TDG Opinions



Mixed Messages from Time Warner Cable - June 18, 2008

Time Warner Cable has recently announced two moves which could have a dramatic effect on the nascent world of broadband video. The first, announced at the beginning of this month, involves trialing metered Internet usage in Beaumont, Texas. <more>



Yes, PayTV Operators, Be Afraid - Be Very, Very Afraid - May 22, 2008

Four or five years ago, I attended a CTAM panel discussion  on the digital transition featuring, among others, the  SVP of Technology for Comcast. <more>

 


A Few Not-So-Common Thoughts on the Netflix Set-Top Box Announcement - May 20, 2008

By now you've heard the news that Netflix has released a $99 Roku-manufactured Internet-enabled set-top box. To summarize the news: <more>




All Eyes on Cable Industry's "Project Canoe" - May 20, 2008

 To the disappointment of many, it looks like there won't be any big news about the cable industry's "Project Canoe" at the Cable Show convention in New Orleans this week. <more>


 

Rapid Price Erosion Needed to Ensure Blu-ray's Viability - May 16, 2008

You've likely seen the flood of articles reporting that widespread adoption of Blu-ray players will be "delayed" due to higher-than-acceptable retail pricing. You may also recall that TDG advanced this argument in November 2007, some six months ago.  <more>

 

 

The Reality of Web Video Advertising Just Doesn't Seem to Add Up - April 11, 2008

I used to think I was pretty good at math, but after trying to make sense of recent forecasts regarding web video advertising, I'm beginning to doubt my skills. Let it be known that I'm a big believer in the growth potential of the Internet video ad business; I'm simply struggling to follow the numbers that have been reported.   <more>

 

 
BBC's iPlayer a Model for U.S. Networks? - April 4, 2008

There's a lot of angst in Hollywood at the moment over broadband video. With video advertising models online in their infancy, the content providers are rightfully concerned about cannibalizing their linear channel ad revenue for unproven broadband models. Will eyeballs follow if a content provider puts all of its shows online? What's the right balance between too little and too much online content? <more>

 

 

Words Matter: Rethinking Messaging for Home Networks - March 25, 2008 

Since its arrival in the consumer market earlier this decade, the home network has been envisioned as a linchpin for the delivery of all types of IP-based residential services including video, data, entertainment, control, and communications. Despite this lofty vision, however, home network diffusion has fallen far short of expectations. Why has this happened? <more>

 

 


A Simple Way to Fuel Diffusion of Over-the-Top Broadband Video - March 10, 2008

 

With the web becoming more about media and entertainment, the rationale to get a broadband conduit into the living room is irrefutable - after all, that's where most consumers have their high-definition TV and their best sound system, it's the home's most comfortable media setting and remains the preferred platform for watching video. Not that a laptop PC in the den, a second TV and stereo in the master bedroom, or even an iPhone are not interesting as video consumption points; <more>



The Rapid Demise of HD DVD and the Trail of Embarrassed Analysts Left Behind - February 21, 2008
 
Unless you've been hiding under a rock the past few days, you are aware that Toshiba will "no longer develop, manufacture, and market HD DVD players and recorders," a move which formally brings an end to the high-def DVD format war. <more>



The Missing Piece at CES, Redux - February 14, 2008

After the 2006 Consumer Electronic Show, I wrote a TDG Opinion regarding the management, or lack thereof, of networked devices in the home. I pointed out the profusion of connected, multifunction devices which seemed to be bringing more (not less) complexity into our lives; <more>



A Quick Take on Take 2 - January 15, 2008

At the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, Apple today announced two updates to its digital video strategy. First, iTunes will now feature movie rentals as opposed to just download-to-own videos. <more>


Apple TV - So When Exactly is Showtime? - January 3, 2008

Much has been made about how poorly Apple TV has performed. Though the Company has yet to release specific numbers, consensus suggests sales have been disappointing (by Apple's high standards, it must seem a letdown). Not that the spin machine isn't in full motion; indeed it is, and it's the strength of spin that leads me to believe it's worse than previously thought. <more>

