Another Linux Based Multimedia device on the way?

2433 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by brainer, Aug 12, 2010

EricReesor

Discussion Starter · Jul 12, 2010

The PopBox is an interesting idea and Net based TV is most likely going to happen fairly soon..even though companies like Shaw dread it and there is resistance to it in Canada. Lets face it IPTV will happen ...Big question is in which form and will the advertising and PPV revenue be there to make the providers see the light?
With the plethora of new and innovative devices that run Linux the potential for advances in media distribution are just starting to be realized and the sooner the stuck in the mud providers see the light the better!

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classicsat

· #2 · Jul 12, 2010

It is Internet TV, not IPTV. IPTV is what Telus and Bell sell.

In any case, it is not that these boxes run a form of Linux that matters, it is that they can access some content directly, yes bypassing the pay TV providers, and even broadcasters/specialty channels.

It is the online content distribution companies that are making the rules in this new game, not box manufacturers. It is Hulu, Netflix, Youtube, and others.
Advertising will be pre-roll, and advertising in the "guide".

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EricReesor

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 12, 2010

classicsat said:
It is Internet TV, not IPTV. IPTV is what Telus and Bell sell.

What I was thinking is that existing companies like Shaw could easily create very effective online access TV for subscribers. The upside could be programming on demand. Rogers is trying something along this line already with their existing stbs.

How well this will sit with the CRTC is the big question...and yes the programming providers are at the core of what is wrong with the current system.

Looking at the specs for this device it is possible to have the ip address set to do localized access as well. Essentially what current stbs do to access the cable digital feed. I see no reason why you could not surf the web, do email, online services, etc with the same device that you either watch on demand TV or regular programming.

There is absolutely no reason why e-mail and other internet content could not be available through one device without having to use a separate HTPC.

I am sure this device is vapor ware and will fail in North America because the current system is still geared toward scheduled programming and very limited access to diverse ppv content over the wires. However it could succeed in countries where the entertainment, internet providers and Government regulators (who are largely industry controlled) are more forward thinking.

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classicsat

· #4 · Jul 13, 2010

It is still not IPTV, in the technical sense as Bell and Telus offer IPTV as an. alternative to a traditional cable TV service, even if the provider provides the content for consumption on their network. The difference is what you are thinking works over "layer 3" on the network, while Bell/Telus IPTV work on "Level 2". And that is all regardless of the OS the receving computer or box runs on.

I will say that real IPTV providers mostly use Microsoft MediaRoom, which I highly doubt runs on Linux.

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brainer

· #5 · Aug 12, 2010

I think most of this will just become a distant memory as soon
as Google releases their upcoming TV box.

It will combine programming from your current signal provider
(antenna/cable/sat etc) as well as web content and more.

It's Google, so it'll likely be easy enough for a monkey to use,
yet stable. I'm not impressed with its current "search engine"
style interface, but I'm sure that will improve.

Brainer

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