Virgin Media to rollout new IPTV platform

[BenMcr]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...-platform.html

Virgin Media has announced that it will soon deploy a new IP-based TV transmission platform to upgrade its legacy digital TV infrastructure.

The cable operator intends to roll out Cisco's Digital Video Headend technology - including IP core and edge routing and switching - over its national fibre optic network to enable the expansion of standard and high definition TV services.

[Dazza124]

Sorry but not really technically up on this..

What does it mean in lamens terms for us especially V+ users.

Hopefully more channels (HD preferred) or better quality existing SD channels.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Dazza124

Sorry but not really technically up on this..

What does it mean in lamens terms for us especially V+ users.

Hopefully more channels (HD preferred) or better quality existing SD channels.

Probably nothing. Just means that all those Virgin ADSL users will be able to have VM's TV service via their phone line, rather than Virgin having to dig up roads around the half of the country they can't currently serve.

---------- Post added at 11:23 ---------- Previous post was at 11:22 ----------

I could be wrong though..

[Dazza124]

Surely there must be a benefit or knock on effect somewhere for digital tv customers
Would this roll out start next year after analogue shuts down?

Maybe more channels or enchanced VOD.

[Stuart]

Depends how they implement it. If they implement it via the phone line (and it's by no means certain they will, although that would be the cheapest way), then it would run independantly of the current cable TV system. It would also mean that they would not need to wait for the Analogue shut down.

If they implement it on the Cable network, then they may well have to replace every set top box eventually, which would bring a lot of benefits for the consumers (the boxes would almost certainly be faster and support MPEG 4), which would cost a *lot*.

[greeninferno]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Depends how they implement it. If they implement it via the phone line (and it's by no means certain they will, although that would be the cheapest way), then it would run independantly of the current cable TV system. It would also mean that they would not need to wait for the Analogue shut down.

If they implement it on the Cable network, then they may well have to replace every set top box eventually, which would bring a lot of benefits for the consumers (the boxes would almost certainly be faster and support MPEG 4), which would cost a *lot*.

I think if its done properly it is supposed to free up huge amounts of bandwidth i.e. a customer only receives the current channel they are watching.

Whereas just now every channel is broadcast on the network to every set top box whether they can view it or not.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Probably nothing. Just means that all those Virgin ADSL users will be able to have VM's TV service via their phone line, rather than Virgin having to dig up roads around the half of the country they can't currently serve.

---------- Post added at 11:23 ---------- Previous post was at 11:22 ----------

I could be wrong though..

AFAIK by moving to IPTV transmission you decouple the transmission technology and the physical network. So it's for both the cable network and (potentially) National ADSL

[altis]

Sounds like this is all happening faster than I expected!

I wonder how long it will be before the telephone service is offered over IP too.

[*sloman*]

it should also stop the tv thiefs, we we all need new boxes as well i believe

[one2escape]

If this is what is happening this we make things interesting. I think this could be the beginning of the end for non live TV Shows if they do this correctly. For me anyway the only shows I watch live is sport. You then could subscribe / buy shows you want like Itunes! I may be completely wrong though!

[devilincarnate]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Depends how they implement it. If they implement it via the phone line (and it's by no means certain they will, although that would be the cheapest way), then it would run independantly of the current cable TV system. It would also mean that they would not need to wait for the Analogue shut down.

If they implement it on the Cable network, then they may well have to replace every set top box eventually, which would bring a lot of benefits for the consumers (the boxes would almost certainly be faster and support MPEG 4), which would cost a *lot*.

got this off wikipedia

IPTV uses a two-way digital broadcast signal sent through a switched telephone or cable network by way of a broadband connection and a set-top box programmed with software (much like a cable or DSS box) that can handle viewer requests to access to many available media sources.

[edit] Interactivity
An IP-based platform also allows significant opportunities to make the TV viewing experience more interactive and personalized. The supplier may, for example, include an interactive program guide that allows viewers to search for content by title or actor’s name, or a picture-in-picture functionality that allows them to “channel surf� without leaving the program they’re watching. Viewers may be able to look up a player’s stats while watching a sports game, or control the camera angle. They also may be able to access photos or music from their PC on their television, use a wireless phone to schedule a recording of their favorite show, or even adjust parental controls so their child can watch a documentary for a school report, while they’re away from home.

Note that this is all possible, to some degree, with existing digital terrestrial, satellite and cable networks in tandem with modern set top boxes.[citation needed] In order that there can take place an interaction between the receiver and the transmitter a feedback channel is needed. Due to this terrestrial, satellite and cable networks for television does not allow interactivity. However, interactivity with those networks can be possible in the combination with different networks like internet or a mobile communication network.


[edit] VoD
VoD stands for Video on Demand. VoD permits a customer to browse an online programme or film catalogue, to watch trailers and to then select a selected recording for playback. The playout of the selected movie starts nearly instantaneously on the customer's TV or PC.

Technically, when the customer selects the movie, a point-to-point[disambiguation needed] unicast connection is set up between the customer's decoder (SetTopBox or PC) and the delivering streaming server. The signalling for the trick play functionality (pause, slow-motion, wind/rewind etc.) is assured by RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol).

The most common codecs used for VoD are MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and VC-1.

In an attempt to avoid content piracy, the VoD content is usually encrypted. Whilst encryption of satellite and cable TV broadcasts is an old practice, with IPTV technology it can effectively be thought of as a form of Digital Rights Management. A film that is chosen, for example, may be playable for 24 hours following payment, after which time it becomes unavailable.

[BenMcr]

Cisco press release (with Technical Links) is here http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2009/prod_091109.html

Product Brochure for the Cisco kit is apparently here http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions...cd80613e44.pdf

[Sirius]

Here's hoping that its on the Cable network and that its sodding encryption is better and a lot stronger than the 2 bit system they use now. Look at Ireland and what Nagra 3 has done to the thieving scummy types and the good news is they have not cracked it

Also lets have this asap so we can watch the thieving scummy types over here crying over there dead boxes

Additional reading

http://www.iptv-forum.com/

http://www.iptv-news.com/

[Stuart]

Long term, it would make more sense for them to have one unified system distributing to both ADSL and Cable Set Top boxes, but it depends on whether they are willing to pay the price for the inevitable STB upgrades.

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Sirius

Here's hoping that its on the Cable network and that its sodding encryption is better and a lot stronger than the 2 bit system they use now. Look at Ireland and what Nagra 3 has done to the thieving scummy types and the good news is they have not cracked it

Also lets have this asap so we can watch the thieving scummy types over here crying over there dead boxes

Additional reading

http://www.iptv-forum.com/

http://www.iptv-news.com/

Agreed!