 


Disney & Macrovision Could Help Get the Guide on the Map - December 11, 2007

While PayTV operators continue to neglect the EPG, two recent events have spurred a cautious optimism, at least in me: Disney's public scolding of cable operators and Macrovision's purchase of Gemstar-TV Guide. We'll take them one at a time. <more>

 

 

The Legal Charades are Over: Score Another One for TDG (and our Clients) - November 1, 2007

In October, the Connecticut Department of Public Utilities (DPUC) decided that AT&T must secure a cable franchise agreement in order to offer its U-verse television service in Connecticut. While this was a surprise to most observers, it came as no surprise to TDG or our clients. <more>

 

 

It's a Bird. It's a Plane. No, It's CE Convergence (No, Seriously) - October 23, 2007

I am relieved; it seems the age of converged digital media is finally dawning. That said, I caution myself not to become irrationally exuberant. The emergence of "digital convergence" as a global market force takes time and, as many of us know firsthand, is not always consistent with our schedule (now that's an understatement).  <more>

 

 

 

 

Diagnosing the eHealth Issues: Doctors Become Developers - September 25, 2007

In the world of medicine, physicians (not technology providers) are the ones tackling efficiency and quality of care issues by developing innovative software for mobile devices. These medical entrepreneurs (med-preneurs, if you will) are leading the movement to incorporate new communications technologies into the medical workplace in ways that are beneficial to both healthcare workers and patients... <more>

 

 

IBC - A Few Afterthoughts and Reflections - September 18, 2007

As I sit here on the plane returning to the U.S. after a most enjoyable IBC, I find myself thinking about the state of the digital media industry as reflected in the show's conference sessions and exhibit halls. Every vendor was trying to position themselves as providing "key solutions" capable of leading operators and content providers to the "Promised Land" of this shiny new digital, HD, Internet-enabled, space/time/deviceshifting video-driven world. Despite this positioning, none of the vendors seemed to know precisely where this hallowed place might be found, or at least their message was difficult to discern from amongst the clatter and noise of the show. <more>

 


Trapped in "IPTV Land" - September 14, 2007

Up until the very last pre-show panel session at IBC, I felt trapped in "IPTV-land." Speaker after speaker lambasted the open Internet as a medium "not fit for quality video streaming" and argued that only new telcoTV networks had sufficient QoS (Quality of Service) and QoE (that oh-so-ephemeral Quality of Experience) to get the job done. Online video services such as Joost and Babelgum were dismissed as "needing work" and the consensus seemed to be that the only quality broadband video experience required a download and a hard disk. <more>

 

 
Of Guides, Graphics, and Quality - September 14, 2007

Amsterdam was the focus of the European media technology world this weekend with vendors, operators, and content providers crowding the 12 halls of exhibitors at IBC 2007. This distinctly European show is one of my favorites since I find it much easier than, say, CES or NAB to navigate. I also can spend more quality time with the exhibitors, a big plus. With the vast range of products covered at the show, here are three of the things that really caught my eye. <more>

 

 
The MTV/Rhapsody Deal Confirms It: The iPod is Doomed - September 12, 2007

Last month, MTV and Real Networks announced a new music service partnership, Rhapsody America. By combining MTV's substantial media presence with Real's Rhapsody digital music service technology, the companies hope to compete with the iPod/iTunes combo that currently rules the U.S. market. But the kicker is the third partner in this new group - Verizon Wireless. Things are about to get interesting... <more>

 

 

The Format Wars are Over...Well, Maybe Not - August 2, 2007

During the recent Electronics Merchants Association Home Media Expo 2007 in Las Vegas, I participated in a panel hosted by the HD DVD Promotional Group. <more>

 

 
Quality! Who Cares? Give Me Choice. - July 26, 2007

Barely a day goes by without a wide variety of companies announcing new or enhanced online video offerings.<more>

 

