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Brodizzle
Guest
Yawn, if I cared I would rabbit on a big list about the 360 as well, meet your destroyer PS3, and his name shall be Bill!
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Laetca
Guest
I'm an idiot when it comes to the technical specifics, I just go for whatever console plays the games I want to play. And I hardly play any games, excepf for Final Fantasy. So that settles it for me.
I always believed that porn was more and more distributed via internet nowadays?
At this opint I'm glad I don't have to wonder whether or not I buy the format that will not make it in the end, since I don't have the money/room/need for it.
One of the perks of living at your parents'.
If I was living on my own, I'd just sit it out, I never felt the 'Ooh, something new, MUST HAVE' sensation (still haven't gotten round to buying an mp3 playing device), so I have no problem waiting to see what format wins.
On something else:
I was in a store the other day, and there it was, a shelf full of VHS casettes. At first I thought, must be old films that still haven't sold. Turns out, one of the ***les was Clerks II. I could be mistaken, but that film isn't ten years old, is it?
Instead of wondering who will win, maybe we should stop and think who the hell is still releasing films on VHS.
I always believed that porn was more and more distributed via internet nowadays?
At this opint I'm glad I don't have to wonder whether or not I buy the format that will not make it in the end, since I don't have the money/room/need for it.
One of the perks of living at your parents'.
If I was living on my own, I'd just sit it out, I never felt the 'Ooh, something new, MUST HAVE' sensation (still haven't gotten round to buying an mp3 playing device), so I have no problem waiting to see what format wins.
On something else:
I was in a store the other day, and there it was, a shelf full of VHS casettes. At first I thought, must be old films that still haven't sold. Turns out, one of the ***les was Clerks II. I could be mistaken, but that film isn't ten years old, is it?
Instead of wondering who will win, maybe we should stop and think who the hell is still releasing films on VHS.
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Steve-o
Guest
People who haven't gotten round to buying DVD equipment?
Just a hunch
Just a hunch
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C A Iversen
Guest
Well, the US and Japan are good indicators of how most western nations technology will play out 12-24 months later.
Right now, the market share in the US for (after 2007) is something like:
HD (Blu Ray/HD-DVD) - 19% (Up from 5% in '06).
DVD is still overwhelmingly the big format on 79%, with VHS at 2% and almost dead.
If the trend continues, 2008 will see HD formats take a firm bite into the market with 25-30%, before beginning to be a serious threat to DVD in 2009 with 40-50%.
The dominant market force in home ***les in late 2010 will be HD.
For those waiting for it to become cheaper to adopt big screens (LCD/Plasma) and Blu Ray (likely winning format by end '08), I would be guessing that thing will start getting a lot more affordable in 12 months time.
I can already see the smug "I'm quite happy with dvd right now, thank you" replies before they arrive. Well, if so, good for you.
This thread is about High Definition home entertainment. Start one on dvd's, lol.
Right now, the market share in the US for (after 2007) is something like:
HD (Blu Ray/HD-DVD) - 19% (Up from 5% in '06).
DVD is still overwhelmingly the big format on 79%, with VHS at 2% and almost dead.
If the trend continues, 2008 will see HD formats take a firm bite into the market with 25-30%, before beginning to be a serious threat to DVD in 2009 with 40-50%.
The dominant market force in home ***les in late 2010 will be HD.
For those waiting for it to become cheaper to adopt big screens (LCD/Plasma) and Blu Ray (likely winning format by end '08), I would be guessing that thing will start getting a lot more affordable in 12 months time.
I can already see the smug "I'm quite happy with dvd right now, thank you" replies before they arrive. Well, if so, good for you.
This thread is about High Definition home entertainment. Start one on dvd's, lol.
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getofmeland
Guest
To be honest I could see this kind of media ending very soon.. The Future is Solid, The Future is Solid State... Music is slowly going away from disks, you can now buy albums on usb memory sticks... So whats next Films, think about it... Its cheaper, its smaller, its easier to store, its actually could be a vastly superior quality to that of a disk...
Also think of your rental store, you go in with your membership card which is actually a memory stick, plug it into a terminal download your film, no need to return it because it expires... or even just download from your PC...
