IPTV is dead - long live broadcast

IPTV whether that is VoD, download or live, has moved slowly forward over the past few years. The jungle drums have changed from beating out a multitude of predictions to a constant rhythm of new service launches.


Some initiatives have the seeds of commercial viability, others you know are much shakier. Almost none of these new services are commissioning content. Those that are, are not exactly mainstream and usually rely on a enthusiast and volunteers. Other “unique” or “original” content is UGC. So the vast majority of commercially viable services are reliant on content that has been created for and funded for, by more traditional platform such as cinema DVD/BD and TV broadcast. Therefore they are relying on the, much talked about, “long tail” value of content, or at best trying to extract just a little more value out of content at some stage in its life cycle.


The first thing against IPTV is, Internet/PC is not the place to watch quality content if you want to see it first. It will have been on another platform first. That is where the premium revenues will come from.


The second thing against IPTV is the picture quality is lagging behind other delivery mechanisms. 2Mb/s is arguably just about sufficient for a SD TV picture, 5 Mb/s is DVD quality and a 1080p HD feed that matches Blu-ray quality is 40Mb/s.


So here I am (as a consumer) with my nice large (and expensive) 1080p screen watching HD cable, DTH or DTV channel. For the latest films I have the choice of the cinema or the rental and purchase of a Blu-ray. Why am going to watch IPTV? Even if it doesn’t keep buffering, I am unlikely to get anything close to the same picture quality without downloading to some storage devices in my house. Wait a minute isn't that a DVR?  Oh no it yet another box I've got to but and wire in and balance on the stack of Set Top Boxes.


I will sacrifice picture quality for something I may have missed. Better to see it in a poorer quality than not at all. Services such as iPlayer are undoubtedly a new facet to the growing arsenal of my TV entertainment options, alongside DVR’s, and games consuls. 


I may also sacrifice picture quality to see something unique, niche or exclusive but this is unlikely to be the way that most people consume most TV content most of the time. Even if broadband bandwidths are larger and all you can eat, there is a large number of things that have to come together to make it work for the consumer.


Virgin and Sky, providing pay TV services with multiple channels, are also providing broadband. Virgin in particular provides some of the highest broadband connection speeds available in the UK at the moment. As bandwidth increases their users could opt to drop the pay TV bouquet for OTT IPTV. As Virgin and Sky provide larger broadband they could be undermining their own business. Are the stupid? No. They know that whatever you get via IPTV that is free will be old (to at least some degree), will be inferior or a niche that they do not service anyway.


The big success of IPTV in the UK is the BBC iPlayer. There also exists the ITV player and 4oD. All three share the same fact that they are free to the consumer. Most (if not all) content consumption to date has been to a computer of some sort. Presumably this tech savvy audience knows how to access all three yet the iPlayer is by far the largest of all the IPTV options in the UK put together (with the exception of YouTube). 


If we assume that the content is comparable, then why the disparity in take up? The most obvious difference is the lack of adverts on iPlayer. The second difference is the range of content across the four BBC TV channels and the umpteen BBC Radio channels. This makes the iPlayer a comfortable and resourceful destination for content. Watching iPlayer is like watching a DVR, watching ITV player and 4oD is not, as I can’t skip the ads. I also have only the content of one channel to select from. (ITV and Channel 4 do not offer a variety from their main output).


IPTV is a cleaver technology but just because you can do something doesn’t mean you will. The real challenge is to deliver something the customer wants, something they may not yet know they want, but like so many people that have a DVR will tell you “I wouldn’t do without it now”. The thing to note is that the mass adoption of DVR's hasn't really happened yet. Most people have them as part of their DTH or Cable package. But Freeview/Freesat customers have not taken to them on mass yet. The industry is looking for the next revolution when this one hasn't happened yet. 

High Voltage 2010 - Day 2

Day 1 had taken its toll. My feet ached from the previous day I’d left home at 10:00 I arrived home at 1 am on the Sunday, 15 hours, most of which I had spent standing and drinking and of course listening to some fantastic rock music.

When the alarm went off on Sunday morning I discovered that; I had blisters on my feet, the back of my legs were sunburn, I a ringing in my ears and a slight hangover as well as being 48 quid lighter (that works out at about a pint an hour which wasn’t bad as I was travelling for at least three of those hours).

Day 2 required that I abandon my trainers and put some proper boots and socks on as well as sun barrier on my legs.

I wasn’t quite so eager to get out of the house so arrived to hear the last 30 seconds of “The Reasoning”. Before making my way across (via a beer tent) to “The Qureboys”. I think some of the band had been drinking, but a great opening to my day two.

I broke with tradition and went to look for some food. On a side note the larger on site was crap, so mostly drank the cider. The food... there was a lot of choice. Some was a rip off and other was OK value wise. You could tell the best value as food as they had the longest queues

Anyway some food and a second pint I was ready for some "UFO". Now they did have some problems with the sound of one of their guitars again ... and again... and again. I think the sound man should have been shot as he appeared to give up. However "UFO" played on. I could imagine other bands storming off, but not "UFO".

