PC to TV: Apple Hopes to Bridge the Gap

During the past few years you have probably heard terms like Movies on Demand or Video on Demand. The number of movie titles are still very limited and all the hype surrounding Video on Demand has turned out to be a real disappointment. Cable companies just dont have much to offer when it comes to offering a wide selection of Video on Demand. Apple is about to enter this market full steam in a unique way. Microsoft still has a learning curve when it comes to audio and video delivery and is just entering the market where Apple was 5 years ago. It has recently introduced Zune, an iPod competitor.

The Online Video Content Market

The internet, on the other hand, has made great strides in the Video on Demand market in just the past 3 years. The number of websites showing video clips that include news, corporate interviews, movie trailers, old and new TV shows, product advertisements and short films has grown exponentially. The content does vary widely and currently is spread across a large number of niche markets. These niche markets are served by a large number of individual websites. The number of people who visit these websites is huge.

An Opportunity Exists Bridging the Gap

There exists a tremendous opportunity for bridging the gap between online video content and the TV screen. If you can find old episodes of your favorite TV show or an old sporting event, you are likely going to want to watch it on a large TV screen. The question is how to bridge the PC to TV gap.

Current Bridging the Gap Solutions

This PC to TV convergence has been slowly evolving over the past few years. A quick trip to Best Buy and a conversation with one of their helpful employees reveals there are a few ways to bridge the gap. For instance, you can purchase the necessary cable to connect your computers VGA output to your TVs VGA input. There are plenty of websites with directions for the steps you need to follow. Another option is using a PC to TV converter. There are several on the market such as the Manhattan PC to TV Converter, while there are also wireless converters and converters for HDTV.

Get Ready for the Apple Solution

On September 12, 2006 Apple issued a press release and announced its much anticipated new product launch which it referred to as iTV. According to Apples website, however, iTV is the projects internal code name and will not be the final product name. Here we go again! First music, then TV shows, and now movies, said Steve Jobs, Apples CEO. In less than one year weve grown from offering just five TV shows to offering over 220 TV shows, and we hope to do the same with movies. iTunes is selling over one million videos a week, and we hope to match this with movies in less than a year.

The iTV is a network media box that streams of your iTunes-based media--including music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and photos directly from your PC or Mac to your TV, HDTV or home entertainment system. This will allow people to enjoy the video content they select on their TV screen while relaxing on their couch or easy-boy-chair, rather than sitting at their desk staring at their small computer screen.

Conclusion

If Apple can successfully distribute its iTV product to the masses and if that product proves to be an easy-to-use way to link the PC to the TV, they will be setting a standard just like they did with their and iPod. As Apples track record has proven, first one to the market with a great concept and easy-to-use hardware/software proves to be highly successful.

Joseph B. LaRocco has represented and advised private and public companies and investment bankers in the area of securities investments, private placements, compliance and due diligence. Mr. LaRocco is currently General Counsel to and a Director of NetSky Holdings, Inc. an ISP acquisition company. Almire Blog25954
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