Trends and developments in the OTT market

Over-the-top (OTT) set-top-box (STB) refers to a device designed to access content delivered over the Internet without a multiple system operator (MSO) being involved in the control or distribution of the content. The market for the technology in recent years has been up against smart TVs, game consoles and Blu-ray disc players, making the market for the technology very limited. However, in recent years major companies such as Apple, Samsung Electronics and Google have been increasingly interested in the technology as a means to connect ultra-mobile devices to TVs, increase cloud computing users, and boost various cloud and software services. This Digitimes Special Report examines the trends and strategies STB makers are heading in and the plans of major companies for further adapting the technology into their products in order to better compete in the market.

• OTT STB market opportunities

• Table 1: OTT Box products

• OTT STB market opportunities

• Chart 1: Developments of OTT STBs by region

• Chart 2: Potential in the OTT Box arena by market

• Background of main OTT STB vendors

• Equipment manufacturers

• Smart TV platform providers

• OTT service providers

• Samsung Strategies

• Chart 3: Samsung uses four types of OTT STBs

• Smart Evoluton gives Samsung diverse Smart TV solutions

• Chart 4: Samsung Smart Evolution helps extend smart TV lifespan

• Homesync is an extension of the smartphone for the digital home

• Chart 5: Samsung HomeSync media player specifications

• Smart Media Player gives cable connect TVs an advantage

• Chart 6: Smart Media Player provides OTT and cable services at the same time

• Purchasing Boxee expands Samsung's OTT services

• Chart 7: Boxee TV avoids infringement on cloud services

• Each OTT STB has its own specialties in the market

• Table 1: Boxee TV avoids infringement on cloud services

• Sony OTT STB strategies

• Chart 8: Source of PS VITA TV's OTT services and compatible games

• PS VITA TV acts as a OTT STB for games

• Chart 9: PS VITA TV's potential users

• Sony pushes its cloud services through apps

• Complicated cloud services result in connectivity inefficiency

• Chart 10: Sony's cloud services

• Chart 11: PS VITA TV helps Sony improve complications with cloud services

• Google OTT strategies

• Google TV's role in Google's business

• Chart 12: Google intends to push a new eco-system through Google TV

• Chart 13: Increase device sales and diverse content can expand the Google TV market

• Chart 14: Search engine helps Google to enter TV ads market

• Google TV's market expansion strategies fail

• Using Chromecast

• Chart 15: Process by which Chromecast gets OTT services

• Chromecast's position in Google's home market strategies.

• Chart 16: Benefits Chormecast has for Google

• Chart 17: Chormecast uses low pricing to attract customers

• Apple OTT Box strategies

• Chart 18: Cloud service and AirPlay bring Apple devices together

• Apple TV strategies

• Chart 19: Strategies to Apple for each service incorporated into Apple TV

• Apple's relationship with third-party content providers

• Chart 20: Apple TV strategies

• Apple relies more on third-party OTT services

• iTV prospects