The Technology is there to be used, and it will be...
So HD DVD vs BluRay... Bah wait for solid state...
Also think of your rental store, you go in with your membership card which is actually a memory stick, plug it into a terminal download your film, no need to return it because it expires... or even just download from your PC...
The Technology is there to be used, and it will be...
So HD DVD vs BluRay... Bah wait for solid state...
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C A Iversen
Guest
I have a feeling people will always want to buy an original copy of something. I can't see someones sons or daughters unwrapping a memory stick or a code for a free online download in their christmas presents.
Also, internationally, bandwidth is slowly becoming a problem. The limits to how many people can access many gb's of data at one time are there and that problem is growing faster than the solution. There are DRM issues to work through yet, too.
I do think that solid state will get some market penetration, although it's a while off yet. It'll be good for rental's and straight from store purchase (until the memory sticks are cracked).
If it were as cut and dried as getofmeland believes, the billions floating around in the format war funded by huge multi-national corporations is all for nothing. I have an idea that they know more about what they are doing than you or I, as they have a much bigger stake in it and a massive team of market analysts.
The future isn't always the highest tech winning straight away. Just ask Nintendo.
Mind you, the Sony's, Toshiba's, Microsoft's, Panasonic's, Samsung's and all the movie studios of the world could be wrong though.
Also, internationally, bandwidth is slowly becoming a problem. The limits to how many people can access many gb's of data at one time are there and that problem is growing faster than the solution. There are DRM issues to work through yet, too.
I do think that solid state will get some market penetration, although it's a while off yet. It'll be good for rental's and straight from store purchase (until the memory sticks are cracked).
If it were as cut and dried as getofmeland believes, the billions floating around in the format war funded by huge multi-national corporations is all for nothing. I have an idea that they know more about what they are doing than you or I, as they have a much bigger stake in it and a massive team of market analysts.
The future isn't always the highest tech winning straight away. Just ask Nintendo.
Mind you, the Sony's, Toshiba's, Microsoft's, Panasonic's, Samsung's and all the movie studios of the world could be wrong though.
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St Helens RLFC
Guest
Absolutely correct.
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getofmeland
Guest
Ahh But Kids get a thrill out of opening a box which is the size of a DS Box but inside a memory stick instead of a disc... Whats the difference, no one is saying that they are not going to get a physical object, they will, but it will be a different kind.
Also it is not that far fetched Microsoft and Sony have both invested heavily in Solid State... You are now also able to get a memory stick with the capacity of 64GB its gonna grow...
Also the Digital Rights are getting tougher and tougher, but BluRay and HDDVD have already been cracked... plus with a Solid State device, you could have a higher level of protection than on a disc...
I am not saying that Disc's won't exist but they can only go on for a certain period... look at DVD Writers for your tele, they are redundant it has gone to Hard Disk Storage to record your favourite programs... MP3 Players Solid State now, it is only a matter of time before you will be able to buy films on Solid State Devices...
Yes they are investing money in the current Format War, but that is because they do not want their format to fail, there will be a place in the market for 5 years for BluRay or HD DVD, but that period is enough to make there money back, the longer term investment is going into Solid State Media...
A recent article I read to do with the future media market, was saying that Fujitsu labs had developed a Solid State device capable of being able to hold 1TB of data on it...
I personally don't think the Internet Movie Market will be as popular as the music market, however the issues with Bandwidth are occuring already but the situation will improve as more phone networks upgrade to fibre channels the data will move faster, there is investment to be needed and the major corporations will make these investments...
I think it is very short sited to look at BluRay or HD DVD being the solution, they are not, they are a short term filler like DVD has been, the media market will exist on so many levels, but I do feel that Solid State will be the one which will stick around...
Also what port does most devices have on it at the moment???
USB!!! - this allows them to use a cheap universal media...
You may think I am talking madness but I have seen this coming for a while now... especially as the technology will grow and grow as it will be needed by big business, not just the entertainment market like BluRay and HDDVD are at the moment...
