September 26, 2008

Dick Green on VOD Metadata and Advanced Advertising

The CableLabs chief says metadata 2.0 is a huge leap from the earlier edition.

[NOTE: The following is an excerpt from an interview with CableLabs President/CEO Dr Dick Green. The remainder of the interview with the Cable Hall of Fame inductee, who recently announced he's stepping down in Dec' 09, was published in CableFAX Daily on September 26, 2008.]

CFAX: CableLabs’ VOD metadata project doesn’t get as much attention, but how important is it in the evolving on-demand world?

GREEN: The metadata is one of those key foundation elements you need for so many things. It relates to [Project] Canoe, it relates to [electronic program] guides, it relates to search. It’s a bit of a problem in that the 2.0 version is much more extensive than the earlier version. So it’s not a simple task of simply extending what was in place before. It’s a big jump, and it needs to be a big jump... It’s not an easy task for that reason.

CFAX: What about advanced advertising?

GREEN: It’s an important new direction and revenue source for the industry, so we’re supporting it in every way we possibly can. The most obvious ways, of course, are on the interactive side with the specifications for EBIF [Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format] and tru2way. We’re working hard, working with people to make sure it all comes together.

GONE GREEN: After years in the technology trenches, CableLabs President/CEO Dr Richard Green said this week he's set to retire in December '09.