Phillip Swann of TVPredictions.com apparently was out at SCTE’s 2008 Emerging Technologies Conference, where he made some observations on the competitive battle between DBS and cable (You can read the release here).

In 2008, satellite networks will focus on their strength—their number of high-definition video channels—since satellite lacks the Triple Play, said Swann. This emphasis poses a “great threat to cable,” he said, partly in that it may entice cable into a battle over determining which of the two is more prolific at delivering video services. Meanwhile, Swann said, if that should happen, it would enable the telcos to be better perceived in the market as the Triple Play provider of choice in 2008. By the same token, he said, cable must avoid overemphasizing its Triple Play capabilities in certain markets since that would mean video subscribers would be more easily swayed by the video-focused satellite providers, such as DirecTV and Dish Network.

Swann predicts that the insurgents in this war for customers—Apple, Netflix, TiVo, and Microsoft, to name a few—will roll out “a slew of new TV-based products and services all designed to siphon off subscribers and revenue from traditional TV providers.” Swann cautions that cable must “be very careful’’ to refrain from trying to copy them and from being “overwhelmed by the hype over the next big thing.” He added, “When Apple does something, it is believed that all must follow, but think for yourselves. Look at what has been successful.”