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What CE Pros Are Saying About Streaming Content
One overriding theme emerged: Streaming content is confusing and integrators aren't quite sure how to present it to their clients and how to profit from it. Talk turned to Hulu, Google TV, Apple TV, Vudu, Roku, Boxee, digital rights management and the problems of bandwidth limitation.
In other chats during CE Pro Live, integrators expressed frustration about Internet providers throttling bandwidth, charging more for usage and disrupting the experience of streaming media.
The following is a transcript (slightly edited) from the chat log on streaming media. Does it sound like your conversations with other CE Pros?
Presentations, chat logs and other resources are available for download, free of charge, at http://www.ceprolive.com. The conversation will continue "for real" at the Electronic House Expo 2011, March 17-19, Orlando, Fla.
Scheduled Chat - Streaming Profits: How to Make Money on Digital Content
Arlen Schweiger (CE Pro): JJ - you've been fiddling around w/Google TV?
Christopher Powell (integrator): What got me thinking of Flash availability is that I got Flash 10.1 on my Droid X with the 2.2 update, and seeing as Google TV is going to run a similar Android OS I would think they would support flash content as well.
Julie Jacobson (CE Pro): Yes, I just set up Google TV. Now everyone is blocking access to their content via Google TV. Real pain
Christopher Powell: What do you mean by they are blocking access to their content Julie?
Julie Jacobson: The app might be Flash (or support flash) but the device you're streaming on/from might not play flash content.
Jason Knott (CE Pro): Julie -- I think I heard both Scott Osborne [Zobo.tv] and Jeff Goldstein [Sony] say in your session that 7 to 10 Mbps is what people need to not make streaming media “klugy.” If the avg. in U.S. is only 4.8, are the streaming devices going to be too slow for the public to put up with?
Justin Cunningham (integrator): Chris, I have been bugging the crap out of Sprint, Samsung, and Google to give me 2.2 Froyo for my Samsung Intercept...They are really getting me annoyed, I need those features
Justin Cunningham: Jason, I say, Definitely.
Julie Jacobson: This week has been a crazy one for Google TV. Many of the stations are re-jiggering access so you can't play from Google TV
Christopher Powell: I'll tell you Justin, I LOVE the streaming content availability on my Moto Droid X now, but other than that 2.2 has been a NIGHTMARE for me, I REALLY hope to see a difference with the Android version Google will be running on their Internet TV
Julie Jacobson: Streaming works just fine in my really bad Comcast neighborhood, but I haven't tried multi streams and anything too crazy
Justin Cunningham: Chris I need the Bluetooth voice control for dialing and txt dictation really bad. And the Apps2SD and some other stuff
Christopher Powell: I am curious Julie, why are so many providers blocking access? That seems counter-productive to me?
Christopher Powell: Yeah that stuff is great Justin, I have just had problem after problem with other aspects of 2.2 such as apps crashing, not working, etc. etc., ones that worked immaculately beforehand.
Julie Jacobson: Christopher, I don't get it at all. So, for example, Hulu blocks you from accessing their content from a number of browsers. I don't understand why. They still make the ad revenue.
Christopher Powell: So here is my other question for Julie or anyone else related to streaming media, does anyone have any experience with a Roku box?
Justin Cunningham: Julie, think about it, most homes will have up to 2 DVR streams recording while Dad watches the history channel, mom watches lifetime, and the kids watch their stuff. That is not going to fly with Comcast [Internet].
Julie Jacobson: Kids shouldn't be watching TV!
Jason Knott: Streaming Barney!
Justin Cunningham: The only and obvious explanation for Hulu et al is they are being controlled by Google TV's competitors
Arlen Schweiger: Right, they should all be reading with their Kindles.
Christopher Powell: I'm thinking 2-3+ video streams would have a great impact on quality, if I am streaming in HD more than two streams at home, we have trouble even browsing on other PCs.
Julie Jacobson: Why is it that Dad always watches the intellectual shows and Mom always watches Lifetime?
Matt Marple (Integrator): Justin is correct. People are surprised when they are told that they can often only stream content to one box at a time if they have under 10Mb
Justin Cunningham: Right, and then remember they have been selling everyone on HD, so triple the bandwidth requirements
Jason Knott: I see power protection as a strong potential sales component with streaming media to protect against internal spikes and surges during the download. Any thoughts?
Christopher Powell: So no one has any experience with the Roku box?? No one in the webinars or on forums much seem to be discussing it and they seem to have an awesome deal to compete with Apple and Google TV, $99 bucks and Netflix, Amazon On Demand, Hulu, etc.. it caught my attention.
