SD : Broadcast TV to close by 2030?

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Is that true, that you cannot add something to 'on demand' that is currently being recorded by the provider? If you can do it with a home recorder, why can't you do it for this?

I'm not talking about the recorders, I'm talking about the network itself. On a basic level, Unicast internet (the kind we normally get is possible because you, as a user, have your own connection to the server. Your software can retrieve what data it wants, when it wants. As long as the data is available on the server, obviously. The downside is that each user needs their own bandwidth because the server will not be sending out one copy of an item, it will be sending out potentially thousands, one for each user. This is incredibly inefficient bandwidth wise, but gives the user access to on demand resources.

Multicast internet works because the server sends out one copy of the data to it's local router(s) and the data is duplicated at that (or those) router(s), but they can only ever store a small part of the data, so the server will send part 1 to each router, which then distributes it to any devices that require it. The server will then send part 2, 3 etc. This is very efficient bandwidth wise, but the user cannot control what is broadcast or when. This is essentially the model Broadcast TV uses, although they don't necessarily use routers as such, and may not use internet technology, they do transmit a signal to a few sites where equipment essentially copies it, and transmits it to a wider area.

It's worth noting that bandwidth wise, we are struggling to cope with what is called "Full HD", which is actually 2k, but the tech companies are already selling 4K consumer equipment and looking (by 2030) to 8K or even 16K video.

Because of the use of bandwidth I mention above, while it may be feasible (with improved compression) to transmit 8 or even 16K TV over Satellite, Cable or Terrestrial TV, I doubt it will ever be feasible to enable on demand access to shows or films at that resolution.

Originally Posted by Chris

Mine know how to work the iPlayer in our Freesat box - no issues there.

But in the absence of TV on demand, there's absolutely nothing wrong with kids having to make do with what's available, rather than expecting to get their most favourite things, every minute of every day.

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Is that true, that you cannot add something to 'on demand' that is currently being recorded by the provider? If you can do it with a home recorder, why can't you do it for this?

There's no logical reason why it can't be done. You just switch from multicast to unicast when the user pauses or rewinds. IPTV systems already work this way.

But it's pointless if you already have a broadcast system.

[one2escape]

Its sport and live tv which are the sticking point with the sport being more of the issue. My family rarely watch normal TV now its netflix, amazon, or Youtube. The only time I seem to watch normal tv now is the football and other sport and its the only reason I have cut the cord. If streaming options for Champions League and EPL come available it will the final nail in the coffin.

[Pauls9]

Quiz shows seem more live when watched on linear TV.

Or is it just us?

[johnathome]

Good article from The Verge on the future of TV watching, it's American centric but it applies here to.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/12/3...v-over-the-top