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This archive is a compilation of articles published in our eMagazine since inception. The articles are organized by "Subject". Many thanks to those who have contributed to this archive and continue to help it grow by submitting their thoughts and expertise to the magazine.

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General Industry - Analysis and Trends

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Article Title Author Company eMag Issue Article Synopsis
Trends, Technologies, & Ecosystems: Evolution of The Digital Home The Analyst Team at Parks Associates

Feb 2013

 Parks Associates, with more than 25 years of industry expertise and consumer research, analyzes the top trends influencing the future of the connected home and digital lifestyle.
Smart Home Needs a Master Plan to Succeed THE Insider

Dec 2012

 The Home of the Future, the totally connected home, can/will become a model of efficiency. Technology isn’t holding us back. We’re holding ourselves back.
Mobile Devices and Tablets as Home Controllers Greg Rhoades HAI by Leviton

Dec 2012

 A single tablet can be the remote control for your TV, the CCTV monitor for your video surveillance equipment, and the hub of all your other sub-systems like access control, wireless security sensors, thermostats, lights, irrigation, audio/video, etc.
Dream kitchens of the Future Len Calderone for HomeToys

Dec 2012

 Is the next step in our kitchen of the future replication of food, similar to Star Trek? Just maybe. We have 3-D printing for solid objects; can food be far behind?
Expanding Role of the Service Provider—from Music to Games to the Connected Home Tom Kerber, Tricia Parks, and Harry Wang Parks Associates

Aug 2012

 Opportunities for value-added services span such categories as entertainment, technical support, home management, energy services, and healthcare. Each one offers a unique value proposition, and service companies view these services as means to retain customers and as platforms for future revenue growth.
Business Model Evolution in OTT and On-demand Video Markets – 2012 Edition Anna Hunt IMS Research

Aug 2012

 In the study Business Model Evolution in OTT and On-demand Video Markets – 2012 Edition, IMS Research estimates that in 2011 the market for on-demand video reached 998.9 billion video transactions. Pay transactions are estimated at 7.2 billion streams/downloads in 2011, generating $16.2 billion in revenues.
Being a Technology Leader Means Staying Focused on the Goal Andy Marken Marken Communications

Aug 2012

 Innovation has got to be one of the most used, overused words in the 21st century. No one simply produces a new, better product...they innovated, changed the entire industry. They totally reshaped your universe while you were asleep last evening. Innovation doesn't necessarily mean a new product/solution that will turn the earth on its ear. It's a new, better way of looking at what you're using, doing in a totally different way. Sometimes - ok lots of times - you look at what Apple, Samsung have done and you say "big deal." But it's the elegance of what they achieved that you can use immediately and it feels as though you've always done it that way...that's true innovation at its best
Clouds Everywhere Andy Marken Marken Communications

Jun 2012

 Cloud computing, cloud storage sounds good but ever so often it has to touch down and then BAM!!! your could be in a world of hurt. Oh we'll all be using it at home, at the office, wherever. You really can't avoid it. But just know everyone is there noodlin around - hackers, cybercriminals, bad guys/gals, government agencies. What can happen though it's only a cloud.
NAB 2012 - Content Anywhere, Anytime Needs to be Monetized, Saved Andy Marken Marken Communications

Apr 2012

 NAB is the second most popular event for us to attend because we like to see how prehistoric our years in TV were compared to today and it's like light years. This year we're way beyond pushing stuff to the tube. The content people are sending stuff to everything. We know that's not a brilliant observation but what literally blows us away is how the industry is now able to do it so precisely to your mobile device, in the right format, even at the right time and BAM!!! with the right ads around it that are of most interest to you. It is so elegant. Oh sure they're not exactly certain what your threshold of pain will be for the volume of ads but they're working on that.
Z-Wave Snowballs to 600th Certified Product Mark Anderson HomeToys.com

Feb 2012

 Six months ago, saw the 500th certified Z-Wave product: a goal that took almost 6 years to reach. Today, the announcement of a 600th product indicates rapid growth in Z-Wave. What are the primary factors for the growth?
Trends of 2011 and the Storylines for 2012 Parks Associates

Feb 2012

 Many thanks to our friends at Parks Associates for this great summary of what happened last year and what to expect over the next.
The Rise of the Personal Cloud Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Feb 2012

 From the starting point of data backup and synchronization, personal cloud services over the next few years will increasingly focus on media access and storage.
Spotlight on Ultraviolet Mark Anderson - Managing Editor HomeToys

Feb 2012

 Spotlight on Ultraviolet Ultraviolet promises to be the digital movie locker in the cloud. Momentum seems to be gathering with a few major players (Samsung, Amazon and Paramount) signing up recently. I decided to take it for a spin and see if the reality matched the PR hype.
Here a Tablet, Everywhere a Tablet Len Calderone

Feb 2012

 Consumers are using tablets for emails, checking on the news, social networking, gaming, reading books and watching videos. But, how are businesses using tablets? Just as the notebooks have replaced the PC, we can expect the tablet to replace the notebook, as they are smaller and lighter. The usage of tablets in business is multifaceted; and we will see more creative uses in the future, but the future of tablets in business will depend on software development, which is in a growth stage right now.
2012 will be the year of Home Automation Mark Anderson HomeToys.com

