If you are a subscriber to Time Warner Cable, you may already be familiar with Pioneer's 'Passport' Technology (if not, chances are you use the Scientific Atlanta SARA software). Both operate in a similar manner to deliver video on demand (VOD), HDTV and digital cable programs. This recent announcement by Pioneer was an interesting one, as cable providers, as well as satellite, are known for their "less-than-stellar" compression techniques for delivering digital content to your television - an unfortunate bandwidth necessity, and a shortcoming that is all too noticeable with todays, higher resolution television sets.
BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of broadband multimedia platform solutions for broadcast television and on-demand services, and Pioneer Digital Technologies, Inc. today announced the completion of development of an end-to-end switched broadcast offering. The solution brings together service management, switching and media processing of live video content and client access through Pioneer’s 'Passport' interactive navigation software platform. The combined offering enables cable operators with systems based on the popular
Passport DCT system to provide live programs in
dynamic response to subscriber viewing, so that only those programs being watched consume bandwidth and resources. This significantly improves cable plant efficiency to support expansion of broadcast programming and advanced services such as VOD and HDTV.
We are hoping that this results in better quality (lower compression) service as well as an increased amount of broadcast HDTV content. Let's cross our fingers...
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