The landscape of on-demand streaming, known as Over-The-Top (OTT), has undergone a remarkable transformation since its inception. From the early days of cable television to the current era of network disruption, the journey has been both dynamic and revolutionary. As we venture into 2024, we explore the significant milestones, technological advancements, and disruptive forces that have shaped the OTT industry. Join us on this comprehensive guide as we delve into the past, present, and future of OTT, unlocking the secrets behind its growth and influence.
1. The Early Days: From Cable Television to Network Disruption
In the nascent stages, OTT emerged as a disruptive force challenging the traditional realms of cable television. Explore how the shift from scheduled programming to on-demand content set the stage for a revolution in the entertainment industry.
2. Riding the Digital Wave: Technological Advancements Fueling OTT Growth
Technological innovations have been the driving force behind the expansion of OTT. Dive into the digital wave that propelled on-demand streaming to new heights, creating an ecosystem where viewers have unparalleled control over their content consumption.
The development of the internet helps OTT develop
3. The Social Media Age: OTT Goes Web 2.0 and Mobile
With the advent of Web 2.0 and the rise of mobile technology, OTT platforms transformed into versatile, interactive hubs. Uncover how social media integration and mobile accessibility reshaped the way audiences engage with on-demand content.
4. Television Redefined: Smart TVs and Converging Experiences
The evolution of Smart TVs marked a pivotal moment in the OTT journey. Explore how these intelligent devices, coupled with converging experiences, elevated the viewer’s interaction with on-demand streaming services.
5. Netflix: The Disruptive Trailblazer of the OTT Revolution
No discussion about the OTT revolution is complete without acknowledging the disruptive influence of Netflix. Chart the course of Netflix’s ascent and its impact on the industry, setting a precedent for other streaming services.
Netflix: The Disruptive Trailblazer of the OTT Revolution
The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Turning Point for the OTT Landscape
The global pandemic accelerated the adoption of on-demand streaming. Examine how the surge in demand during lockdowns reshaped consumer behavior and fueled further growth in the OTT landscape.
6. Battleground for Dominance: Warner Bros. vs. Disney+ in the Streaming Wars
Witness the streaming wars unfold as industry giants like Warner Bros. and Disney+ compete for dominance. Analyze the strategies, content battles, and market dynamics that define this intense competition.
Looking Ahead: Innovations and Challenges in the Future of OTT
Peer into the future of OTT and anticipate the innovations and challenges that lie ahead. From emerging technologies to evolving consumer preferences, understand the factors that will shape the next phase of on-demand streaming.
In conclusion, the history of the OTT industry is a saga of innovation, disruption, and adaptation. From humble beginnings to becoming a cornerstone of modern entertainment, OTT has redefined how we consume content. As we embrace the future, the industry must navigate through challenges and continue to innovate, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for viewers worldwide.
In the dynamic landscape of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms, staying ahead in the game requires understanding and implementing cutting-edge technologies. One such crucial component in the realm of OTT services is Media Transcoding. This article delves into the pivotal role of transcoding, uncovering how it can revolutionize your OTT service.
1. Understanding Media Transcoding for OTT Platforms
At its core, media transcoding involves the conversion of digital media from one format to another. For OTT platforms, this means adapting content to different devices, screen sizes, and network conditions. This versatility ensures a seamless and optimized viewing experience for a diverse audience.
Understanding Media Transcoding for OTT Platforms
2. The Transcoding Workflow: From Encoding to Playback
The transcoding process encompasses various stages, starting with encoding, where the original media is compressed and formatted. This is followed by transcoding, where the encoded media is transformed into multiple formats. Finally, during playback, the appropriate version is selected based on the viewer’s device and network, ensuring optimal quality.
3. Benefits of Using a Robust Transcoding Solution for Your OTT Service
Enhanced Viewer Experience
Media transcoding enables adaptive streaming, ensuring uninterrupted playback even in varying network conditions. This adaptability enhances the viewer experience, reducing buffering and load times.
Multi-Device Compatibility
With a robust transcoding solution, your content becomes compatible with a wide range of devices – from smartphones and tablets to smart TVs. This flexibility expands your reach to a broader audience.
Bandwidth Optimization
Transcoding allows you to offer different quality levels based on the viewer’s internet speed. This not only improves playback performance but also optimizes bandwidth usage, making your service more efficient.
