Placeshifting Hardware, Software and Services

Slingbox and Other Disruptive Technologies for Anywhere-Anytime Video Services

The Slingbox and similar devices are changing the way consumers access their video content. Placeshifting devices and services allow consumers to have their content follow them anywhere using the Internet and networking technology. This capability is disruptive to existing and emerging content distribution models, and large network operators as well as content distributors are watching the adoption of placeshifting technologies closely. It is also potentially lucrative, because consumer adoption of placeshifting is set to increase dramatically as awareness of the technology seeps into the mainstream.

This study examines hardware, software and services for video placeshifting. It forecasts hardware revenues and unit shipments for dedicated placeshifting devices, and also forecasts the integration of placeshifting into devices such as set-top boxes and consumer electronics devices. The report examines and forecasts client placeshifting capabilities and volume, while assessing the integration of placeshifting into smart phones, handheld gaming devices and mobile media players. It surveys services for placeshifting and discusses how wireless carriers and pay-TV operators will react to placeshifting technology and services. The report also features in-depth analysis of vendors providing placeshifting products today.

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

  • How will hardware products such as the Slingbox fare over the next five years?
  • Will placeshifting capabilities be integrated into set top boxes?
  • How will mobile carriers react to placeshifting as more consumers push video content onto the cellular network?
  • Will 'placeshifted' video content displace new video offerings over mobile video networks?
  • How will PC software and services for placeshifting fare vis-à-vis dedicated hardware offerings such as those offered by Sling?
  • Will Microsoft offer placeshifting as a technology in Vista or through one of its service offerings?

Who Needs This Report?

  • Hardware vendors interested in adding placeshifing capabilities to their products
  • Mobile carriers who see placeshifting as competitive or complimentary to their own service offerings
  • IC vendors looking to capitalize on the growing placeshifting hardware opportunity
  • Software vendors looking to add placeshifting capabilities to their products
  • Video service providers interested in the impact of placeshifting on their product offerings and their broadband networks
  • Set-top box manufacturers whose customers want placeshifting capabilities