On 13/09/2010 23:11, Scot McSweeney-Roberts wrote:
On Mon, Sep 13, 2010 at 21:22, David Tomlinson
<[email protected]> wrote:
The Google TV box (Logitech Revue) is an addition to your set top box, so it
does not integrate with Free To Air TV and may be unable to access UK
catch-up content.
But it's also getting installed directly into televisions and there
will probably be a DirectTV box in the US - it's not hard to imagine
DVB-T2 boxes running Google TV.
As for TV's having Google TV built in, the same or more expensive models
for the UK market (Treasure Island) will have Canvas built in, but I
don't see many Google TV with DVB2 been sold in the UK (offered in
retailers), unless Google can supply UK Free To Air content, as it is
broadcast (Google (UK) TV).
As long as we're getting broadcaster solutions to internet problems
then that's just not going to happen.
The distributors and broadcasters not only want to stop you copying
content, and redistributing it (or even making fair use of it) but their
absolute control also extends to segmenting markets (e.g. DVD region
codes) to ease distribution and marketing; to maximise the capture of
the consumer surplus and seek monopoly (oligopoly) rents. Prices and
access (exclusive deals) vary between markets.
The distributors already use GeoIP or billing addresses to attempt to
restrict access on the internet to services (including the BBC), and
while iplayer, ITV player, and SEE SAW TV may be an option (Full Fat
Flash), the experience will be much more awkward than just using Canvas,
which will dominate the UK Free To Air market and retailers.
As Andrew said competition is not regarded as desirable in a World TV
market. (Although Sky's monopoly on sport is been reduced)
Yes you can use Google TV (with iplayer et al) but few will do so, hook
up your PC to your TV and use iplayer or watch TV on your laptop (some
will), it is just not as seamless an integration as a dedicated or built
in product (Scott for example has a preference for integrated TV's).
We see still see: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Britain's got Talent,
Masterchef remade in every market for cultural reasons (not just
language), even if like the UK/Australia/New Zealand (USA ?) the
cultural differences are not that great (and Masterchef Australia is
available on 'Watch' (BBC Pay TV) if you have not had enough of the BBC
UK version).
Some people may want a subscription to a US product (Google TV (USA)),
for early access to US content, or content otherwise behind SKY's pay
wall, but will you be allowed to ? Or will there be a Google TV (UK) in
which case it may have DVB-T2, and be Canvas or only offer UI interface
differences which may appeal to Scott ?
Competition between user interfaces, already exists have the options of
a Virgin Vbox or Sky (OpenTV) (you may have to subscribe to an
additional content package or service and they also require different
delivery technology).
Except that, the Canvas joint venture wishes to control branding, there
is no reason why the Canvas user interface should not be completely
skin-able (some elements are replaceable by the OEM, so a Sony TV will
also have Sony branding) or even replaceable (download the UI of your
choice).
TV integration , Users Interface, only if you buy an alternative bundle,
(which may or may not be available).
Yes, well maybe ?
But a truly open solution (user selectable/modifiable), competition: red
in tooth and claw (and price and access), control over your own
hardware, privacy.
The Powers That Be (TPTB), say NO!
(or the TPTB say: the computer says NO!)
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