Hi Mike & Denver Tech:
If I may interject (once again) with apologies, my own take on your question, Mike, is that the MSOs efforts are geared to the following priorities:
(1) provide cable modem access & upgrade cable plant to deliver DVB, both which receive such importance in face of existing competition from DSL & DBS providers, respectively;
(2) provision cable telephony, in an effort to converge digital services, and usurp, if possible that cherished relationship long maintained by ILEC and its customer; and last
(3) address the HDTV issue which, IMHO, the MSOs are not looking forward to with "great vigor."
I leave it to the impressive # of techies here on this board to expand upon the difficulties and plausibility of delivering HD over digital cable systems. Notwithstanding the technical issue to be overcome, my opinion is focused on the bandwidth sucking attributes of a HD signal, and how it will impede upon the ability of full-broadcast capacity system to deliver SD signals and enjoy a similar level advertising (& e-commerce) revenue therefrom.
My understanding (& please correct me if I am wrong, or if my assessment can in any way be expanded upon)is that a HD signal takes up the equivalent of approximately 4 SD channels on a digital broadcast system. If HD is to be delivered over HFC cable, it is likely to carry signals broadcasted by the 3 major networks, plus Fox, and also include the HBO and pay-per-view HD channels now broadcasted by DirecTV. Let's not forget PBS, as well as a couple others local broadcast stations that today, and on a more extensive level in the future will, broadcast in HD. I cite KTLA in Los Angeles as an example.
If we count'em up, we're looking at about 9-10 independent HD signals, which represent the equivalent of about 40 SD channels. As I see it, that's a lot of lost advertising, & going forward, perhaps a pinch on other interactive services, particularly e-commerce, where IMHO, carrier revenues will come from with increasing magnitude as our digital economy takes hold in the homes of consumers.
In sum, IMHO, it is clear that HDTV is last on the MSO list, and is a source of great concern, particularly for those who are undertaking what I perceive to be minimal upgrades in their plant today, just to deliver cable modem access, or install a minimum of fiber. I just gotta think that HD gotta put a crimp on coaxial plant that is going to be carried 200+ SD channels, audio channels, iteractive services (e-commerce, gaming, broadband Internet access), and the MSOs are loath to address this problem going forward, but will inevitably have do. I guess we're looking a deep fiber (FTTC, FTTN, FTTH, etc.) n'est pas?
Comments welcome. |
