“When asked how much of cable’s bandwidth should ultimately be allocated to IP-based services, as opposed to MPEG-based broadcasts, the panelists were mixed. While McIntyre voted for 100 percent IP, Dick Green, CEO of CableLabs, pointed out that IP and MPEG have different characteristics – and different limitations.
MPEG-based digital broadcast is good for popular, commonly watched, “one to many” content, and isn’t so good at “long tail” or highly individualized material, he said. IP isn’t so good at hitting the masses with broadcast material, but is good at lesser-watched shows with smaller audiences. “From a customer point of view, if you’re watching a live event – the Academy Awards – that’s probably never going to work very well on IP,” …
