IPTV is a minefield for everyone

TODAY'S PANEL at the Westminster Eforum unanimously agreed that Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) has barriers for consumers, broadcasters, manufacturers and retailers.

TVs that connect to the internet, also generally called Smart TVs, have seen little uptake over the past few years. This is apparently set to grow but there are a number of issues surrounding the technology.

Matthew Hester, research director at Ipsos MediaCT believes that sales of Smart TV technology will significantly grow even after showing statistics that illustrate half of consumers are not interested in purchasing an IPTV.

The biggest barrier, according to the research, is the cost of buying the device, with 34 per cent giving that answer. What will eventually happen is that consumers will probably buy a new TV without fully knowing that it has the capability to connect to the internet.

Dr Paul Entwistle, CTO at Pace said, "With the amount of devices connected together getting exponentially bigger and more complicated for consumers. There is a need for one single platform from service providers."

A common theme from all the experts on the panel, which included employees from Samsung and the BBC, was a need for social networking and a seamless experience across multiple devices and screens.

There is confusion over whose job it is to explain the technology, what with it being somewhat new and confusing for consumers. Retailers are often unable to display a device like an IPTV actually connected to the internet and working properly.

Simon Gauntlett, technology director at Digital TV Group thinks that there is a need for a uniform brand or logo to inform and satisfy consumers across the market that the product is IPTV, such as the logo for Freeview or the Digital Tick.

Keen to advertise the brand, Dan Saunders, head of Content Services at Samsung said, "Consumers have never had it so good". An interesting hint was made by Phil Fearnley, GM of News and Knowledge at the BBC towards a future service where additional information will be made available through a secondary device.

For example, extra information about a football match, including team and match statistics could be sent to view on a tablet or smartphone during a game. This prevents taking up real estate on the TV screen and interrupting other viewers' experience. µ