4. Key Considerations for Choosing the Right Transcoding Solution
Scalability
Select a transcoding solution that can scale with your growing content library and user base. Scalability ensures that your service remains efficient and responsive as demand increases.
Codec Support
Ensure that the transcoding solution supports a wide range of codecs, ensuring compatibility with various devices and platforms.
Real-Time Processing
In the fast-paced world of OTT, real-time transcoding is essential. Choose a solution that can handle on-the-fly transcoding to meet the demands of live streaming.
5. The Future of Media Transcoding in the Evolving OTT Landscape
As technology evolves, so does the role of media transcoding. The future promises advancements in AI-driven transcoding, further optimizing content delivery based on user preferences and behaviors. The integration of HDR (High Dynamic Range) and 4K UHD transcoding will elevate the viewing experience to new heights.
In conclusion, the adoption of a robust transcoding solution is no longer a choice but a necessity for OTT platforms aiming to deliver top-notch content in a competitive landscape. Embrace the media transcoding revolution, ensuring your service remains at the forefront of the evolving OTT industry.
Ready to revolutionize your OTT service? Sign up for a free demo at Thudo Multimedia and explore the Sigma Solution – Your Gateway to Seamless Transcoding Excellence.
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The Vietnamese film industry is currently facing challenges of unauthorized copying, editing, reviewing, and livestreaming on the internet, causing frustration among filmmakers. This issue took center stage at the “Copyright Protection in the Development of the Film Industry” workshop held on November 22 in Da Lat.
Overview of the ‘Copyright Protection in the Development of the Film Industry’ Workshop – Photo: DAU DUNG
The workshop, directed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized in collaboration with the Department of Copyright, coordinated with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong Province.
The event is part of the 23rd Vietnam Film Festival, taking place from November 21 to November 25.
Innocent Livestreaming Lawyer Quach Van Minh, the Secretary-General of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Film and Television Copyrights (VAFC), shared insights into the emerging trend of film reviews being shared as short videos on YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok.
While reviews may seem harmless, the underlying motive is often to generate views and earn illicit profits, causing harm to the interests of film production units.
Director and producer Vo Thanh Hoa cited examples of recent films like “Lat Mat 6: Tam Ve Dinh Menh,” “Con Nhot Mot Chong,” and “Sieu Lua Gap Sieu Lai,” which have been dissected into multiple short clips and shared on social media to bypass content review algorithms.
Director Luong Dinh Dung revealed that two of his films, “578: Phat Dan Cua Ke Dien” and “Xam Do,” are being circulated blatantly on the internet. He urged audiences to consider cinema as a business product, created with both financial investment and intellectual effort from filmmakers. He raised a crucial question: “When the works of film production units are violated, who will protect them, and is there an emergency hotline for urgent help?”
Pham Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Director of the Copyright Office (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), highlighted instances where films approved by the Film Department had not been released outside of theaters but were leaked online by someone.
The movie ‘Con Nhot mot chong’ has been cut into several small clips and broadcasted on social networks, bypassing content screening algorithms – Photo: DPCC
She cited the example of the film “Co Ba Sai Gon,” produced by Ngo Thanh Van, which was livestreamed shortly after its theatrical release. Additionally, many TV series currently airing have been recorded and widely disseminated on the internet.
Legal Challenges Doan Van Viet, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, referred to survey data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), showing that copyright-dependent industries, including the film industry, significantly contribute to the economic development of both developed and developing countries.
He cited examples such as the United States (contributing 12% to GDP), South Korea (9.89% GDP), China (7.35% GDP), Malaysia (5.7% GDP), and Thailand (4.48% GDP).
“Bolstering copyright protection plays a vital role in supporting and promoting the development of copyright-dependent industries, contributing to the rapid development of the economy, culture, and society,” the deputy minister stated.
However, with technological advancements, copyright infringement has become more sophisticated, posing numerous legal challenges, according to Pham Thi Kim Oanh.
Addressing the legal challenges, Nguyen Han, Director of Thudom Multimedia, noted that post-release protective measures are often insufficient. He likened the current situation to “releasing chickens and not being able to catch them again.” This happens when the relevant authorities lack the tools and procedures to protect rights in new conditions and contexts.
