IPTV and Internet Video: Expanding the Reach of Television Broadcasting (NAB Executive Technology Briefings) [Paperback]

Wes Simpson (Author), Howard Greenfield (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240809548 | ISBN-13: 978-0240809540 | Publication Date: April 2, 2007 | Edition: 1

IPTV and Internet Video clearly explains and demystifies the functions, markets, and future impact of this exploding technology. This book contains an overview of hardware, software, and Internet technologies, case studies, and covers a range of products and services. It is a guide to help leaders master the key trends and drivers transforming the world of broadcast television and the Web. Each piece of the puzzle is discussed in detail, from head ends, Web portals and VOD servers through advanced IP networks, DSLAMs and xDSL lines to viewers' set-top boxes and multimedia PCs. You'll get a working knowledge of IPTV, enabling both non-technical and technical professionals to accurately analyze the emerging technology and business opportunities. Written by two leading digital media experts with, each with 25 years technology development experience and global insight, this book also looks ahead to IPTV's rapid deployment and future growth.

* Part of the NAB Executive Technology Briefing series which brings you industry technology information in a non-technical fashion
* Comprehensive introduction to IPTV and Internet Video networks and applications
* Quickly get up to speed on terms, market, and the business as IPTV and Internet broadcast distribution
* Reality Check perspectives in each chapter tie theory to real-world case studies

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The second edition of this authoritative guide exploring the technology, services, and business models behind the tremendous industry growth.

"This is the right book at the right time.an accessible introduction to the basics, as well as a guide to thinking through issues of implementation and strategy." -Paul Saffo, Silicon Valley Forecaster

"This new edition of IPTV and Internet Video brings the reader up to speed on what he needs to know."-Matt Bross, BT Group Chief Technology Officer (British Telecom)

"This book is an outstanding resource for convergence professionals who are racing to further monetize the ever-expanding world of broadband internet media." -Greg Douglass, Global Managing Director, Accenture's Media and Entertainment

Make the right IPTV business decisions with a thorough understanding of the technology and the business implications of the broadband video revolution. Master key trends transforming the world of broadcast television and the Web with this guide to hardware, software, Internet applications and the wide range of alternative products and services. Explore why IP is the new gold standard for online video delivery and how it will be monetized. Understand the entire IPTV process, with clear explanations of complex technologies designed to help leaders make informed decisions and drive successful strategies. This comprehensive guide prepares you for IPTV's rapid deployment and future growth with features that include:

• Clear explanations of IPTV and Internet Video networks and applications
• Overviews of how the technical solutions are being turned into business models
• Reality Check perspectives in each chapter that illustrate theories with real-world case studies
• An expanded glossary that clarifies complex, technical jargon

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Wes Simpson is President of Telecom Product Consulting, an independent consulting firm that focuses on video and telecommunications products. He has more than 25 years experience in the design, development and marketing of products for telecommunication applications. He is a frequent speaker at industry events such as IBC, NAB and VidTrans and is author of the book Video Over IP. Wes was a founding member of the Video Services Forum.

Howard Greenfield is a digital media strategist, industry columnist, and President of Go Associates, a leading global strategic business development consulting firm. Howard has held senior management and consulting positions with Sun Microsystems, Informix Software, British Telecom, and Apple Computer. He was the creator and leader of Sun's first Media Lab, and completed graduate studies at Stanford University. He is a frequent contributor to technology and business publications and conferences world-wide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (April 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240809548
• ISBN-13: 978-0240809540
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,989,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wes Simpson has been acting as an interpreter between technical experts and typical users for his entire career. He began as an engineer who needed to understand what customers wanted, and then moved into product management and marketing consulting to help guide new product development. Wes was a founder of the Video Services Forum, an influential trade group. He is also a columnist for TV Technology magazine. In addition to his books, Wes has created whitepapers for several companies and has truly enjoyed developing and delivering presentations to audiences around the globe.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More convergence please - I want my IPTV!, October 25, 2007

By 

Stephan A. Mezak "Steve" (Redwood City, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: IPTV and Internet Video: Expanding the Reach of Television Broadcasting (NAB Executive Technology Briefings) (Paperback)

IPTV and Internet Video explains what is happening today in the converging world of TV, Internet and communications. It turns out IPTV is really the ability to deliver programming using the IP over a private network rather than the public Internet. And those private networks are the cable, DSL and satellite networks constructed by the large companies providing these services today.

If you are like me you look forward to the day when you can interact with your TV instead of just sitting there and passively watching it. Tivo and other brands of DVRs are a start. They let you record programs and watch them when you want to, and of course you can skip the commercials. I even skip the lulls and often lame commentary between baseball pitches and football plays.

But when will we be able to watch a show and look up other information on the Internet related to what we are watching? What is that batter's average again? What other movie was this actor in? Where can I blog about that news item?

Today I can do that with a laptop while watching TV but I have to type everything in to do a search. That's not the integrated environment that is possible if I could interact with the TV program directly on my computer or computer-based TV. IPTV is what I want!

Or is it?

The book covers the differences between IPTV programming, delivered over a private network and viewed on a TV through a set-top box, and Internet Video which is usually small clips delivered on-demand through the public Internet.

The authors do an excellent job of explaining the technical and business reasons for what is happening now and in the near future of IPTV. Technical details including the various MPEG standards, multicasting and network layer reference model are discussed in this context. Business aspects are also discussed and include business models, subscription costs and "Corner Office View" sidebars that quote industry leaders on the impact of IPTV and Internet video developments.

This is an excellent book if you are in the business and want an overview of IPTV with a good balance of technical and business detail. I rate the book at 5 stars in this case. If you want a description of the gory details of UDP vs. TCP and how multicasting on IP works then this book probably doesn't have enough of those details for you.

You will also have to look elsewhere if you want to know what the next Web 2.0 or YouTube-like video craze will be. OTOH, you might just detect an opportunity not adequately addressed by the IPTV services offered by the powers-that-be and soon-to-be that are discussed in this book.

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book for executives, limited use for developers., May 18, 2011

By 

H. Zhang "hz" (MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: IPTV and Internet Video, Second Edition: Expanding the Reach of Television Broadcasting (NAB Executive Technology Briefings) (Paperback)

Quote from the introduction of the book: "This book is focused on providing readers a solid understanding of the technologies and business issues surrounding IPTV and Internet video. Care is taken to present major concepts clearly while staying above the specific details of individual implementations."

This book is great for those who want some general understanding of the technologies and business aspects of IPTV, Internet Video, but its use for implementers and developers is very limited.

It is a very easy read. One probably can finish it in an evening.