comments by September 12. Operators said, in the present context, interoperability in DTH was virtually impossible. "In the next 18-24 months, we might see some changes, as Trai is serious about interoperability. There is a software available, CAM, which can make interoperability possible. But, it is an expensive proposition and costs around Rs 1,500. Since DTH players already subsidise STBs, the software will add to their cost burden, which will eventually be passed on to the subscriber," said the chief marketing officer of a leading DTH player requesting anonymity.
Industry watchers say there are other operational issues as well. While some companies (like TATA Sky) sell STBs, others (like Dish TV) rent it. So, subscribers might find it difficult to change the service provider while retaining STBs. "Trai's suggestion is on the premise that subscribers should not be forced to consume shoddy services and should have an exit option. However, technology is an exit barrier in this particular case," said Devendra Parulekar, partner, media and entertainment practice, Ernst & Young.
"Trai's suggestion on mobile number portability was also in the same spirit. If a consumer is unhappy with his service provider, he can move to a different operator. Moreover, unlike DTH, mobile operators mostly use the GSM technology universally. But in DTH, not only there are issues of mismatch in technologies between the older and newer players, there are differences in the technology of newer players also. For example, both Airtel DTH and BIG DTH use the MPEG-4 technology, but the former uses DVBS2 and the latter uses DVBS1," said Parulekar. Trai has fixed October 31 as the deadline for mobile number portability after mobile operators could not match the earlier deadlines fixed by the regulator.
Operators said interoperability was a reality that could not be put on the backburner, but Trai should not hastily enforce it. "Though the DTH industry has grown at a rapid pace, companies are still making losses. Any enforcement like this will put additional burden," said MD of the DTH company quoted above. At present, there are over 20 million DTH subscribers in the country. The consultation paper was issued on Friday after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, on May 11, asked Trai to review its recommendations, Interoperability and other issues relating to DTH, made on January 30, 2008. Trai has mentioned in the consultation paper that in a scenario where technical interoperability cannot be achieved on the DTH platform, stakeholders should offer suggestions on alternative mechanisms that can be put in place to safeguard the interests of consumers.
Content - afaqs
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Internet-based TV is growing rapidly
People are spending up to 35 per cent of their leisure time watching TV and video content and are becoming more aware of new technologies, according to a recent study. At least once a week, 93 per cent are still watching scheduled 'linear' broadcast TV but the role of broadcast TV is changing owing to the introduction of new distribution channels, Ericsson’s ConsumerLab report titled 'Multi Screen Media Consumption 2010,' said.
Data was collected in China, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK and US. The sample in the study is representative of more than 300 million consumers.
More than 70 per cent of consumers surveyed are streaming, downloading or watching recorded broadcast TV on a weekly basis, and 50 per cent are using internet-based on-demand TV/video every week Broadcast live content is still very important to consumers, but the ability to decide when and how to watch TV will affect the role of linear or scheduled broadcast content.
The consumers are requesting a personalized, easy-to-use, high-quality, on-demand service without commercial breaks as their next TV service. Ericsson ConsumerLab senior advisor Anders Erlandsson says, "The conclusion of our study is that the consumption is fragmented and complex. There are few established consumption patterns and it’s a trial-and-error market with lots of curiosity around it. The consumer is looking for a solution that can offer them the freedom to choose what they want, when they want it and how they want it. The user experience is in focus, rather than the technical platform."
Data shows a clear correlation between which features consumers find important and their willingness to pay for them. Today, the consumer spending is not proportionate to the viewing time invested. The average consumer spends EUR 38 per month on their TV viewing, and almost 60 per cent of that relates to broadcast TV. However, since the time spent watching broadcast TV accounts for only about 40 per cent of the total TV/video consumption, it is clear that consumers are not paying for what they use the most. Ericsson ConsumerLab findings show clearly that consumer spending will shift in the future, with a significant increase in on-demand spending, provided that consumer requirements for high quality, ease of use and access to the right content are met. The study also covers consumers’ attitudes to the touch screen tablet and how it fits into their TV consumption; 37 per cent are very interested in using a tablet as a remote control.
Content Courtesy - Indiantelevision
Data was collected in China, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK and US. The sample in the study is representative of more than 300 million consumers.
More than 70 per cent of consumers surveyed are streaming, downloading or watching recorded broadcast TV on a weekly basis, and 50 per cent are using internet-based on-demand TV/video every week Broadcast live content is still very important to consumers, but the ability to decide when and how to watch TV will affect the role of linear or scheduled broadcast content.
The consumers are requesting a personalized, easy-to-use, high-quality, on-demand service without commercial breaks as their next TV service. Ericsson ConsumerLab senior advisor Anders Erlandsson says, "The conclusion of our study is that the consumption is fragmented and complex. There are few established consumption patterns and it’s a trial-and-error market with lots of curiosity around it. The consumer is looking for a solution that can offer them the freedom to choose what they want, when they want it and how they want it. The user experience is in focus, rather than the technical platform."
Data shows a clear correlation between which features consumers find important and their willingness to pay for them. Today, the consumer spending is not proportionate to the viewing time invested. The average consumer spends EUR 38 per month on their TV viewing, and almost 60 per cent of that relates to broadcast TV. However, since the time spent watching broadcast TV accounts for only about 40 per cent of the total TV/video consumption, it is clear that consumers are not paying for what they use the most. Ericsson ConsumerLab findings show clearly that consumer spending will shift in the future, with a significant increase in on-demand spending, provided that consumer requirements for high quality, ease of use and access to the right content are met. The study also covers consumers’ attitudes to the touch screen tablet and how it fits into their TV consumption; 37 per cent are very interested in using a tablet as a remote control.
Content Courtesy - Indiantelevision
Quickgun Murugan
Vijay TV is back with the tamil films on Sundays after a break with hollywood films.. After last week's yathumagi, this week it will be Quick Gum Murugan. trilingual film that hit screen around a year back. Watch it out on this Sunday at 11 AM..
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
MODHI PAARKALAM TO TEST CULINARY SKILLS
Get ready to witness a battle to test the culinary skills! The show - Modhi Paarkalam – will have two teams vying to show their culinary skills. The
team of men will comprise Ilavarasan, Shiva of Eeramana Rojave fame, playback singer Velumani and actor Balaji guided by Chef Dhamu and the women’s team will have Kutty Pooja, Dr. Sharmila, Viji and playback Singer Chinna Ponnu with Revathi Sanakaran guiding them.
The team members should find out the secret ingredient each day and then discuss the strategy and recipe to cook the dish. One member from each team will have to prepare the dish. Kalyani and RJ Ajay are hosting the show that went on air from Monday through Friday, 18:00 hours on Vijay TV starting from August 23rd.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Modhi Paarkalam
And now, a culinary battle on television… Two teams of celebrity cooks will face one another in this challenge. Actors Ilavarasan and Shiva, playback singer Velumani and actor Balaji form the men's team, with chef Dhamu as their guide. Actors Kutty Pooja, Dr. Sharmila, Viji and playback singer Chinna Ponnu form the women's team, with actor Revathi Sankkaran donning the role of advisor. Every episode will feature a culinary crusade and each team has to choose a knight, find the recipe and cook the dish, all within a stipulated time. Kalyani and RJ Ajay are the hosts.
Titles such as ‘The Best Team Men / Women' and ‘The Most Promising Cook' await the participants, besides special prizes. The kitchen battle begins from August 23.
Monday – Friday at 6 p.m
Titles such as ‘The Best Team Men / Women' and ‘The Most Promising Cook' await the participants, besides special prizes. The kitchen battle begins from August 23.
Monday – Friday at 6 p.m
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