What the TiVo/Amazon Announcement Really Means - July 11, 2007

As our clients will testify, TDG's predictions and prognostications have in most cases turned out to be accurate - in some cases, eerily so. In terms of online movie download (OMD) services, we have long argued that the key to their success is reaching the TV - that is, to become a seamless part of the TV experience such that finding and engaging the content was as easy as finding a TV program to view.<more>
 

 

 

 

Premature Prognostication? On Blockbuster?s Decision to Drop HD-DVD - June 26, 2007

Last week, Blockbuster announced that it would carry high-definition DVDs in only the Blu-ray format, at least in its brick-and-mortar stores. The selection of DVDs available for online rental would include both, at least for the time being.<more>

 

 

A Comcastic Mistake - June 14, 2007

As a digital media technology analyst, I get the chance to look at a wide variety of electronic program guides (EPGs), a privilege which allows me the opportunity to weigh the relative merits of one guide versus another and, in some cases, see new features and applications long before they come to market. <more>

 

 

Vonage - An Anachronism or an Antecedent? - April 12, 2007

Hats off to Vonage. It didn't just jump on the VoIP bandwagon; it created it, and for that the company deserves a bit of respect. With over two million active subscribers attracted to its aggressive pricing and unique services, Vonage generated enough buzz to make "Vonage" and "VoIP" household names. But after a failed IPO and a damning patent lawsuit, even its funny commercials and catchy slogans won't be enough to save the company. <more>

 

 

Broadband Video: The Podcast - April 5, 2007
Presenter: Colin Dixon
Length: 4:49 minutes

Is the internet ready for primetime content? Are service providers ready for the answer? This latest podcast explores some of the consumer services available today that deliver television-styled longform narrative content and looks at the question of what happens when the Internet becomes primetime. <more>

 

 

The PC is the Center of the Home Entertainment Universe...NOT - March 29, 2007

Invited to the Conversation

I've had the privilege of working with the leviathans of consumer technology.  In different respects, each of them afforded me the opportunity to be what I am (a contrarian, a fly in the ointment) and for that I am eternally grateful.

It is comforting that in many cases these companies embraced my advice, while other times not so much.  Oh, well - no harm, no foul.  Such is the life of an advisor.  Again, I'm just grateful to have been invited to join the conversation. <more>

 

 
The Resurgence of Online Healthcare Portals Warrants a Greater Focus on Consumer Trust - February 15, 2007

Recent growth of new businesses in the online health information space demonstrates just how pervasive "health surfing" has become in revolutionizing the trillion dollar US health care industry. In fact, research by the Pew Internet and American Life Project study recently found that more than half of the Internet population (55%) turned to the Web for health information. Entrepreneurs who are launching health-related Web sites recognize the growing importance of the Internet as a health resource and tool for consumers and are using the Web to redefine the business of medicine. However, reports on the business of online health in mainstream media pay a great deal of attention to the business of online health care information but fail to provide insight into the difficulties consumers face when trying to evaluate the trustworthiness of particular Web sites when they go online. <more>

 

 

DIS:Intermediation - A Street-Level Perspective on the Consequences of Everyday Digital Media Engagement - February 8, 2007

Underlying almost everything related to digital media and everything to do with the present and future of our digitally-enabled lives is one thing - us. Whether we are called "users," "consumers," "viewers," "engaged participants," "stake holders," or "members," it all comes back around to us, we who are increasingly both the subject and object of the overall digital media enterprise. <more>

 

 

The New AT&T and the Ghost of Services Past - February 1, 2007

As you may recall, SBC bought AT&T but chose to rename itself "AT&T" - the rationale being that the "SBC" name is the lesser known of the two (especially on a global basis) and thus the "AT&T" name would more likely serve to strengthen the business.  Act Two of this M&A drama recently drew to a close with the acquisition of BellSouth by the "new" AT&T, meaning that Cingular Wireless (which was co-owned by AT&T/SBC and BellSouth) is now owned wholly by AT&T. <more> 

 

