Abstract
Video Sever-based Products can Cost-Effectively Replace Video Tape Recorders
Digital video recorders (DVRs) pack the functionalities of multiple video tape recorders (VTRs)
into a single box, giving broadcasters a compelling financial incentive in terms of cost of
ownership and maintenance. Traditional client-based personal video recorders (PVRs) are expensive
and are prone to content piracy issues. Telecom companies are attempting to generate demand for the
video component of their offerings by promoting Internet protocol television (IPTV) among
traditional cable and satellite customers. Their strategy includes passing on cost savings to
customers, while simultaneously appeasing content owners. This is done by providing customers with
PVR functionality without actually letting them record any content at their premises thereby easing
piracy concerns.
This Frost & Sullivan research provides an overview of the world broadcast and network DVR
markets. The market has been segmented into digital media, digital streaming, digital encoding,
digital asset management, digital rights management, and video servers. It also discusses the
driving and restraining factors for revenue generation and gives recommendations on how to proceed
in this market. The research enables companies to align their positioning strategies to benefit from
the changing markets and obtain maximum return on investment.
Significant Value Proposition of Digitized Media to Drive Uptake of DVRs
The value proposition of DVRs can be quantified as savings on physical archives, collaboration,
near real-time delivery, reduced time to market, and cutbacks in expenses on retrieving lost or
misplaced assets. Potential customers have begun to show interest in the products due to the ease
and swiftness of editing video content stored on a video server-based DVR as opposed to on
videotape. Moreover, the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) mandate to switch to digital
format has enhanced the demand for larger video server solutions with greater applications.
With this decision, there have been rapid and wide-ranging changes in the broadcast workflow --
starting with cameras and the encoding and ingest process through to the editing, recording, and
management, and finally the provision of content. "Most broadcast stations in the United States
are now digitalized and are increasingly moving toward high definition (HD) transmission, and Europe
is also expected to shift to the digital format by 2008-2010," says the analyst of this
research. "Most vendors are very optimistic about the Asia Pacific markets over the next five
years, but currently, bureaucratic hurdles and infrastructure problems discourage heavy
investment."
Triple-Play Package Spurs Demand for Video Servers, while Competition Heats up among
Telecommunications, Cable, and Utility Companies
Cable companies have traditionally provided just video and data services and have monopolized the
world markets for video programming and video on demand (VOD). A recent move by cable companies to
provide voice services has sounded the alarm bells among traditional telecom companies. Threatened
by a fast shrinking residential customer base due to aggressive competition from cable companies,
telecom enterprises have started contemplating the triple-play package of voice, data, and video by
offering video and VOD services over digital subscriber line (DSL).
"With this recent move to provide voice by North American cable companies, telecom
company-based video services are proliferating and are now encroaching on the traditional market of
cable companies," notes the analyst. This sudden momentum is expected to spur the demand for
video server-based product, especially network PVRs (NPVRs).
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