10 February-March 2015
NEWS & VIEWS
CES 2015 highlights IoT and 4K TV
by virgil labrador
LAS VEGAS – This year ’ s Consumer Electronics Show ( CES 2015 ), held in Las Vegas , Nevada , USA , from January 6-9 , was touted by organisers as “ the largest and most amazing CES in show history ”. That is no small praise for a show that has been held for more than 40 years and has been the traditional launch pad for technologically innovative consumer products .
CES 2015 wrapped as the largest show in its history with more than 2.2 million net sqf exhibit space featuring more than 3,600 exhibitors , including a record number of startups . Innovators showcased their latest products across categories such as auto motive electronics , personalised healthcare solutions , unmanned vehicles , connected devices , 3D printers and gaming . There were more than 170,000 attendees , of which 45,000 were from outside the US .
The excitement and buzz at this year ’ s CES centred on the Internet of Things ( IoT ). IoT involves all devices including household appliances and other everyday tools being connected to the Internet . Almost all products displayed at CES 2015 are digitally connected , ranging from wearable technologies such as smart watches to driverless cars . There were even tennis rackets connected to the Internet , as well as jewellery .
The satellite industry should really pay more attention to the IoT and Machine-to-Machine ( M2M ) communications market . Cisco estimates that there will be more than 50 billion devices connected to the Internet by 2020 . The global IoT and M2M communications market is estimated to grow from US $ 255.87 billion in 2014 to US $ 947.29 billion in 2019 , at a compound annual growth rate ( CAGR ) of 29.9 % during the forecast period of 2014-19 , according to Research and Markets .
“ The Internet of things is coalescing , and it ’ s really happening around devices in both traditional and non-traditional high-tech
4K Ultra HD was one of the buzz at this year ’ s CES Show in Las Vegas , Nevada , USA . Samsung , for example , introduced a number of new 4K TV models ( above ).
industries ,” said John Curran , managing director , communications , media and technology , Accenture .
Research firm NSR , in a study released last month , said that when it comes to IoT or M2M , the first solution that comes to mind is not satellite , but cellular-based options from Vodafone , Verizon or Kore Telematics , to name a few . Satellite M2M products , however , are not in decline despite having just a single-digit share of the overall M2M market , with terrestrial services enjoying a continually growing footprint , ever-increasing data speeds and lowering data costs , according to the report .
NSR , however , remains optimistic about the IoT and M2M markets for satellite services . Overall satellite revenues from IoT and M2M will reach almost US $ 2.5 billion by 2023 . With 50 % of these revenues expected to come from North America where terrestrial coverage and reliability is widespread , terrestrial competition is not being felt immensely . This trend is combined with a continuing uptake in terminals on satellite M2M networks , reaching nearly six million units by 2023 — an impressive growth from 2.4 million units that were in use in 2013 , resulting in a CAGR of 9.3 % over the period .
The other huge buzz at CES 2015 was with Ultra HD ( UHD ) TV or 4K TV . The successful demonstration of 4K TV during the FIFA Football World Cup held in Brazil last summer has helped hasten its
The satellite industry should really pay more attention to the IoT and Machine-to- Machine ( M2M ) communications market . Cisco estimates that there will be more than 50 billion devices connected to the Internet by 2020 .
adoption by consumers . 4K TV sets were expected to ship 11.6 million units in 2014 , up nearly 700 % yearon-year , with China accounting for over 70 % of worldwide demand . In Western Europe and North America , share of 4K demand in 2014 will represent 10 % and 8 % respectively , with demand expected to grow at 72 % CAGR until 2018 .
Direct-to-home service provider Echostar unveiled at CES 2015 the world ’ s first 4K TV set-top box . Dubbed the “ 4K Joey ”, the box is designed to easily integrate with Dish Network ’ s Hopper Whole Home HD DVR system . Unlike other 4K pay-TV options , which are confined to an app on selected TVs , the Dish 4K Joey is dedicated hardware that will be compatible with all HDMI 2.0 / HDCP 2.2-compliant TV sets .
The 4K Joey will not only play back 4K UHD content , but will also enhance everyday viewing of TV and sports programming by supporting side-by-side display of two programmes , each in HD . This picture-in-picture ( PiP ) capability was not possible previously and is
CES will be coming to a venue near you . From May 25-27 , CES is launching its first Conference and Exhibition for the Asian market in Shanghai , China . ideal for sports fans who want to watch two games playing at the same time .
Dish will deliver 4K content from several providers . Specific announcements will be made closer to the consumer launch of 4K Joey , which is slated for the second quarter of this year , according to Dish .
The prospects for 4K TV in the US market are definitely looking good this year . Prices of 4K TVs are dropping rapidly , and will soon be within reach of the majority of US consumers . According to Business Insider Intelligence , between 2012 and 2014 , prices for 4K TVs in North America decreased nearly 90 %.
Another US DTH operator , DirecTV , launched its DirecTV-14 satellite in December last year . The satellite will be the first commercial satellite to use the “ Reverse Band Direct Broadcast Satellite ” spectrum , which together with spot beam technology will provide advanced services such as 4K TV and local HDTV . DirecTV plans to launch live 4K programming this year .
Meanwhile , at the CES 2015 , over-the-top ( OTT ) service provider Roku TV announced its plans to support 4K UHD streaming for future Roku TV models . The company has prepared a Roku TV reference design for 4K smart TVs for licence to TV OEM partners . Global TV manufacturer TCL , which released
TCL Roku TV models last year , is an initial partner to build 4K models . In addition , Roku is working with Netflix to provide 4K content for streaming on the Roku platform .
Anthony Wood , Roku ’ s CEO , said : “ With the maturation of 4K , including the dramatic price reductions of 4K TVs , the growing amount of 4K content available for streaming and the increased consumer awareness of the benefits of 4K … We are very bullish on 4K as we believe that streaming will be instrumental in its adoption ”.
With such promising prospects , the industry is coming together for UHDTV . The UHD Alliance was formally launched at this year ’ s CES . Composed of leading TV manufacturers , equipment and service providers , the alliance aims to ensure that all of the links in the chain — from the production and distribution of content and devices — meet the identified premium quality standards while embracing standards that are open and allow flexibility in the market , yet give consumers confidence that they can watch the content they want on their devices .
In the coming months , the group will convene to outline a technology roadmap for the rapid evolution of UHD technology , worldwide .
“ 4K Ultra HD is our future , and the future is now ,” said Consumer Electronics Association ( CEA ) president and CEO Gary Shapiro . “ Consumers recognise that 4K UHD is the next step forward in a long line of outstanding HD TVs and displays . With new next-gen technologies and features being added by manufacturers that help improve the already outstanding picture quality and viewing experience , 4K UHD is set to become the next great success story in TV technology ,” said Shapiro .
If you missed CES this year , do not worry as the CES will be coming to a venue near you . From May 25- 27 , CES is launching its first Conference and Exhibition for the Asian market in Shanghai , China . Dubbed “ CES Asia ”, the exhibition promises dazzling displays of technology just like its Las Vegas counter part , or maybe even more …
Virgil Labrador is APB ’ s satellite contributor . Based in Los Angeles , California , USA , he is the author of two books on the satellite industry and has been covering the industry for various publications since 1998 . Before that , Labrador worked in various capacities in the industry , including a stint as marketing director for the Asia Broadcast Center , a full-service teleport based in Singapore . He can be reached at virgil @ satellitemarkets . com .