 
Now Is the Time for Blockbuster to Make Its Move - January 25, 2007

It's time for Blockbuster to get into the online download business. The market is only now emerging and the pickings are slim, but it's not too soon for the company to expand its offerings to include web-based movie downloads and rentals. It could be the only company to offer a true "triple-play" of mail, brick-and-mortar, and online access - a combination that (given innovative marketing) could give a second wind to a dying brand and uniquely position the company for long-term success. <more>

 

 

AppleTV - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - January 11, 2007

On January 9, Steve Jobs made good on his 2006 promise to release an Internet TV Adapter (iTVA) and rolled out AppleTV, a set-top box that allows you to stream video from your PC to your TV. This was an important move for Apple and for the entire broadband video industry; one TDG predicted several years ago would likely happen in 2007. <more>

 

 

Interactive TV - Its Real Value to MSOs - December 14, 2006

Interactive TV (iTV), despite its storied past, is back in the news again and in a very big way. Time Warner Cable's recent deal with BIAP systems is just the latest in a string of noteworthy developments. The service, which allows users to play football fantasy and use eBay from an existing set-top box, was initially available in eight of Time Warner Cable's divisions, will now roll out in the remaining divisions across the country. <more>

 

 
Alcatel vs. Microsoft - What's Really Going On - November 27, 2006

With last week's announcement that Alcatel is suing Microsoft over patent infringement, a new chapter in the complex and decaying relationship between the two industry giants has started. According to Alcatel, it is simply protecting its intellectual property. According to Microsoft, the suit is merely related to its dispute with Lucent over X-Box video processing.

Is either company being completely honest? Of course not! In Alcatel's case, it is an error of omission; in Microsoft's, it is an error of legitimacy. <more>

  

 
Thoughts on TelcoTV 2006 -
It's Not the Size of the Sword but the Skill of the Swordsman - November 16, 2006

At last week's TelcoTV conference in Dallas, I had the opportunity to speak with a variety of vendors whose technologies enable the delivery of TV services over telecom networks. Many had exciting new features pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the delivery of digital TV services. But amongst all the customer wins and service updates, I sensed a familiar theme echoing through my conversations with the smaller, independent vendors: how can we compete with the 'Big Guys' - the vertically-integrated 'complete solution' vendors? <more>

 

 
An Eye for an I: Engagement, Identity & The New
Digital Deal - November 8, 2006

The term "engagement" as defined above by the MI4* has prompted a lot of conversation but is far from gaining universal acceptance in the realm of marketing communications. In fact, the definition's simultaneous reductionism and seemingly purposeful obscurity suggests obstacles beyond semantics bar the way to an agreeable solution. The process of standardization is a challenging one, and the authors freely admit there is a lot of work yet to do. Given that lack of universal endorsement and little likelihood of an immediate definition and set of associated metrics, the terms "engagement" is likely to remain a controversial and hard fought subject. A reasonable question is, why? <more>

 

 

"I Saw the Future of Digital Cinema...and it was Good."
Thoughts on What UltraHD Could Mean for Movie Theaters - October 5, 2006

There have been only a few moments in my technology career when I saw something that truly excited me - that is, made shivers run up the back of my neck and goose bumps appear, letting me know I was witnessing was a truly breakthrough technology, not just some repackaging, re-integration, or re-combination of the existing, but something capable of really changing the digital technology landscape. <more>

 

 
Broadband TV - Taking the Public By Storm One Niche at a Time - September 21, 2006

While visiting IBC in Amsterdam two weeks ago, I attended a conference session in the Multi-Media in the Connected Home track called 'The Markets - Integration or Disintegration.' The panel discussion inevitably turned to the much-debated subject of broadband video on the television. The Microsoft representative on the panel argued that it will be "decades" before broadband video reaches the TV and becomes a mainstream phenomenon. <more>

 

 
A TDG Opinion - Expected Consolidation in the VOD market - August 11, 2006

In this week's TDG Opinion, Colin Dixon examines the influences and evolution of the VOD market. In this piece, he examines recent acquisitions, market conditions, and why consolidation is coming soon. <more>