Feb 2012

 I know what you’re thinking: another “year of X” prediction that has as much chance of coming to fruition as I have of winning the lottery. (I’m still waiting for smell-o-vision.) So, why am I so keen to stake my reputation on this? One reason: the number of entry level systems appearing on the market. We’ll be reviewing some of these over coming months, but for now we’ll just list some of the major contenders. Mark Anderson is a long-time home theater enthusiast and lives on the bleeding edge of Home Automation. He will be covering everything related to Home Automation and AV. He is also a regular contributor to avystemsmag.com, where he covers commercial AV and automation.Please welcome Mark to the HomeToys team.
What can you expect in today’s conference rooms? Len Calderone

Dec 2011

 To grow, a company has to spend money.  Many companies upgrade the technology for their employees, but they often forget the potential of their conference rooms.  Before the first piece of equipment is purchased, a company needs to evaluate how the room will be used, the esthetics of the room, and the layout. 
The Data-driven Video Discovery Evolution Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Dec 2011

 Expanded consumer choice and interaction are disruptive forces for providers, consumer electronics manufacturers, content owners, and advertisers. Time-shifted viewing via the DVR or video-on-demand in combination with video options via the Internet has created an increasingly fragmented consumer “television” experience. And although live television still dominates viewing in a typical U.S. TV household, viewers are supplementing this experience with additional options.
Service Providers and the Connected Home Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Oct 2011

 As consumers buy more connected and smart CE, there will be a greater need to bring these devices into the home network configuration and provide at least basic management functionality to ensure a high quality of experience, particularly in their use as video playback devices.

To account for the variety of consumer desires, as well as regional differences as to which digital home features matter most, DSPs need flexible activation, provisioning, and monitoring solutions that are capable of providing support for a great many devices and services.
What Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Feb 2011

Parks AssociatesFor the foreseeable future, online data/backup services will complement local storage such as computers and attached hard drives because they provide redundancy and the flexibility of multiplatform access. Online solutions will not reduce the need for robust storage in the home over the next five years, but it could eventually bring forth the long-anticipated arrival of “thin client” computing, where devices don’t have to rely on large amounts of storage and processing. But it’s a long-term evolution, and it will be awhile before consumers start to see their local storage and computing needs diminish.
CES Trends: Four Promising Trends from the World’s Largest Consumer Technology Show Product Development Technologies Product Development Technologies

Feb 2011

 Product Development Technologies (PDT), a global, full-service product development firm, has named their top four trends from the recent 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).  The list is compiled by PDT’s team of experienced product developers who have helped create products for some of the world’s leading technology companies.
The Connected TV and Video Experience: Parks Associates White Paper Parks Associates

Dec 2010

 While the electronic program guide (EPG) helps by organizing available content and relevant metadata for review, systems with enhanced search functionality and content recommendations allow consumers greater control over the discovery and evaluation process and thus play a significant role in promoting content and maintaining customer satisfaction. While these search-and-recommendation methods differ among solution providers, each system relies on a combination of information sources.
Rethinking The Last Analog Mile: Buzz Goddard ClearOne

Dec 2010

 So, here’s the $64,000 question:  With all the trends in content and technology already headed for a full-digital future, why is it that most multi-room home a/v systems still use analog to distribute audio and video content?  Even more ludicrous, all of these systems are starting with content that’s in digital format and converting it to analog in order to route it around the home.
3 Technologies from CES Tom Abell Home System Integration LLC

Dec 2010

 CES was a great experience for me this year, being the first opportunity I’ve had in over 3 years to go because of my deployment to Iraq. The energy of the show felt entirely upbeat and positive, full of optimism for this New Year and the new technologies that will literally dominate our lives.

With such an abundance of amazing technological innovation happening all around us, I find it hard to believe that anyone can not be absolutely thrilled about the direction we are moving! So with that, I’d like to present a few of the technologies that I feel are going to be major influencers around our homes this year.

To Internet Or Not To Internet Freevolve, LLC

Oct 2010

The bottom line? While the Internet is an amazingly useful tool, it is not appropriate for every application – in spite of the efforts being made to tout it as such. Basic understanding of the limitations involved will help educated consumers make purchasing decisions that reflect their needs regardless of current techo-fashion trends or external market pressures.
Consumer Attitudes and the Benefits of Smart Grid Technologies Bill Ablondi Parks Associates

Oct 2010

 Consumer attitudes about the benefits of smart grid technology are still in a formative stage. Most consumers are not aware of the term, much less the capabilities smart grid technologies will be bringing in the next few years.
The Role of the Set-Top Box Harry Wang Parks Associates

Aug 2010

Parks Associates expects the role that a set-top box serves in the home to expand. Service providers, especially cable and telco/IPTV operators, will leverage this platform to support their multiplay strategies. Consequently, the set-top box will play a role as a home media server itself or as a network node, supporting multimedia functions and connecting multiple entertainment platforms while linking back to an RG to offer whole-home services.
Google TV - Searching for Success Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Aug 2010

Kurt Scherf studies developments in home networks, residential gateways, digital entertainment services, consumer electronics, and digital home technical support services. Kurt is the sole author or contributing author/analyst to more than 80 research reports and studies produced by Parks Associates since 1998.
Are Internet HDTVs The Next Big Thing? Tamaryn Pratt Quixel Research

Aug 2010

Internet TVs have been around in some fashion for a while now, let’s call it year 3, and actual sales results have been, well, lukewarm. It was CES 2009 that kicked off the first big year for Internet TVs as 2008 was really a starter year with unit sales of little over a half a million.

