Is OTT TV ‘open’?

Recent months have seen several announcements on the availability of ‘Internet ready’ TVs. The offer, on the surface, is quite tempting; no set top box, no hooking up the laptop to the TV - just easy access to over the top TV services. We have all grown accustomed to the hardwired link between the consumer (subscriber) and the Operator. The net effect is that the consumer only gets to see what the Operator makes available. A sceptical view is that the relationship is about locking in the consumer and locking out all other options.

Over the top TV promises so much for the consumer as it has the potential not only to supply so much more content on demand but to break the dependency on a single source of content - the traditional Operator. What we have seen from the early offerings from the CE vendors with an Internet ready TV is another locked down system. Clearly some controls will need to be in place but it seems that these new offers are based on the old model of lock in / lock out. CE vendors have adopted an Operator model. When you buy a PC it doesn’t limit what applications you can install or websites you visit?

Canvas, and perhaps HBBTV, holds the potential to bring forth solutions that are open (but with controls) where content sources and applications can be added relatively simply through an app store, like iTunes. The Canvas partners have the opportunity to raise the bar and bring a truly open and compelling offer to consumers and not a closed/vertical model being offered at this time.

BCi is a Consultancy and Systems Integrator with considerable experience in the deployment of VoD and IPTV platforms. Our extensive lab facilities allows us to provide a staging environment for proof of concepts and/or off site integration for Over the Top TV solutions.

Over the Top Television services (also known as Internet TV or Broadband TV) are soon to become common place in the home. Over the Top TV is the next natural evolution of the personalisation of how we consume audio visual content in the home.

Whilst traditional linear TV will still continue to provide the backbone of home viewing for some time, it is likely to be increasingly demoted in the home in favour of Over the Top TV services as the primary means to watch your favourite content. Over the Top Television represents a fundamental shift in TV consumption and whilst it brings many opportunities it will also carry many challenges.

So what is Over the Top Television ?

Over the top Television allows you to view content that is available over the internet. It is delivered via your broadband connection and so bypasses the traditional providers of TV services - hence the term over the top television.

Examples of current over the top TV services include video hosting services like YouTube, blockbuster films direct from the studios or even niche content from micro-operators. Viewing this content will be achieved either via a PC (which is what you can do now) or through a more integrated approach via an Over the Top TV enabled Set Top Box or Television.

Who are the Over the Top Television Stakeholders?

The main Over the Top TV stakeholders are likely to be:

• Network Operators without their own content

• Network Operators with their own content

• CE (Consumer Electronics) vendors with their own content (E.G. – Sony)

• CE (Consumer Electronics) vendors without their own content (E.G. – Samsung)

• Super Aggregators – eBay, Google, Amazon, etc

• Microsites and/or strategic partners (there will be huge potential for these Stakeholders)

What is BCi doing in Over the Top TV ?

BCi provides System Integration and Consultancy services for all aspects of IPTV and VoD technology. We have been responsible for many on demand platform deployments for Tier 1 providers across Europe and we remain a leader in the on demand TV field.

BCi have co-authored a white paper which explores Over the Top TV in great detail and provides our view of the potential opportunities and likely issues associated with this medium. The white paper is available by sending an email request to mark.hooper@bci.eu.com

This white paper is a brief look into how the acceptance and growth of gaming devices could affect the use of broadband data and delivery networks.

BCi’s DOCSIS 3.0 white paper discusses the current broadband competitive landscape, the technologies used by operators and how DOCSIS 3.0 fits into the ever increasing range of broadband offerings.

The protection of computer files against unauthorised use in a web environment is normally controlled by a combination of Access and Digital Rights Management (DRM) software.  This White Paper discusses an approach to DRM and reviews technical options.

VoD & IPTV testing is notoriously difficult to undertake without the considerable expense of building your own test facilities. Testing is also the task in any VoD or IPTV systems integration where corners are most likely to be cut and testing not as rigorous as it needs to be. All this results in problems occurring just where and when you don’t need them - at launch and in the live environment where they are hard to track down and fix.

Using their purpose built VoD & IPTV testing facility in Southampton, BCi have developed a range of VoD & IPTV Testing Services that allow operators to have robust test programmes without the expense of procuring their own test environment.

As well as the VoD & IPTV testing facilities, BCi has developed a testing methodology where components or entire systems are tested against a pre defined list of scenarios -  designed to show how the system will behave in the live environment. BCi’s VoD & IPTV testing service provides clients with peace of mind that tests will be applied in a representative VoD or IPTV environment using a ‘load stressed’ platform and monitoring of real set top boxes.

Clients with their own VoD or IPTV testing labs can also benefit from BCi’s VoD & IPTV testing solutions as they can be installed in a rack on the client’s site - enhancing and complementing existing testing facilities.

BCi’s Director of Operations Mark Hooper commented:

“As you would expect from BCi, our VoD & IPTV testing solutions have been designed with low cost and fast set up times in mind. You’ll get a more comprehensive testing solution at a price considerably less than doing it yourself or using a large systems integrator or consultancy”

To find out more about BCi’s VoD & IPTV Testing Solutions contact BCi here.

Mark Hooper BCi’s Director of Operations said today that BCi had seen continued growth in their IPTV Consulting business despite the pressures of the downturn.

Mark Hooper commented:

“The timing of the downturn co-incided with the emergence of IPTV technologies in the living room and on our computers and mobile devices.

