The other thing of course, is having all of this bandwidth does make you think about things to do with it. Such as online backups, high definition video calls with Skype or FaceTime, online gaming and as much streaming as there is worthwhile content. Worthwhile content will get better with time in the UK, without having to go over a VPN through using Boxee box or Hulu on a PC.
The problem is of course, expectation of performance.
Unless your content provider has a pretty extensive hosting provision in a data centre with big links to ISPs who have their own big links to the major networks and peering points for going cross-border, you're always going to find the weakest link in the chain sets your real download speed. So your large content provider download download is always going to be quick and dependent on your line, you may see 1-5mb/s download speeds (using my link as an example) But more often that not, if your source has a small rack in a co-located data centre and pays meagrely for its traffic out to the net - don't be surprised that a 8meg file download can still take a minute or two. Big in this case means better.
Of course, it's never this simple. You also have to trust that your ISP does not run congested links in the first place. Not always easy to detect, unless you have an ISP who is transparent on how they deliver services in the first place. Hat tip my my AAISP again (and no, I'm not invested in them in any way).
Having the capacity on tap, is still sort of good though. In the next year or so, I forsee a big jump in applications across mobiles and tablets which will make use of the larger pipes for high definition rich content. We'll wonder how we ever lived without it.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
How many megs?
I've been on the BT trials recently for their upping of the speed of their fibre service. I'm with one of the top notch niche ISPs who got me on the trial.
My line was 34meg down and 8meg up before the trial and had been rock solid. Standard type of FTTC. was ample for me and the family given everyone is normally on line at a the same time in the evening and at some part of the weekend. The new BT trial was to test an up to 80meg service through a frequency expansion on the VDSL2 side. A bit like going from 8meg ADSL1 to up to 24meg ADSL2+.
Anyway, after BT made the change, my BT modem initially sync'd at 64meg down. It took a few queries with the ISP to see why my Billion router was still seeing 34meg down via speedtest.net. Once I realised that I needed to remove some old QoS rules for limiting the bandwith hoggers in the house on the router (ie. children), my magic figure was:
Which was pretty neat. I suspect the bandwidth increase from up to 40meg to 80 meg is dependent on the usual quality of line, distance from cabinet stuff. Upload increases from 10 to 20meg. Average latency needs to be in the sub 20ms but get periods like above. Apparently the existing up to BT Infinity 40meg service will be replaced by the the piloted 80meg one.
Amazing what you can do with copper these days (albeit with a bit of fibre on the chain).
My line was 34meg down and 8meg up before the trial and had been rock solid. Standard type of FTTC. was ample for me and the family given everyone is normally on line at a the same time in the evening and at some part of the weekend. The new BT trial was to test an up to 80meg service through a frequency expansion on the VDSL2 side. A bit like going from 8meg ADSL1 to up to 24meg ADSL2+.
Anyway, after BT made the change, my BT modem initially sync'd at 64meg down. It took a few queries with the ISP to see why my Billion router was still seeing 34meg down via speedtest.net. Once I realised that I needed to remove some old QoS rules for limiting the bandwith hoggers in the house on the router (ie. children), my magic figure was:
 |
| How many megs? |
Which was pretty neat. I suspect the bandwidth increase from up to 40meg to 80 meg is dependent on the usual quality of line, distance from cabinet stuff. Upload increases from 10 to 20meg. Average latency needs to be in the sub 20ms but get periods like above. Apparently the existing up to BT Infinity 40meg service will be replaced by the the piloted 80meg one.
Amazing what you can do with copper these days (albeit with a bit of fibre on the chain).
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The frustrations of being the family PC support person
I was over at a family members house a couple of times last week. Turns out that the home network and PCs were in need of plugging some gaping holes. For example:
Setting WPA2 encryption on the wireless network
Setting a proper admin password on the router
Replacing an inadequate but fee anti-virus only package with a full internet security solution
Setting up OpenDNS to protect the kids
Installing LogMeIn to enable remote support in the future
The best part was helping the kids watch proper streamed footy over a VPN connection. The smiles on their faces was worthwhile.
You probably wouldn't believe me that it took me just over 2 hours to get that small list of things up and running correctly. It's a great reality check of the horrors of using and tinkering with Windows 7 to secure and enable useful things for people. I mean Microsoft, really?
