The savvy guide to the Internet-TV connection

This is the second part of our interview with CEA spokesflack Jason Oxman. In the first part he promised that consumer electronics will make our lives better, reduce crime, eliminate pollution and depression and make the world safe for democracy. In this section, he lowers his sights just a little bit and talks about what’s coming up in the world of CE devices.

TVMama: What is your dream PC to TV killer app? And is that something that will be widely adopted?

JO: In January at the 2007 International CES, attendees saw that the ability to migrate content seamlessly is not only available, but it continues to improve and expand in ways we never thought possible. This trend will continue, with a surge of new products and technologies emerging on the market in 2007 and beyond. (TVMama: He didn’t really answer that one, did he?)

TVMama: Are the TV manufacturers getting in on this effort? If so, who? If not, why?

JO: Displays will always play an integral part of the consumer viewing experience. Regardless of the viewing method, consumers will always need some form of display to view content, whether it’s on an HDTV, PC or portable device. Consumers can expect to see screens improve even further, with greater resolution, flatter and larger displays and technology that enables consumers to transfer content from device to device. Increasingly, displays are becoming “smarter” by interfacing directly with networks. (TVMama: Good if true. But there is no news nugget in this one. He missed a chance to plug the HP and Sony sets out there. We’ve had our say on the Sony. We’ll have more soon on the HP MediaSmart sets.)

TVMama: Do you Vudu? Will you? Will everyone? Will the money and hype around Joost boost convergence? Or is Joost just a place for old TV series no one ever watched in the first place? What about Zattoo? Veoh? etc…? Which are your favorites for series TV, videos, etc.?

JO: These sites and new technologies demonstrate that consumers are now looking for new ways of acquiring content beyond the traditional means. (TVMama: True enough. It’s time to break the MSM chaebols‘ monopolies.) Online video creates opportunities for artists to find new audiences, and also creates opportunities for the innovators of this technology to create new products that allow consumers to access videos online and take their content on the go.)

TVMama: What websites do you recommend that cover this space?

JO: There are a wealth of technology news sites that provide constant updates on the latest innovations. Each year at the International CES, we welcome over 4,500 reporters, editors, and bloggers, many of whom write solely online about the newest technological developments. For the latest developments in the consumer electronics industry, readers can also visit CEA’s website, and another site of ours that provides consumers with information on the hottest gadgets and services on the market, as well as updated market research and information on industry trends.

Industry professionals, including press, who are planning their trip to the International CES in January, the world’s largest trade show for consumer technology, should visit the CES site. (TVMama: That’s a commercial right there. OK, I’ll let him get it in, if he promises to give me some goodies when I go to CES 2008.)

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We tried to get an interview with Phil Shapiro, president of Consumer Electronics Association of America, but only got as high up the food chain as Jason Oxman, vice president, communications. Well, we’re not the New York Times.

One of the good things about email Q&A’s is they take place in virtual time, and you can conduct a lot of them. The downside is it is difficult to ask a follow-up question in real time, and it is easy for people (particularly professional PR flacks like Mr. Oxman) to edit themselves and stay on message. The best part is we can add our own commentary afterward.

With that caveat, here is part one of my interview with the aforementioned Mr. Oxman (with my additional comments interpolated in italics).

TVMama: Is “convergence” between the PC and the TV going to happen in 2007? Do people want it to?

JO: For years, we have talked about convergence as the inclusion of multiple functions in a single device. But now, attendees at the 2007 International CES, and consumers worldwide, are beginning to see a new convergence, which combines consumer electronics products and services in new ways. The consumer technology and content worlds are beginning to truly intertwine and will continue to do so, in order to provide greater connectivity for consumers.
Consumer technology products strive for one common goal – to make the lives of consumers more convenient and to make information more accessible. (TVMama – Cough, cough. I’m glad this answer came in on email; I don’t think I could have continued without a coughing fit.) Consumers in 2007 and beyond will see a surge in portable content devices, which will provide their content anywhere they want – in the home, in the car or on the go.

TVMama: Is AppleTV the killer app in this field? If so, why? If not, why, and is there a killer app yet?

JO: AppleTV is one example of the great products on the market right now providing convergence for consumers. Computers are becoming media centers; the Slingbox sends content around the world, Archos media players enable WiFi downloads of movies – these products enable consumers to access their own content, whether in their home or thousands of miles away. The portability of content was a key trend that emerged at the 2007 CES and we will continue to see an explosion of portable content devices, created to make the lives of consumers more convenient and content more readily available.

TVMama: Have you heard of USBTV, a USB device for bringing media content to the TV from SanDisk?

JO: USBTV is another example of the incredible products the consumer technology industry has created which provide consumers with another means to view their content. This device allows consumers to download content from their computer and watch it on the display of their choice. (TVMama: Puffery. No real sightings of USBTV yet, despite SanDisk promises.)

TVMama: Do the PVR’s, Xbox360’s and others that have some streaming capability work well and smoothly for the non-geek world?

JO: Devices and technologies that allow streaming capabilities have become increasingly easy to use and are becoming widely adopted around the globe. The implementation of industry standards and protocols such as IP, create user friendly interfaces, which allows for an easier viewing experience for consumers. (TVMama: Truth or dare. Maybe they are “increasingly easy to use,” but they aren’t easy to use. Look at this clever and well-written diatribe from a MSM tech journo.)

More soon.

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