3D TV – A Few Facts Scott Heston Heston Technical

Jun 2010

As many of you are aware, I try to be informative and break down the technology into a less technical fashion to help educate and inform those we’ve had contact with.

The 3D technology is definitely improved and the movie experience is very involving. If you decide to jump in and get the technology, you’ll definitely wow family and friends.
Broadband – A New Utility? Kevin Meagher

Feb 2010

 The ‘connected home’ is really starting to become a reality. With more and more devices that link to the home network arriving in stores the prices are plummeting. Broadband is cheaper and service providers are under pressure to find new ways to exploit their mobile and fixed broadband networks. In addition, concern for carbon emissions and new smart grid strategies are driving the deployment of still more networked devices. There are challenges though.
Baby Boomers Embracing Consumer Technology Kumu Puri

Mar 2009

 For the past two years, Accenture has been conducting in-depth research about the usage patterns of various types of consumer technology products and services among U.S. consumers. The data below represents research completed in the winter of 2008/2009 and provides direct comparisons with last winter’s 2007/2008 research data. The goal was to determine if there had been any changes in usage between Baby Boomers + (age 45 and older) and Generation Y (ages 18 to 24). The research uncovered several interesting trends:
Web Video’s Recent Moves: Making the Right Decisions? Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Nov 2008

 The market to distribute premium video content (mainly TV episodes and feature-length movies) is currently going through one of its most dynamic periods as experimentation with business models, delivery mechanisms, and consumer tastes is in full swing.
Content Insider #109 – We’re All Still Talking, Viewing THE Insider

Sep 2008

 Flood of Content – The 2008 Olympics sent a flood of video content to the US and around the globe threatening to drown everything in its path. But the Internet infrastructure was able to support the huge online viewing audience easily.
Content Insider # 110 – Shrinking Computing The Insider

Sep 2008

 Bright Idea – Just so no one missed the fact that Intel’s Craig Barrett was talking about another bright idea that the company’s engineering teams had developed the events folks put him in front of a light bulb. It didn’t work because we could barely see the itty-bitty device he held in his hand at the opening of IDF this year. Source -- Intel
Virtualization for Smart Home Technologies Thinagaran Perumal

Aug 2008

 There are a number of potential applications for virtualization in smart home settings. These hidden virtual machines could serve a number of functions, such as replacing physical devices for home entertainment and media servers, supporting remote healthcare services and defining the home automation control modules.
Content Insider #103 – Game Power THE Insider

Jun 2008

 Online games are more popular than watching videos online or cruising social networking sites. As they say, online no one knows if you’re a dog (or a boomer+ player).
Content Insider #102 – Looking to HDTV THE Insider

Jun 2008

 Sales people love to show consumers how much better their TV shows will be with a big, beautiful, expensive HDTV screen. Turns out though that as many as 50% get SD content on their HD set…but they’re happy.
Content Insider #101 – Content Your Way! THE Insider

Jun 2008

 According to The Conference Board, 16% of US households watch TV broadcasts online. comScore says these viewers will grow as more and more content is delivered over the iNet.
Content Insider #99 -- The Best Storage Solution THE Insider

Apr 2008

 The search is on for the one great, the one indispensible storage solution...the Holy Grail for content users everywhere!
Content Insider #98 - HD DVD THE Insider

Apr 2008

 Now the BD folks won't be able to blame Toshiba for holding back the success of high def disc sales. Now they have to really get their hands dirty and work.
Content Insider #96 – Online Video…But Different THE Insider

Apr 2008

 People around the globe and across the age groups are finding they have more news, information, entertainment options -- professional, semi-professional and sloppy amateur. They like the new diversity and options. The big question is will Tellywood ever regain its "ownership" of the consumers' eyeballs and viewing habits again?
Content Insider #95 – Pretty Women THE Insider

Apr 2008

 We all know half (or about half) of the world's population is female. Do We Ignore Half the PC/CE Market?
Content Insider #100 – Content Prison THE Insider

Apr 2008

 What are people all happy about regarding their video content? It's all on BD? Big Deal! Oh sure you can copy your music...your audio books...your stuff. Copy their movie? You out of your gourd??
Chris Chinnock - 3D Television Chris Chinnock DisplaySearch

Apr 2008

 There has been a groundswell of activity lately with a lot of excitement generated at CES this year regarding new products and the rapidly maturing 3D TV industry.
Consumer Technology: Key Trends and Outlook for 2008 The Parks Associates Analyst Team Parks Associates

Feb 2008

 The Parks Associates analyst team has consolidated its insights on some of the next significant areas to watch within the digital lifestyles space. This paper examines some of the latest developments and activity across a wide array of products, services, and categories. Many of our research efforts in 2008 – both industry reports and primary consumer research – will be focused on these areas.
2007 Chaos, What/Who Wins in 2008? Andy Marken Marken Communications

Feb 2008

 This is really going to be the year of storage. Cause you can make, send, grab all the content you want. But if you've got nowhere to store it you are so S******ed!!!! Google, Yahoo and hundreds of "new, fresh" services offer the solution...store it in our cloud! It ain't a cloud folks...it's storage! And it's my content...my stuff! Think your stuff belongs with them? Maybe. We'll see.
Want to Go Green? Automate your Home! SmartHomeUSA SmartHomeUSA

Dec 2007

 Greening your home can add up to significant savings, both for you and the Earth, and adding home automation to the mix only makes your life easier!
Content Insider #91 – Capturing Moments THE Insider

