Channel Register has written an analysis of Cisco's IPTV endeavors stating the company is bidding to control IPTV through network (remote) PVR and VoD services.Back in August Cisco announced it was buying the VoD services company, Arroyo. Cisco appears to be creating "a simple server architecture which allows modular upgrades to VoD servers and adds the load balancing and resilience".
Cisco is saying that this new VoD system will be used for on demand video, network PVRs and time shifting capabilities with support for multiple devices including set top boxes, PCs and PMPs.
Additionally the service will be spliced with adverts that can be inserted into videos offering targeted advertising or personalized content.
All this sounds to me like an advanced network PVR that will work with multiple devices in and outside the home. You could get personalized video anywhere using this service so forget the Slingbox.
While CableVision was shot down by lawsuits for its nPVR service, Cisco may be able to win over content owners as it sounds like they will have a lot of control over the content and be able to allow content owners to make money by inserting targeted adverts. This could be the middle ground needed to get the nPVR off the ground.
1. If that's the "middle ground" then they are doomed to COMPLETE failure.
The closest thing to "middle ground" is the adverts may only be placed at the beginning or end of media, AND the user can skip the advert with a single press of a button on their remote control. If BOTH of those conditions aren't in there then this is a complete NON-STARTER.
I've been recording everything I want to watch on TV for over 20 years, way before PVR's, to a) conform to my crazy work/life schedule and b) skip all the commercials! By doing this I can watch an entire TV movie, and 2 1/2 hour sitcoms in the time it takes someone who doesn't record their TV to watch a single Tv movie.
Posted at 7:14AM on Dec 17th 2006 by Wayne Dunham