Guide to Video On Demand
About VOD
Video on demand (also known as VOD) permits consumers to choose and view video programmes over a computer network as a component of an interactive TV system. Moreover, VOD systems either "stream" video, enabling the user to watch even as the video is downloaded, or "download" it in which the feature is downloaded in whole to a set-top box prior to screening can begin.
All download and a number of streaming VOD systems offer the consumer a sizeable amount of video recorder functionality such as pause, fast forward, fast rewind,jump to feature etc. This necessitates additional endeavors on the part of the main computer server for streaming, and might also entail larger bandwidth requirements.
These days it's feasible to situate video servers on local networks, and in that situation can offer a extremely quick response to VOD consumers. Streaming video systems can also supply a wider group of people via a Wide Area Network, however the reaction may be abridged. Video On Demand download services are realistic where houses already have cable modems or broadband connections.
VOD Availability
VOD was first commercially launched in 1990 in Hong Kong. At the time, the VOD technology was not yet quite ready. Since VCDs were available cheaply, and subscription TV was not commonplace for Hong Kong. the service made a sizeable loss and the service was bought in 2000 by Pacific Century Cyberworks, who then later scrapped it.
At present VOD is obtainable in many areas of the USA. VOD streaming services are accessible from cable companies (in conjunction with cable modem equipment) who use the huge downstream bandwidth that exists on cable networks to transport films and TV programs to end consumers, who can normally pause, fast-forward, and rewind VOD movies owing to the low latency and random-access character of cable networks. The sizeable sharing of a solitary signal makes streaming VOD not viable for the majority of satellite television networks, although EchoStar in recent times publicized a strategy to propose VOD programming to subscribers that own PVRs on the DISH Network satellite service. Subsequent to the features being recorded automatically on a consumer's PVR, they can view, play, pause, and seek at their expediency. In addition, VOD is fairly widespread in luxurious hotels. VOD services that store and offer a user interface for VOD content downloaded direct from the net are extensively offered.
Telewest and NTL, UK cable TV providers, began UK VOD services in 2005 in effort to grab customers from the UK's foremost subscription TV company, Sky Digital, whose satellite network is not capable of providing a VOD service. Another company, HomeChoice, has provided VOD programming to British consumers (in particular London & Stevenage) since 2003.
VOD is available in a lot ofother parts of the world. Taiwan's ANYTIME service offers VOD to Taiwanese cable networks and in Australia TransACT Communications offers VOD services including sports events and adult entertainment.