Dec 2007

 Camphones are for Impulses, Cameras are for Memories
Content Insider #90 – Internet TV THE Insider

Dec 2007

 Does Art Imitate Life or Life Imitate Art?
Broadband Video: A Market Update Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Dec 2007

 Current “winners” in the broadband VoD space are the television broadcast networks, which are reporting good success with their online initiatives. For example, they are reporting high ad retention, no evidence of primetime cannibalization, and targeting the right viewer in terms of demographics.
A Clearer Picture of the HDTV Market Ross Young DisplaySearch

Dec 2007

 HDTV Industry Challenges, Opportunities & Outlook Addressed at DisplaySearch’s 5th Annual HDTV Conference Last Month
Home Controls: Trends and Opportunities Bill Ablondi Parks Associates

Oct 2007

 Home controls are one dimension of a broader set of home systems that includes entertainment, security, energy management, broadband access, and data networking. These other home systems can entice consumers to bring controls into their homes if control systems manufacturers partner with firms providing these other systems and services.
Who Will Win the 4G Race? Michael Cai Parks Associates

Aug 2007

 Mobile WiMAX is likely to have the most success among new market entrants looking to enter the market in the near term, such as landline operators seeking to include mobility in their service bundles. The potential of such markets should not be under estimated.
The State of Next Generation DVD G.A. “Andy” Marken

Jun 2007

 In a perfect world there would be one format but today consumers are accustomed to choosing the solution and approach which bests meets our specific needs…and budget!
THE NEXT MAJOR TREND IN HOME SYSTEMS? Petro Shimonishi NetStreams

Jun 2007

 We’re still in the early stages of this video trend, but rest assured that it’s well on its way. And stay tuned: the technology and products coming down the pike are going to be as fascinating at the content they carry.
Choose Media As Though Your Data Life Depends On It G.A. “Andy” Marken

Jun 2007

 CD, DVD storage won’t stem the overwhelming flow of documents, data and information you gather and receive every day, but it does have the higher capacity we need. It also provides portability, random access, longevity (50+ years), and data reliability … all at a storage cost of less than $.01/MB.
Broadband Adventures in Rural America Chris Roden Parks Associates

Jun 2007

 In a perfect world, everyone would have access to a broadband technology like cable or fiber. However, it will be decades before telcos and cable providers expand these high-speed services to rural areas. While none of these alternative solutions have emerged as a leader, it looks to be a race between WiMAX and BPL.
Brazilian Home Automation in a Glance Caio Bolzani Aureside - Brazilian Home Automation Association

Jun 2007

 In the academic field, the number of projects related to pervasive environments and home automation technology has increased considerably in Brazilian Universities in the last five years.
Content Insider - #78 Blue is Here to Stay…That’s Not Pulp Fiction! THE Insider

Apr 2007

 “Jules, did you ever hear the philosophy that once a man admits he's wrong, then he's automatically forgiven of that wrongdoing?” – Vincent (John Travolta), Pulp Fiction, 1994
Content Insider #79 - The Undersea Internet World THE Insider

Apr 2007

 “The natives over there are cannibals. They eat liars with the same enthusiasm as they eat honest men.” – Captain Nemo (James Mason) – 20000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
Business Models for Managing the Digital Home Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Apr 2007

 We anticipate significant opportunities for hardware and software companies helping service providers, home network and home computer vendors, and CE vendors to develop more proactive customer help solutions.
Watching Trends and Opportunities beyond 2007 Kurt Sherf Parks Associates

Feb 2007

 Because change in this industry tends to be incremental and far more subtle than what can easily be reported in a newspaper article or a short television news report, we wanted to open 2007 with some of our thoughts about “what’s next” in the digital lifestyles industry.
Content Insider - #75 - Everything, Everywhere Home Network THE Insider

Feb 2007

 People are suddenly going to change over and join the video on demand (VoD) and pay-for-view society. What is even better for the PC/CE industry is the fact that they will build out their home networks so they can watch their content anywhere in the house.
Content Insider #76 - Clash of the Titans THE Insider

Feb 2007

 This year in three overstuffed, stress filled days the Titans of the industry held court on stage in two different cities – Las Vegas, San Francisco.
Content Insider #74 - In the DRM, CA Equation, Someone Has to Protect the Consumer THE Insider

Feb 2007

 For thousands of years people looked the other way as folks made copies of other people’s work – by hand, by printing press, by copier, by disc.
Content Insider #73 - The Swiss Army Phone…Is Good Enough for Everything Good Enough? THE Insider

Feb 2007

 Sometimes our kids - and the community at large - make us feel like Tom Hanks in the 2004 The Terminal. We simply go from gate to gate trying to get on the next technology plane to fly to our destination…optimum personal and business productivity.
Booming Home Technology Integration Market Faces Skills Shortage John Venator The Computing Technology Industry Association

Feb 2007

 The explosion of digital entertainment options and home network tools brings with it a new level of complexity when it comes to the installation, use and maintenance of these high-tech toys. While many of these products are easy to install and use, bringing together disparate components and systems can still be a challenge for many consumers.
Mobile TV in Europe: Who Needs a Standard John Barrett Parks Associates

Dec 2006

 Operators will rightly choose the technology that presents them with the strongest business case, and this choice will vary from market to market. They cannot (and should not) be expected to forego current savings in exchange for the promise of cheaper equipment further down the road.
In Search of the Killer Application Intamac Systems Ltd Intamac Systems Ltd

