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Monday, Apr 22, 2002
Digital Video Networks
April 22, 2002
Technology trends are frequently overhyped, fail to live up to overblown expectations, but then succeed quietly. "Multimedia convergence" is a good example. Some of the basic concepts make sense, to the point of being inevitable. But too many people were claiming entirely too much.
I use the phrase "zero billion dollar market" to describe some of the wackier ideas. The typical projections for such a market have the infamous hockey stick graph. "Well, right now we're not selling anything, but in 18 months we're going to turn a corner and watch out!"
At NAB, most of the streaming media startups seemed to have evaporated. But, convergence is still plodding along, filling in the gaps. Here are a few examples.
- In the olden days, networks and syndicaters sent content to affiliates by rolling tape decks, and bouncing real-time video over a satellite. Now, there are several IP-based solutions in operation. They're not sold using phrases like "information superhighway", but with phrases like "simplify your operation".
- Video servers have not replaced video tape, but they are inexorably pushing it into a corner. Servers are taking over for active material in the production chain, while tapes are being relegated to archive. And you can archive to tape by doing a file transfer over ethernet. Try that with your VHS deck.
- Streaming video for consumers is still alive. Although many companies are gone, Real Networks is still doing cool stuff and useful stuff.
The prospect of another whirlwind decade of change is enough to stir my work-related neurons. I'm planning to set up some sort of home network, with servers and clients and all sorts of cool stuff. I'm looking to build a sort of digital video networking playground to get familiar with the current state of technology.
Woefully, connecting my internet to the Internet is the major stumbling block. I can't get DSL. I can't get a cable modem. I can get satellite "DSL", but they are mighty stingy with their bits, and don't support home networking. But I have found my salvation in ancient technology: ISDN.
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