In2TV sets the scene for future content distribution

News

3 May 2006 News

AOL, something of a latecomer to the world of video-on-demand (VOD), recently launched a free VOD service, specialising in reruns of classic television show episodes from the Warner catalogue, along with a smattering of clips for current and new shows.

This broadband video service called In2TV, is browser-based, and requires Windows XP, Internet Explorer 6 and Windows Media Player 10, with Javascript, ActiveX and cookies enabled.

According to ABI Research (www.abiresearch.com), the In2TV (www.aol.com/in2tv) business model is surprisingly similar to traditional TV broadcasting: episodes are bracketed with video ads (at present shorter than standard television ads), and static ads adorn the web page. Given the outstanding questions about the amount of content most users want to access on their computers as opposed to their TV sets, it says that AOL appears to be co-marketing the service with Intel's Viiv technology, ads for which appear on most pages of the site.

Michael Arden, ABI Research's principal broadband and multimedia research analyst says, "The AOL model shows that VOD is moving beyond a movies-on-demand framework as users get more comfortable with the technology. Eventually, all programming will be offered in an on-demand environment, and this is a first, significant step in that direction."

Shows can be viewed in a small window or full-screen, but even with a fast broadband connection, resolution and dynamic range do seem to suffer slightly at the full-screen setting, he says. For those who demand more, AOL offers its free enhanced 'Hi-Q' streaming format plugin, which claims to deliver DVD quality at full frame rates.

"In2TV's content, pricing, and easy availability on the Internet makes it a good experiment in how content will be distributed in the future," adds Arden. "The AOL offering is a preview of how Internet companies will aggregate content to become portals for video programming."

Share this article:

Strengthening industry through strategic partnerships at KITE 2025
Specialised Exhibitions News
The KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition is not just an exhibition, it is a powerhouse of industry collaboration where visitors and exhibitors gain access to authoritative insights, technical expertise, and high-impact networking opportunities.

Read more...

Solar Youth Project calls on industry to step up
News
With the second cohort completed training and the first cohort returning for their final module, host companies are urgently needed to turn the training into a long-term opportunity.

Read more...

Conlog powers SA’s future with national smart meter rollout
News
Conlog recently secured the RT29-2024 contract from National Treasury, which is seen to be a major milestone towards modernising SA’s utility infrastructure.

Read more...

Zuchongzhi-3 sets new benchmark
News
This latest superconducting quantum computing prototype features 105 qubits and 182 couplers to operate at a speed 10¹5 times faster than the most powerful supercomputer currently available.

Read more...

Automatic device attestation certificate for Panasonic
News
DigiCert recently announced it has partnered with Panasonic Industry Europe to integrate DigiCert Device Trust Manager with Panasonic’s PAN-MaX intelligent manufacturing service for seamless Matter certification of interoperable smart home devices.

Read more...

From the editor's desk: Are we really being ripped off?
Technews Publishing News
To the surprise of many customers, installing solar panels does not always eliminate their utility bill – and in some cases, the power utility may impose additional charges on solar-powered homes.

Read more...

Winner of the Advanced Electronics Challenge
Avnet Silica News
Avnet Silica has named Hydronauten winner of the Advanced Electronics Challenge for breakthrough AI-driven vibration damping technology.

Read more...

Categories

News

In2TV sets the scene for future content distribution

Further reading:

Publications by Technews