Setting WPA2 encryption on the wireless network
Setting a proper admin password on the router
Replacing an inadequate but fee anti-virus only package with a full internet security solution
Setting up OpenDNS to protect the kids
Installing LogMeIn to enable remote support in the future
The best part was helping the kids watch proper streamed footy over a VPN connection. The smiles on their faces was worthwhile.
You probably wouldn't believe me that it took me just over 2 hours to get that small list of things up and running correctly. It's a great reality check of the horrors of using and tinkering with Windows 7 to secure and enable useful things for people. I mean Microsoft, really?
Wake up call
A useful reminder in how we are deeply dependent on the web while at the same time, must remain sceptically careful on the trust we place in authorities.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Looking at cutting the cord to UK Satellite TV
In the UK, Sky TV have held a vice like grip on the satellite and non freeview market for a number of years. They've been growing rapidly, picking up more channels alongside the movies and sports offerings which have provided them a winning combination since day 1. With 50+ live channels just broadcasting HD (720p), they offer a value proposition that is difficult to match for other broadcasters at what is a competitive (if not expensive price). For many customers, it's a must-have.
The trouble is, is distinguishing what you really want to watch and understanding the channels they are on, and then mapping that into the packages they offer for subscription. As usual it's done in such a way where the average subscriber needs to buy a lot more in terms of packages, than what they really need.
Aside from my family, I watch a few things, mainly football, movies and US TV shows. The rest of what watch on Sky is just a circumstance of couch time.
Therefore, I approached Boxee with the usual geek-like salivation of yet another box to add to the home network, but also a curiosity as to whether I could meet my viewing demands. The last requirement was for it to be polished and simple enough to use for my family.
So for the last week, I've been playing around with this thing. A quick look at the device itself.
What I liked about Boxee box
Detail you need to pay attention to
So what did I try?
Remember, it's about football, movies and US TV shows.
Final thoughts
Spend £160 on the device, and add $21(£13) for a 3-month subscription to a VPN connection from a good service provider. FoxSoccer.TV is $20 (£12) per month. Vudu and Netflix charge on a per content piece as described. Of course, there are other content providers for free on the US boxee streams, but they tend to be limited in use and are often, laden with advertisements.
Gut-feeling, while this has been an interesting experiment, Boxee wil not replace Sky TV for now. It's a supplement and with added cost, give me more options on what I want to watch particularly on the footy side and getting access to US movies and TV shows. For example, just using my Mac, I can now access footy on a Saturday afternoon and watch US shows whenever I fancy it. Playback on iOS devices have additional subscriber costs from apps which I'd need a US-based iTunes account to get.
All in all, it's still a geeky niche product for me and not ready for the front-room and it may not get to that stage in the family home. However, it has a number of uses not only in terms of what I've mentioned but certainly for content from the darker side of the net ;-)
The trouble is, is distinguishing what you really want to watch and understanding the channels they are on, and then mapping that into the packages they offer for subscription. As usual it's done in such a way where the average subscriber needs to buy a lot more in terms of packages, than what they really need.
Aside from my family, I watch a few things, mainly football, movies and US TV shows. The rest of what watch on Sky is just a circumstance of couch time.
Therefore, I approached Boxee with the usual geek-like salivation of yet another box to add to the home network, but also a curiosity as to whether I could meet my viewing demands. The last requirement was for it to be polished and simple enough to use for my family.
So for the last week, I've been playing around with this thing. A quick look at the device itself.
What I liked about Boxee box
- Generally good design Box is small and neat, connectivity options are reasonable ok. Could have done with gigabit NIC and 5Ghz wireless N, but these are not deal-breakers.
- The UI is the sort of thing, you love or hate. I'm not big for it. Not sure, why, but I appreciate it's easy to use.
- Performance-wise, this is a media streamer and relies on a fast internet connection to make it fly in relation to the content.
- The apps idea is good one. Only a few I'm interested in such as Netflix or Vudu. Hulu is still not available (yet). The apps which call upon the internal browser to stream content are quite poor in their execution.
- In terms of usability, alongside the UI, the reversible-remote is a great idea and executed ok. Could be better in terms of the tactility of the keys and how to access all keys quickly when typing it passwords or URLs, but you can get by.