Dec 2006

 If you have been searching for the single ‘Killer Application’, and come to the conclusion that it would be easier to find the end of a rainbow, you may want to try a more measured approach to attacking the market.
Digital TV Transition: Tour de Europe Harry Wang Parks Associates

Dec 2006

 Due to resource constraints, diverse operation backgrounds, varying levels of competitive pressure, and split views on market dynamics and corporate competences from decision-makers, operators are selecting different integration approaches.
THE Insider #67 - IPTV – Who Will Make Money Off The Matrix THE Insider

Oct 2006

 “A déj vu is usually a glitch in the Matrix. It happens when they change something,” – Trinity in the 1999 movie The Matrix
THE Insider #66 - Mobile Entertainment – Bring It On THE Insider

Oct 2006

 All the people who really know how to put entertainment content to work for them are back in school with all of the essentials…notebook computers, smartphones, video MP3/iPods, PSPs.
THE Insider #65 - Deep Blue, Sea of Change THE Insider

Oct 2006

 This is my boat. I got it the way I like it. You take up space and you slow me down.” – Mariner, Waterworld
THE Insider #64 - THE Insider #64 THE Insider

Oct 2006

 “Me? I’m dishonest, and a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest. Honestly. It’s the honest ones you want to watch out for, because you can never predict when they’re going to do something incredibly…stupid.” – Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
THE Insider #63 - The Search for The Perfect TV Set THE Insider

Oct 2006

 I can’t seem to get that through to you. I’m not just talking about one person. I’m talking about everybody. I’m talking about form. I’m talking about content. I’m talking bout interrelationships. I’m talking about God, the devil, Heaven, Hell. Do you understand… -- Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The Digital Home: Here, Now, and Ready for Integration Kurt Scherf and Stuart Sikes Parks Associates

Oct 2006

 If the solution is simple, reliable, and fairly priced, the consumer wins, and the integrated digital home – nay, the digital lifestyle – vision becomes a reality – rapidly.
Smart Phones to Smart Homes SmartLabs, Inc. SmartLabs, Inc.

Oct 2006

 Will the trend that created the smart phone lead to the mass acceptance of the smart home as well? It’s a smart bet.
Media Servers in the Digital Home Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Aug 2006

 Annual sales of media server form factors will be significant over the next five years, to the tune of nearly 50 million shipments in 2010
Digital Home Health—A Primer Harry Wang Parks Associates

Aug 2006

 The total market for digital home health services is expected to grow to $2.1 billion in 2010, fueled mainly by wellness monitoring services (CAGR 74%), Web messaging, and online consultation services (CAGR 54%).
Connected Home Roadmap Identifies Consumer Wants Gerry Meade CABA

Aug 2006

 The Roadmap finds that not all consumers adopt or relate to technology in the same way. Knowing what excites consumers about technology enables industry to create, develop and market successful technologies.
Traps to Avoid when Managing a M2M Project eDevice Technology eDevice Technology

Aug 2006

 The M2M abbreviation, that stands for Machine To Machine, encompasses all equipment (hardware), software, and processes that enable machine management related communication between different machines and between machines and people.
DVD Insider #54 - Bell, Sarnoff Together at Last THE Insider

Apr 2006

 If they had spent more time together and merged their respective laboratories in Murray Hill and Princeton we wouldn't have two content transport systems fighting over who is going to service our home today.
DVD Insider #52 - Alice In Wonderland THE Insider

Apr 2006

 Well the cat happens to be in the storage business and he knows there is a content explosion and hardware of all types need to be fed content. Then once the hardware gets the content it needs to be stored…somewhere, somehow.
What Isn’t Going To Happen In 2006 ABI Research Analysts ABI Research

Feb 2006

 Well, we certainly will not see an amicable solution between HD DVD and Blu-ray DVD formats. Set top boxes will not be replaced by media center PCs and other emerging devices in 2006. Another hot button topic is rights management and consumer fair use. The industry will not see unanimous solutions or resolutions in this regard either.
TechWatch 2006 THE Insider

Feb 2006

 2006 – New Versions of Kong’s Script: * He’s always been king of his world, but we’ll teach him fear. * Don’t be alarmed, ladies and gentlemen. Those chains are made of chrome steel. * Oh no, it wasn’t the airplanes. It was beauty that killed the beast. In the 2006 remake of King Kong there are a number of different endings. Some of the people at the foot of the Empire State Building will be rooting for Kong…some for the toy airplanes…some for Fay. But most folks? They’ll go home saying, “yeah it was a pretty good movie…and it was cheap! Heck in New York we’ve got lots of big gorillas.”
TechWatch 2005 THE Insider

Feb 2006

 Wired and wireless networks are slowly coming home sparked by sharing everything! Suddenly people are latching onto the idea of having a centralized storage solution that handles the whole families needs.
Reaching the Unreachable Consumer Parks Associates Parks Associates

Feb 2006

 Tools such as the Internet should be leveraged to provide more of the interactivity and commerce activities associated with product research and purchase. These tools can also reinforce the messages that consumers receive via traditional advertising methods and give both content producers and advertisers more effective ways of measuring their audiences.
Making TV Meaningful Parks Associates Parks Associates

