As video on demand (VoD) content continues to increase, so does the French appetite for streaming services and technologies. The entertainment landscape has significantly shifted from the big screen to smaller devices. Thanks to the proliferation of 5G technology, consumer content is increasingly accessible on portable devices.
Major streaming services have quickly adopted this change by optimizing the experience on smart devices. This evolution has not only revolutionized the way consumers access video content, but it has also redefined the way we manage and download data on our portable devices.
5G: a digital odyssey
The introduction of 5G, with its high-speed and low-latency capabilities, has paved the way for live video streaming in high definition (HD), ultra-high definition (UHD) and even 8K resolution, the everything seamlessly, without buffering or loading. However, as 5G improves video quality on portable devices, there is a pressing need for more efficient and robust storage solutions to maintain quality and storage-intensive content.
Research by Statista reveals that almost 70% of the US digital audience watches videos on their smartphones, a trend seen in the UK and around the world. As more than 84% of French adults own a smartphone, we can expect the consumption of VoD content on portable devices to increase further in the future. With the need to improve the quality of streaming on mobile phones and tablets continuing, device vendors and streaming services must protect their investments with efficient data storage solutions to to support the evolution of the entertainment experience.
Big data in small devices
Data storage is at the heart of this transformation for content accessible on mobile, smart and other portable devices. From a consumer perspective, this means faster, more reliable downloads and a seamless streaming experience. At a time when 5G and integrated solutions are pioneering the digital landscape, data storage is playing a central role in defining the future of streaming as demand increases.
New estimates from Ampere Analysis indicate that global spending on original and acquired film and television content will reach $42 billion in 2023. Major streaming services continue to compete to find original and engaging content to captivate audiences. existing subscribers and attract new audiences. Their vast content libraries demand secure and efficient storage solutions, especially as streaming platforms diversify their offerings, leading to increasing data volumes and the emergence of significant storage challenges, especially at the periphery level. It will not be surprising to see phones or tablets with an average storage capacity of 1TB in the near future to accommodate the growth of continuous data. A two-hour high-definition movie takes up about 6 GB of memory. This ever-increasing data volume comes with high demand for flash storage with higher capacities, newer interfaces, faster read/write performance, longer data retention, as well as endurance and increased reliability.
High performance will also play a crucial role when it comes to customer experience. To combat possible subscription fatigue and build household loyalty, 65% of French households (BearingPoint study) have at least one paid subscription to video on demand (SVoD). Streaming services should strive to provide a seamless digital experience across all available platforms. Smart and wearable devices are expected to provide an experience as seamless as that available on laptops and televisions.
Too Fast, Too Clear: Improving Picture Quality on Smart Devices
The evolving streaming landscape places emphasis on enriching visual data. Streaming platforms are updating their content production guidelines, reshaping content creation and influencing the choice of cameras used by production houses. Over the next two years, consumers will see a transition from 4K (3840 x 2600 pixels) to 8K (7680 x 4320 pixels) and beyond (12K; 12288 x 6450 pixels). While this development promises a more immersive television and cinema experience, it also presents challenges for portable devices.
To keep pace with this evolution, smartphones, televisions and mobile devices will need accelerated data processing capabilities. Flash memory will be essential to maintaining the increasing quality of content, especially when moving from 4K to 8K. This trend could even extend to 10K or 12K in the future, and be accompanied by increased visual demands linked to new and innovative filmmaking methods.
Data storage solutions will continue to drive and enable access to SVoD on our smart and wearable devices, ensuring that the entertainment of the future is at the consumer’s fingertips.