Detail you need to pay attention to
- A good VPN connection for access US licensed content. Boxee uses PPTP and there are lots of good providers to get you set you up in no time
- A credit card account and contact details from the US. Otherwise, Netflix and VDU are a no-go and this where it's can get useful.
- Lots of ISP download bandwidth. When you make your VPN connection and run a speedtest, understandably, it's not the same as when you're on your home ISP connection. Therefore FTTC and larger pipe cable users will be better suited to Boxee and the experience possible.
So what did I try?
Remember, it's about football, movies and US TV shows.
- Football using the FoxSoccer.TV streamed service. OK quality and useful that it covers MANY live streams, including all the premiership games on a Saturday afternoon for example.
- Movies with 1080p. Signed up with Vudu. Nice app, easy to use and quality of movies is very good. But price ay $5.99-$7.99 per movie. Netflix is the alternative and charges $5.99 per throw.
- US TV Shows. Again VDU deliver HD content between $1.99-$3.99. If you want an all-you-can-eat sort of package, then it's Hulu. Unfortunately, we're still awaiting for it to be an app on Boxee, despite it being on every other media console going in the U.S. I expect it will be $7.99 for the Hulu Plus plan.
- Of course, if you get your HD content (movies and TV shows) via downloads from say, unofficial sources. Then of course, Boxee will pick them up on your home network, add IMDB metadata to them and play them all with aplomb.
- Lastly, there is Navi-X, the XBMC-like content aggregator. It scrapes a wide variety of sources to present largely free content from again unofficial sources. Playback and quality is variable. Definitely a geeky thing.
Final thoughts
Spend £160 on the device, and add $21(£13) for a 3-month subscription to a VPN connection from a good service provider. FoxSoccer.TV is $20 (£12) per month. Vudu and Netflix charge on a per content piece as described. Of course, there are other content providers for free on the US boxee streams, but they tend to be limited in use and are often, laden with advertisements.
Gut-feeling, while this has been an interesting experiment, Boxee wil not replace Sky TV for now. It's a supplement and with added cost, give me more options on what I want to watch particularly on the footy side and getting access to US movies and TV shows. For example, just using my Mac, I can now access footy on a Saturday afternoon and watch US shows whenever I fancy it. Playback on iOS devices have additional subscriber costs from apps which I'd need a US-based iTunes account to get.
All in all, it's still a geeky niche product for me and not ready for the front-room and it may not get to that stage in the family home. However, it has a number of uses not only in terms of what I've mentioned but certainly for content from the darker side of the net ;-)
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Hedging bets on the soon to be announced Apple HDTV
Since the admission of 'I've finally cracked it' in relation to a future Apple HDTV product (iTV) appeared in Walter Isaacson's biography of Jobs, speculation has been rife on what that product might look like and the rationale behind it. Several articles make interesting points in terms of what that product and service would look like. The premise for all of them is interesting as Apple are known only to enter markets where they can add tremendous value and in doing so, they disrupt the natural business model for the incumbents for that product.
I still have an v1 Apple TV. Like other v1 users who have kept their, I think its a well built and easy to use set top product for accessing audio and video in the 'walled garden' ecosystem of Apple protected stuff. The v2 product, while simplified, essentially removed a number of features which original v1 users probably felt too important to lose. For example, being able to store your content locally on the device instead of re-streaming your content every time.
In projecting what I think the future iTV will be, I decided to look at this across the following areas.
Starting point — the evolutionary approach
While revolutionary in terms of Apple's take on introducing a new product category, I also see it as a piece in the Apple jigsaw of products, fitting into now and future Mac and iOS product roadmap releases. This is predicated that on seeing it, you would intuitively know how to use it. In that situation, it helps me predict what is going to be baked into the first version.
Hardware
Most, if not all Apple hardware products, are an object of desire and beauty. They impute total quality inside and out. I would see the current display technologies such as backlit LED technology and with IPS for wide viewing angle support as a minimum feature in terms of the HDTV. 1080p will be a standard for a v1 unit. AirPort wireless N wifi and a Gigabit LAN interface would be expected as standard. Sensibly, I expect a border less picture supporting 16x9 or possible 16x10 displays. Some articles have suggested Apple could go even wider to accommodate the side parts of the screen to add messaging and other types of interactions with either Siri voice or iPad airplay mirroring or something else entirely.
