There is a revolution going on right now in the world of in-flight entertainment (IFE). And it’s all to do with how content such as movies, TV shows and music gets delivered to the passenger.
Traditional embedded IFE hardware systems deliver content to overhead, personal TV (pTV) and seat back screens via miles of wires hidden from view. The complexity of these systems makes them prone to system failure – who hasn’t been on a plane, settled down to watch a film and then been confronted by a flickering blank screen for hours on end?
These systems are also very heavy which is a major issue for airlines looking for fuel efficiencies wherever possible. Add in the expense of the latest embedded systems at up to $5m per aircraft and it’s obvious to see why airlines are looking for alternatives.
Enter wireless IFE. Lower in weight, cheaper to buy and easier and quicker to install – it’s no wonder airlines are migrating to this new technology. The films, TV programmes and other content is delivered to the passenger in their seat wirelessly. There is an onboard server at the head end of the aircraft that allows passengers to connect via an airline provided system or via their own device such as laptop, tablet or smartphone. This wireless IFE system is essentially an intranet on a plane – also known in the industry as a ‘walled garden service’.
There are three wireless IFE models currently being tried and tested by airlines. The first is where the server streams content to the passenger’s own device such an iPad or iPhone. This is currently seen as a late release solution as the major Hollywood studios are obviously nervous about passengers leaving the plane with the latest Blockbusters on their personal devices. So the content package is likely to include classic films (those now on DVD) as well as popular TV shows and music.
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