Justin Cunningham: Jason I like that angle, sell UPS for the networking+dvr components
Matt Marple: Things are changing rapidly though. I just moved to California and had Verizon install fiber to my home. 25 MB up and down.... It’s going to get better over the next couple years
Julie Jacobson: Justin, I guess Hulu and others have other reasons to get you to view from within their environment. There are other ads that they sell that are not “attached” to the viewing experience if accessed from different content aggregation systems.
Julie Jacobson: Roku ROCKS!
Jim Zoyiopoulos: DirecTV and Comcast can't be the only choices. They have terrible customer service and are consistently rated low
Arlen Schweiger: can't say I've tried Roku, but it does seem to have quite a bit
Christopher Powell: Jealous @Matt, we live in a small town and UVerse, FiOS etc, isn't available here
Christopher Powell: Julie, you HAVE tried Roku and like it?
Julie Jacobson: Look at Dish. Awesome stuff at CEDIA integrated with Google TV. True anytime, anywhere, from any device ...
David Gass (integrator): I have customers that use the Roku - so far good reviews as with the Apple TV. Mac Mini is the way to go but is more expensive.
Matt Marple: I am less interested in the Roku than I am the new WDTV Live HUB
Justin Cunningham: Can Google TV supplant Apple TV? or isn't it “there” yet
Jim Zoyiopoulos: Looking for true a la carte programming
Matt Marple: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=891
Christopher Powell: @Matt, I am looking at Roku simply as a competitor of Apple TV and Google TV
Julie Jacobson: Christopher yes but it's been awhile on Roku, so a lot of it is from reading. BUT I just received latest Roku box a couple days ago and plan to set it up at my cranky mom's house in Texas later this month. See if she can dig it
David Gass: Have not played with Google TV yet - heard the 1st gens are not too great
Jason Knott: From what I understand Apple TV will only have HDMI starting next year, or has that already happened?
Jim Zoyiopoulos: Google TV is only available via best buy
Arlen Schweiger: Matt we will be having a review of the WD hub in an upcoming issue of Electronic House (possibly Jan/Feb) ... yes, having that 1 terabyte built-in storage is huge too
Matt Marple: HDMI only on the new box
David Gass: Already happened
Justin Cunningham: cranky mom haha
Matt Marple: I will watch for the review Arlen.
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Article Topics
News · Video · Digital Media · Media Servers · Ceprolive · Streaming Media · Google Tv · Vudu · Boxee · Roku ·About the Author
5 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
Julie,
I have been using Roku for a bit now and it seems to be the best unit out there for a cost/performance/options out there.
Roku keeps adding channels all the time.
I just added Hulu+ it is nice for some stuff, but some content is still not available on hulu+ (i.e. streaming to a set top box like a Roku is blocked depending on the content provider)...
Im all for embracing new technology and I love everything Google. BUT, the Google TV is a silly product. I dont get it. It seems like a restrictive and dumbed down PC with a poorly designed gui. If the big draw if the keyboard/remote than that is a major fail also due to the communication standard. Should be wifi so the range can be extended. Outside of MAYBE heat, I cant think of one reason this is better than a basic computer with a video input and a device like an Android or iTouch to control the mouse and computer over the wifi network.
I have been using ZeeVee’s Zinc on and off for a year or so now. That to me has been a great way to get streaming services (using a computer). I just got one of the new ATV’s to play with Netflix. It has been great with a few hiccups here and there. However, there is not as much contact as I would like. If ATV (the new one) had Hulu or Zinc built in it would be great. Still the newer BluRay players tend to give you access to wide variety of streaming services. The problem still is Bandwidth and quality. There are HD options - but it is almost all a “rental”. I think it is a great emerging technology. We are still a year or two away if not more in some areas from getting the speed, content and pricing. Give me one box that does it all for a reasonable price and that the client can understand.
I say get used to it! I personally have used Hulu Plus and netflix more this passed month than my cable provider. And as more and more content springs up like google tv if integrators do not take note and learn how to profit from the technologies they will be left behind. The BIG one i often hear is how do i make money with this? Seriously? Integrators have been making money integrating cable boxes, sat boxes, uverse boxes and have found a way to turn a dime with them. These new boxes should be thought of no different except now you CAN make more. Through optimizing a network for better viewing experience, setting up multiple streaming boxes, selling better network gear to make the entire streaming system work better, and a host of other options. I am excited about this new trend and how it can create more cash flow, a better customer experience, AND in fixing video streaming i actually get to give another reason why a solid network belongs in homes and not just businesses!
I just loaded Netflix to my TiVo, ATV, Wii and iPod. It’s a lot of fun, but when it buffers like it did last night on T2 it was a little disappointing. Given that it was casual I was OK with it, but had it been in my theater I would have been far less happy. My ATV does buffer every now and then too- they’ll get there, I still prefer the DVD since I find that I prefer watching my favorite Movies over and over and don’t like interuptions. PS, my BB is fine streming Trek from CBS.