With the introduction of digital TV a new way of video transport and delivery has emerged, using the Internet Protocol (IP). Video over IP is a general term to describe the use of IP in any or all stages of video transport to the subscriber (or end-customer). This has to be distinguished from the term IPTV, which means specifically the delivery of video as an IP stream to the subscriber set-top box or TV set. All digital video today that is broadcast, transported over satellite or distributed in cable systems is using the MPEG transport stream (TS) communications protocol.

My previous column for this publication focused on the oil and gas exploration and production sector, with particular reference to the increasing attention of the energy industry on deepwater and ultra-deepwater hydrocarbon reserves which now appear to be much more abundant than was thought ten years ago.

EO Satellite Manufacturing, Commercial Data and Value Added Services to Generate $6.2 Billion in 2018

 The Asia-Pacific IPTV subscriber base is expected to grow by 51 percent in 2009 to close at 9.4 million users and account for 37.6 percent of the global subscribers.

According to a new study from Parks Associates, the number of US broadband households watching online content doubled in the last year. The study, entitled Broadband Communications, and Entertainment Bundles, says that over 25 million U.S. households regularly watch full-length TV shows online.

The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) revealed at their annual conference held in Hong Kong November 3rd, new data for subscription TV penetration across the Asia Pacific, noting that the region now has 326 million pay-TV in 2009, up 26 million homes from last year.

According to CASBAA estimates, , subscription television in Asia Pacific now reaches more homes than the rest of the world (ROW) combined. Digital pay-TV subscription households now account for over 115 million homes.

Latin America has a vibrant Direct-to-Home (DTH) market with services recently launched or rolling out in several countries in the next few months. The largest and most mature DTH market in the region is that of Brazil, which has the largest population and most extensive land area in South America.

DTH Market Trends in Brazil

ITU’s latest statistics, published in The World in 2009: ICT facts and figures, reveal rapid ICT growth in many world regions in everything from mobile cellular subscriptions to fixed and mobile broadband, and from TV to computer penetration - with mobile technology acting as a key driver.

While 3DTV has its skeptics, the giants in the consumer electronics industry see huge potential, according to a new report from GigaOM Pro. As HDTV manufacturers face shrinking margins and a maturing market, big players like Sony and Panasonic see 3DTV as the way to rejuvenate their TV business. While the market is only in its infancy today, by 2013 up to 46 million 3DTV capable flat-panel HDTVs will head to consumer homes.