We know that IBC is around the corner, and the buzz is building. But before summer ends, let’s revisit an event that took place in late July: a CableLabs interop that demonstrated premium DVR content sharing between tru2way set-tops and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-certified devices.

This event followed the release in June of CableLabs’ I05 revision to its home networking extension specifications, which the group says are based upon DLNA interoperability guidelines.

Given that momentum, it made sense for CableLabs to demonstrate that several set-tops familiar to cable operators could interoperate with DLNA-certified CE devices, such as connected TVs, game consoles, PCs and mobile devices. Of course, we know that such interoperability is doable. (Cable Show attendees may have seen our PlayStation 3 demo in L.A.)

But while it is far less strenuous to earn the DLNA logo than to achieve CableLabs-certified status (we should know: ADB has the only tru2way-certified set-top), DLNA interoperability is not without challenges. Others now are learning how important it is to follow strictly the DLNA guidelines, including digital transmission content protection over Internet protocol (DTCP-IP).

In the cable modem world, vendors sometimes have referred to a “golden modem” as the one that sets the standard for compliance. We believe that DLNA is quickly becoming a must-have feature and that consumer adoption of DVRs will continue to grow. So if anyone is looking for a golden DLNA-compliant HD/DVR to test against, our 6880CDMX has performed just fine. And be sure to see our Virtual Gateway Home networking demonstration in our booth at IBC where we seamlessly share content between multiple DLNA devices.

I was asked recently why, as a big fan of Apple’s computers, I still hadn’t been won over by its smart phones. When I explained that one of the initial reasons was because the operating system on Mr Jobs’ mobile handset didn’t have the calendar colour coding system that I have used for over a decade in Outlook, I received more than one raised eyebrow. Since I spend a lot of time out of the office, I rely on my mobile device’s calendar to manage all my work and private life appointments. Using colours to identify personal, business and family appointments has, therefore, become a critical function for me.  

While these initial flaws stopped me becoming one of the millions of iPhone users, I’ve come to appreciate the attention to detail of my Palm Pre. It’s smaller than the Apple handset, has some weight to it [it was designed to weigh the same as an ancient wax tablet] and, as a former software engineer I appreciate that it lets me customise the user interface to meet my specific requirements.

The more I explained, the more my audience understood that my choice of handset was less about colour-coding appointments than about something fundamental – user experience. I spend many hours every day contemplating how Pay-TV subscribers use digital TV services, exploring ways to make the experience engaging, easy to use, and flexible. This conversation reinforced in my mind the critical role that how consumers use a device plays in its success, and how as developers of new technology, the challenge that we have delivering a compelling user experience for every subscriber.

It’s amazing how quickly trends change in the digital TV industry. Not five years ago the belle of our annual “ball” in Amsterdam was HD TV. Looking at the previews of this year’s show, HD has been replaced by 3D TV. HD, it appears, is so last season. 

In fairness, it’s just that, as Pay-TV operators have added more high definition to their programme packages, consumers have come to expect it as the norm. This has led some in the industry to perceive that the opportunity to make money from HD is diminishing. While this may be the case in a few of the larger TV markets around the world – the UK, France, Germany, Italy, The United States and parts of Asia – it’s worth remembering that in many countries around the world consumers are yet to experience HDTV. This presents a significant opportunity for Pay-TV operators to use high definition as a driver for their business. It could also be argued that the untapped HD markets represent a larger commercial opportunity than the so-called early adopters. 

While 3D TV is being seen as the next big thing for the digital TV industry in more mature television markets – and ADB is actively helping create a true 3DTV experience, that includes both video and a three-dimensional programme guide – ADB remains committed to support operators worldwide to deliver the best possible high definition TV service offering. To find out more about our latest HD consumer experience, come to our stand 5.B48 at IBC.

