>>IMHO IP is still a really, really inefficient way to broadcast/multicast TV to a large number of people
You are correct, and terrestial broadcast will always have its place because of that.
However, if you look at trends you will see that total viewing is not really increasing either in hours or numbers, but is increasingly spread over a growing number of channels, programs and sources. Consequentally we are no longer in the world of broadcasting 4 channels to millions of people and face exploding expectations of huge variety and choice.
In adidtion, the restriction on Broadcasting is the number of channels. Since slection is made at the point of reception, then everything must be broadcast to everybody. Although since broadcast does nto represent a cosnumable resource in any meaningful way, there is no limit to the number of people that can be servde.
With IP where the slection is made at the point of transmission, there is no meaningful imit to the numebr of channels that can be offered, although since the transmission method is a consumable resource there is a limit to the number of people who can be served - essentially the "last mile" is copper and digging is expensive.
As that restriction is removed, then IP TV will explode. We will then see an increase in the hybrid boxes as used by BT Vision with the ability to receive DVB-T broadcast, IPTV transmission and VOD downloads. At which point it will become immaterial and invisible which you are using to view content.
And that is true convergence. Its nothing to do with the end unit as people seem to keep insisting and believing, it is all about tranport. It is not related to using one unit to perform voice calls, video calls, computing, browsing, viewing etc. etc. sinc ethey require inherently different user interfaces so always represent a compromise and usually an unsatisfactory one.
Convergence matters in the transport layer where your television only shows video or your phone only does phone calls, but it can accept any signal from any source and any technology.
And why doesn't this site have a spell checker !!
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