Xbox 360

Set-top box market destined to decline

Dan O'Shea — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:31:52 -0500

The global market for set-top boxes (STBs) for IPTV and other services may still have a few years of growth left, but after 2012, annual STB shipments probably will begin to decline, according to a new report from ABI Research. Sales of basic STBs are already sliding, and with more functions, such as ad insertion, likely to be embedded in network gear, the STB may gradually--and rightly--lose its center of power over digital TV services.

Possible evolving alternatives to traditional STBs include residential gateways and highly-functional gaming devices like the Xbox 360. Also, the funneling of Internet video directly to TVs out-fitted with Internet access also may play a role in the STB's demise.

For more:
- Telephony has this report

GridNetworks offers latest OV path to TVs

Dan O'Shea — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:00:49 -0500

Yet another company is looking to work it way around the IPTV connection to the home. GridNetworks announced direct-to-TV streaming of online video content through a new service called GridCast that leverages devices such as the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Internet-enabled TVs that are already in many homes. That improves upon other similar offerings that require the purchase of a separate set-top box, and GridCast also can help content owners control branding and revenue models.

For more:
- FierceOnlineVideo has the story

Hollywood veteran set to make shows for Xbox 360

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:59:30 -0400

Microsoft is continuing its effort to make the Xbox the STB of choice for younger IPTVers, cutting a deal with Hollywood veteran Peter Safran to produce original content targeted at 14- to 34-year-old males for distribution on the system, the New York Times reported yesterday. Safran said the initial 10-minute or less shows will be scripted, rather than reality tv shows and focus on genres like comedy and horror. Safran's company represents actor and producer Sean Combs ("Monster's Ball"), actor and writer Nia Vardalos ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") and filmmakers Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer ("Epic Movie"). The episodes should hit in the fall.

Although most recognized for its gamer audience--Halo and Call of Duty 4 are massive hits on the Xbox--some 10 million people have signed up for the Xbox Live service. Microsoft says the deal with Safran is the first of many to come. Current programming on the Xbox 360 includes movies and selections from cable networks like the Sundance Channel and Spike TV. Viewers pay for access to films with points that can be purchased for cash or accumulated through activities on the system.

For more:
Read the New York Times story (Reg. Req.)

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Toshiba abandons HD DVD

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:59:50 -0500

Toshiba has abandoned its HD DVD format, declaring it will no longer develop, make or market HD DVD players and recorders. The quickly taken decision to drop the format makes Sony's Blu-ray technology the new standard for high definition DVDs. The resolution of the HD format battle is expected to spur a rapid take up of new Blu-ray machines as well as prompting a new round of HD television sales. It will also bolster DVD rentals and sales, which compete against cinema and both traditional and IP based TV, especially video on demand.

The win gives Sony a decisive head start in the race to dominate the set-top box Internet gateway to the television. Sony already embeds Blu-ray disc readers in its Playstation 3 game console and has begun integrating an IPTV platform into the same machines in Korea. The main competitor for set-top dominance is Microsoft, which has also begun to ship its IPTV software in the Xbox 360 in the U.K. Microsoft had backed the Toshiba led HD DVD format, as did Intel and HP.

Toshiba's decision to abandon the format came quickly after the largest U.S. retailer, Wal-mart, late last week said it would only stock Blu-ray machines. A week earlier number two retailer Best Buy and video distributor Netflix both committed to Blu-ray. "We concluded that a swift decision would be best," Toshiba President Atsutoshi Nishida said. Nishida said Warner Bros. Entertainment's switch to the Blu-ray format made the move inevitable. "That had a tremendous impact," he said. "If we had continued, that would have created problems for consumers, and we simply had no chance to win."

For more:
- Toshiba abandons HD DVD Release

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Blu-ray wins two key retailers Report
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Apple seeks control of video home

Tom Burton — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:59:50 -0500

Apple chief Steve Jobs candidly admits the digital home market was not easy: "All of us have tried: Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, TiVo, Vudu, Netflix, Blockbuster. We've all missed. No one's succeeded yet."

Job's admission came as Apple shifted strategy, offering 1,000 videos for rent--100 in HD--through its iTunes ecommerce portal and Apple TV set top box. Jobs admitted the download for sale approach had not lived up to expectations. Apple has sold about 7 million videos and while that is more than all other download services combined, Jobs said it's below expectations.