Bachman Turner... I have to admit I lost interest and wondered off to the Metal stage via the Prog stage

Clutch is a band that my son introduced me to and I have to say “Thanks Dan! You owed my for introducing you to Led Zeppelin” I think “Clutch” play some inspirational music. I’d seen them once before live and was not going to miss another opportunity. They didn’t disappoint.

I got into early Led Zeppelin some time ago and that lead to bit of obsession with the blues. During this time I discovered Joe Bonamassa. Technically brilliant but pretty much the same intricate guitar solos one after the other. The medley of guitar riffs was a high light, but Joe needs a band around him to add some colour to his repertoire .

“The Down n’ Outz”, I’d seen these at the Borderline a couple of days earlier. I think it’s commonly known as a warm up. I think the band were there for the same reason! There was some f#@king around at the start and waiting for Ian Hunter to come out. This cut their set short and the crowd were deprived of some sing-a-long stuff they had finished with at the Borderline Alas they finished on a low as they were cut off to prevent an overrun that would have eaten into ELP’s allotted time.

Finally “ELP” – by this time the 55 to 65 year olds were flagging. At one time the audience resembled hungry starlings as they simultaneously yawned while the “ELP” rig was going on. Several gave up and left as sleep become more inviting than “ELP”. But they should have stayed as ELP did not disappoint. Fantastic way to finish off the festival. Hats off to Palmer, we worked so hard, Emerson hasn’t lost the ability to tickle those keys nut the knife thing is old hat find something new. Lake voice sounded OK actually the sound was the best it had been for the whole show. But Lake... leave the pies alone!

Some tips for next year – obviously the music needs to be at least as good. But recognise your audience has a high percentage of old gits that like real ale. Their Mrs will probably drink wine. The food needs to have a Marks Simply Food style option.

Some more seating! We are relatively rich, but we are old! Deck chair hire, or am I just taking the piss?

Put the headline act on as the penultimate band. Finish off with a tribute band to play the crowd on their way home. I know that is crap idea but the odd (but excellent) tribute band would go down extremely well.

High Voltage 2010

The last music festival I went to was at Reading in about 1973.

A bat out of hell, High Voltage was not.

Having less responsibility over the past 4 years I’ve started going to gigs. Venues like the 12 Bar, Camden Bar Fly, Charlotte Street Blues Bar and the 100 Club are usually good for a few bears and to hear a band or two.

-ve = The Charlotte Street Blues Bar can work out expensive for beer.

+ve = If you’re not too narrow in the music you like (some rough with the smooth) the 12 Bar is a small but and reasonable venue.

In amongst these gigs there has been those little gem bands that I can’t remember the names and you never see again. Whatever happened to “Frop” best night out at South London Poly (or was I just drunk?) in 1972, but the band disappeared.

On that point I have to say that rising above the nostalgia of most of the bands that I saw was (at the Ace Cafe London stage) “The Malchicks” check them out if you ever get the chance. Back to the mainstream...

First up was “Touchstone”. I saw these on the Thursday before, supporting “Joe Elliot’s Down n’ Outz” at the Boarderline.

The lead guitar and singer did an acoustic set, which was OK. I have to say that this type of “fantasy” prog rock is not for me and I found it less appealing than the acoustic set I’d seen.

So toddled off to the Metal stage to catch some of the “New Device”. Not bad! Energy and passion and good music. Over the two days when ever I visited the Metal stage it didn’t matter who was on, the band and the crowd had much more life in them. Maybe because so many of the stages attracted the 50+ audience. (I’m 55 by the way).

Next up “Black Spiders”. A competent metal bad I’ve seen as support once or twice. Maybe I don’t know their songs as well as the rest of the crowd seemed to.

Next up for me was at the Main stage, “The Union”. I’m a bit of a “Thunder” fan. having rediscovered them a couple years ago. Managed to see a couple of gigs before they split, gentlemen of rock! Anyway, saw “The Union” at the O2 Academy at the Angle a few weeks back. This is good classic rock style, with an edge that has the potential to be very sharp.

Next (just for a contrast) over to see at least part of “Focus”. I have to admit I hadn’t listened to

them for ages and I was awash with nostalgia. I can’t say objectively if it was good but they hit all the right notes for me. I’ve got to dig out some old vinyl over the next few days.

Then across for “The Answer.”

When I first heard this band 3 years ago – Led Zeppelin but new – was my only though. But I don’t feel they have moved on Classic style and classic old. A Led Zep cover might have lifted

the set, as Jon suggest. If you are not going anywhere move over.

“Heaven’s Basement” could have made better use of the exposure.

Next up was Gary Moore. If life’s been good to someone, it’s not Gary Moore. Where has the fire and passion gone that was in “After Hours”? I think I might have been a bit woozy by now so the photos are a bit blurred. I think I wondered off for something to eat and found the Ace Cafe with “The Malchicks” playing.

A short stagger away and I was at the Metal stage to see “Saxon”.

Fantastic! But same ol’ same ol’.

So I popped across to Asia. Some classic stuff played without making them a tired and stayed repertoire. Smaller audience than most of the bands I saw over the two days or that could have been because they were spread out a bit more and enjoying the occasion!