Also it is not that far fetched Microsoft and Sony have both invested heavily in Solid State... You are now also able to get a memory stick with the capacity of 64GB its gonna grow...
Also the Digital Rights are getting tougher and tougher, but BluRay and HDDVD have already been cracked... plus with a Solid State device, you could have a higher level of protection than on a disc...
I am not saying that Disc's won't exist but they can only go on for a certain period... look at DVD Writers for your tele, they are redundant it has gone to Hard Disk Storage to record your favourite programs... MP3 Players Solid State now, it is only a matter of time before you will be able to buy films on Solid State Devices...
Yes they are investing money in the current Format War, but that is because they do not want their format to fail, there will be a place in the market for 5 years for BluRay or HD DVD, but that period is enough to make there money back, the longer term investment is going into Solid State Media...
A recent article I read to do with the future media market, was saying that Fujitsu labs had developed a Solid State device capable of being able to hold 1TB of data on it...
I personally don't think the Internet Movie Market will be as popular as the music market, however the issues with Bandwidth are occuring already but the situation will improve as more phone networks upgrade to fibre channels the data will move faster, there is investment to be needed and the major corporations will make these investments...
I think it is very short sited to look at BluRay or HD DVD being the solution, they are not, they are a short term filler like DVD has been, the media market will exist on so many levels, but I do feel that Solid State will be the one which will stick around...
Also what port does most devices have on it at the moment???
USB!!! - this allows them to use a cheap universal media...
You may think I am talking madness but I have seen this coming for a while now... especially as the technology will grow and grow as it will be needed by big business, not just the entertainment market like BluRay and HDDVD are at the moment...
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getofmeland
Guest
Also forgot to mention Durability... A Solid State Device will last longer than a disk, therefore better satisfaction for the customer...
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C A Iversen
Guest
I think you are largely right, Charlie. I do, but I think your timeline is a little too advanced.
It looks more like the next 5 years will be gradual HD disc dominance. Approximately 5 years from now, solid state storage will get it's foothold as a consumer retail medium for movie, tv show & concert releases.
There will be then, as always (as we have now with dvd's in fact), a period of co-existence for the two technological platforms. Probably another 5 years.
People will still even then want to own a package which represents the movie (or whatever), as all collectors like something to hold onto. It'll just be a smaller market. Much smaller.
This is all a fair while off, I don't think people are going to stop buying discs and wait, whatever type you favour. I don't believe people will wait 5 years to jump into the solid state usb based methods, before buying ***les they like. Anything can happen in life, you could get hit by a bus while your waiting. Humans aren't great at waiting anyway.
I had a guy I know say recently about the whole 360/PS3 thing, "Why's anyone buying those, the next one's will be out in 2 or 3 years". Absolutely clueless. I just said, "And you'll buy one of them, eh?". He said "Yeah, probably". So, I replied, "But the ones that supersede those will be out 2-3 years after that, if I use your logic". Some people are idiots. Anyhow, it's not 2-3 years, it's more like 4 for the Xbox 360 and 5-6 for the PS3. At least.
My point is. If people keep waiting for the next best thing, they'll be waiting forever. If you like something and can afford it, you may as well get it.
Everything has it's day eventually.
P.S. Durability? People will find a way to break anything. What happens if lightning spikes your main device's HDD and fries 40 movies? Hardware failure won't ruin the discs on my shelf.
It looks more like the next 5 years will be gradual HD disc dominance. Approximately 5 years from now, solid state storage will get it's foothold as a consumer retail medium for movie, tv show & concert releases.
There will be then, as always (as we have now with dvd's in fact), a period of co-existence for the two technological platforms. Probably another 5 years.
People will still even then want to own a package which represents the movie (or whatever), as all collectors like something to hold onto. It'll just be a smaller market. Much smaller.
This is all a fair while off, I don't think people are going to stop buying discs and wait, whatever type you favour. I don't believe people will wait 5 years to jump into the solid state usb based methods, before buying ***les they like. Anything can happen in life, you could get hit by a bus while your waiting. Humans aren't great at waiting anyway.
