Cellular video and other strange things....

Let's see, we've covered CD-Rom and its cousins, interactive TV, MMDS, movies-on-demand, video dial, DTH and cable. So, what's left? Ha! But what about cellular video, virtual reality, video publishing, videophone and six other different video services?

Take Western International Communication, Ltd in Canada. WIC is testing a cellular cable television system. Based on the American Cellular-Vision Co. technology, the new system being tested in Calgary makes use of 10-kilometer-radius cells capable of carrying 40 stations and interactive services.

In New York, where this cellular video has been tested since last year, a subscription costs $29.95 per month. And don't assume that, because of CD-Rom and video-on-demand, video disks are fading away. Recently, JVCintroduced a MPEG2 video disk capable of storing more than two hours and 15 minutes of video. This compares to the usual one-hour and 15-minutes for a 12 cm disk using MPEG1 international standard.

The digital revolution excludes no one. Look for your friendly power company excitedly experimenting with video delivery services. After all, their electrical wires are already in everyone's home! A new business created by video-on-demand to provide large computer storage services. Let's look at the figures. With 5:1 compression, the cost of storing 1,000 movies is estimated at $3 million ($10 per megabyte), while the magnetic storage mainframe can go for as much as $15 million. Optical disks costs less per megabyte (about 10 cents) but, for now, optical technology offers low data transfer. In any case, 1,000 movies in storage for a video-on-demand service can only offer 40 different movies. Advanced satellite technology can really revolutionize Europe and Asia. Various nations are now debating how to control terrestrial video services. But, outside their jurisdiction, satellite can provide the same program in various languages in a multi-package tier.

And think of the synergies. Satellite and HDTV can eliminate the cost of expensive film prints going to theaters. Virtual reality will help teleshopping which, in turn, has been helped by interactivity, and so on. But ultimately, can 200 entertainment channels (in a 500 channel universe) eliminate the current shortage of TV diversity in a 60-channel universe of which 40, at one time, were concerned with the O.J. Simpson tragedy? Only time will tell.

Tech Talk at Sat Show

Ten different sessions examining the emerging direct-to-home market were featured during the SBCA '94 Satellite Show, which unfolded in Orlando, Florida, earlier this month.

More than 130 direct-to-home satellite industry companies exhibited their latest products and services.

The SBCA show focused on the development of satellites abroad, including their launch date, footprints and the interests behind them. There were discussions on how changing government and economic standards are likely to affect U.S. and international business opportunities.

SBCA headquarters was at the Peabody Hotel, located across the street from the convention center.

Among the panels were Technologies: Video Compression and Interactive Service, How To Get and Keep A Loyal Customer Base, Marketing Satellite TV in the C-Band/DBS Environment, New Satellites and Expanding Profits in Special Markets.