[opendtv] Bandwidth surge is $80bn problem for CTV

I don't understand this. If cable systems replaced all of their analog
channels with digital channels, they could transmit at least 2 HDTV
streams in the place of each analog channel, and that's using MPEG-2
compression (and 256-QAM modulation).

If they made all of their digital STBs compatible with HD and SD
streams, like OTA receivers are, they would save even more bandwidth by
avoiding the need to simulcast.

I don't see how bandwidth surge can be blamed on HDTV. On the other
hand, it can be blamed on services like VOD done with in-core DVRs. And
it makes a good excuse for pushing so-called "switched digital video,"
which further discourages use of in-home PVRs, and therfore exacerbates
their bandwidth surge problem.

Bert

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http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?class=countries&subclass=0&id=2639

Bandwidth surge is $80bn problem for CTV

Cable operators around the world will need to invest around $80bn in
network upgrades in order to keep up with demand for bandwidth-hungry
services such as high-definition television and online gaming. That's
the conclusion of US analyst ABI Research and its new report, Assessing
CATV Bandwidth-Expansion Solutions.

"Cable TV operators trying to satisfy the increasing bandwidth demands
of HDTV customers feel very much like the thrifty grocer who tried to
cram 10 pounds of potatoes into a five-pound bag," said ABI vice
president and research director Stan Schatt, who predicted the bandwidth
issue would soon reach "crisis stage".

ABI Research says some solutions noted in its study - such as rate
shaping and expanding spectrum beyond 750 MHz - have already been
undertaken by some cable operators, particularly in the US.

"However, a number of other solutions will come into play during the
2007-2012 forecast period, including spectrum upgrades coupled with
node-splitting, switched digital video, PON overlay, MPEG-4 compression,
and home gateway bandwidth management solutions," said ABI.

Lovelace Consulting 20.08.2007
 
 
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