IP and Transitions

This month we take several looks at that broad category of technologies known as Internet protocol television (IPTV). IPTV is popularly understood as a brand new, yet standards-based technology that the telcos intend to exploit in a big way and that MSOs are only dabbling with at the margins. But that’s incorrect in a few ways. First, in terms of linking video assets and IP within a larger video network, cable companies already are deeply engaged. "I’m sure Comcast has more video surrounded by IP headers than anyone out there," says Comcast CTO David Fellows in Mike Robuck’s cover story. Second, on the telco side of the aisle, IPTV is neither brand new nor yet codified into a universal template, as indicated in the article about the need for standards by Jean-Francois Fleury, a four-year veteran in IPTV’s R&D trenches. All the same, the telcos are pushing this technology hard. As far as MSOs’ delivering IP video to the home, that’s only just beginning. But is it the end game? See the article by Michael Adams and Majid Chelehmal for one answer. Need some coaching for this emerging IP world? Don’t miss Wes Berkey’s article, which demystifies the transition from RF to IP engineer in "Three Easy Steps." A final word: Not all transitions can be so readily explained. The dean of cable tech journalism, CED’s Roger Brown, lost his fight with cancer in early October. "Extreme sadness" was a phrase that came in a note from one of the industry’s top engineers who regarded Roger as a friend and colleague. It’s a sentiment that many share. Jonathan Tombes
Editor
jtombes@accessintel.com