I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it… I think I’m going to like it, but I’m not sure that my circuits will be able to cope! I’m getting ready to make my first trip to the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam in three weeks’ time to see the very latest innovations that the digital TV industry is working on to ensure that they deliver a compelling consumer TV experience to Pay TV subscribers around the world. 

I have no idea what to expect because things have changed beyond recognition since I was providing families with entertainment back in the late 80s and early 90s. In my day there was still a battle going on between VHS and a guy called Beta Max – he was a good friend of mine, but I haven’t heard anything from him for a while… anybody know what happened to him?

I’ve been warned to expect to see things like high definition and 3D TV, advanced interactivity and connected TV. I had to look them up on something called the Internet… it’s a revelation.  When I was in my prime, the only thing that had three dimensions was the television set and interactivity was turning me on or off. 

I’m going to be looked after by the nice people at Advanced Digital Broadcast [ADB] while I am in Amsterdam – if you’re going to be at the show why don’t you come by and say hello. I’ll be outside the front entrance on a few occasions on Saturday and on their booth [5.B48] when not welcoming people outside.

I’ve been told that I should practice cycling as apparently it is common to tour the city by bike there. I did try to hop on a bike last week when I was in London (see picture) but it is proving tricky! Is there anything else in particular I should see while I am in Amsterdam?

On Monday we were delighted to announce that we’ve done a deal with Top Up TV that means UK television viewers can get Premier League football via our i-CAN Easy HD DVB-T2 set-top box.  This means we are currently the only company offering UK TV viewers the option of free-to-air high definition channels, BBC iPlayer HD, Sky Sports 1 & 2 and ESPN via a single box. To celebrate we threw a party and invited some of the UK’s most influential digital TV industry and consumer technology journalists to join us.  It was a great evening that included fabulous food, a glass or two of fine wine and many interesting – if slightly techie – conversations. 

We also used the party as an opportunity to show off what the Easy HD is capable of.  It is one thing to converge content from multiple delivery networks on a single device, and another to do it and create a compelling user experience with quick, easy and intuitive access to content.  Monday night gave us an opportunity to demonstrate how our award winning Carbo programme guide makes this possible.

We like to think all of our products are winners, but it seems like we’re not alone.  We’re proud that two of our latest creations – a three-way hybrid, [or should that be tri-brid?] digital TV platform and our award-winning high definition Carbo™ user interface have been shortlisted in the CPE and Interactive TV Technology/Application in the 2010 Cable & Satellite International awards.

Our ADB 5720SX platform enables operators to deliver content from a diverse range of networks on to a single device for consumers to view on their television sets, while Carbo enables viewers to navigate quickly, easily and intuitively between different content.  The winners will be announced during a gala ceremony at IBC 2010 – we have our fingers crossed.

Having had my first taste of free-to-air high definition tennis via my i-CAN Easy HD receiver, I decided to take a trip to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club last week to see the men’s quarter-finals. Sadly, I wasn’t allowed into the club itself, but I did get to meet some of the many stewards that keep the Championships running as well as many British Tennis fans.

While I was in Wimbledon I also took time to meet with my new friend, ADB’s CEO François Pogodalla to talk about, amongst other things, TV technology, tennis and Twitter. We agreed on many things, although François was cheering on compatriot Roger Federer and I was routing for home favourite Android Murray!

I also took the opportunity to try tennis myself – I’ll be posting a video of my efforts via my YouTube channel in the next few days.  I think I took to it pretty quickly – and with a bit of practice I’m sure I could soon be in the running for a David Cup place.  Let me know what you think.

I am surrounded by innovation every day, but it was a privilege to be part of a Technology Foresight session with a host of our customers and partners last week in London. We had an excellent workshop looking at the opportunities and challenges facing the digital Pay-TV industry over the next few years. It was great to hear first hand how operators, content owners and service providers see the next few years in our industry and the technologies that they believe their subscribers’ are going to demand.

