CONVERGENCE
CONVERGENCE
of technology and content provision has progressed slowly but surely
between 1995 and 2002.
Although
Satellite and Cable technology has progressed, Broadcast
activities in content making have muddled along using Expensive
Broadcast SDI 270 mbps systems with most major broadcasters and post
production houses sticking with what is now redundant, expensive
technology.
The
traditional broadcast SDI systems are basically analogue network
topologies passing digital signals.
Some
manufacturers have tried to bridge the gap with hybrid systems offering
SAN (storage networks) with SDI interfacing with consequent automation
inflexibility on mixed networks.
Conversely
Multimedia activities in the IT arena have progressed to a high level of
applications with a huge reduction in cost compared to SDI systems.
The
IT sector, although prolific in 'new' ideas similar to the current
trend in music 'covers' of old songs, unfortunately has not grasped the needs of the now educated
television viewer, expecting viewers to be interactive when they want to
be entertained.
Admittedly
there is a movement to PC viewing but there are huge holes in what is
being provided on networks and what is emerging. Time Scheduling of programme
content to viewing demographics being a perfect example of where IT and
Web based televisual entertainment falls over.
I
wonder
how often do the audience at a theatre or cinema will get up and 'point and
click' on the actors? If they did they would probably get thrown
out and booed by the audience. Entertainment interactivity is
shown by applause and the return for more in a 'brand loyalty' model.
(Interactivity is ok for experimental
theatre where everyone can take their clothes off ... but not for the
majority viewers/entertainees I'm afraid)
We
feel our activities in economically molding the convergence of technology
and content will help provide the best solutions in the most important
areas ... that of the viewers, our consumers.
By
Guy Lakeman (Copyright 2002)