Through the software and content layers below, I'd see a need for local storage within iTV. Looking at 64-128Gb. A potential game changer for some of the suggestions I'm about to make.
What will be the brains of this device? Perhaps a new piece of silicon which drives super graphics and on-board computing capability. It is very much within their capability to produce an engine we have yet to see. If anything, it will be the evolutionary step of what we've been seeing in their mobile devices.
HDMI integration – not so sure. It would be typical of Apple to ignore HD connectivity standards and go for something on the new innovation curve of device connectivity. I'm not aware of what that technology would be at the moment, so I would discount that and stick with the latest version of HDMI.
Software
It should come as no surprise that iOS naturally fits as the software OS for this new category of device in the Apple world of things. Web connected and in seeing all other Apple services or Apple devices on your home network. In that regard, I readily expect the iTV devices to support Airplay, FaceTime and other standard iOS features.
Interface
To ensure a "magical" experience for the user, there will be 3 types of input for the iTV
Content
Here's the bit of the jigsaw where it becomes really interesting. In terms of hardware, software and even interface, it's essentially another form of glorified Apple monitor (albeit a great one). The key here is to provide a real alternative to customers who want to switch away from traditional cable/satellite feeds and use iTV for all key content in the future This is the biggest challenge for Apple in terms of disruption on the market place.
As I've mentioned before, the key success factor here, is that despite being a TV, through the hardware and software, you would already know how to use an Apple HDTV. This helps us be predictive on the final product and what's potentially baked into it.
The final package
So a Siri voice activated, 40-50" super thin LED display which runs 1080p, powered by a super powerful piece a silicon which has a high speed LAN and WAN connection. It has iTunes baked in and has an app layer to access video and gaming applications to take advantage of the on-board computing capability and local storage. It will run using less power than a conventional LCD/LED panels.
After all that, would I buy one? Yes, if a) they can sign deals for content such as Sky in Europe and either match or exceed the value proposition of Sky and other providers and b) by switching to on-demand TV with streams, downloads and apps - you only pay 20-30% more overall for subscribed content. Despite the premium droolness of it all, it still needs to make financial sense to your average consumer. Mind you, when you're Apple and go for the higher-end market for things, that approach can go out of the window and you still make pots of money.
I still have an v1 Apple TV. Like other v1 users who have kept their, I think its a well built and easy to use set top product for accessing audio and video in the 'walled garden' ecosystem of Apple protected stuff. The v2 product, while simplified, essentially removed a number of features which original v1 users probably felt too important to lose. For example, being able to store your content locally on the device instead of re-streaming your content every time.
In projecting what I think the future iTV will be, I decided to look at this across the following areas.
Starting point — the evolutionary approach
While revolutionary in terms of Apple's take on introducing a new product category, I also see it as a piece in the Apple jigsaw of products, fitting into now and future Mac and iOS product roadmap releases. This is predicated that on seeing it, you would intuitively know how to use it. In that situation, it helps me predict what is going to be baked into the first version.
Hardware
Most, if not all Apple hardware products, are an object of desire and beauty. They impute total quality inside and out. I would see the current display technologies such as backlit LED technology and with IPS for wide viewing angle support as a minimum feature in terms of the HDTV. 1080p will be a standard for a v1 unit. AirPort wireless N wifi and a Gigabit LAN interface would be expected as standard. Sensibly, I expect a border less picture supporting 16x9 or possible 16x10 displays. Some articles have suggested Apple could go even wider to accommodate the side parts of the screen to add messaging and other types of interactions with either Siri voice or iPad airplay mirroring or something else entirely.
Through the software and content layers below, I'd see a need for local storage within iTV. Looking at 64-128Gb. A potential game changer for some of the suggestions I'm about to make.
What will be the brains of this device? Perhaps a new piece of silicon which drives super graphics and on-board computing capability. It is very much within their capability to produce an engine we have yet to see. If anything, it will be the evolutionary step of what we've been seeing in their mobile devices.
