DirecTV is alpha testing their new VOD service, which uses a subscriber’s broadband connection to download on demand content. Long seen as being at a competitive disadvantage due to their lack of a VOD offering, DirecTV hopes to remove this hurdle with this development. In addition to a broadband connection, DirecTV subscribers will need a HD DVR receiver for the service. Their technology uses progressive downloading technology, which lets subscribers begin watching the downloading video immediately, even though downloads will take 30 minutes on average to complete.
CED’s xOD Capsule outlines this development.
