The next few of weeks I would like to discuss the present state of video server technology and how that might enhance a home theatre system. There are a number of options out there, and new options are proliferating as time goes on. We will discuss general concepts as well as some specific products that may hold interest.
First, by definition a video server is a device that can be used to record, store, catalog, and retrieve video content on demand. Now, by that definition, a SA/Cisco DVR (available from WOW!) is a video server, and indeed, fills the bill for “content on demand” for a great number of our customers. So, many of us have the underpinnings of video server technology in our set up presently.
A DVR allows a user to record a program off of a linear broadcast for later viewing (”time shifting” for those who are particularly sensitive to DRM issues). DVR technologies have improved a great deal over the last few years; they are more reliable, quieter (the early models had cooling fans that sounded like crazed eggbeaters), and have more flexibility in options available to the user. They’ve also become more intuitive to use in recent years.
DVR units are computer systems masquerading as set top boxes. They have internal hard disk drives which, in tandem with computer hardware and software, record and catalog the video content specifically requested by the user off of the cable system. Most are not designed to record or stream video from sources other than a cable provider (TIVO is an exception), but the good news is that there is a lot of content to choose from the packages available from WOW! Time shifting programs to watch at a more convenient time has become a way of life for many videophiles. Since most modern DVR can record both standard definition and high definition video, there is little reason to stay glued to a TV when something else important is happening. Time shifting allows us to choose when we want to be entertained.
In addition, there are a number of other options for video server technology. A server, in the classic sense, should “serve” multiple “clients” in the household, and there are some options out there that do this. WOW! has a number of technologies in the lab which will allow “whole house DVR”, or put another way, a video server that will allow viewing of different programs on different televisions. Those offerings will be forthcoming in the near future, and will be offered for lease–this will mean that WOW! will own and maintain the equipment as part of your service package just as the DVR is packaged today. In the meantime, if you have the ambition and the technical inclination, some of these video server technologies can be engineered presently.
More to come….
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Comments
I want my nfl network!!
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I see you mention “WOW! has a number of technologies in the lab which will allow ‘whole house DVR’”. Do you have any updates on this? I just switched over to WOW (I’ve been patiently waiting 5 years for service in my community since parts of my zip code have had service for years) and I am trying to decide if I should build my own DVR, get a Tivo, or just be patient and use the SA box until WOW comes out with something better. Thanks!
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I’m answering this for Steve Stanfill as he’s out on vacation. Thanks for reposting and apologies for missing this the first time. We are actively pursuing enhancements to our services but unfortunately I can’t share details or expected timing yet. We’ll share more news as it becomes available here on the blog. Thanks for your patience as we work to improve your DVR experience.
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I wonder if there are any updates to this. I’m looking into switching services, and if a whole house DVR was available, I’d add TV today and continue my Internet and phone, but as of right now, the competition has better offerings, and I’m conflicted as I’ve been very happy with the Internet service, but cost-wise, switching to one provider is most optimal.
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Mike:
WOW! is looking to release a “whole house DVR product” as part of a larger initiative later this year. It will come with some pretty significant “bells and whistles”, so if you can wait, it will be pretty terrific. Thanks for your loyalty and support.
Steve
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Steve,
Quick question, you may or may not be able to answer this but could we also look forward to a dvr with a larger storage capacity to accomodate the digital transition, because we know HD takes up more space and I like recording most stuff in HD.
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David:
The new system in the works has a 500 gig hard drive standard, with the capability to add more as a user via an eSATA interface. That’s more than the “single DVR” solutions currently available from WOW! (at 180 gig and 320 gig). I appreciate your comment about recording space. I’ve got a TB on my DLNA server and I’m not sure it’s enough!
Steve
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