One of the most interesting aspects of the session was that we all agreed on the pace of change and growth: it was the view of everyone that consumers’ appetite for video services remains strong and that it is only likely to increase in the foreseeable future. We also shared the opinion that subscribers will not put up with a sub-standard consumer experience – and that operators don’t get a second chance to get it right!

 Here are our top 5 themes for the future of the Pay-TV industry:

Consumer Experience – getting it wrong is not an option

HDTV –a must-have service for the majority of Pay-TV subscribers

Connected TV – my TV everywhere, anytime, on any device; and for that IP is coming in

OTT – Over The Top: a threat, an opportunity, or a gap-filler?

Open standards – TV systems have to open up to multi-screens, multi-application, multi-location: standards are a must

How best to shuttle multimedia around the home? There’s no single answer to that question. One approach is to build an all-new, full-featured gateway. Another, more economical answer for both the operator and the consumer is to design media-savvy software that works with devices you may already own.

Here’s the idea: Start with an HD-DVR media center, add video-aware software and a tuner-less set-top client, and then throw in several familiar CE devices. We demonstrated that approach at the Cable Show, giving a smart phone and gaming platform access to content that otherwise would have been out of reach by these devices.

We’ll see whether the low-cost and no-hassle home network or the more expensive ‘super gateway’ prevails. In any case, the reality is that a number of standard protocol ‘gates’ – more so than a single gateway – already has become an integral part of any viable home network. Some of those protocols include:

• DLNA: The Digital Living Network Alliance. Founded in 2003 by Sony and Intel to promote wired and wireless interoperability; it first began certifying CE devices in 2006.
• HDCP: High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection. It uses authentication and key exchange techniques to gate video and audio over HDMI or DVI interfaces.
• DTCP-IP: Digital Transmission Content Protection over Internet protocol. The encryption mechanism called out by DLNA, ensures that secure content stays secure within the home.
• MoCA: Multimedia over Coax Alliance. With more than 60 certified products, this standard works with multiple access technologies.

As we demonstrated at the Cable Show, it is possible with software to leverage these standards and enable expanded viewing experiences. No additional equipment required.

I’ve been catching up on some reading recently (still hoping someone would come up with the reading equivalent of our SmoothView(^TM) technology), including a special report published by the Economist a few weeks ago. Changing the Channel looks at current state of TV around the world, and what lies ahead, both in terms of the technology and services that will become commonplace in living rooms. It also looks at what this means for companies like ADB and our customers, who are tasked with delivering them. It is recommended reading for anyone working in the digital TV industry.

Want some teasing? Here: by how many minutes has TV watching by 8-18 year olds decreased since 1999? None – they watch more than in 1999! Where do Japanese consumers mostly watch mobile TV: in the train, at work, at the bar? None of the above: they watch mobile TV at home!

But I particularly liked one of the articles – called The Lazy Medium – that looked at how consumers watched television, and the difference between their perceived tele-visual habits and the reality. The report also reinforces the fact that user experience is critical to the success of new video services – consumers want television viewing to feel like it always did – something they can sit back and enjoy without requiring them to learn new technologies or change the way they watch TV. Guess what: the killer app on TV turns out to be…TV. That’s not me saying, but Richard Lindsay-Davies, CEO of the Digital TV Group. I’ll make it mine though.

There are also fascinating perspectives on the state of the digital TV industry. The report analyses the current adoption rates of 3D, online TV [both IPTV and over the top content] and advanced interactive services, as well as offering some predictions on the long term success of each one. A particularly interesting observation is that user experience remains the single most important success factor for consumers for any new video service – something we recognised many years ago. Regardless of the technology that delivers any new service, consumers expect it to look and feel just like good old-fashioned ‘telly’!

The Economist report is exhaustive, but is deserving of some quality time by anyone working in our industry. As you might expect from the Economist, the statistics contained within the report are extensive and compelling – and now that I have “SmoothViewed” through it, I’ll read it again, but this time at 50% speed…