The technology world is constantly evolving and television technology is no exception. As the television becomes a more interactive, two-way entertainment and communications device, this is having a major impact on the hotel industry.

Looking ahead to 2009, Acentic, a leading supplier of digital interactive TV (iTV) systems for the hotel industry, explores the trends hoteliers should anticipate in the coming months and details the technological achievements the company expects to see.

1. Internet Content

In 2009, it will become more popular for hotels to source content from the Internet, such as YouTube and Web radio. Acentic increasingly believes that user generated content sites will continue to be highly successful and become an outlet for mainstream media. Acentic Panorama will increasingly integrate Web-based content to bring new content sources to guests, including Internet audio and video streaming and RSS feeds.

2. High-Definition Content

2009 should be the start of HDTV uptake by consumers and it will become a requirement of high-end hotels. The more mature DTV markets are set to see HDTV services launched over DVB-T. Acentic and its partners will launch an end-to-end HD solution over both COAX and CAT6 that provides built-in HD support, as well as content encryption and watermarking

3. High-Speed Internet

Wi-Fi Internet access is becoming a requirement for many guests, as they have fully adopted the freedom Wi-Fi provides in their own homes. Additionally, security concerns have now been addressed by the VPN providers. Hotels will see high-speed Internet (HSIA) available over Wi-Fi through clustering of hotspots. This will impact sales with cross selling between Pay TV and HSIA, and hotels will also begin implementing tiered services and relevant pricing

4. Non-Linear Content

Video on Demand (VoD) is set to become a regular consumer habit in 2009 as cable, IPTV and even satellite Pay TV operators are all offering some kind of VoD. This consumer confidence in VoD will positively impact hotels, especially if there is a shift to non-theatrical VoD, such as the latest news and weather.

5.  Connecting Guests' Personal Equipment to the Hotel TV

Today's digital lifestyle has led to guests travelling with their personal digital devices, such as MP3 players, smart phones and small factor PCs. As guests carry with them an increasing amount of digital content, Acentic now enables guests to connect to and fully benefit from the room's LCD to access their portable content.

2008 saw the launch of Acentic Panorama, providing exceptional picture quality and a revolutionary Flash-based user interface. Catering to these hotel industry trends in 2009, Acentic Panorama will incorporate these technologies:

Content Aggregation
Acentic Panorama was built to be a content aggregation solution for hoteliers, enabling the easy addition of content regardless of its source: terrestrial, satellite, cable and IPTV, plus content sourced from the Internet. This enables the development of new content services that reflect the rapid changes in consumer behaviour.

Content Security
Acentic Panorama will offer HD content to guests in 2009. The delivery of HD content requires high security standards to ensure that content providers have full confidence in providing their content to the hotel industry. The implementation of enhanced encryption, as well as watermarking, in partnership with the content providers will ensure that Acentic Panorama fully respects international HD content protection standards.

CAT6 (IP)
Acentic Panorama over CAT6 will meet the market requirements of hotels that are not equipped with COAX and have an IP network in place.

International Channel Management
Acentic Panorama delivers a first class guest experience through perfect digital picture quality for broadcast channels. The choice and delivery of broadcast channels is highly complex, with hoteliers having to take into account their localisation, guest mix and content rights. Acentic is able to help hoteliers determine the right channel lineup, acquire the channel rights and technically implement them.

Data Access
Acentic will provide hotels with greater and more flexible access to the databases within its system. This will help hotels to maintain systems, answer guest queries and measure the value of the system.