Final two bands of the first day, for me anyway, so over to the Metal stage for “Black Label Society ”

Great band great performance but a mixed bunch of supporter. I could quite make out. Many with pristine Black Label Society branded clothing, as if they had just bought it on the way in. The band launched 50 or so Black Label Society branded beach balls into the crowd. Presumably, with the idea that they got bounced around during the final songs their adoring fan base simply captured them and tried to deflate them. As they carted off their memorabilia of an event that would have been far more memorable (not to mention fun) if the balls had just been used the way they were intended.

The final band of the night was “ZZ Top”.

Cool, laid back, uninspired and almost totally unmemorable.

RSA Animate - Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us

DataTool S4 Special Features

I have a DATATOOL S4 immobiliser/alarm fitted to my motorbike. One of my pet hates is… if I’ve bought something it is my absolute right to play with it. If I cock it up and have to throw it away, or pay someone to repair it, that is my problem.

So why don’t manufacturers, of various goods, stop at the warning label? Why do the insist on trying to making it impossible for the few competent people on this planet to do things?

This alarm is a case in point. There are a set of features that are not accessible to the owner but require “dealer” intervention. These features include altering the sensitivity to movement. So if someone tries to put it in a van or even take it off the stand it will alarm. Obviously in an exposed windy site you may need to wind down the wick a bit. Permanently, because you live on the top of Dartmoor, or temporarily, because you are camping there for a couple of days. The nudge sensor plus several others are likewise is on this list requiring “dealer access”.

My experience of bikers (in general) is that the ones that survive beyond their teenage years fall into two broad categories. Simple folk that are just artists at bike riding and realists with a survival instinct and quick reflexes. All have a degree of practical aptitude to know at least the basics of how their machine works.

This of course maybe my age and the younger generation may prove to be something else.

The instructions are written by someone with an MBA and no common sense. I’ve tried t simplify them in this flow chart. Constructive feedback welcomed.

Anyway for all you practical motorcyclists, here is how you access and configure the DataTool S4 Alarm’s “Special Features”

BSkyB and Carphone to fight proposal on BT pension fund

Unsurprisingly BSkyB and Carphone Warehouse don’t want to pay to fill BT’s pension hole. The reality is that they only know what BT is going to spend the money on because BT is heavily regulated. Carphone’s customer do not get the luxury of not paying for their purchase of Tiscali or for their development of an on demand TV service. The move to new headquarters or the CEO’s bonus.

I have some sympathy that BT has made some crap decisions on investment, products to support and technologies to ditch.

Investing in technologies and selling them off just on the cusp of them generating revenue and returning the investment. Selling off large revenue low margin business because no one wants to take it by the balls and strip out the costs. Idiots!

It is that mismanagement that the inability to distinguish talent from style to ignore detail and the people that manage because it is boring and not as entertaining as the “high level” PowerPoint slides.

Having worked for BT for 38 years, in April they decided to change the pension scheme. This is a formal contract changed unilaterally by one party. Yet my divorce (last post) was only 30 years but I am not allowed to change (what I perceive) as a far woollier contract of marriage.

BT can’t afford it – they are not really that interested in it – when privatised ever member of the board was in the BT pension scheme – today not one. “I’m all right jack” I’ve negotiated a separate pension package which is far more beneficial than yours.

Life is not fair, and then you die!

Getting Divorce - claim on future income

I’m starting to go through a divorce after 30-years of marriage. As far as I know there is no one else involved, certainly not from my part?

We have gradually grown apart over the years not least when the kids where young and I worked 7 days a week both overtime and moonlighting. My wife didn’t go to work but provided the family home and stability something we both wanted and thought important.

Eventually we got comfortable for money, when the kids were about 11 and my wife had got a part time job. I dropped to 5 working days and got stuck into the DIY. I then started to go to night school for several management courses eventually obtaining an MBA. During this period I was studying, a largely solo task.

My wife mean time had taken the kids out for days and to swimming lessons, piano lessons etc. We didn’t have much of a social life often both falling asleep in front of the telly at night.

My MBA got me several rounds of promotion and my working world was different changing me and my outlook. The time with the kids had changed my wife. Later she discovered that her dead mother had been married before and had three boys and a girl that had been in orphanages. This shattered her view of her mother and there was no one to rebuild it. She grew closer to them. I suspect as a result of a bit of guilt that she had a fairly privileged life while her half brothers and sister had been split among several orphanages with varying experiences.

In the nearly five years since she found her other family we have grown remote from each other even though we live in the same house. She has grown extravagant and as I earn most of the money working full time while she was only working part time I decided to separate our finances. At which point she asked for a divorce and I jumped at it.

I discover from my solicitor that everything that we have accumulated – including my salary and pension forms part of the “marriage assets” and that it all has to be split 50:50. I have no problem with splitting the assets like house, car and savings 50:50 but on my future income I find it too much to accept.

My logic is I’m 54 and have been married for 30 and unmarried for 24. The sum of who and what I am, is not just the past 30 years. Some might argue that the first 24 years where more formative.

Looking at it this way my wife has contributed to who and what I am for 56% of my life and splitting that 50:50 would give 18% call on my income, assuming she earned nothing.