I had a guy I know say recently about the whole 360/PS3 thing, "Why's anyone buying those, the next one's will be out in 2 or 3 years". Absolutely clueless. I just said, "And you'll buy one of them, eh?". He said "Yeah, probably". So, I replied, "But the ones that supersede those will be out 2-3 years after that, if I use your logic". Some people are idiots. Anyhow, it's not 2-3 years, it's more like 4 for the Xbox 360 and 5-6 for the PS3. At least.
My point is. If people keep waiting for the next best thing, they'll be waiting forever. If you like something and can afford it, you may as well get it.
Everything has it's day eventually.
P.S. Durability? People will find a way to break anything. What happens if lightning spikes your main device's HDD and fries 40 movies? Hardware failure won't ruin the discs on my shelf.
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getofmeland
Guest
Of course it is not going to be released yet, but like I said Bluray will stick around for 5 years, then they will launch Solid State running on USB 3.0 which will be capable of bandwidth reaching 5Gbps or 10x USB 2.0
which I believe is a faster data transfer of BluRay and HD DVD... so things will defiently be moving towards things...
But if you think back the N64 was solid state, then the playstation pushed disk based format which was lead by the peak in technology, now we seem to be nearing in a few years the same occurrence and i am sure we will see it again. The only winner will be the manufacturers....
Also on the Durability, sure people will break things its human nature... On the lightning strikes your data would be fine on Solid State, unlike normal HDD, solid state is non volatile, its not indestructible but it is far better than current SATA and IDE HDD...
which I believe is a faster data transfer of BluRay and HD DVD... so things will defiently be moving towards things...
But if you think back the N64 was solid state, then the playstation pushed disk based format which was lead by the peak in technology, now we seem to be nearing in a few years the same occurrence and i am sure we will see it again. The only winner will be the manufacturers....
Also on the Durability, sure people will break things its human nature... On the lightning strikes your data would be fine on Solid State, unlike normal HDD, solid state is non volatile, its not indestructible but it is far better than current SATA and IDE HDD...
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Brodizzle
Guest
The need for a solid 'collector' type cd or whatever will soon be phased out, you can see it already with music, where instead of buying albums, people simply download album after album and get a whole library of music, with no thought of the physical medium. I remember going to the local store and getting a single cassette or CD, yet the cd single is largely obsolete now, who is to say that the album will not be the same. Movie downloads are following the trend, only held back by download speeds and the like. Don't kid yourself that this won't be exploited, as it is in countries such as Japan (a trend setter right?) that the internet has evolved to the level where movie downloads are a viable option. Why would music go this way and movies not do the same, is there any essential difference between them? Despite the preconcieved notions on how they should or shouldn't be, which can easily be molded over time ala the acceptance of Mp3 downloading....
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C A Iversen
Guest
Not kidding myself about that. As you said yourself, it'll happen over time. Due to the huge volume of data required for HD (not standard crappy avi's) movies, retail quality download is at least 5 years away in most countries.
If anyone thinks it's happening this year or next, then who's living in the dream world?
If anyone thinks it's happening this year or next, then who's living in the dream world?
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Ripper
Guest
I just want the Blu Ray to win since it appears to have the upperhand. If the positions were reversed, I would want HD-DVD to win. I don't really give a f*** which one wins, they both look the same and both store uber amounts of data on the discs. The sooner one format winners, the sooner i'll decide on what next gen console to buy.
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Dmx#1
Guest
Sigbritt, 75, has world's fastest broadband
Published: 12 Jul 07 11:07 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/7869/
A 75 year old woman from Karlstad in central Sweden has been thrust into the IT history books - with the world's fastest internet connection.
But Sigbritt, who had never had a computer until now, is no ordinary 75 year old. She is the mother of Swedish internet legend Peter Löthberg who, along with Karlstad Stadsnät, the local council's network arm, has arranged the connection.
"This is more than just a demonstration," said network boss Hafsteinn Jonsson.
"As a network owner we're trying to persuade internet operators to invest in faster connections. And Peter Löthberg wanted to show how you can build a low price, high capacity line over long distances," he told The Local.
