ViaGate and partners push HDTV over DSL

ATLANTA--ViaGate Technologies has joined with Artel Video Systems and CompleteTV to expose the missing link-–high definition television (HDTV)-–that’s holding back the potential of video delivery over DSL.

Generally considered too difficult or too expensive to do, transporting HDTV over copper wires has been seen as a serious hurdle that DSL will have to overcome to compete on equal footing with cable and direct broadcast satellite video delivery systems. DTC Communications, an independent telco in Alexandria, Tenn., is working with the three companies to show it can be done over an OC-48 Sonet ring connecting 11 independent telcos.

Nashville-based CompleteTV delivers the content through Artel Video Systems’ CopperTV video access multiplexer. ViaGate provides the node and access device technologies that make the mix work at both ends.

Technology is no longer holding things back, Daniel A. Orefice, VP-sales and marketing for ViaGate Technologies, emphasized. “You can do it,” he said.

On the other hand, “HDTVs cost too much. There are no HDTV set-tops made that are generally available and there’s no content,” he said. Nevertheless, he continued, it’s important to push the envelope in trials now because “HDTV is going to be one of the killer apps.”

The next hurdle, after solving the technology, is price. That, too, is in the process of being solved, Orefice said, predicting a final price range that dips below $1000 per line to deliver converged voice, video and high-speed DSL data services--including HDTV.
Jim Barthold is Senior Editor at Telephony. He can be reached at jim_barthold@intertec.com.