OUTSIDE THE BOX: Video on Demand Comes of Age

[John Corn]

What's the next big tech battle looming on the horizon? The war between satellite and cable television it seems. Not so much Sex and the City as “broad” band? A report in the New York Times examines the coming of age of video on demand-the major advantage that cable TV has over satellite companies like Echostar (DISH) and Hughes Corporation's (GMH) DirecTV. AOL Time Warner (AOL), Comcast (CMCSK), which became the nation's largest cable company following completion of its purchase of AT&T's (T) cable division, and Cablevision Systems Corporation (CVC) are the hoping that video on demand will bring back customers who have been lured away by Satellite television's ability to provide hundreds of made-for-television programs and movie channels. What the cable companies are betting on is that video on demand will be sufficient to entice previously dissatisfied couch potatoes back.


Full Story (http://biz.yahoo.com/opt/021125/699c3a87218835da1e915cd390dacded_1.html)

[Chris Freeland]

With Dish PVR and Direct DSR powered by Tivo available with E* and D*, who needs VOD on cable?

[Scott Greczkowski]

Actually the 721 CAN do Video On Demand. There is space put reserved on the 721 reserved for this feature.

I was able to see and play with HBO on Demand on a Time Warner Cable system a few month ago, this was an amazing service! I don't think that the 721's video on demand will be as robust but I think we will find it usefull.

Check out more on this service here http://www.hbo.com/hboondemand/?ntrack_para1=leftnav_other1_0

[DarrellP]

Does VOD work like a PVR? Can it be paused/rewound etc? How long do you have to watch it? Is there a fee for it? I don't see any value in it if it has no PVR or archive capability. It's a snowy day in Hell when I can sit down and watch anything in one sitting. The PVR has saved my TV viewing life.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Yes VOD works exactly like a PVR. :)

[dishrich]

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski
Yes VOD works exactly like a PVR. :)

Hmm, I wouldn't say it does. A PVR has to have the shows downloaded on the HD prior to a view wanting to see it. VOD has ALL the shows stored on a server, ready for YOU to INSTANTLY ask to view it IMMEDIATELY.

Now, that being said, I really have NO desire to (pay, no less) have the ability to ask for shows that basically have/are already playing on the same channels that can be recorded on a PVR that I desire.

[Scott Greczkowski]

dishrich you are incorrect, when you watch VOD on Cable you press the Pause button it pauses on the TV, you can rewind it fast forward it, etc. Just because its not on a hard drive on your Cable Box does not mean it does not have PVR features.

[Jacob S]

If its not on a hard drive on the cable box then how does it work?

[dishrich]

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski
dishrich you are incorrect, when you watch VOD on Cable you press the Pause button it pauses on the TV, you can rewind it fast forward it, etc. Just because its not on a hard drive on your Cable Box does not mean it does not have PVR features.

Uh, I didn't say you COULDN'T rewind, FF, etc - I am VERY well aware you can do this on VOD. Obviously, BOTH VOD & PVR allow you to do this.

(to answer Jacob's question too) The point I was making is that VOD does NOT work like a PVR, in respect that the content for VOD is ALWAYS there, for you to watch at ANY time you want, since it is loaded out on a server. Obviously, in order to watch something on your PVR, one MUST aquire the prog to watch in the first place, either by prog it to be recorded at a later time, or like something along the "Tivo suggestions".

[Scott Greczkowski]

Originally posted by Jacob S
If its not on a hard drive on the cable box then how does it work?

The VOD is on the Hard Drive at the Cable company. Remember Digital Cable is just like a HUGE computer network.

Digital is Digital in that regard.

When you press Pause on your remote while watching Video On Demand it sends the signal to the VOD server at the cable company which pauses it for you. Because of the data speeds available pressing pause and having it pause are almost instant.

Video on Demand is DATA, Think of the Digital Cable box being what a actually is a giant cable modem, but instead of surfing the net you are surfing the Data which lets you watch TV.