Back in 2001 when the so called ‘dot com crash’ hit - it had the effect of halting all new developments. A lot of bad ideas and  poorly performing businesses went under but so did some good ideas and innovations.

This time Operators are reacting differently - although we are seeing them cut back on spend - they seem to be continuing with IPTV product developments but spending their money more carefully - they are looking for smarter and more cost effective ways of delivering IPTV.

BCi’s IPTV Consultancy business has benefited directly from this trend . Being purely focused on VoD and IPTV systems integration we are able to offer Operators the in depth IPTV expertise they need to ensure a successful deployment - but at a fraction of the cost of the big consultancies and system integrators.”

About BCi’s IPTV Consulting Business

BCi’s IPTV Consulting business helps Operators and Vendors throughout Europe safely enter the new and complex area of IPTV. BCi’s consulting team provide the expertise to allow operators to deploy IPTV products and services quickly and effectively without the cost overruns and technical complexities normally associated with the early implementations of new technologies like IPTV .

BCi’s IPTV consulting team help clients by offering the following IPTV Consultancy services:

• Developing an IPTV market entry criteria
• IPTV system Requirements capture
• Identifying best of breed IPTV technology options
• IPTV Architecture Design
• Vendor selection
• IPTV System Integration
• IPTV Testing - Test strategy, planning, execution and reporting
• IPTV Vendor management
• IPTV Platform documentation
• IPTV Project & Programme Management

IPTV consultants BCi announced today that they are to join the Marlin Partner Program (MPP).

The Marlin DRM platform is an interoperable and open digital content sharing platform which provides a solution to protecting and sharing content across multiple media devices. The Marlin Partner Program is a market development and technology program available to leading technology solutions providers, System Integrators, VoD & IPTV consultancies and content management firms to help them promote the Marlin DRM solution.

BCi’s IPTV consultants will integrate the Marlin solution into their IPTV test lab in Southampton, UK as part of BCi’s continued investment in the latest IPTV and VoD infrastructure.

Mark Hooper, BCi’s Operations Director said:

“As leading VoD & IPTV Consultants and System Integrators it is imperative that BCi continue to grow our expertise with important leading edge technology in our market. The Marlin platform will be a very welcome addition to our Southampton IPTV test lab and our VoD & IPTV consultants and engineers will be able to develop considerable expertise in the Marlin solution.

BCi supports the use of open technology, such as Marlin, as it brings considerable benefits to the consumer and the wider community. Open standards invariably bring additional innovations, lower entry and ongoing costs and the option to introduce or remove technologies with greater efficiency”

BCi are privately owned VoD and IPTV consultants and systems integrators based in Southampton, England and established in 1997. BCi’s customers include the BBC, Sky Digital, Microsoft, Tandberg, Telenet, Siemens Business Services and Red Bee Media.

Marlin is an open DRM solution provider owned by Intertrust, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung and Sony. The five manufacturers joined together in 2005 to develop specifications for next generation content and rights management technology.

BCi Limited
Southampton, United Kingdom
8th June 2009

{Press Release ends}

For more information please contact:

Mark Hooper
Director of Operations
BCi Limited
+44 (0) 2380 988606
mark.hooper@bci.eu.com
www.bci.eu.com

BCi, Europe’s leading IPTV integrator announced today that it is to partner with interactive digital TV systems specialist Endurance Technology.

BCi are experts in VoD and IPTV integration having delivered some of the largest and most complex VoD and IPTV integrations for telecoms operators, broadcasters and cable TV companies across Europe, since the company was formed in 1997.

Endurance Technology specialise in the design, development, integration and test of interactive and enhanced digital television infrastructure including the development and testing of embedded software in VoD and IPTV hardware.

The partnership will see the resources of an experienced VoD and IPTV integrator combined with the equipment, embedded software and testing expertise of an interactive TV hardware specialist and will allow BCi to offer a unique range of end to end solutions to VoD and IPTV operators and broadcasters.

Talking about the partnership BCi’s Director of Operations, Mark Hooper said:

“We are very pleased to have agreed this partnership with Endurance Technology.

Over the years BCi have developed significant expertise in the delivery of complex VoD and IPTV integration programmes for Europe’s network operators and broadcasters.

Endurance Technology have a unique focus on the hardware and embedded software inside some of the VoD and IPTV technology we implement in these integration programmes. In particular they are experts in the field of VoD and IPTV set top box design, development and testing and so this partnership will allow BCi to broaden the range of services that we provide to Europe’s VoD and IPTV operators and broadcasters.

BCi already have a reputation for providing in depth VoD and IPTV technical expertise at prices significantly less than the traditional systems integrators and big consultancies. This partnership allows us to offer a broader range of  VoD and IPTV integration services - encompassing customer equipment, operator networks and our homeland of complex VoD and IPTV digital content delivery systems integration”

BCi is a privately owned VoD and IPTV integrator based in Southampton, England and established in 1997. BCi’s customers include the BBC, Sky Digital, Microsoft, Tandberg, Telenet, Siemens Business Services and Red Bee Media.

Endurance Technology is a privately owned interactive Digital TV systems specialist based in Bognor Regis, England. Endurance Technology provide services to the digital TV and broadband industries with customers in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

BCi Limited
Southampton, United Kingdom
5th June 2009

{Press Release ends}

For more information please contact:

Mark Hooper
Director of Operations
BCi Limited
+44 (0) 2380 988606
mark.hooper@bci.eu.com
www.bci.eu.com