 

 
Social Networking is the Latest Trend... Among Marketing Departments? -July 28, 2006

It appears that 2006 has become the year of social networking, since this phenomenon has led many to speculate on the value of such sites. It is the fact that Myspace, after only two and a half years operating, has surpassed Internet giants Google and Yahoo! that "social networking" has become this year's hot topic. So hot, in fact, that some companies' marketing departments are putting together social networking sites (SNS) specific to their brand. <more>

 


"The 'Digital Home' is 10 Years Away"
Who Knows, But Isn't This Comment Refreshing? - July 20, 2006

The Shot Heard Round the World

In a moment that sent shockwaves through the personal technology industry, Sonos CEO John MacFarlane told the BBC on Tuesday that he thinks the 'digital home' is still a decade away from becoming a reality. This pointed comment was picked up by hundreds of electronic and print publications... and not a day after I was speaking with a client on why the concept of the 'digital home' is wearing thin. I'm quite familiar with MacFarlane's message - it's one TDG has been sharing with its clients for several years. <more>

 

 
When Product Categories Become Meaningless - Convergence & Home Media Servers - July 13, 2006

The Headlines Say...

According to a number of recently published reports, demand for 'home media servers' - generally defined as hard drive-based platforms with media networking software that enable the use of a home network for media sharing purposes - is set to accelerate to staggering heights in just the next few years. <more>

 


Seems Symbian is Vulnerable - TDG's Recent Report Validated by New Mobile Linux and Windows Activity - June 30, 2006

It Was Only Yesterday...

When TDG released our Advanced Mobile Operating Systems report in February of this year 2006 - a report presenting the case as to why mobile Linux and Windows would both pick up market share at the cost of Symbian's dominance - we received quite a bit of feedback. While much of the feedback was positive, not surprisingly some of it was negative - the cost of being the first to officially offend the incumbent! <more>

 


iTunes' Movie Downloads the 'Tipping Point' for Online Movie Distribution? - June 22, 2006

According to a June 19 article in Variety, Apple is in active negotiations with a number of major Hollywood studios to add movie downloads to its iTunes media store and begin offering the new service by year's end. While much of the focus has been on the rumored pricing model and ongoing negotiations, only a few observers have tapped into the larger story - that is, the impact of Apple's move on the entire online movie download model. Will iTunes do for online movies what it did for online music? Does Apple's entry into this space represent a 'tipping point' for the entire segment, or is such an outcome even relevant to Apple? In other words, is this simply the next step in Apple's larger strategy to establish a presence in living room? <more>

 

 
The Sky is Falling: Is the Record Industry Ready to Face the Music? - June 15, 2006

Mitch Bainwol, CEO of the RIAA, recently told CNET that digital music sales are "...rising at a value that is larger than the decline in physical sales" and that because of such trends there is "new optimism" for the music industry. Hate to spoil the temporary elation, Mitch, but it may be time to pause and reconsider. <more>

For TelcoTV Operators, It's All About Price - June 8, 2006

For many incumbent telcos, marketing and advertising activities were never a strategic priority until deregulation opened the market to new competitors. Before that time, US telcos were monopolies protected by local, state and national regulations. In such an environment, strategic differentiation was of little concern and 'marketing' efforts had more to do with public relations than competitive positioning. <more>

 

 
TiVo's Fate - What's in the Cards? - June 1, 2006

There has been much speculation over the fate of TiVo. The investment community frets over the failure of TiVo to close business with the big operators. The advertising folks fret about the TiVo's lack of a large demographic footprint. The content community frets about the technology in general. The analysts pontificate over every missed deadline, every slip in subscriber growth, and each and every new product or service strategy TiVo announces. <more>

 

 
Apple's Video iPod - Putting the Conversation Back on the Right Track - May 5, 2006

