Industry

HD-DVD, Now With Ads!

Studio executives would like you to believe that HD-DVD and Blu-ray represent the future of the DVD, but according to Ad-Jab it also represents the future of advertising. In a move sure to infuriate fans everywhere, HD-DVD is going to start including enhanced advertising content on the extra space that HD-DVD discs allow for.

The only thing more controversial then the ads that the studios make you watch when you buy a DVD are the ads that movie theaters force on you when you go see a film. The advertisements that you can opt out of, or skip past don’t bother me quite as much, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rented a movie and have then been forced to sit through some lousy spot that I have no interest in.

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YouTube Goes for (More) Mass Distribution

Notice how indie and mass commercial distribution networks are merging? Well here’s one more example: Reuters and The Wall Street Journal report that YouTube (apparently we still call it that if even after Google’s buyout) and Verizon are in talks to distribute YouTube videos over cell phones and the FiOS TV network. I’m very curious … Read more

Dave Researches TiVo v EchoStar

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While everyone was busy discussing TiVo’s new pricing scheme yesterday, I was downtown at the US Court of Appeals researching TiVo v EchoStar. For whatever reason, many documents from this Federal Circuit court haven’t made it online — Fortunately, the building is just a short subway ride away and photocopies are only 15 cents a page. Without seeing the documents we’ve speculated on the rationale behind the extension/delay, but now we’re a little more informed. EchoStar justifies their 10/16 motion for an extension due to several appeals that should be combined, outstanding motions in district court must be ruled on, and that their legal team is very busy with other cases. TiVo’s reply on 10/19 argues damages will continue during an extension and that the schedules of Echostar’s lawyers are irrelevant.

I’ve passed these documents on to my secret agent for a more thorough analysis and expect I’ll be picking up soon-to-be released documents within in the next week. When will it end!? One ZNF reader theorizes, “I’ve mapped out the major milestones in the RIM lawsuit as signposts to the TIVo one. If that’s any indication, it won’t be resolved until 2008… and settlement will be at a much higher dollar amount.” Stay tuned…

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Microsoft Beats Apple, TiVo, Netflix, Sony To VOD

Snooze you lose! I see an Xbox 360 in my future… as soon as new hardware (larger drives?) and/or lower prices are revealed in the next two weeks. All year I’ve been saying VOD is coming to the 360: Ultimately, Microsoft will want to simplify the process by taking a home computer out of the … Read more

TiVo Raises Rates (In Time For The Holidays)

Both standard monthly fees and multi-unit discount rates have gone up, effective this month. It’s still possible to lock in the previous rates if you commit to three years of service (and face a $150 early termination fee). But you better believe my SD TiVo units are not going to be around (or subscribed) for … Read more

Boomer Pitches Motorola’s Follow Me TV

Boomer Esiason was Motorola’s Follow Me TV pitchman at yesterday’s press event in NYC. Follow Me TV consists of DVR web scheduling, multi-room viewing between set-top boxes within the home, media streaming from a PC to set-top box, and content offloading for playback on portable devices such as cell phones. Multi-room viewing is already active … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… Technology Emmy nominees announced: LiveDigitally LG HD flat panel DVR TV with CableCARD support reviewed: CNET YouTube to support mobile devices next year: TechCrunch CEA sponsors campaign protecting consumer’s digital media rights: Digital Freedom TiVoCast adds action sports and diabetes video downloads: TiVo

TiVo Unveils $50 Premium ‘Glo’ Remote

TiVo.com has begun selling the Series3 remote as a $49.99 accessory. Not only does the remote control the S3, most Series2 units are supported as well. One slight difference over the bundled S3 unit: instead of a silver perimeter, this sports a chrome rim. TiVo’s remote control designer points out enhancements versus the standard Series2 … Read more