The video rentals will cost $4.99 for new release in HD, and will have a 30 day shelf-life and once started will expire within 24 hours of usage. But the show stopper in my mind is still the relatively high cost of the Apple TV box which sells for $229 and requires an Ethernet or high speed wireless connection. Will consumers pay out such a large one off amount when around the corner Comcast is about to offer a box offering 6,000 videos--half in HD--as part of a cable subscription?

The home is the last big battleground and consumers face offerings from all the major players --Microsoft with its Internet enabled Xbox 360, Sony with similarly enabled PlayStation (plus Blu-Ray), LG which is partnering with rental house Netflix, not to mention a gaggle of set-top box developers--with internet adapter boxes as low as $100. All are jockeying for control of what many believe will be the key gateway to the home as residences and businesses move to an all IP platform. For the network providers--telco's and cable MSO's--their full-service business model assumes control of the home digital hub.

Jobs, till now, played down Apples TV strategy, famously calling Apple TV a "hobby." Now, he's hoping Apple's brand strength as a simple to use, easily integrated system, will finally win consumers over and give it leadership in a market expected to be 160 million big over the next five years.

For more:
- Apple launches new video rental service Article
- Analysts give mixed reviews Article

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Lounge room wars erupt Report
Sony pips Microsoft Report

Lounge room war erupts

Tom Burton — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:59:50 -0500

The battle for control of the lounge room has finally begun with Microsoft releasing at CES2008 its impressive IPTV service embedded in its game console Xbox 360 powered by its Mediaroom software. The first market for release is set to be England after Microsoft struck a deal with BT Vision to use the game console as its principle in room device.

Showing just how seriously Microsoft is seeking dominance in the TV space, the software giant also announced its DVR Anywhere product, which enables the Mediaroom program to stream content to different set-top boxes around the house. The application allows a show to be paused and resumed in another room and centralizes content storage, giving each box the same access to all shows.

Connecting the world's TVs to the Internet remains the one great unconquered frontier with vendors desperate to be the device of choice as an expected 160 million TVs connect up to the Internet over the next four years. The battle for the lounge room is predicted to be played out between the CE set top box vendors, the game console manufacturers and the media PC players, with the game console sector likely to dominate because of the bundling of a gaming platform and IPTV functionality and the already embedded consumer base.

Microsoft announced its Xbox/IPTV integration this time last year and was pipped by Sony in October when Sony deployed its PlayStation console with an IPTV interface in South Korea, for the local incumbent telco's high definition service, called Mega TV.

Microsoft is playing in all three platforms with its Mediaroom software and with TV manufacturers finally equipping TV's with an internet port the race is now on between for who will become the device of choice. Apple's iPod juggernaut is a reminder how possible it is to dominate delivery of a media, once consumers get an easy to use device they like.

For more
- Microsoft and BT to deploy Xbox 360 IPTV service Release
- British Telecom gets first dibs on Xbox 360 IPTV Article

Related articles:
- Sony pips Microsoft Report
- Microsoft IPTV middleware wins praise abroad Report

Content deals everywhere

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:59:10 -0500

The device space may be white hot, but there is similar feverish collaboration under way among the content players, with numerous media brands announcing distribution and alliance deals for the new year. Some are simple content swaps such as the New York Times and CNBC deal, others are platform deals such as Sony's decision to drive a number of ad-supported channels through Google's, YouTube.

Also significant was the Microsoft announcement of a partnership to make available ABC Disney and MGM programming through its Xbox 360 box. The programs will be available in both standard and high definition.

Samsung also announced a deal to enable Samsung P2 portable video users to download video content from Starz's Vongo service for mobile viewing.

But it was the decision of video aggregator Veoh to quietly integrate content from the News Corp/NBC video portal Hulu, which probably was most significant.

Hulu enables video to be embedded in any site and the move by Veoh to integrate Hulu content without any deal marks a further break down of the proprietary distribution model which has characterized the media industry for 50 years. The separation of distribution from creation has been under way for some time through RSS feeds and embedded media, but the move by Veoh will challenge traditional media companies like News and NBC who have in past vigorously defended their right to determine who will carry their content.

For More:
- The end of Exclusivity NewTeeVee Essay
- Microsoft to carry Disney and ABC Article
- NYT an CNBC to share content Article
- Samsung to work with Vongo Article

Related articles:
- Babelgum does a raft of content deals Report
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