Sigbritt will now be able to enjoy 1,500 high definition HDTV channels simultaneously. Or, if there is nothing worth watching there, she will be able to download a full high definition DVD in just two seconds.
The secret behind Sigbritt's ultra-fast connection is a new modulation technique which allows data to be transferred directly between two routers up to 2,000 kilometres apart, with no intermediary transponders.
According to Karlstad Stadsnät the distance is, in theory, unlimited - there is no data loss as long as the fibre is in place.
"I want to show that there are other methods than the old fashioned ways such as copper wires and radio, which lack the possibilities that fibre has," said Peter Löthberg, who now works at Cisco.
Cisco contributed to the project but the point, said Hafsteinn Jonsson, is that fibre technology makes such high speed connections technically and commercially viable.
"The most difficult part of the whole project was installing Windows on Sigbritt's PC," said Jonsson.
http://www.thelocal.se/7869/20070712/
Published: 12 Jul 07 11:07 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/7869/
A 75 year old woman from Karlstad in central Sweden has been thrust into the IT history books - with the world's fastest internet connection.
- Busker beware: Gothenburg traders close to tears (10 Jan 08)
- Babies share ward with 104-year-old woman (10 Jan 08)
- Postcard arrives 25 years late (9 Jan 08)
But Sigbritt, who had never had a computer until now, is no ordinary 75 year old. She is the mother of Swedish internet legend Peter Löthberg who, along with Karlstad Stadsnät, the local council's network arm, has arranged the connection.
"This is more than just a demonstration," said network boss Hafsteinn Jonsson.
"As a network owner we're trying to persuade internet operators to invest in faster connections. And Peter Löthberg wanted to show how you can build a low price, high capacity line over long distances," he told The Local.
Sigbritt will now be able to enjoy 1,500 high definition HDTV channels simultaneously. Or, if there is nothing worth watching there, she will be able to download a full high definition DVD in just two seconds.
The secret behind Sigbritt's ultra-fast connection is a new modulation technique which allows data to be transferred directly between two routers up to 2,000 kilometres apart, with no intermediary transponders.
According to Karlstad Stadsnät the distance is, in theory, unlimited - there is no data loss as long as the fibre is in place.
"I want to show that there are other methods than the old fashioned ways such as copper wires and radio, which lack the possibilities that fibre has," said Peter Löthberg, who now works at Cisco.
Cisco contributed to the project but the point, said Hafsteinn Jonsson, is that fibre technology makes such high speed connections technically and commercially viable.
"The most difficult part of the whole project was installing Windows on Sigbritt's PC," said Jonsson.
http://www.thelocal.se/7869/20070712/
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Brodizzle
Guest
THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION IS NIGH!
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redunderthebed
Guest
I think the picture quality on the standard DVD is pretty good as is.I would imagine you would need a plasma or LCD to fully appreciate the difference therefor i will wait until one format becomes top dog and the standard before i shell out money for it.
Not to mention by that time they have got affordable for us peasants.
Not to mention by that time they have got affordable for us peasants.
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redunderthebed
Guest
Yes, HD-DVD's players and discs are marginally cheaper, right at the moment, this will change. No Sony does not have any trouble producing dual layer Blu Ray discs.
Standard single sided capacity: HD-DVD: 15GB - BLU RAY: 25GB
Double Sided: HD-DVD: 30GB - BLU RAY: 50GB
Double Sided Dual Layer: HD-DVD: 60GB - BLU RAY: 100GB
All this means that Blu Ray discs can be encoded at a much higher bit-rate which in turn will make for a better picture on 1080p HD screens or more overall content.
For example: One Blu Ray double-sided dual layer disc could hold the entire Lord Of The Rings Trilogy encoded a better bit-rate than DVD. A Hd-Dvd of the same sides/layers could hold it at a much worse bit-rate than DVD.
Overall the major difference is storage.
Also, Blu Ray discs are not likely to be anymore expensive than a HD-DVD disc for much longer at all. Also, recently America's biggest video rental group, Blockbuster announced that as far as the format war is concerned it was exclusively Blu Ray from now on. Blu Ray has the support of about 65% of Hollywood Studios.