Feb 2006

 IPTV has the potential to cause a paradigm shift in telecommunications services, and service providers, especially telecom operators, have a great opportunity to increase customer ARPU. With the addition of video into the package, things become more complicated. Consumers attach more value when it comes to video. Quality and quantity of video content are important issues that drive consumer preferences.
HD-DVD First out of the Gate at CES Steve Sechrist Insight Media

Feb 2006

 Whether Blu-ray manufacturers know it or not, it is now a horse race for the mind share and eyeballs of the consumer, and early reports in from CES seem to indicate that the HD-DVD camp is first out of the starting gate and taking a lead in that race.
Single Scan Cost Savings Should Boost PDP Profits Steve Sechrist Insight Media

Dec 2005

 To support the coming price war, PDP makers have been investing in technology improvements that directly reduce cost to manufacture, and leading the way is the move to single scan PDP technology.
DVD Insider 47 and 48 THE Insider

Dec 2005

 DVD Insider #47 - IPTV - The New Content Opportunity - Citizen Videographers - Home-Wide Entertainment - Getting Closer Personalizing Entertainment DVD Insider #48 - The War of the Worlds - Declining View of High Def - Remember the Alamo - The Book of Five Rings, The Art of War
DVD Insider 45 and 46 THE Insider

Dec 2005

 DVD Insider #45 - HD is Everywhere - Screen Options Becoming Aggressive - Delivery Battle Could Be Brutal DVD Insider #46 - Phones, Snapshots, Music - Mobile Video - A Little Bit of Storage
A Look at the Digital Home Market Stan Schatt Current Analysis

Dec 2005

 Most consumers don’t consider watching TV from their PC to be an essential part of the digital home yet. It is the ability to move photos and music from PC to TV and to stereo and vice versa that is driving sales of Media Center products.
WiFi Will Power Digital Lifestyle Milya Timergaleyeva Oregan Networks Ltd

Oct 2005

 Adoption of broadband, driven by the value-add services, such as Video on Demand, Voice over IP, Interactive TV, PVR and network gaming - will create the scenario where multiple devices need to be easily connected within a home network.
Look Ma! My Phone Kills Mosquitoes Yuanzhe (Michael) Cai Parks Associates

Oct 2005

 Cell phones are no longer just tools for making phone calls. Phone makers have been busy developing new models that include advanced entertainment and information features.
High Definition Music Downloads MusicGiants MusicGiants

Oct 2005

 If you agree that a Ferrari requires high-octane fuel and that your home system needs high definition music, then you may also agree that your toys too have evolved again. You may also find your children listening to your music.
Putting the Home Network to Work Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Aug 2005

 This white paper examines the challenges that face home users of computers, the Internet, and home networks and provides insight into how the industry is addressing the need for improved management, monitoring, and maintenance services and solutions to home users.
PlaceLab: A Living Laboratory Kenneth Wacks

Jun 2005

 A major focus of PlaceLab research is preventative health care: technologies and services to help people remain healthy, autonomous, and comfortable in their homes as they age.
The Asian Connected Home Markets Sophia Antipolis

Feb 2005

 Homega Research has officially released its awaited multiclient study aimed at providing reliable, detailed and up-to-date information on the current state and development prospects of the Connected Home markets in the main countries of Asia.
TEAHA Market Background Document Sophia Antipolis

Feb 2005

 The second version of the TEAHA (The European Application Home Alliance) Market Background Document has been released on January 7, 2005.
Six Elements of Future Home Damien Wong REAL Digital

Dec 2004

 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs provides us a framework to identify key elements of our future home. By fulfilling these key elements, we know that we are better satisfied with these needs.
New era of building management Anu Kätkä Lonix Oy

Dec 2004

 The foundation of the concept is the building operating system, named as COBA (Connected Open Building Automation). COBA definitions were created in a standardization project of companies representing various industries, from telecommunications to construction and services.
The Convergence of HomeAV and ProAV Gary Kayye Kayye Consulting

Oct 2004

 So, what’s going on here? Is this something to be alarmed about if you’re in ProAV? No, not really. In fact, I believe it’s a good thing. It’s a good thing because we now see the path of technology before us. We aren’t blindsided with new technology and new products that we never saw coming – thus rendering our old installs and rental inventory useless.
THE NETWORKED HOME John Croft Home Media Networks

Feb 2004

 With predictions that there will be more than 28 million networked homes in the US by the end of 2008 (CyberAtlas), it is possible that traditional technology such as the VCR and the set-top box will gradually disappear and be replaced by all-encompassing home networks.
Innovative Service Provisioning Kalina Todorova ProSyst Software AG

Feb 2004

 ProSyst's Environment for Service Provisioning and Activation (ESPA) supports operators, service and content providers in creating new business.
Dealers Revenue to Reach $5.7B Bill Ablondi Parks Associates

Dec 2003

 Continued growth of new construction coupled with consumer demand for the latest entertainment systems is driving sales through installing dealers to grow 8% in 2003 over 2002. The results of Parks Associates latest survey of the channel indicate that next year looks even better with nearly 60% of dealers expecting their businesses to grow more than 10% in 2004.
Digital America 2003 CEA report

Aug 2003

 Digital America 2003, The U.S. Consumer Electronics Industry, showcases the growth and opportunity in the consumer electronics market, from handheld computers and personal video recorders (PVRs) to wireless phones and MP3 players. Available free as an online publication, Digital America 2003 explains new technology trends that are enhancing consumers’ lifestyles and workstyles by bringing information, entertainment and communications almost anywhere, any time.
The Chinese Telecom Market Michael Cai Parks Associates

