DStv DVB over IP solution will transform the broadcasting landscape

I'm afraid anything less than Netflix-type services won't excite me that much.
 
DarkStreet said:
I'm afraid anything less than Netflix-type services won't excite me that much.
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This is the first step along that path.

Consider:

1. We currently have insufficient bandwidth to provide true streaming video on a large scale.
2. However, in preparation for the day when that becomes possible, we need to get hardware into homes that can receive streaming video.
3. One can avoid the large bandwidth bill by using DVB-S to stream video to a converter box, that simply repackages DVB-S streams into DVB-IP streams.
4. You can still provide an internet connection at the head end to allow for interactive services, such as YouTube, etc, as well as allowing an upstream connection back to the provider (or whomever else). No extra cables or devices are required in the home, as it is all Ethernet already.
5. As the size of the Internet connection increases, and cost decreases, more and more streaming services can be provided, and the ultimate goal achieved.

Brilliant!

Edit: FWIW, I was designing/conceptualising a similar service for hotels, blocks of flats, etc, that would have the decoding and smart card at the head end (DVB-S card with Irdeto2 CAM), streaming decoded DVB-IP to a device attached to the TV. At the time, there were limited receivers available, and of course, MultiChoice's terms of service would not allow streaming decoded content, so I gave up on it.

It would be feasible now, with cheap streamers like the Mede8er/Xtreamer/whatever available, but still not legal.
 
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I can just see the complaints coming in if their internet link is down or slow. You won't be able to watch TV if the internet is down, or at least change channels.
 
Vleis12 said:
I can just see the complaints coming in if their internet link is down or slow. You won't be able to watch TV if the internet is down, or at least change channels.
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Depends on where the problem is. Keep in mind that the Internet router would be "somewhere" on the network, just like the head end. A power failure would kill both the head end and the internet router, unless backed up by UPS. However, a line fault affecting ONLY the internet connection (i.e. Telkom problem) would not affect the TV at all.

Channel selection would be done on the local decoder anyway, so if you are receiving DVB-IP streams, you'd certainly be able to select which one you want to watch.
 
I think a lot of people still have the misconception that this is TV over the internet. This is DVB over an isolated network inside a gated community. The internet has no influence on the DVB multicast streaming at all...
 
RoganDawes said:
It would be feasible now, with cheap streamers like the Mede8er/Xtreamer/whatever available, but still not legal.
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Still doesn't make sense to me why DSTV don't make their own apps for these devices, they were happy to make a web app so why not make one to work on one of those platforms ?
 
Quantum Theory said:
I think a lot of people still have the misconception that this is TV over the internet. This is DVB over an isolated network inside a gated community. The internet has no influence on the DVB multicast streaming at all...
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Absolutely. Although, this could be a precursor to TV over the internet, simply remove the DVB-S head end, and update the decoder firmware to obtain true streaming content directly from MultiChoice.
 
Nerfherder said:
Still doesn't make sense to me why DSTV don't make their own apps for these devices, they were happy to make a web app so why not make one to work on one of those platforms ?
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Insufficient control over the DRM applied to the streams, I believe. Besides, which one should they target? I don't think that any single device has sufficient market share to warrant them focusing on that one specifically, and individually, they are too much work to support all of them.

They might be justified in focusing on e.g. Xbox360, PS3 and Wii, much like Netflix in the US. But even then, I don't think that the market penetration would make it worth while.
 
RoganDawes said:
Insufficient control over the DRM applied to the streams, I believe. Besides, which one should they target? I don't think that any single device has sufficient market share to warrant them focusing on that one specifically, and individually, they are too much work to support all of them.

They might be justified in focusing on e.g. Xbox360, PS3 and Wii, much like Netflix in the US. But even then, I don't think that the market penetration would make it worth while.
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The thing is that development cant be that hard... they should target all the devices. Mede8ter and the ACRyan are pretty much the same thing and they are both open enough for you to develop on. The stream is encrypted and like I said before... if they are brave enough to develop on an open platform like web then why not on something like this ?

I see that the wii has added the Netflix application and you can get it for something like $8 a month.
 
Nerfherder said:
The thing is that development cant be that hard... they should target all the devices. Mede8ter and the ACRyan are pretty much the same thing and they are both open enough for you to develop on. The stream is encrypted and like I said before... if they are brave enough to develop on an open platform like web then why not on something like this ?

I see that the wii has added the Netflix application and you can get it for something like $8 a month.
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Well, the Mede8er and ACRyan and Xtreamer, etc are all Linux based, afaik. Certainly the Xtreamer is. And I suspect, as I said before, that there is concern about the effectiveness of the DRM, which I would be prepared to bet would be circumvented pretty swiftly, to allow things like saving decrypted movies, etc, etc. And that is not going to be liked by the studios who provide the content to MultiChoice.

At least with a console like Xbox360, PS3, and Wii, there is a better chance that the DRM would survive, and hence keep MC out of the firing line with the content providers.

Yes, the Roku boxes run Linux, but they are extremely closed (you can't even get a console on them, afaik). So the concern there is alleviated somewhat.
 
Doesn't matter how the signal gets to your tv it will still be the same junk channels and more repeats.
 
All I see here is an attempt to save its market share. DSTV interms of IPTV is dead as you can connect to any server in the world, pay your $(small amount R20 or so) and watch the streamed channel for a month, only if the grubby hands of DSTV have blocked south african ip addresses to those channels. If discovery, BBC ect were smart they would offer IPTV to us directly as this will increase thier profits and take out the middle man. there are so many options with IPTV that lets face it DSTV should be shaking.

Bring on IPTV, just not from DSTV
 
The dinosaurs are going to die.
Blockbuster filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Netflix shares have tripled this year.
 
Fonet said:
All I see here is an attempt to save its market share. DSTV interms of IPTV is dead as you can connect to any server in the world, pay your $(small amount R20 or so) and watch the streamed channel for a month, only if the grubby hands of DSTV have blocked south african ip addresses to those channels. If discovery, BBC ect were smart they would offer IPTV to us directly as this will increase thier profits and take out the middle man. there are so many options with IPTV that lets face it DSTV should be shaking.

Bring on IPTV, just not from DSTV
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Not as simple as that...
 
Any indication on costs? Im building a student flat complex next year, with about 30 flats, have been looking into this as a way to reduce the per user subscription fee.
 
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