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Where is Internet TV headed? Print

internet tv There are those who say that IPTV will never replace conventional TV, but then again, there were those who said the personal computer would never find a large market. With internet giants like Google and major television manufacturers like Sony, LG and Samsung investing billions in perfecting the technology, it is more likely that standard broadcasting will become a relic of the past in the not too distant future. Market researchers see an explosion in their popularity coming soon and predict a nearly 500% increase in sales of internet-ready TVs by 2016.

The Major Players in IPTV

The major players in the development and dissemination of IPTV include internet service providers (ISPs), cable television operators, internet giants and even television manufacturers. So far, this mixture of competing and cooperating enterprises has resulted in a bewildering array of consumer choices. Unlike cable television, which gives you very few provider options, you have dozens of options to choose from with IPTV. Not only do you have to choose who to purchase your set top box or internet ready TV from, you often have to also choose between service providers. This partial list of IPTV providers gives you an idea of the array of choices:

  • Microsoft's Xbox 360 gaming device was one of the first to introduce IPTV. While it did not take the Australian market by storm, the company is now in the process of making internet TV a more prominent feature of the Xbox 360. Newer versions of the Xbox include voice and motion commands with its Kinect controller, which will be connected to Microsoft's Bing search engine via. Netflix and other pay-per-view and free video content are now available through the Windows Media Center.
  • T-Box is a set-top box offered by Telstra. Telstra recently teamed up with Foxtel to deliver both Foxtel cable services and IPTV in a bundled package.
  • FetchTV offers a set-top box that allows users to choose between several different ISPs including Optus, iinet, Netspace, Internode, Westnet and Adam Internet. Each provider offers a slightly different range of internet TV services.
  • Sony now offers its Bravia Internet service in Australia. This is available in its new range of internet-ready TVs and internet-enabled Blu-ray players. Included in the Sony range is a 3D range of viewing options. Sony internet TV is powered by Google, which many say will become as ubiquitous on internet TV as the Windows operating system is on computers.
  • Samsung Smart TVs are internet ready and include downloadable apps for dozens of free and paid online services such as YouTube and Netflix, social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook and many more. Samsung also offers internet-ready Blu-ray players that can be used on your existing HDTV. For wireless connection.
  • LG has entered the internet TV market with its Netcast series of products that includes internet-ready TVs, home theatre systems and set-top boxes. LG offers movies from Netflix, CinemaNow and VuDu as well as YouTube and other free online services.
  • Rumours of an Apple HDTV have been rampant for years and it is said that Steve Jobs was pushing hard for it before his death, stating that with the new Siri voice recognition and response technology, he had finally "cracked it" and knew what had to be done to make an Apple branded HDTV a viable product. Insiders say that its arrival is imminent, with many saying it may be ready for release by 2013.

The IPTV Interface

The TV remote control device has always been the Achilles Heel of navigating the maze of viewing options other than simply changing channels and adjusting the volume. Internet TV is getting around that with the introduction of browser-style navigation. It begins with a simple menu with clickable icons that take you to the service of your choice. After that, your TV screen begins to look even more like your browser. If you are looking for a movie to watch, for example, movie titles and images are displayed either horizontally at the bottom or vertically at the top of your screen. You have the option of scrolling to find your choice or typing the name of the movie in the search bar. Most internet TV remotes have a circular scrolling device that works similar to a mouse, so most users find navigation with an internet TV remote easy and intuitive.

For those who are not content with a standard remote, Sony and others offer a smartphone app that allows you to use your iPhone, iPad or compatible Android device as a remote control.

While voice and motion navigation has so far met with a lukewarm reception, both Apple and Microsoft are working feverishly to perfect it for internet TV. Whether or not it takes off as a popular option remains to be seen, but neither company wants to be left behind on the technology.

Should You Buy Now or Wait?

Since internet television is still being developed and perfected, should you wait before you buy an internet-ready TV or internet-enabled Blu-ray set top box? Developers of these products have already anticipated this question and they say there is no reason to wait because upgrades, updates, apps and other system tweaks can be automatically or manually added on as they become available.

Since internet TV is partially dependent on the speed and reliability of your internet connection, you will need a high speed broadband connection or fast and stable wireless connection to make the most of it. Basically, if you are satisfied with your current download speeds and you are able to watch uninterrupted streaming video, your existing connection is probably adequate for internet TV. If you are planning on downloading and saving video content, check your service providers download quota. Videos, HD in particular, can take up an enormous amount of your download quota.