Apr 2003

 China's telecom carriers market will gradually open to foreign investors, in the order of value-added services, basic mobile services, and basic fixed telecom services. Geographically, the Chinese government will first open the market in three super-sized cities-Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, then 17 big cities, and finally the rest of the country.
Why Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Dec 2002

 In the end, Parks Associates believes that the PC and standalone consumer electronics platforms will both play key roles as distributed hubs in the home. Reprinted from the November 17, 2002 edition of "Parks' Points"
Shanghai Interactive/Digital TV Yuanzhe (Michael) Cai Parks Associates

Dec 2002

 In early 2002, the Shanghai municipal government “advised” SCN to accelerate the digital TV project and gradually migrate to interactive TV services in the next few years. The government also provided millions of dollars in subsidies specifically for the digital TV project. Reprinted from the November 17, 2002 edition of "Parks' Points"
Ultra Wideband Wireless Technology Paul J. Marcik Allied Business Intelligence

Oct 2002

 Potential commercial applications include distribution of wireless audio, video, and data over local area networks (LAN) for home, office, and boats. In addition UWB has the unique ability to resolve global position location to centimeter accuracy as a byproduct of sending and receiving data between multiple UWB devices.
The Future of Home Automation Steve Nguyen Echelon

Oct 2002

 In the end, the infrastructure that a service provider creates to reach the shell of a home will be the catalyst for manufacturers, service companies and others to create the automated products that may one day make the home automation market what we always thought it could be.
802.11 vs. Bluetooth Revisited Navin Sabharwal Allied Business Intelligence

Oct 2002

 Both technologies will be better positioned to thrive if coexistence schemes currently being developed are broadly implemented. In addition, cost-effective combo 802.11/Bluetooth solutions should play an important role, as there are clearly situations where device vendors ideally need to support both technologies in a single host device for different applications.
Quest for Ultimate Service Provider Steve Hawley Advanced Media Strategies

Jun 2002

 If you're a consumer living in a small town or in rural America, get ready for a big surprise. If you live in rural Wisconsin, the Dakotas, Georgia, South Carolina, upstate New York, Alaska, Texas, Nevada, or pretty much any other rural state, your phone company is about to provide a range of services that no other provider will be able to, if it isn't already. If you live in the big city, eat your heart out!
Home Entertainment Network Growth Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Jun 2002

 Caveats and concerns aside, the next two years promise to bring significant development in the field of connected entertainment. Growth will come from partnerships between platform developers and service providers (think set-top boxes), new forms of content, emerging business models, and a growing awareness and acceptance among consumers for these applications.
HA in Brazil Jose Roberto Muratori AURESIDE

Feb 2002

 Our evaluation is that the rate of growth in the next few years will be sufficient to give viability to well conceived investment planning. Up-to-date technology, feasible training policy, competitive costs, liveliness and a good purpose in mind are the main characteristics imposed to newcomers.
Evolution of Home Automation Jack Goldberg Westco Electrical

Feb 2002

 The capabilities now are bountiful; one's imagination is the only limitation. We tell our clients that if the load is connected to the system, we are 99.9% certain that we can program same to their specifications. (We haven't been stymied yet.) We also urge our clients to ask for the impossible, you never know!
Another Wireless Standard? Navin Sabharwal Allied Business Intelligence Inc

Feb 2002

 Don't blink now or there'll be another wireless networking technology to keep track of. Sorry, you blinked!
Home Entertainment Networking - COAX Bobby Bahram The UniVerge Group, Inc.

Dec 2001

 In an office setting, printers are not replicated in everyone's office. A printer's capabilities are distributed by networking it; thus multiple users can share one device. Home entertainment networking is analogous to the office printer scenario, permitting multiple users to share the capabilities of entertainment devices and providing benefits to both the consumers and service providers.
2001 in Retrospect Navin Sabharwal

Dec 2001

 Clearly 2001 has been a mixed bag in the areas discussed above with the number of bright spots being equaled by instances of postponed growth. The depth of this technology industry downturn has been unprecedented by most metrics. It has reinforced the belief that the tech industry despite its allure is cyclical beyond just the semiconductor segment. Nevertheless over the long-term the technology industry, as an aggregate, should post healthy positive growth.
Info Appliances Kurt Scherf Parks Associates

Apr 2001

 The business model in terms of total available market (TAM) for information appliances may have to be clarified.
Ultimate Convergence David Gaw Coactive Networks

Feb 2001

 Ultimately, the consumer will win. The various technologies and functionalities will converge. Within the next two to five years, you’ll see large deployments of residential gateways that will consolidate functions and deliver valuable services that are simple and affordable. You’ll find you can be entertained, keep an eye on the kids’ TV viewing habits from the office, control the pool temperature, and preheat the oven for dinner as you commute home – all with a single, easy-to-use gateway device.
Social Trends Wayne Caswell

Jan 2001

 In this last of a three-part series, I will explore some of the Social and Demographic trends that are driving the development of the Networked Home. The first article covered Science and Technology Trends, and the second focused on Market and Consumer trends. As always, your comments and suggestions are encouraged.
Networking Trends Wayne Caswell

Dec 2000

 This is the second of three articles that examine key trends enabling and driving the development of the Networked Home. The first article covered Science and Technology Trends while this one discusses Market and Consumer Trends. The final installment will address Social and Demographic Trends. As always, your comments and suggestions are encouraged.
Alphabet Soup Reza Raji Echelon Corporation

