Video on demand (VOD) allows for users to interface with a network and download streams of video to watch to their heart's content. It's an interactive television system. Generally, they are streams from the Internet but in the last year, technology has boomed in creating a seamless way to download programs to a digital device, such as a cable box. VOD can be downloaded to computers as well through cable providers and the use of cablecard technology. Cablecard technology inserts a card into your PC or television to allow for downloads from a cable provider without the use of a cable box.
However, VOD boxes allow you to download a maximum amount of programs into memory. During the time you have those programs on your box, they are yours to play. During play, you have complete control over your watching experience. You can pause, rewind, fast-forward or watch over and over again. Typically, if you download the program to your box, your controls will be faster than if you stream the program directly to watch. Streaming increases the network bandwidth of the host's server which decreases your ability to watch a program without interruption.
These streaming networks can be created in many ways to reduce lag time and allow for an uninterrupted program. Local Area Networks (LANs) as well as Wide Area Networks (WANs) can host videos, and the more high-speed connections hosting particular files will allow for greater bandwidth and a higher share speed. WANs, however, are generally smaller and confined to no more than seven to ten computers. If these computers are all high-speed, their power to produce a great downloading connection increases and allows for a higher quality stream. Both systems provide a higher response for downloaders, and the more users you have on a network, the more sharing that goes on and the more you're able to find to watch on your computer or television.
Commercially, VOD technology was born in the early 90s in Hong Kong by cable provider Telecon. Since video CDs were still cheaper to produce, VOD technology was sporadic and produced low-quality streams as well as downloads to users. At the time, only specific areas and generally the rich could afford to find what they were looking for on a network. Telecon lost millions of dollars investing in the technology at the time and eventually went bankrupt trying to recover.
In the United States, VOD services are widely available all over the country. EchoStar, Comcast and Cox Communications all provide VOD services to their consumers and regions. While most provide a strictly downloadable VOD technology, which stores information in a cable box, some are venturing out to provide streaming technology in the near future. Cable boxes, such as those provided by Comcast and DirecTV, allow users to store programs for an undetermined amount of time. Typically, television programming on premium channels can be stored conceivably forever whereas pay-per-view movies can only be stored for a limited amount of time.
While downloaded onto these cable boxes, a customer can view them as often as they want with that particular box. Even pay-per-view movies, limited in the time allowed on the box, can be viewed over and over again. Some cable providers rent out digital video recorder (DVR) boxes that not only allow you to download or stream programs but also allows consumers to record live television for viewing later, much like a VCR. DVRs are what some call the way of the future and have made an impact in most markets as a viable replacement to clunky VCRs and VHS tapes that degrade over time. DVR boxes provide everyone with the chance to keep up with their favorite shows, watch their favorite movies and not have to leave their home for the video store.
Video on demand technology is just one way cable providers are allowing customers to indulge in the evolution of television and film. Whether you're downloading shows, recording them to watch at a future date or just saving your favorite films to enjoy with the family, VOD technology is the way of the future and the way to enjoy movies and film no matter how you watch them during your day. VOD is the way of the future and along with DVR technology, the way to watch television and film in the busy world.
