With picture
quality becoming more important to modern audiences, High Definition formats
and channels are increasing. High Definition (HD) means that the resolution of
the picture is much higher than standard definition. This means that there are
more pixels used to make up the picture on screen and therefore the picture
quality is better and clearer with less visible pixels to the viewer. There is
HD recording equipment such as cameras, HD televisions, HD projection in
cinemas and even HDMI cables that ensure the best picture quality comes from a
Blu-ray player to the television. HD technology is becoming increasingly cheap
and is now becoming the standard experience for the viewer. For filmmakers, the
iPhone and iPhone 4S will even let people record HD footage on their phones,
allowing people to make high quality films on relatively cheap technology.
Developing
technologies are mostly about offering viewers more ways to watch and greater
choice with how and when they watch TV and film. Streaming means people can
watch programmes and films as they are being downloaded to their computer and
Lovefilm and Netflix offer this method of viewing to their subscribers. Content
is delivered immediately and depending on internet connection speeds, people
can watch what they want as soon as they wish to. Sometimes the viewer may have
to wait for the programme to buffer and this can affect the viewing experience
negatively, particularly if it needs to buffer in the middle of watching.
Similarly On
Demand television and film is available over the internet and allows the
consumer almost complete control over what they watch and when they watch it.
More and more channels are offering On Demand services such as iPlayer, 4OD and
Demand 5, meaning that consumers are not restricted in the way they once were
to watching TV when it is originally broadcast. This is very useful to people
who require more flexibility due to their hectic lifestyles.
The other option
for those with busy lives that cannot watch TV shows when they are scheduled
and broadcast on traditional channels is to record programmes with a digital
recorder. Whereas viewers used to be able to record television on tape (that
degraded over time and with heavy use), they can now digitally record shows
either on to PVR which stores the information on a large internal hard disk or
a DVD recorder which allows the programme to be stored on a digital versatile
disc. Many PVR’s allow consumers to store a programme in HD in order to watch
it at a later time but the hard disc will eventually fill up and programmes
will need to be erased in order to make room for new ones. A DVD recorder on
the other hand may not be able to record in HD but it means that programmes can
be archived endlessly and also shared with other people is desired.
Pay-per-view is
also becoming increasingly common for viewers offering even more choice but
also adding more cost to their viewing. If consumers do not want to subscribe
to a Sky Sports or Movies package but still want to watch specific movies or
sports games, they now often have the option of paying a one off fee for the
privilege. This can be costly but is similar to renting a film from a video
shop. It also means they can get access to live events as they happen such as
football matches and even music concerts.
Technology is
developing very rapidly and is constantly changing the TV and film industries.
The impact of the internet means that though there is more illegal piracy and
downloading, there is also much greater choice for the consumer than there has
ever been before. Though consumers are occasionally forced into upgrading
technology (analogue to digital TV), the benefits of new technologies are
great. The means of production are becoming cheaper and so more people can get
involved with producing films and TV but there are still challenges to getting
content noticed. Though everyone appears to benefit from new emerging
technologies, there is always a concern that the rich benefit much more than
those less wealthy. People with more disposable income to spend on
entertainment have greater access to new technologies and therefore more choice
than others.
Check out the rest of the posts in this series:
Satellite and cable TV
Move from analogue to digital technologies
Interactive and internet television
Check out the rest of the posts in this series:
Satellite and cable TV
Move from analogue to digital technologies
Interactive and internet television
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