Live TV on cell phones better than you'd expect

So quick recap...the iPhone has been released - long lines, sold out, and only major complaint is that it requires the AT&T service to use. The FCC mandate has passed and waivers were granted.

Saw this article today and couldn't agree more. So what that the iPhone gets You Tube or that you can watch a movie on it. When its on-demand, I'll demand to watch it on a better screen, at home on the TV or PC. But when I am on the go, the video that most matters is what is on live and in the moment. Any sports game, I want to watch it live and if I'm remote, there's no better device to use than the phone. Just imagine even sitting at the game and turning to your phone to catch the replay and hear the analysts describe the action. News junkie and you can't live without Today or Good Morning America, let's watch it on the phone. Breaking news that may even buzz your phone to let you know to turn to it. Need your CNBC or Bloomberg fix, turn on the phone.

And this is why cable should offer a wireless component - so they can bundle digital TV coverage into the phone - HBO, SHO, local sports nets, CNBC, and of course the local broadcast channels - and give me a complete communication package, cable, voice, hi-speed, and cellular. But the cable MSO's better hurry, Verizon has the product and all they need to do is become better marketeers of their bundle - FIOS and Verizon V Cast mobile.

Live TV on the phone is what the iPhone needs and without it, the hype is short-lived. Add wireless to the cable bundle and that is a winning combination and that's my 2 ¢.

CableCARD 2.0

We speak of web 2.0 and TV 2.0, so let's talk about the CableCARD 2.0. This Sunday, after a number of delays, the FCC law first discussed in 1998, sand designed to separate control of the content from the cable box, is scheduled to go into effect. Between now and July 1, cable companies will be trying for another extension. It will enable us to win back our TV sets and not rely on the set-top box as the only means to access scrambled digital programming.

I currently have a TIVO device connected directly to cable, but with access to only unscrambled channels from basic cable. I also have a DVR on another TV set. I see how each functions. Its like the difference between a Porsche and a VW. That's how much I prefer TIVO.

Still, the current CableCARD, barely being utilized today, is a one-way device, allowing access to all digital channels, but not to cable's VOD and PPV options, as well as the interactive guide, and other technology. So the next version, CableCARD 2.0 should be that interactive iteration. But is it too late to the game; perhaps, because of the OCAP standard being embraced by companies like Intel, we can move away from a physical card and let the software in the chips intelligently determine access and openness to this array of programming and technological innovation.

I say figure it out. The integration of Web 2.0 and TV 2.0 is the future; today's set-top box is not. Access, convergence, and interaction are what we want with the devices of our choosing; July 1 has arrived, let's get started.

TBS to go HI Def in September

I am old enough to remember when TV shows went from Black & White to Color. Shows like Gilligan's Island started in one format and finsihed in another. So now we face another technological innovation, Hi Def. As more homes bring in Hi Def screens, more demand emerges for the content in Hi Def as well. I have one Hi Def TV, and it is not connected to a cable box. Its that obtrusive set-top box, it limits the TVs ability and it takes extra space on the counter. I don't want it. Put the technology inside the TV, authorize with a cablecard, and more people will use their Hi Def TVs to watch Hi Def content.

How fast will it take till all content to be offered in HD? Today, we need a special channel though to watch this content, and even that content is not 24/7 HD. Just take a look at ESPN HD, TNT HD, etc. Some of the programs and of course the ads are still in the "old" format. And most peple may have bought their new HD TV because of the thin screen and ergonomic look, and don't realize they are not getting true HD. Heck they probably don't realize that it has to be tuned to the HD version of the channel showing an HD show. This conversion may take longer than anyone expected.

Intel embracing OCAP

Now that Intel is embracing OCAP, I expect big improvements in the way the TV and the PC finally work together. Mark this day as when TV 2.0 and Web 2.0 merge as one. By supporting OCAP standards, communication among multiple devices should be simplified, enabling the set-top box and pc to come together and run applications across multiple devices. I foresee much easier remote scheduling of your dvr, better downloading and sharing programs network across multiple TVs inside the house, and the ease of more two-way functionality. It will be fun to watch where these new OCAP chips appear first.

