Media Archives - Page 26 of 75

Microsoft Announces New Media Extenders

After a few year drought (just ask Chris Lanier), Microsoft is re-entering the media extender space via hardware partners with Vista-compatible devices. The new extenders will feature: Various form factors including dedicated set-top boxes, DVD players, and television sets Some devices with integrated N-flavor WiFi DivX and Xvid playback (!) HD-capabilities Hooks into online content … Read more

NBC Content Lands on Amazon Unbox

Amazon Unbox is serving up NBC video: NBC says up until December you’ll be able to download programming from iTunes. But after that you will have to turn to other download distribution channels for NBC content including Amazon.com’s “Unbox” service […] NBC wanted iTunes to jack the price of its TV shows to $5 an … Read more

Massive Sony Video Download Service On The Way?

The Wall Street Journal tips us off to the obvious: “People familiar with the situation” have indicated Sony’s getting into the video download business. Not really a big surprise considering they’re a studio and they’re selling video Walkmen, PSPs (already announced video service), PS3s, and network-connected televisions.

Om Malik writes:

While that is a good move, it also leaves Sony playing in a highly commoditized market, and its best bet to make money from video downloading is by selling hardware.

It’s yet to be seen just how commoditized video downloads are… Heck NBC (may have) dumped Apple’s iTunes and others like HBO don’t have online offerings (yet). An era of exclusivity could be upon us. Perhaps NBC is reserving content for their upcoming Hulu portal. Additionally, Sony has more leverage as a movie and television studio. Given the whole Blu-ray/HD DVD debacle, I could see Sony limiting their content to their services and hardware.

NBC Dumps iTunes (for now)

According to the New York Times, NBC has notified Apple they will not renew their digital download contract – covering 1,500 hours of content responsible for 40% of iTunes television downloads. Apparently NBC wants more control over “pricing and packaging matters.” However, the existing deal is good through December. So I’d say this is merely … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs: The HDTV Tipping Point: Connected Home 2 Go Why Go All Digital: Connected Home 2 Go Broadband Catch-22: Connected Home 2 Go DivX To The Left Of Me, Windows To The Right, Here I Am Stuck In The Mpeg With You: Davis Freeberg

Field Trials of DirecTV on Demand

DirecTV’s Internet-connected pay-per-view service is now in beta. Like Amazon Unbox on TiVo, a networked set-top box (HR20 in this case) can pull from a library of content via the Internet. Download speed is variable (obviously) but media can be played back while coming in, and some content does expire. Hit this DBSTalk thread for … Read more

Retargeting Images

I don’t often have the patience to sit through embedded videos in blogs (a personal weakness of mine), but sometimes the video is too good to ignore. TechCrunch posted one this morning illustrating a new way to resize or retarget images. The technique is very simply explained and involves eliminating the paths of pixels that are least important to the content of an image. The process also works in reverse where you can add paths of pixels to extend the size of an image without substantially altering the content.

I clipped out screenshots, which you can see below, but if you have the time, I highly recommend watching the whole video. The end also shows how to preserve or remove specific content elements in pictures. Talk about serious potential to alter forensic evidence!

Google Makes Amends

After taking heat for insufficient reparations in killing paid video downloads, Google’s reconsidered: We’re giving a full refund — as a credit card refund — to everyone who ever bought a video. You can still keep the Google Checkout credit that you’ve received already. We’re going to continue to support playing your videos for another … Read more