The fascination with the video iPod among the press and analyst community continues, and though it may have slowed since product introduction, the solution continues to be a frequent feature in major journals and at most technology trade shows and conferences. As new or repurposed video content continues to pour onto the Internet, no doubt this treatment will continue - both for the platform itself as well as the business of portable/mobile video consumption. <more>

 


Yahoo Go? - The World's First Genuine Personal Entertainment Guide? - April 27, 2006

The Announcement
With the release of Yahoo Go?, Terry Semel believes he now has a solution that could link virtually every facet of our digital lives into a single coherent user experience (bridge the gaps between the solitary 'islands' of our various entertainment experiences). Yahoo! will now be everywhere you are: on your office PC, on your mobile phones, and, as of yesterday, even on your living room TV. <more>

 


The Problem with Internet-Based Movie Downloads - The Internet Isn't Connected to the TV, Stupid! - April 6, 2006

The Announcement
As most of you know by now, Monday was a 'watershed moment' in the brief history of online video: six major Hollywood studios announced plans to sell movies over the Internet - not rentals, mind you, but purchases of full-length movies in digital format that a consumer can download and watch any time they chose.

The Model
Two online movie services, Movielink and CinemaNow, will offer consumers a variety of movie titles for purchase and download. Movielink's initial offering spans 300 titles, while CinemaNow will offer around 75 titles (again, these are just initial offerings). Pricing for new movies is expected to be between 20 and 30 dollars per download, while older titles would cost 10 dollars or more.

So Why Won't This Work? <more> 

 


Bleeding Edge News on Digital Media - You Saw It Here First! - April 1, 2006

What a week for digital media! TDG has rummaged through this week's stories and identified five of the most important. <more>

 

 

Recasting the Concept of Podcasting: Part I - March 23, 2006
The First in a Two-Part Series on Redefining the Concept and Role of Podcasting in the Emerging Age of Internet Media

You may recall last year that the editors of the New Oxford American Dictionary declared "podcasting" the "Word of the Year" for 2005 and "officially" defined the term as "a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal audio player." <more>

 

The Potential of BroadbandTV to Create New Video Experiences - March 16, 2006

The past six months have seen an eruption in activity involving what TDG calls "BroadbandTV" - that is, video distribution over the open Internet.1 Here are just a few examples of how widespread and important this eruption is:

  • Among "new media" darlings, Google's aggressive video strategy was finally articulated and AOL launched In2TV - the "first broadband TV network" with TV programming available "online, anytime, and always free."
  • Among "old media" players, News Corp. has made Internet video a strategic priority, and US cable leader Comcast stated that success is becoming less about "triple" or "quadruple play" than the "integrated single play"2.

If judged by the amount of meaningful business activity in this space, 2006 will be remembered as the year BroadbandTV raised its head from the muck and took center stage in the media industry. It's as if the notion that broadband is capable of powering a new generation of robust video services is moving from "fringe delusion" to "conventional wisdom." <more> 

 

The Appeal of Mobile Video: Reading Between the Lines - March 9, 2006

No doubt that mobile video is among the hottest topics in personal technology. Everywhere you look, the press is citing data on whether or not (and to what extent) consumers are interested in viewing video on their mobile phone.

The latest mobile video research to grab headlines is from RBC Capital Markets, who commissioned InsightExpress to survey 1,000 US cellphone users between the ages of 21 to 65 as to which cellphone features and services they considered most important. In particular, the survey tested consumer interest in viewing video on handheld devices. <more>

 


A Remote Control that Tells the Future? - March 3, 2006

Earlier this week, Apple introduced a new iPod boom-box and a series of Intel-based Mac Minis. Shortly thereafter, the usual suspects were up in arms that neither of these new products lived up to the pre-release hype for which Apple has become famous. In fact, the press and Apple's fanatical base of supporters focused more on the disconnect between hype and product than the merits of the new solutions. Such is the danger of being an industry innovator - when your products fall short of being truly original, your own success becomes your worst enemy. <more>

 


The Time for Device Management Solutions is Now - February 16, 2006

It was only a few short years ago that launching broadband access services into the marketplace was no easy task. The complexities of provisioning and configuring connectivity were indeed quite difficult; ongoing support was equally burdensome. <more>

