Sky+ & HD - VOD - At Last?

[Keiran2K8]

BSKYB IS in discussions with Hollywood studios about bringing content to the television from a source other than satellite for the first time.

The broadcaster plans to connect its set-top boxes to the internet, allowing subscribers to watch new films by downloading them to their TVs. The films will be available free to Sky Movies subscribers, and a smaller selection will be for rent on a pay-per-view basis.

More than 2m customers have a Sky+ box, which acts as a personal video recorder. Each box is fitted with an ethernet port which means it can connect to the internet via a router/modem.

Full Article ; BSkyB to use internet to dish up movies | Business | Money | Telegraph

[PeteC]

and then there will be a 40GB cap or something stupid like that.

but wouldn't that make sky anytime on PC redundant? not a bad thing it's naff anyway - i would have thought doing VOD via the bird would have been better - everyone knows it can be done - satellite broadband has been doing multicasts for years.

[penrhyn]

there's no Ethernet port on my Sky + box, only a couple of USB2s, or am I missing something?

[edwardw]

Theres no ethernet on my gf's box either, you sure its not just HD?

[Keiran2K8]

The Article focuses heavily on Sky+ & HD, I dont think it would be just HD right now.
As not many have HD yet, As the takeup on Sky+ has been heavily focused upon.

Ours doesnt have an Ethernet connection either?? Either the article meant it was HD that had the ethernet slot as ours (HD) does and the + doesnt.

Maybe the rollout on the Sky+ range will again be restricted to PVR3s as afaik not all Sky+' have USB and Sky are already forcing those without to them anyway?

So it could be Ethernet on HD and USB on Sky+? Either ways, Like stated, It could be around 2 years before it happens.

[NewsreadeR]

It has been widely publicised that Sky plan to do VOD, hence why they are putting people on Interleaved when connected.

As far as I know, this will happen, not in the immediate future, but remember Sky are always trying to bring new ideas to fruition.

We are not sure if the new router (widely believed to be shelved, although not officially confirmed) would be capable of this.

We do know that HD is selling well as good as Sky+ was at the same point, this has been told to us by quite a few people.

As for what hardware required? No idea's.

[Keiran2K8]

Maybe the wait of 18 Months is going to be the push on LLU Unbundling?

As, It would be logical to have Sky VOD on Sky Broadband only, Just like BTVision. That way Sky can make sure Sky VOD is excluded from any FUP ect.

Personally I would like Sky to do a Be-Style router, with a USB Slot aswell that could be used for the Sky+'s, WiFi, Ethernet and VOiP?

[NewsreadeR]

I wonder if the boxes with USB could have a wireless card added?

That would solve the problem.