[LINK] the story behing Freeview

[Tom Koltai]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: link-bounces at mailman1.anu.edu.au 
> [mailto:link-bounces at mailman1.anu.edu.au] On Behalf Of David Boxall
> Sent: Monday, 23 February 2009 3:34 PM
> To: Jan Whitaker
> Cc: link at anu.edu.au
> Subject: Re: [LINK] the story behing Freeview
> 
> 
> Hmmm:
> > ...
> > What Freeview is proposing is a two stage approach to the 
> roll out of
> > their service in Australia. However many TV vendors fear that the 
> > specification for phase 1 will differ significantly for phase two.  
> > During phase 1 the Freeview boxes will not have an EPG due 
> to the use 
> > of MPEG 2 technology ...
> How does MPEG2 preclude an EPG?  Sounds to me more like policy than 
> technology.
> >
> > During phase two Freeview is proposing that vendors move to 
> MPEG-4 ...
> >
> > For Freeview the benefits are that they can better manage digital
> > rights management issues and control the skipping of TV 
> commercials. A 
> > senior TV executive of a Korean manufacturer said "what is being 
> > proposed is two lots of technology that will result in boxes or 
> > devices purchased during stage 1 become useless during stage 2 as 
> > newer technology is introduced. Among several vendors there is real 
> > concern that Freeview will not deliver any consumer benefits ...
> Just the excessively privileged trying to further extend their 
> privileges.  The consequences for consumers don't interest them.
> 
This does appear as if the tail is now wagging the dog.
Where will traditional Free to air move to now I wonder.
With the advertising model no loinger supported by the whitegoods
manufacturers who are of course concerned about their public image -
does this mean that advertising is dead ?

He says as he looks up his brokers number to buy more google shares.....

Tom