[opendtv] Re: This from another (open) thread - IPTV on LinkedIn
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:21:29 +0000
Dan Grimes wrote:
> The STB has been many things over the years: an RF processor
> (shifting frequencies), a demodulator, a DRM control box, a
> D to A, and a whole lot of other things.
The "demodulator" role is accomplished, in essence, by the modem. Yes, you do
need a modem most of the time, because the physical link to the ISP
infrastructure is not going to be standard Ethernet. It's going to be perhaps a
PON, perhaps DOCSIS over a coax, perhaps a satellite RF band. So you would
expect to need that modem, to convert the ISP infrastructure signal into
standard Ethernet or WiFi, or both. From there, if you're using IP, the
individual appliances do the rest of the functions you listed.
BTW, I'm not saying that useful STBs will disappear necessarily. For instance,
as long as DVDs and BluRay continue to exist, something will have to play them.
I'm not saying you must incorporate BluRay into every smartphone or tablet!!
> Let's say all video can now be delivered over IP. This is just
> another delivery method.
We are quickly reaching a point where delivering video via two-way IP is
technically and economically feasible, AND where the majority of appliances
that will be consuming this video are already set up this way. So unless you're
talking about isolated venues, say like a movie theater, using methods other
than IP, for delivering video to consumers, is becoming more and more a case of
wanting to erect a deliberate obstacle.
> Where would these roles be taken up? In the TV itself? In a
> handheld device? Back at the distribution hub?
The answers lie in the ISO/OSI layers, conceptually. The modem/router that
connects to each household works at the physical layer up through the network
layer. It is involved in routing packets and providing them as IP packets over
(typically) Ethernet (IEEE 802.3 10/100BASE-TX) and WiFi (say IEEE 802.11n).
The modem/router also typically provides the IP address translation function.
The other functions, like conditional access and DRM, are provided at higher
layers, between each individual appliance and the ISP source. Future needs are
addressed by updates.
No doubt, a point will come when the appliance can't keep up. Happened to me
with H.264, when that codec first appeared. At that point, depending on the
appliance, you either throw it away and buy a new one, or PERHAPS the
manufacturer has devised an upgrade path (e.g. a replaceable module). But the
particular upgrade path for a given appliance should be up to the manufacturer
of the appliance, not up to someone looking to create costly obstacles on
purpose.
Funny thing is, TV used to be that way too. Until MVPDs appeared. IP brings us
back some sanity.
> Why do we have to have everything built into the TV?
Appliance. The "TV" is simply another appliance. If you can't rationalize
attaching an STB to your tablet, then you shouldn't have to rationalize
attaching an STB to your TV either. But again, each individual manufacturer can
and does decide just how much to build in. For example, my PC-STB uses WiFi, at
home. The WiFi is not built into the motherboard. I use a USB dongle. But
that's not up to my ISP. A "connected TV" product should be designed along
these lines too. It's up to Dell, or Samsung, or whoever, to decide.
Bert
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