How is integrated storage redefining the future of entertainment?

While the content of video on demand (VoD) continues to increase, the appetite of the French for streaming services and technologies is also growing. The entertainment landscape has shifted significantly from the big screen to smaller devices. Thanks to the proliferation of 5G technology, consumer content is increasingly accessible on portable devices.

The main streaming services have quickly embraced 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 broadcasting in high definition (HD), ultra-high definition (UHD) and even in 8K resolution, all in a transparent way, 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.

A study conducted by Statista reveals that almost 70% of the American digital audience watches videos on their smartphones, a trend that can be found in the UK and around the world. As more than 84% of French adults own a smartphone, we can expect that the consumption of VoD content on portable devices will increase further in the future. As the need to improve the quality of streaming on mobile phones and tablets continues, device providers and streaming services must protect their investments with efficient data storage solutions in order 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 the consumer’s point of view, this means faster and more reliable downloads and a seamless streaming experience. At a time when 5G and integrated solutions are the pioneers of 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 amount to $42 billion in 2023. The main broadcasting services continue to compete to find original and attractive content in order to captivate existing subscribers and attract new audiences. Their vast content libraries require secure and efficient storage solutions, especially as streaming platforms diversify their offerings, which leads to an increase in data volumes and the emergence of significant storage challenges, especially at the edge level. It will not be surprising to see, in the near future, phones or tablets with an average storage capacity of 1 TB to cope with the continuous data growth. A two-hour high-definition movie takes up about 6 GB of memory. This ever-increasing volume of data is accompanied by a high demand for flash storage with higher capacities, newer interfaces, faster read/write performance, longer data retention, as well as increased endurance and reliability.

High performance will also play a crucial role when it comes to the customer experience. To combat possible weariness with regard to subscriptions and increase household loyalty, 65% of French households (BearingPoint study) have at least one paid subscription to video on demand (SVoD). Streaming services must strive to offer a seamless digital experience on all available platforms. Smart and portable devices are expected to offer an experience as seamless as that available on laptops and televisions.

Too fast, too clear: improve image quality on smart devices

The evolution of the streaming landscape emphasizes the enrichment of 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 evolution promises a more immersive television and cinema experience, it also presents challenges for portable devices.

To keep up with this evolution, smartphones, televisions and mobile devices will need to have accelerated data processing capabilities. Flash memory will be essential to maintain the increasing quality of content, especially during the transition from 4K to 8K. This trend could even extend to 10K or 12K in the future, and be accompanied by increased visual requirements related to new and innovative filmmaking methods.

Data storage solutions will continue to promote and enable access to SVoD on our smart and portable devices, ensuring that the entertainment of the future is at the consumer’s fingertips.