Early in the 1950s, when the whole business of broadcasting was new, it was also a much more straightforward proposition than it is today. Considering the highly technological age of today, life back then must have been very different – with what we would now regard as bare essentials to deal with. Just think of it – this was a time before cable, home videos, Internet or satellites!

Growing complexity. However, with the advancement of technology, we now have a whole range of new applications. These days, we are confronted by the Internet, DVDs, personal video recorders or PVR and Video on Demand. Communication systems have made great advances with the advent of the Internet.

There has also been a transition to the creation of digital content, now considered an essential requirement for all new content. This change makes it possible to put the content to the best possible use for public convenience. The shift towards digital content has also served to improve efficiency.

Digital revolution. The extent to which the infrastructure of broadcasting and cable have shifted to digital formats is evident from the NBC Network Operations Center in New York which resembles a center for operations concerned with information technology with an abundance of video servers. The entire operation is monitored by servers as a result of which the previous requirement of a crew of 15 has been whittled down to just 3 technicians.

A program scheduled for airing in a short time is transferred in the form of a file to the Center over an exclusive data line just a few hours before show time. This symbolizes the move to ‘Next Generation’ systems where file servers are taking the place of videotapes.

The shift away from real time transmission of data from the network to the various stations is evident in this process. Apart from news bulletins and programs concerning public affairs, all other programs can now be preserved on servers, so that they can be broadcast as and when they are required.

Financial and other benefits. The digital transmission of data is catching on in a big way because the cost of storing data in digital formats has been dropping steadily, even as the processing power of computers is increasing alongside. The potential for greater compression of content has increased considerably, which makes it possible to deliver more content at higher speeds of transmission.

Apart from this, there are continuous improvements to the processes of cataloging, tracking and retrieving data.

Good news for the consumer. For the consumer, the very same factors of development in digital storage, the falling price of processing power, enhancements in the technology of compression and improved transmission speeds also have significant implications. Developments have included an increased bandwidth being available to homes by way of cable, wireless and DSL media. Data can also be transmitted at high speed over electrical circuits. The cost of packaged media such as DVDs is also falling rapidly.

All these developments have had the effect of clouding the distinctive features that characterize different kinds of media – such as the demarcation between computers and television sets; this is also true of cellular phones, PDAs, digital cameras and handheld gadgets for surfing the Net. It also applies to videogames and other similar forms of media.

Sweeping changes. As a consequence of all these innovations, there have been a number of changes in the extent to which the consumer can access content. The other factor that is changing is the extent to which content is moving from distributors to consumers.

Of late, such changes have popularized the TiVo Box, which is also known as a personal video recorder (PVR) or digital video recorder (DVR). It is this gadget that will allow the viewer to pause live telecasts, avoid commercials, search for programs that interest him or her and record them for use at their own convenience. This gadget also becomes ‘aware’ of the programs you would like to watch, recording them for you to review later.

Such gadgets have brought about major changes in lifestyle for people with differing needs and pressing commitments. Now the busy mom need no longer despair that she’s going to miss her favorite programs because the kids need her attention. PVRs will also come to the aid of other people with little free time.

PVRs have forged ahead since they first became available and are now being integrated into cable and satellite set-top boxes as well as DVD players. Such integrated PVRs are far more in number than individual PVRs. With the rates for computer processing and storage falling steadily, consumers will probably appreciate the freedom to watch whatever they want as they please.

Cable operators join the fray. However, that is not the end of the story by any means. The issue is far more complicated than that – because the cable companies have a part to play here as well. They have entered the picture with video on demand services. This feature allows individual subscribers to monitor several hours of film and television viewing. In New England alone, there are about 9 million cable subscribers using Video on Demand. In the next few years, this figure could possibly reach anywhere between 20 and 30 million.

The amalgamation of technologies relating to visual media and data has been significant for the telecom industry, spawning applications such as IP and MPLS or multi protocol label switching, which are particularly important for service providers. With distinctions becoming less pronounced, operators and vendors are working towards improving efficiency and offering a better quality of service. Some vendors have gone to the extent of reorganizing their strategies and operators are considering integrating their operations.

Curious World….And that’s not all – there’s the issue of convergence between mobile and fixed line services as well. Competitors in the field may have the opportunity to make their mark by offering effective solutions as single entities. The potential for convergence puts the spotlight on the need for adaptability.

For example, mobile operators aiming to maximize their gains from 3G capabilities are considering setting up networks that can accommodate the requirements of multimedia applications. Some are trying to preserve ATM features in their networks.

Children who are being raised in this kind of environment must surely wonder why anyone would bother to wait for a program to show at a particular time. The implications of these developments for broadcasters are tremendous – it means that you’ll be able to look up a program the way would have surfed the Net for content – and broadcasters will be quick to exploit the opportunity to create online services for the delivery of content to schools and homes on demand.