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Toys Editorial - June 2001 - [HTI Home Page] |
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I
think this is our best issue yet ... if you're interested at all in how the Home
Network of the future will be implemented. For me at least ... things are
starting to fall into place. As it happens I just signed up for a Digital Cable
/ Broadband package from my cable company. Low and behold I now own a Digital
Set-Top box ... albeit a rudimentary one. As will be the case (IMHO)
for most users in the future ... I didn't do it for any other reasons than
entertainment and money savings. The package costs less that cable + broadband
separately and now I can get Pay Per View Movies, Digital Music Streams etc. at
my leisure.
Read the first 4 articles in this months emagazine and you'll understand what I'm getting at. Advanced Digital Set-Top Boxes by Gerard O'Driscoll is an excellent description of the various functions possible with Set-Top boxes now and in the future. Set-Tops - The Killer Platform for RG's by Michael Greeson talks about the market potential for the boxes. When Will SP's Roll Out Gateways? by Navin Sabharwal discusses how Cable Operators and Telcos are gearing up to roll out Residential Gateways (Set-Top boxes being touted as one option). Evolution of Set-Top Boxes by Joshua Wise rounds out the discussion with some thoughts on the importance of focus when implementing these solutions.
The way I see it ... I'm already hooked into the set-top box / cable route for my home network. My cable operator will no doubt be back next year with some interesting options for my upgrade path. New improved set-top box / residential gateway with built in digital cable, wireless data network, wireless phone network, homeplug network (just by plugging into the wall) for appliances and perhaps home control and probably other features that I don't know about yet. I'll be able to activate as many or as few of these services as I see fit. I'm not as clear about the Telco roll ... and I think they will have a tougher time because we consumers are already used to paying for extra entertainment services from our Cable Company and the home wiring is set up for that. Until the Telcos can offer better / cheaper entertainment value I don't think the concept will fly. Most consumers won't see the need for just more data and communications features without the entertainment aspect as a hook. If you have a different idea please let me know. I'll be pleased to publish articles explaining how and why Telcos have a better solution. (bobh@hometoys.com).
Wayne Caswell sent in an excellent article written by Dr. Kevin Negus describing Wireless Choices from the point of view of HomeRF. Having installed a wireless network (albeit not HomeRF at this point) in our HomeToys home office I am sold on wireless for data networking and look forward to the day when our telephone system can be included ... although I'm unclear on how that will work yet.
That said ... the next issue theme is Wireless Home Networks. If you have any knowledge or ideas ... let's hear about them. New products launching ... new technologies emerging ... What's New and Important to the Home Automation and Networking world??? Share your knowledge and experience by sending an article to news@hometoys.com
Special thanks to all of our Mentors for their input for this issue. New articles from David Gaw - Residential Gateways , Wayne Caswell - Wireless Networking and Reza Raji - Home Control Networks. Would you like to become a mentor in your area of expertise? Please email bobh@hometoys.com if you do.
As always I ask that if you like HomeToys and what we provide for you ... the best way to show it is to support our advertisers and sponsors. Click those banners and check out these Hot Products. For those of you in the industry who would like a presence at HomeToys, we have several ad opportunities available which are both creative and effective. Click here to see the options and help us spread the word.
Enjoy!