 


For IPTV Set Top Box Vendors, the Consolidation Dance Has Started - January 25, 2006

With 2006 just under way, there is already a chill wind blowing through the halls of many of the IPTV set top box vendors. As TDG predicted in mid-2005, the consolidation of the IPTV set top box market is now underway. With last week's announcement that Motorola has agreed to buy Kreatel, the Swedish manufacturer of IPTV set top boxes - coupled with last year's announcement of Cisco's move to purchase Scientific Atlanta - the 500 pound gorillas have officially arrived. This is a "good news/bad news" proposition for the remaining IPTV STB vendors. The good news: their market is now large enough to warrant the attention of the big boys. The bad news: they demand a huge share of the market! <more> 

 



Video Compression Players Should "Compress" the Hype - January 19, 2006

2006 has begun with plenty of excitement in all matters related to digital video: mobile video, IPTV, HDTV, DVR, video-on-demand, and on and on, ad nauseum. It's as if the entire media industry suddenly woke up to the fact that digital and IP technologies enable the delivery of video content to virtually any display-laden device. But delivering these new forms of video experience over today's networks means putting incredible pressure on the pipe. Even US cable operators, who spent $100 billion on plant upgrades in the last decade, are looking at ways to boost their efficiencies in order to deliver these new bandwidth-intensive services in a high-quality fashion. Among the options being considered is the use of new video compression technologies. <more>

 


The Missing Piece at CES - January 11, 2006

This year's CES was everything it promised to be, packed with announcements from Hollywood executives, TV network operators, mobile service providers, and the CE and PC powerhouses that have for years dominated the show floor. But as I left CES, I walked away with a general impression framed as much by what wasn't at the show as what was at show. <more>

  


TDG: The Answer is Know - A 2005 Research Review - January 4, 2006

A prospective client recently asked "Why should I do business with TDG?" Knowing the million different ways I could spin my answer, I chose instead to go with what first came to mind: "Because we're right." Laughter burst out, leaving me wondering whether I had just committed sales suicide. Instead, the VP of Business Development, who continued laughing as he spoke, said "That's the best answer I have ever heard to that question." <more>

 


Intel's Viiv Campaign: Here's to Good Timing! - December 22, 2005

Intel is hoping that Viiv will do for digital home entertainment what Apple's iPod did for portable digital music - forge a new brand that captures the imagination of the consumer and defines a new media experience. Apple helped to define portable digital music, just as it is hoping to do for portable digital video. Intel is now betting that Viiv will define the consumer's perception of the in-home digital entertainment experience, starting first with the PC and then evolving into other consumer electronics. <more>

 



FCC to Reverse Decision Regarding À la carte Cable Pricing - December 8, 2005

TDG on the money again. As most readers are now aware, the FCC is about to issue (or reissue) a report stating that cable companies should offer à la carte pricing to their customers instead of force-feeding them prepackaged tiers. According to the FCC, consumers should have the ability to select and pay for only the channels they want to watch, versus having to pay for bundles or "tiers" comprised of many channels they never view. <more> 

 



What's Behind the Microsoft/CableLabs CableCARD Agreement? - November 30, 2005

CableLabs®, the technical arm of the cable television industry, and Microsoft recently announced that the CableCARD will soon be a part of future Media Center PCs . This is considered an important move for Microsoft and those hoping to position the PC as the center of the home entertainment experience. <more> 

 

The Real Winner from Cisco's Planned Acquisition of Scientific-Atlanta? Brian Roberts - November 17, 2005

Most industry observers believe that today's announcement by Cisco that it plans to purchase Scientific-Atlanta for $6.9 billion was simply the result of solid negotiation and mutual benefit on the part of both companies. While this may be true, it only tells part of the story. In actuality, this acquisition marks the culmination of years of long discussions and leadership influence by the Cisco and Comcast executives. <more>

 


TiVo, Yahoo! and the Power of the Portal - November 10, 2005

What a week in new media! Among a slew of announcements, TiVo and Yahoo! agreed to offer a new converged service offering, providing yet another dramatic illustration of the impact that Internet technology is having on how consumers experience media and entertainment. <more>

 


Fighting Commoditization of the Encoder Business - November 3, 2005

In October 2005, Tandberg announced its intent to acquire Goldpocket Interactive. Goldpocket had been in play for at least two years, so this acquisition brings to an end much speculation regarding possible suitors.

