Convergence revolution to hit SA soon

High-definition television, place-shifting, on-demand content, converged mobile communications and new personal networking protocols are all on the brink of widespread adoption.

“What we’re seeing with convergence, mobility and wireless networking is the first big change in technology for years. Let’s face it, for the last 10 or even 15 years we have really had the same technology, with incremental changes - there have been very few revolutions,” says Goldstuck.

Dramatic leap

He continues, “Suddenly we’re about to see a dramatic leap in people’s experience of technology - suddenly there are big changes: in televisions, in our relationship with the cellular phone, with networking, and with the idea that you can simply plug something in and experience something.

“And we’re already in the middle of this revolution - it is about to sweep us up.”

High-definition television (HDTV) is already a reality and South African viewers will soon be able to watch specially-filmed high-definition content as well. Certainly, by the time the Soccer World Cup rolls by in 2010, South Africans will be receiving high-definition content on their HDTVs.

“Once the broadcasters start with high-definition content, users will want to have high-definition monitors,” says Goldstuck.

Already, gamers are demanding HDTV, with XBox games already available in high-definition and PS3 offering high-definition games from March. Movies are also available in high-definition format.

HDTVs have 1080 lenses instead of the more traditional 480, which is responsible for very high picture resolution that users experience.

Become mainstream

One of the reasons HDTV has become mainstream now, Goldstuck adds, is because it’s the same technology that has gone into making computer monitors. While people were content with the old television resolution, computer screens weren’t really good enough to watch movies on - and so the new technology came into play.

The multi-purpose computer screen/television is a relatively new phenomenon, he points out. “Traditionally, people have had a television in their entertainment space and a computer in their work space - and they didn’t like to watch television on the computer, or work on the television.

“What’s changed is things like YouTube which have made Internet on the television more compelling.”

As far as television format goes, Goldstuck believes the old-style CRT “tube” shape is just about dead, with flat screen monitors about to take over.

“At the moment, there is still a fairly big price difference between the two formats, but they are coming together quickly and when they reach each other the CRT will disappear. It’s what happened with computer monitors and the same will happen with televisions.”

Place-shifting is another trend that is set to burst on to South African shores soon. Goldstuck explains this concept as the next logical move from the current time-shifting that is enabled by technologies like PVR (personal video recorders).

While PVR and similar devices allow users to decide for themselves when they will experience their entertainment, place-shifting allows them to take it with them and decide on where to enjoy it as well.

Digital living

Place-shifting is catered for with a range of technologies, says Goldstuck. “It’s no longer just consumer electronics - and, increasingly, the technology is becoming less relevant. It’s about digital living and it’s enabled by things like the car network, IPTV, VoIP and wireless mobility.”

Convergence is what’s making the new generation of consumer electronics devices possible, and we are already seeing consumer electronics device emerging in the IT space and vice versa. In fact, a number of companies are offering monitors as televisions or televisions as monitors, depending on which direction they’re coming from.

“There is the same technology and the difference is coming down to where people use it,” says Goldstuck.

Wireless networking is not necessarily a new technology, but it’s one that makes a lot of sense in the South African context, says Goldstuck.

“For instance, WiMax could be an answer to South Africa’s broadband problems. Intel is pushing the standard and Telkom should be rolling it out this year - hopefully at a reasonable cost. It could mean wireless networking available wherever users are.”

Goldstuck is confident that a major thrust at this year’s Futurex & Equip show, to be held 15 - 18 May 2007 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, will be in these new and exciting converged technologies.