HDMI integration – not so sure. It would be typical of Apple to ignore HD connectivity standards and go for something on the new innovation curve of device connectivity. I'm not aware of what that technology would be at the moment, so I would discount that and stick with the latest version of HDMI.
Software
It should come as no surprise that iOS naturally fits as the software OS for this new category of device in the Apple world of things. Web connected and in seeing all other Apple services or Apple devices on your home network. In that regard, I readily expect the iTV devices to support Airplay, FaceTime and other standard iOS features.
Interface
To ensure a "magical" experience for the user, there will be 3 types of input for the iTV
- An updated Apple TV remote (usual on screen menus and keyboards)
- iOS device input via the iPad or iPhone via Airplay
- An internet connected use of Siri voice activation to directly control all key aspects of the set
Content
Here's the bit of the jigsaw where it becomes really interesting. In terms of hardware, software and even interface, it's essentially another form of glorified Apple monitor (albeit a great one). The key here is to provide a real alternative to customers who want to switch away from traditional cable/satellite feeds and use iTV for all key content in the future This is the biggest challenge for Apple in terms of disruption on the market place.
As I've mentioned before, the key success factor here, is that despite being a TV, through the hardware and software, you would already know how to use an Apple HDTV. This helps us be predictive on the final product and what's potentially baked into it.
- TV — expect new content deals in place with providers (at least in the US initially) to stream content. This would need to be in place with all the major networks. If they can pull this off and have also have it baked into iTunes, this would have huge reverberations in the market.
- Movies — possibly similar deals with providers via iTunes
- Podcasts — nothing new, as would be expected
- Apps — a new iOS development platform for apps with TVcontent to be published via the Apps Store to access free and paid vide content. This ties the existing ecosystem across Mac and iOS devices into iTV.
- Games — either via Airplay mirroring from an iOS device or better still, apps built for iTV using the computing and graphical capability of the set. In one move, Apple threaten
- Connectivity to other devices — HDMI connectivity should be in place for your Blu-Ray, Satellite or Cable boxes and other devices. Without HDMI slots, this would be limiting in appeal for the consumer.
The final package
So a Siri voice activated, 40-50" super thin LED display which runs 1080p, powered by a super powerful piece a silicon which has a high speed LAN and WAN connection. It has iTunes baked in and has an app layer to access video and gaming applications to take advantage of the on-board computing capability and local storage. It will run using less power than a conventional LCD/LED panels.
After all that, would I buy one? Yes, if a) they can sign deals for content such as Sky in Europe and either match or exceed the value proposition of Sky and other providers and b) by switching to on-demand TV with streams, downloads and apps - you only pay 20-30% more overall for subscribed content. Despite the premium droolness of it all, it still needs to make financial sense to your average consumer. Mind you, when you're Apple and go for the higher-end market for things, that approach can go out of the window and you still make pots of money.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Looking back and drooling forward
At the start of the new year, we all like to partake in a look back at the gadgety highs and lows of the previous year and equally as important, what we look forward to in the coming year. Just a few thoughts:
Most used apps
Best discovery
Underestimating how Airplay is with Sonos music. Throwing music around with iOS devices to different Sonos zones is really useful.
Best moment
Startling clarity of Steve Job's views on corporate management and how salesmen can often ruin a business without really knowing the product. Startlingly familiar of where I work at the moment.
Most annoying moment
Trusting into the Bose Cinemate 1SR as my sound bar of choice. Only to realise it was woefully short of what I really wanted when I checked it out more thoroughly. Amen to Yamaha.
Drool list for 2012
iPad 3 — let's wait for the link when it comes :)
Control 4 Home Automation solutions
MacBook Air 11.6"
Most used apps
Best discovery
Underestimating how Airplay is with Sonos music. Throwing music around with iOS devices to different Sonos zones is really useful.
Best moment
Startling clarity of Steve Job's views on corporate management and how salesmen can often ruin a business without really knowing the product. Startlingly familiar of where I work at the moment.
Most annoying moment
Trusting into the Bose Cinemate 1SR as my sound bar of choice. Only to realise it was woefully short of what I really wanted when I checked it out more thoroughly. Amen to Yamaha.
Drool list for 2012
iPad 3 — let's wait for the link when it comes :)
Control 4 Home Automation solutions
MacBook Air 11.6"
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