US Not Ready for Streaming Online HD Video

A new study says that only 5.7 million U.S. homes are capable now of watching High-Definition video over high-speed Internet lines.  By 2012, close to 33 million U.S. households will have broadband services with speeds of 10 Mbps or higher, capable of streaming high-definition video, according to Parks Associates' North American Broadband Market Update.

Parks Associates says only nine percent of Broadband households have services that provide speeds of 10 MBps or higher, enabling uninterrupted high-def video streaming.

These numbers are for streaming, which means near-instant watching. Downloading high-quality HD for watching later is easier, depending on a viewer's patience.

Parks does estimate that the number of households capable of receiving HD streaming will rise to 33 million by 2012. The research firm said consumers will demand faster lines for a variety of services.

"Service providers will have to deliver appealing, bandwidth-intensive, value-added services such as HD video streaming and content placeshifting in order to retain customers and increase ARPU." the study said.

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