HD-DVD is however to be heavily utilised by the porn industry as Sony will give them no help in producing Blu Ray discs. They are not for porn, although will not stop them figuring out how to do it themselves. Many industry analysts thought this may be a potential early victory for HD-DVD, although I ask: How Hi-Def and close to real life does this stuff have to look? Only very lonely people are going to want to feel like they are really in the room with the porn stars.
In short it will be an interesting format war, although I don't think we'll have to wait 5 years for a winner. I reckon 3.
[/b][/quote]
The Porn industry are historically the pioneers of technology (internet,DVD's etc etc).......Betamax was sunk more or less because the Porn Industry used the VHS format
I dont think its that shite teh mite. <_<
No because the big corporations lose control over it.All legal attempts to do this have being limited so they as i said before dont lose control over content therefor it will not win EVER.Any attempts to implement this outside the cosy entertainment system will be crushed.
Yeah i agree
It has happened before i wouldnt doubt it will happen again.Because as i said before Porn industry is a pioneer of technology therefor if they adopt it millions nay billions will go into the coffers of the side it supports.
Yep whatever is cost-effective and open for their use they will use.That where VHS won.
That will never change.
So let me get this straight the technology of the future was already utilised in the N64 which correct me if im wrong was released in the late 90's early 00's. :blink:
Talk about looking back at the past to find the future. <_<
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Brodizzle
Guest
No because the big corporations lose control over it.All legal attempts to do this have being limited so they as i said before dont lose control over content therefor it will not win EVER.Any attempts to implement this outside the cosy entertainment system will be crushed.
That will never change.
[/b][/quote]
First quote, how is this limited? Because at the moment on demand content on your television is not as wide spanning as DVD's? Look at Fox Box Office and the On Demand function on Foxtel. This is fairly new technology and will only expand. I don't see wher eyou are coming from, if Fox decided to charge $2 or so to save a particular program to thier set top box memory how would this be limited, they could connect the boxes to a overall database so that programs can be selected when they want to be watched....how is this unrealistic, the entertainment industry are already implementing such schemes on a smaller scale....
Second quote, Why won't it change, look at Radioheads album, downloadable on the internet with a option to buy a collectors edition. I reiterate the fact that cd singles are no longer being produced (at least not in huge volumes)because of digital downloads taking off. When I go to mates places for a party or whatever it is often the case that they have set up thier laptop or computer to thier speakers to play thier massive mp3 collection instead of having to swap CD after CD, yet they never get chasticed or feel wierd about not having the hard copy...it's only a matter of time before the same thing happens with movies...
Look at recorders for television at the moment, many implement hard drives, why is it not forseeable for multiple computer ideas like downloading to be linked to the television, afterall wasn't the PS3 intended to be part of the ultimate home entertainment unit.
Up until the Wright Brothers flew most people thought that it was impossible for man to fly....things change, it is downright ignorant to say attitudes or ways of doing things won't....or else we would still be riding bareback on horses waving broadswords...
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C A Iversen
Guest
Um, this link will also help those who think that bandwidth is keeping up with technology.
http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topstock...ernet-fees.aspx
Or for those who can't be bothered.....
Time Warner trial ends flat-rate Internet fees
Posted Jan 17 2008, 03:32 PM by Kim Peterson
Filed under: Microsoft, Apple, Netflix, Time Warner Cable, online video
Talk about bad timing. Apple just announced it will offer downloaded movie rentals (including high-def) over the Internet. Netflix is working on a set-top box to do the same thing, and Microsoft has been ramping up its downloadable movie offerings over Xbox Live.
Now, one cable company is starting to push back at excessive bandwidth usage caused mainly by video downloading. After an internal memo was leaked, Time Warner Cable confirmed it's planning a trial in Beaumont, Tex., in which it will charge Internet subscribers based on usage. (Time Warner's share price closed unchanged today.)
It's a tricky situation for Time Warner and other cable companies. Customers generally pay a flat rate for Internet (about $50 a month in my case), but a small minority are basically torrenting HD movies like crazy and sucking up a bunch of bandwidth. According to the leaked memo, 5% of subscribers were using up half of the total bandwidth.
