NAB Show 2009 Online Video and IPTV Hot Topics

1) Multi-screen delivery: No one can deny the proliferation of video content. First the PC, then mobile devices, Blu-Ray players, HDTVs, and next-gen gaming consoles; they all are ramping up capabilities to enable broadband video viewing. Accenture released a report

Several companies talked about how they are preparing for these emerging video destinations, and it's not a minute too soon. Nielsen's Three-Screen report for Q4 2008 shows 11 million people watched video on mobile devices; a number sure to grow quickly as mobile broadband rollouts heat up.

The Open Mobile Video Coalition announced mobile DTV test markets, and speakers such as NAB President David Rehr talked about the multi-platform future, a concept that seems real for the first time, with mobile TV efforts proceeding and traditional network operators warming up to the idea of delivering TV content on the Web.

Limelight Networks touted its new mobile content delivery solutions, including an extensive database of more than 10,000 handsets it uses to optimize the data types sent to specific phones based on device capabilities.

Inlet Technologies demoed new automated work flow and quality assurance tools that help content distributors transcode and push this content out to multiple devices in the multiple formats this requires. Digital Rapids also showed off its workflow solutions for mobile devices, as part of its encoding and transcoding offering.

Move Networks is also told a multi-screen story as part of their "TV Everywhere" push. Move will offer "virtual set-top boxes" that will have full Electronic Video Guides and programmable channels, without the need for hardware, all over IP. It also is preparing for mobile video, as it announced a partnership with Intel last year, and is working with content customers to develop mobile offerings with its adaptive streaming capabilities. 

2) Multiple bit-rate streaming products:  Adobe's Dynamic Streaming for Flash Media Server 3.5, Microsoft Smooth Streaming II for Silverlight, and Move Networks' adaptive streaming were all on display at NAB. Move pioneered this technique, which involves cutting up a video file into 2-second chunks that are encoded at multiple bit rates. When a user views a stream, the server analyzes the connection's bandwidth capacity and delivers a file the user can view without needing to buffer. If the connection capacity improves or degrades, the system selects a new file that is appropriate, minimizing buffering and unexpected pauses in video feeds.

All forms of adaptive streaming seek to accelerate video start times and increase video completion by lowering the number of people who exit a video due to buffering issues. The end result is supposed to be better engagement from end-users and better ad watch rates. 

3) Telco TV: Telcos seemed to be party-crashers at NAB 2008, but this year, their spot at the center of many discussions seemed more natural. Vendors reportedly were saying that IPTV interest is picking up among independent telcos who are finding somewhat cheaper equipment prices, and consequently may be ready to pursue IPTV. GulfPines Communications and North State Communications were among indie telcos at the center of NAB news announcements by vendors. 

4) Over-the-top video solutions: Edgeware, Irdeto, Move Networks and Adobe all talked about implications and solutions for delivering video directly to the television without any hardware component. There are a range of security, verification, content, and performance questions to be answered in this space before it becomes more than a niche, and these companies are searching for answers to create a cost-effective consumer solution. There is a big market opportunity here if someone can arrange enough content deals or work through a third-party to get them, while providing a secure, password protected environment to control premium content.

Adobe announced plans at the show to enable HDTVs and set-top boxes to play Flash video, through partnerships with chipmakers Intel and Broadcom. While many analysts questioned the ultimate viability of the project, Adobe's announcement was indicative of the potential seen in over-the-top video delivery.