* Research firm spells out potential for Gigabit Ethernet video routers
Today I’d like to highlight a LAN technology that’s not destined for your LAN – but rather, your cable TV provider’s network.
Gigabit Ethernet video routers do what their name implies: route video using Gigabit Ethernet. Research firm In-Stat/MDR this week released a report that details just how much potential the market for these devices has.
According to In-Stat, this market is at about $63 million today worldwide, but it is set to explode to $930 million by 2008.
Just one more piece of evidence that Ethernet is indeed taking over the world.
Video routers are now adopting better audio and video compression methods, the firm says. As they evolve, we should see cable TV providers offering a range of services – beyond today’s video, voice and high-speed Internet access. We’ll also see more HDTV, local ad insertion, games on demand, and other services.
Cable networks have a finite amount of bandwidth available to them, and Gigabit Ethernet video routers could help providers squeeze more onto those networks – more HDTV, for instance, which takes up a lot of bandwidth.
Interestingly, In-Stat also points out that Gigabit Ethernet video routers make it easier for service providers to segment large systems into distinct “zones,” and each zone can receive customized video programming. They also “greatly improve the business case” for video on demand, which is one of those technologies that gets much hype but moves ahead very slowly.
Obviously, In-Stat is very bullish on Gigabit Ethernet being used for video transport, and you can guess why. With the success the technology has seen in so many other arenas, it’s hard not to be optimistic.