So a few people are fiber hogs. Time Warner probably could have handled that motley crew of torrenters, if it was just that. But the cable operator sees what's coming. Video downloading -- particularly high-def downloading -- is moving more into the mainstream as tech companies make it easier to rent and buy movies online. A few months of that and Time Warner is going to have a real bandwidth problem on its hands.
This new billing system will reportedly apply to new customers only, and Time Warner isn't giving any details about how it will structure the system or how much it will charge people. I'm assuming there will be some sort of tiered-rate scenario. The idea raises some questions.
1. What if you have an unprotected network? I know someone who only *REMOVED* albums when she's able to get on her neighbor's open network, thereby avoiding the wrath of the RIAA. Will people be punished for not locking down their networks?
2. Will there be "peak" and "off-peak" hours? Some areas give electricity customers a reduced rate during off-peak hours. If you download a movie at 3 a.m., when bandwidth usage is down, do you get a break?
3. How much is too much? Time Warner will let subscribers track their Internet usage so they know how close they're getting to a bandwidth cap. But what will that cap be? Will I cross the line if I download three movies a week? Or five? And does YouTube viewing factor into this as well?
4. Will Time Warner direct any new revenue from this into badly-needed network expansion?
At least Time Warner isn't doing a Comcast-style termination of the accounts of heavy downloaders. That's bad business.
This is what we live with in NZ. I think our Telecom (owns our whole fiber-optic and telephone exchange) saw this coming. Your country won't be far away.
http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topstock...ernet-fees.aspx
Or for those who can't be bothered.....
Time Warner trial ends flat-rate Internet fees
Posted Jan 17 2008, 03:32 PM by Kim Peterson
Filed under: Microsoft, Apple, Netflix, Time Warner Cable, online video
Talk about bad timing. Apple just announced it will offer downloaded movie rentals (including high-def) over the Internet. Netflix is working on a set-top box to do the same thing, and Microsoft has been ramping up its downloadable movie offerings over Xbox Live.
Now, one cable company is starting to push back at excessive bandwidth usage caused mainly by video downloading. After an internal memo was leaked, Time Warner Cable confirmed it's planning a trial in Beaumont, Tex., in which it will charge Internet subscribers based on usage. (Time Warner's share price closed unchanged today.)
It's a tricky situation for Time Warner and other cable companies. Customers generally pay a flat rate for Internet (about $50 a month in my case), but a small minority are basically torrenting HD movies like crazy and sucking up a bunch of bandwidth. According to the leaked memo, 5% of subscribers were using up half of the total bandwidth.
So a few people are fiber hogs. Time Warner probably could have handled that motley crew of torrenters, if it was just that. But the cable operator sees what's coming. Video downloading -- particularly high-def downloading -- is moving more into the mainstream as tech companies make it easier to rent and buy movies online. A few months of that and Time Warner is going to have a real bandwidth problem on its hands.
This new billing system will reportedly apply to new customers only, and Time Warner isn't giving any details about how it will structure the system or how much it will charge people. I'm assuming there will be some sort of tiered-rate scenario. The idea raises some questions.
1. What if you have an unprotected network? I know someone who only *REMOVED* albums when she's able to get on her neighbor's open network, thereby avoiding the wrath of the RIAA. Will people be punished for not locking down their networks?
2. Will there be "peak" and "off-peak" hours? Some areas give electricity customers a reduced rate during off-peak hours. If you download a movie at 3 a.m., when bandwidth usage is down, do you get a break?
3. How much is too much? Time Warner will let subscribers track their Internet usage so they know how close they're getting to a bandwidth cap. But what will that cap be? Will I cross the line if I download three movies a week? Or five? And does YouTube viewing factor into this as well?
4. Will Time Warner direct any new revenue from this into badly-needed network expansion?
At least Time Warner isn't doing a Comcast-style termination of the accounts of heavy downloaders. That's bad business.
This is what we live with in NZ. I think our Telecom (owns our whole fiber-optic and telephone exchange) saw this coming. Your country won't be far away.