More importantly, this acquisition offers two interesting insights about the technology market in general and the encoding market in particular. <more>

  


Podcasting is Dead. Long Live Podcasting. - October 20, 2005

Podcasting remarkably rose from inception to million users of users in less than two years. According to TDG's recent analysis, Podcasting as an Extension of Portable Digital Media - Fact, Fiction, and Opportunity , more than five million US consumers will partake of podcasts by the end of 2005, growing to more than 60 million in 2010. Many in the industry scoffed at TDG's predictions. <more>

 


A Video iPod: Is Apple Sauced? - October 6, 2005

Only one month after Apple launched the Nano, the company is again rounding up reporters and industry luminaries to make another big announcement. Despite the fact that Apple CEO Steve Jobs has stated for months that Apple would not be rolling out a video iPod anytime soon, the rumor mill may yet again be more accurate than company rhetoric. <more>

 


UPN Breaks Ranks with Web Sitcom Debut - September 29, 2005

With the web release of "Everybody Hates Chris" through Google Video, UPN has made a major break from traditional broadcasters who have so far eschewed the medium. ... <more>

 



A Note to the Economist - September 22, 2005

It is indeed an honor to find the "digital home" in the bird's eye of such a prestigious journal (" The Digital Home: Science Fiction? " as well as other articles). As you so wisely stated, it is a concept that has avoided candid discussion for many years and we are thankful that the Economist took time out of its lofty editorial schedule to add its voice to the discussion. However...... <more>

 



Challenging iPod's Dominance, From the Inside - September 9, 2005

During the last two years, there has been much speculation as to what kind of device (if any) would be capable of challenging Apple's iPod. A number of contenders have emerged during this time - from other brands of digital music players to portable multimedia players, and even mobile phone/digital music player combinations. <more> 

 



Preparing for the Certain Exodus and Consolidation among IPTV Set-Top Vendors - August 17, 2005

The recent flood of TelcoTV deployments has spurred a concomitant proliferation in the number of companies offering IPTV set-top boxes (STBs). At last count, TDG has identified to date 50 IPTV STB manufacturers in Europe , North America and Asia , and we expect this number to continue to grow in the next year. <more>

 


UWB - Cut the Hype, And Quickly - August 3, 2005
Vendors Racing to Market with UWB Solutions Should Stay Focused on Engineering and Turn the Public Relations Efforts Down a Notch or Two.

As I floated in the temporary rapture of the concept of a truly wireless home, I stumbled about the following words: "any content, anytime, anywhere." O tempora, o mores - my hopes were yet again dashed by the most familiar of convergence marketing spins. <more> 

 


Satellite Radio About to Go "Big Time" - July 25, 2005

XM and Sirius Tune In To Multimedia Aspirations

It was only a few years ago that XM and Sirius were the buzz of the music industry - a new business model capable of challenging the establishment. <more> 

 


Time to Rethink US TelcoTV - June 23, 2005

News Corp is starting to move on IPTV... when Microsoft is hurting... and the BBC is planning a hybrid DTT IPTV service for 2006

Three major news announcements bring relevant lessons to the US TelcoTV industry. <more> 

 


Missing the Larger Picture - June 17, 2005

Another Interpretation of the Intel/Apple Alignment

Apple's decision to dump IBM's PowerPC chip in favor of Intel's processors created a frenzy among the technology and popular press, and for good reason: by 2007, Apple's full product line of products is expected to be powered by Intel's x86 chips. This is indeed significant news. <more>