Lawyer Quach Van Minh added that although Vietnam has a relatively comprehensive legal system, including Intellectual Property Law, guiding decrees, Film Law, and administrative penalties, the fines are low and not proportional to the extent of violations and the damages suffered by film production units. Director Vo Thanh Hoa further emphasized the complexity and time-consuming nature of current procedures for handling violations.
Saving Vietnamese Cinema Experts and filmmakers proposed mechanisms, support policies, and legal improvements to enhance copyright protection and raise awareness about copyrights for the development of the film industry.
Pham Thi Kim Oanh suggested a stronger application of information technology in copyright management and enforcement. She emphasized the need for coordination with relevant foreign agencies to combat and handle copyright infringements on the internet.
A representative from Thudom Multimedia recommended encryption to protect and manage films before distribution and release. The addition of copyright marks for tracking, along with strict international distribution procedures, was also proposed. Several existing technological solutions were mentioned as capable of supporting and solving this problem.
In addition to rigorous enforcement, Lawyer Quach Van Minh suggested “blocking the ad revenue source of pirate websites.” This approach has been successful in countries like South Korea, Australia, and the UK. Representatives from the Phan Law Vietnam law firm emphasized that civil lawsuits against violators should be encouraged to prevent and warn other offenders.
With illegal streaming websites still rampant on the internet, do the authorities find it challenging to intervene?
In the context of the 23rd Vietnam Film Festival, a seminar on copyright protection in the development of the film industry addressed a pressing issue—illegal streaming websites.
Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan – President of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association speaking at the seminar. Photo: Organizing Committee
Ts. Ngo Phuong Lan, President of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association, affirmed to Dân Việt that, according to global statistics, Vietnam has one of the lowest awareness levels regarding copyrights in films and cinema. This is especially concerning given the continued existence of numerous illegal streaming websites. Phuong Lan pointed to the case in 2021, where the first criminal charges were filed against the pirate website phimmoi.com. However, the case remains unresolved.
Phimmoi.com is an illicit streaming website with servers located abroad, offering hundreds to thousands of pirated films for free. This has led to the proliferation of numerous other illegal websites, and so far, there hasn’t been sufficient measures or sanctions to deter them. Ts. Ngo Phuong Lan asserted that without effective copyright protection, the efforts of filmmakers, especially with illegal streaming websites still “invading” cyberspace, make it challenging for the Vietnamese film industry to thrive.
The seminar on Copyright Protection in the Development of the Film Industry involves the participation of numerous experts in the film and copyright sectors. Photo: Organizing Committee
Nguyen Ngoc Han, CEO of Thu Do Multimedia, expressed concerns about the involvement of betting websites behind these illicit streaming platforms, embedding advertisements and encouraging betting on pirated films.
Sharing her thoughts with Dân Việt, Phạm Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Director of the Copyright Office (Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism), believed that the rapid and overwhelming development of the Internet and technology is one of the main reasons. With just a smartphone, anyone can illegally livestream and swiftly upload content to social media platforms. Vo Thanh Hoa, a film director, concurred with this viewpoint, emphasizing the financial losses suffered by producers and filmmakers when their content is illicitly shared on platforms like TikTok. Many Vietnamese films released in the past year, such as ‘Con Nhot Mot Chong,’ ‘Sieu Lua Gap Sieu Lay,’ ‘Nha Ba Nu,’ and recently ‘Nguoi Vo Cuoi Cung,’ ‘Dat Rung Phuong Nam,’ have easily become subjects of unauthorized clips and improper edits on social media platforms.
Mrs. Pham Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Head of the Copyright Office at the Seminar. Photo: Organizing Committee
Phạm Thi Kim Oanh asserted that, to effectively address the issue, besides continually refining legal documents and protecting the copyrights of cinematic works, there is a need to rapidly integrate information technology into management and the enforcement of copyrights. This also involves close collaboration with relevant foreign agencies to combat and address violations on the Internet and cyberspace.
Dr. Quang Van Minh, a lawyer and Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Film and Television Copyright Protection Association, emphasized the necessity for practical and proactive measures. One such measure is to block ad revenue from illegal websites. He pointed out the practices of some countries, including the UK, where law enforcement agencies specializing in intellectual property crime have been established, collaborating closely with advertising platform providers on the internet.
Director Vo Thanh Hoa at the seminar. Photo: Organizing Committee (BTC).