Dec 2000

 So how do we stay afloat in this sea of acronyms? We all gather, organize and analyze information in our own unique way. But there are a few common techniques you can use to help separate fact from fiction, meat from gristle, hype from news…well, you get the idea. Here’s my version of the RAAT (Redundant Acronym Analysis Tool), a series of questions you can ask yourself to help you qualify a new acronym.
Sleeping Giants Keith Sciulli ProSyst Software AG

Oct 2000

 Silently in backrooms and golf courses deals are being penned to bring these capabilities to bear. Service channels are being developed and smart homes are cropping up everywhere. And while no one owns a crystal ball, the writing is on the wall. Historically, it is in moments of time like this when a smaller more agile player seizes the opportunity to capitalize on market uncertainty and devise a universal solution that slays the sleeping giants.
FCC Decision Bolsters HomeRF Navin Sabharwal Allied Business Intelligence

Oct 2000

 For HomeRF, the FCC decision, while a long time coming, is a major victory. Without a positive decision there was a real possibility that HomeRF would have been fatally caught in a pincer movement between IEEE 802.11b's higher bandwidth and Bluetooth's lower cost.
20 Techno Trends Wayne Caswell

Sep 2000

 This is the first of three articles that will each examine key trends enabling and driving the development of the Networked Home. The first article covers Science and Technology Trends, followed by articles on Market and Consumer Trends, and finally Social and Economic Trends. Your comments and suggestions are encouraged.
Neighborhood Automation Leo Shulman Vicinium Systems

Aug 2000

 Neighborhood automation systems can be used to provide communities with news and information directly from local schools, merchants, and businesses. This can be anything from the local Little League schedule to arts events to a PTA meeting. In essence, networked neighborhoods can have their own intranets - electronic hubs where they are able to share information and reinforce their sense of community.
Quality of Service Navin Sabharwal Allied Business Intelligence

Jun 2000

 The importance of QoS is becoming highlighted as service providers look at home networking solutions to extend the broadband pipe they are bringing into homes. These service providers hope to bring not just data into the home, but eventually voice and video as well.
HA Home & Away Jim Frazer Surf Networks, Inc.

Jun 2000

 The power of a home network is not solely the system intelligence experienced by the home owner while at home. It is the aggregate value of the cost, and time savings coupled with the value of new, revolutionary features experienced both inside and outside the home.
Home Automation and You Reza Raji Echelon Corporation

May 2000

 The main revenue source for the service providers, namely services, can be a set of dynamic, money-saving and convenience-rich offerings for homeowners to pick and choose from much the same way they select between long distance or cell phone carriers, or telephone service features (call waiting) today. Global deregulation of the utilities market is prompting utilities (power companies, telcos, etc.) to look for new and improved services that differentiate their offering from their competitors.
Building Trends Ken Piazzi HAI

Apr 2000

 The 21st Century builder who offers his buyer the "Bells and Whistles" of this technological era can realize increased sales because of the competitive edge, not to mention customer satisfaction. When the consumer is happy he becomes a source of built-in publicity which is a positive marketing advantage. The average consumer enjoys systems that are: "user friendly," offer conveniences pertinent to their life style, perform reliably, add a certain prestige to their home, and will generate long term cost savings.
Comdex Survey ZD Events

Feb 2000

 These are the results of a survey carried out at Comdex Fall 99. If you have Internet Explorer 5 you can view the results as a PowerPoint presentation by clicking here (Note: The presentation may cause problems with browsers other than IE5).
Lets Focus on the User Interface Kenneth Wacks Home Automation

Apr 1999

 The variety of user interface components illustrated here is impressive. Yet, more creativity is needed for customers to feel comfortable with home automation products without fear of breaking them or causing mayhem. Any interface must convey the perception that the user is in control and the products are servants.
BACNet Standard Ken Sinclair

Oct 1998

 A revolution occurring in the Commercial/Industrial environmental control industry may soon find it's way into our networked homes. Both BacNet & LonTalk communication standards are being widely accepted by the Commercial building industry. The room control or individual unit control requirements in a Commercial buildings are not that different from the requirements in our homes. The low cost programmable controller can be easily reconfigured for any task. Some of this technology will come as part of Original Equipment Manufacture "OEM" products such as air conditioners and heating equipment. This article provides a quick overview of this BacNet standard developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers ASHRAE.
International HA Kenneth P. Wacks

Apr 1998

 "Even though progress on international standards is relatively slow, participation is important for the exchange of ideas among home automation developers world-wide. The specification of application models may promote product interoperability. This may be more worthwhile than the current focus on protocols, which is encouraging protocol competition."
HOME AUTOMATION OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA Kenneth P. Wacks

Feb 1998

 "A major announcement affecting the building and home automation markets in Europe was made in June 1997. The Executive Director of EHSA announced that the EHS, EIB, and BatiBUS communications protocols would be merged into one protocol."
What's In Our Future? Jonathan Somers

Oct 1997

 "People should never have to adapt to technology. We already have plenty to do and learn. Ideally, any new technology should adapt to us, and allow us to accomplish more tasks with less effort."
Driving Forces of the Automation Industry William C. Klopp Diablo Research Company

Aug 1997
WHERE IS HOME AUTOMATION HEADED Tony Stewart S.E.T Net

Jun 1997

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