Quote:
Originally Posted by Boostrail  I do not profess to be an expert in smart TV but thought that current models delivered far more than i-player? The players themselves offer a retrospective listing?
As I could also access these services by direct connection to a PC or by use of a WDTV live or Apple tv I really don't see the point as the other functions are addressed by a Freeview HD PVR that can be obtained for around a third of the price. |
The problem is at the moment no one box has all the UK IPTV services as each manufacturer has it's own smart tv platform, therefore each manufacturer must persuade each IPTV Provider to write an app for their platform. ITV for example have decided it's too expensive to write apps for different smart tv platforms so therefore only provide an app where they believe it's cost effect to do so, hence it's only available on the PS3.
The benefits of Youview are:
For the manufacturer no need to negotiate with each of the IPTV providers each time you launch a new product in order to persuade them to write an app for your platform. In future all they'll have to do is simply meet the Youview specs, get Youview certified, and their customers will have access to the full range of Youview services.
For the IPTV provider, no longer will you have to write apps for hundreds of different devices making it far more cost effect for the likes of ITV, CH4 & CH5, and for premium IPTV provides reduced development costs will hopefully mean either lower prices, or more money for them to spend on the content.
For the consumer less confusion about what you are getting, at the moment you may buy a TV with a Smart TV platform which is advertised as having iPlayer only to find out it's not available on release as app is still being developed and only may appear after several months. In other cases like the Humax HD PVR portal services that the manufacturer say might be coming (although never committing) like Sky Player never appear.