Nguyen Ngoc Han suggested several technological measures, such as encryption for secure management, embedding copyright marks for content tracing when distributed to partners, granting viewing rights only to distribution units, not allowing copying rights, and automatically tracking revenue for distribution units. Currently, Han’s organization is implementing copyright protection using technology called Sigma Multi-DRM, which includes four security solutions: Play Ready, Widevine, Fairplay. Sigma DRM meets the standards agreed upon by most major copyright-holding companies globally for content distribution on the internet.
Han also added, ‘In addition to the general role like Multi-DRM in protecting content copyrights for devices with operating systems, the independent role of Sigma DRM is crucial in securing content for devices without operating systems. The number of these devices is expected to explode in the near future.’
Taking the example of the security camera sector, where currently, on average, each household has one camera, but in a few years, the country will have hundreds of millions of these devices, becoming the first sector with content that needs protection. The recent leaks of private clips underscore the open issues in security in this area. Another area is the Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices. Clearly, most current devices are connected and controlled through the cloud systems of foreign companies. When the country takes control of the development of IoT software and hardware, many layers of these devices requiring data exchange will need protection.”
Amidst the 23rd Vietnam Film Festival in Da Lat, Lam Dong province, the morning of November 22 witnessed over 100 delegates participating in the seminar “Protecting Copyright in the Development of the Film Industry.” Organized by the Copyright Office under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, this event unfolded within the framework of the 23rd Vietnam Film Festival.
View of the conference. (Photo: Anh Vu/Sports & Culture Newspaper)
The seminar boasted the attendance of more than 100 representatives, including managers, filmmakers, directors, and actors nationwide. It served as a crucial platform for regulatory bodies to continue listening to the aspirations of creative minds in the film industry.
Building upon this foundation, discussions revolved around researching and proposing mechanisms, supportive policies, and refining legal frameworks. The aim was to create favorable conditions that act as incentives for the development of copyright protection, innovation, and creativity in the film industry, specifically, and copyright-dependent industries, in general.
Pham Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Director of the Copyright Office, highlighted the ongoing copyright infringement challenges, especially in the realm of the internet, causing significant losses to film producers. To overcome this, Oanh emphasized the need for synchronized solutions such as refining legal documents concerning copyright protection, bolstering communication to enhance awareness, and leveraging information technology for effective copyright management and enforcement.
Director and film producer Luong Dinh Dung raised concerns about copyright infringement issues, particularly on online platforms, stressing the absence of stringent penalties for individuals and websites involved in such activities. Dung emphasized the importance of addressing this issue to nurture a robust domestic film environment.
Copyright protection in film industry development
Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Doan Van Viet acknowledged the challenges posed by the digital environment in protecting copyrights. This seminar aimed to identify obstacles, propose solutions, and gradually improve the legal framework for copyright and related rights.
Statistics from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism revealed substantial growth in Vietnam’s film industry from 2018 to 2022. Despite challenges, the industry demonstrated strong annual increases in production value, labor resources, and the number of active film-related businesses.
Box Office revenues for cinema releases in 2018 reached around 3,400 billion VND and surpassed 4,100 billion VND in 2019. The impact of COVID-19 led to a significant downturn in 2020, with total industry revenue reaching 750 billion VND. However, by 2022, the industry had successfully recovered, achieving approximately 70% of the 2019 figures.
Innovative Solutions Unveiled: Sigma Multi-DRM
During the symposium, representatives from Thudo Multimedia, notably Nguyen Ngoc Han, introduced a groundbreaking solution in the form of Sigma Multi-DRM, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) for copyright protection (commercially named Sigma Active Observer – SAO). This innovation empowers content owners and online content distribution platforms to safeguard copyright for their digital content.
Mr. Han Nguyen – CEO of Thudo Multimedia
According to Nguyen Ngoc Han, Sigma Multi-DRM comprises three layers of protection, certified by Catersian, a global organization specializing in the certification of security products. Thudo Multimedia is currently the only technology enterprise in Southeast Asia to receive this prestigious certification.
“With the Sigma Multi-DRM solution, Thudo Multimedia is ready to collaborate and support state management agencies and copyright owners. We aim to create a secure digital content environment, reducing the deployment time and financial costs compared to purchasing foreign technology,” affirmed Han.
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