Companies Hang Up on Apple's iPhone

Is lack of compatability to office email an issue for the iPhone? No. The bigger issue is that the device is only available through AT&T/Cingular. While executives are tired of carrying too many pieces of equipment on themselves, I believe it will not stop folks from carrying their current blackberry and the iPhone at the same time. Why - First, to keep separate their personal email from their office email, to NOT be connected to their office ALL the time. Hence, two devices. Second, most already carry other devices - ipod, personal cellphone, gameboy, psp, personal dvd player. The iPhone will still enable some consolidation of devices. I've met many folks that already carry both a cellular phone and a blackberry. BUT, I am not a fan of the AT&T phone service, the iPhone's only current carrier. Having switched to Verizon Wireless, I've enjoyed better connections, less drops, and more reliability. Also, at the current price tag, the iPhone is not for everyone, but it will not stop those that want its features from taking it while retaining their business blackberry device at the same time. Me, I'll wait till the Verizon version is released.

Sony introduces Minisodes on My Space

Have you watched a minisode yet? Frankly, I clicked through and watched the Honda commerical followed by a couple minutes of TJ Hooker... and then I clicked off. Great stunt, great promotion, great out of box thinking of using existing video in the new space, but it has no legs and will die a quick death. I tried today to go into My Space and search for Minisode, TJ Hooker, Sony, and other terms in their video box and couldn't find it. And it isn't a featured video either, so I say outa sight, outa mind.

My thinking is that most major entertainment companies are still guessing on how to make the internet work for them. Lots of guesses, few home runs. Re-editing old TV and finding a sponsor, hard to see the future of that. But I don't wan't to be a naysayer. Opportunity does abound, but it is more synergistic than the above stunt. Sneak peaks, deleted scenes, related gaming, interactive discussions, and other TV 2.0 elements will have much stronger legs. Ultimately, the entertainment value brings in the advertising partner, but it also must keep driving the viewer back to the core product/show/movie. New TV shows need to keep adding viewers, no one cares that much about old TV shows.

I recall a number of years ago watching an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond while on a airplane trip; having never watched before, I enjoyed the show and was encouraged to seek it out and watch new episodes on TV. That out of box taste turned me into a viewer. This type of tactic has most potential on the web. Unlike a standalone stunt with old TV shows, the concept should be applied to new shows to help find bring viewers to their TV show. So forget about TJ Hooker, try it with a show currently on the air.

Joost everywhere, embedded in hardware

Is Joost reading my blogs? I'm sure not, but I did write back on 5/31/07 and clearly stated that Joost needs to get into the cable set top box. Well now 2 + weeks later, it is being reported that Joost is talking publicly about this integration. A very obvious and natural fit. This is the ultimate 1000 channel universe, available through the television set, for a big screen experience. Apple TV should consider this an opportunity as well to replace the current version of a set top that cable operators use with a box that accepts the cablecard and OCAP platform and effortlessly integrates the web and tv. As there is no exclusivity of content on these other platforms, Apple TV has free rein to build a home page that eases our navigation. Look how well they manage iTunes! But lets get to the heart of what each of these services are trying to do, deliver an advanced user experience for content. Recognizing the need to work with cable and cable technology may help propel Joost ahead of the pack. But the race is only beginning and Apple, Akimbo, and every other platform with internet embedded video should determine their business strategy for integrating themselves into the big screen TV experience through the cable box or another device. And we still haven't heard a word from the two main MSOs, Comcast and Time Warner. They have a big say, too.

The end of the optical disc

As I read this article, it got me to thinking, with the advent of HD and richer content, what will the next device look like to hold, distribute and share content. History has shown that a new format tends to completely replace an older format. Who needs a VCR today? The DVR has quickly replaced it. It's interesting to recall all the formats we've owned (and obviously your age will determine which format you recall): the LP, EP, and 45 record, the 8 track, tape reels, cassette, beta tape, VHS, floppy disc, zip drive, mini disc, cd rom/compact disc, flash drive, etc. I'm sure I'm missing some more. Of course, the concern remains with digital rights management.
The article suggests that the optical disc (CD/DVD) will fade away in the next 5 years. Seems possible as the flash drive has become more accepted. Maybe the cable box can add a USB port to read those flash drives, or better yet put it on the TV. Makes me think fondly to the old Star Trek series, plastic rectangles inserted into the computer to share content. Makes me think they got it right.

Network based DVR idea backed by Verizon, AT&T, and others

Interesting to hear other companies are now coming to the defense of Cablevision. Even more so, they are all overbuilders to the cable platform, not other MSOs. Cheaper, technologically-superior, are the reasons cited for this support; but perhaps there are other reasons not yet stated. It may also allow for a much more advanced platform to help the consumer search through all this content. A happier consumer means retention and the ability to sell in more products and services. The question of copyright continues to emerge, but the real issue is the advertising, its measurement, and consequently, the real value retained by the content owners. Address those concerns and more companies will back this centralized DVR approach.