As hard is it is to go backward from your favorite HD program to SD, so too is viewing webcasts (online streaming or Internet broadcast) in the compressed video format once we have become accustomed to high resolution video and in particular HD.
The challenge facing the industry at the moment is an appetite for HD resolution which is ahead of the curve. That curve being the last mile delivery speed, the home network (modem, router, NIC) and the video processing capability of the computer or device being used for playback. The online viewer is generally non technical and doesn't relate to the complex series of integrated elements that need to get along in order to stream an HD video over the public Internet backbone. Because the DVD player works well, so too should the streaming video on their brand new computer. At least that is their perception.
Let's assume that the ISP has the broadband capacity all the way through their network to the home and sustaining a 2Mbps (2000kbps) live stream is possible. The signal enters the home across a modem which has 100/1000Mbps network capability. That modem is either a WiFi (802.11) enabled device or the modem connects to a WiFi router which then in turn connects to the wireless laptop, desktop or other device in the home. In many homes there are multiple devices all accessing the router / modem. It is at this point that the live HD stream would typically fail, buffer, etc. To the end user anticipating the HD viewing experience on their brand new computer connected to their rocket fast Internet connection, it would seem that everything is in place. It is unfortunately not that simple if the home environment is WiFi.
WiFi is susceptible to environmental issues (metal, other frequencies, the neighbors WiFi) and while the user has no issue with websites, email and even the odd YouTube video, streaming a live HD video requires optimal conditions.
The other issue with home networks that can be confusing to the average user is local network traffic. Today it is common to have three or more computers connected and accessing the Internet simultaneously. This should not be a problem and usually is not when email, Facebook and web surfing is the predominant activity. However younger users tend to be more active with downloading torrents (movies, music), streaming Hulu, Netflix or similar while Mom and Dad logon to the HD stream and become frustrated that it is not playing correctly. The technical reason is data collisions or chocking within the home network. One cannot see this and so it is often diagnosed by a non technical person as an issue with the content provider.
So we have a real conundrum on our hands. The marketplace wants HD streaming, the technology appears to be in place to allow for it, yet the failure rate it still very high.
As the HD content service provider, it is challenging position to be in. The model is clearly heading in the direction of live HD streaming. Manufacturers are building devices capable of playing 1080p live streams. ISPs are upgrading their networks from the core to the pillow. So as the content provider what can one do?
The only solution appears to be; move ahead and face the backlash from the consumer. It comes with the territory. If the content provider does not build now for the HD market, they will be too far behind to catch up when the elements synergistic-ally meld to allow for uninterrupted deliver of HD video. One must do their best to educate the consumer and manage their expectations. Over time, the marketplace will smooth over and the issues which now appear to be major ones, will be minor. Then we can all start over and retrain our attention on those same expectations from the mobile smartphone phone and tablet users, which are sure to follow on the heels of the current challenges.
Note: The writer Dave McIlroy has been an innovator in streaming media since the earliest days of webcast (1995).
1 comment:
Great post which I read with interest.
In the meantime there must be some things that home users can do to optimize their situation. One small piece of the puzzle but worth mentioning is that the viewer can do a quick test of there neighborhood. Determine with an Android/Iphone app like Wifi Anylizer what is the optimum channel for me to use my WiFi. Like I said only part of the puzzle but it made a dif at my end.
Cheers.
Geoff Edwards
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