Friday, September 28, 2007
CBS new EyeLab looking for web views
It doesn't sound like CBS's new EyeLab group will be creating original content, aside from perhaps some "behind-the-scenes" footage or celeb interviews, but it's an interesting approach to repurposing TV content for the Web. Here's the Wall Street Journal's story. From the piece:
At a time when its competitors are focused on how to best distribute full-length TV shows online, CBS EyeLab represents a turn in the other direction. The content it offers will look more like videos on Google Inc.'s YouTube -- bite-size clips, streamed free, many with the feel of user-generated content -- than episodes of network prime-time shows. Quincy Smith, president of CBS Interactive, said preliminary network research shows that less than a third of CBS's Web audience is interested in watching full-length episodes of shows online.
CBS says the EyeLab-produced clips will both entertain viewers and serve a marketing purpose. "It turns our promotion into content," said George Schweitzer, the president of CBS Marketing. "The clips about 'CSI' or something from how a director shoots a scene in the show 'NUMB3RS,' these are all things that link back to our shows." The network also plans to sell ads that will be embedded in the clips.
At a time when its competitors are focused on how to best distribute full-length TV shows online, CBS EyeLab represents a turn in the other direction. The content it offers will look more like videos on Google Inc.'s YouTube -- bite-size clips, streamed free, many with the feel of user-generated content -- than episodes of network prime-time shows. Quincy Smith, president of CBS Interactive, said preliminary network research shows that less than a third of CBS's Web audience is interested in watching full-length episodes of shows online.
CBS says the EyeLab-produced clips will both entertain viewers and serve a marketing purpose. "It turns our promotion into content," said George Schweitzer, the president of CBS Marketing. "The clips about 'CSI' or something from how a director shoots a scene in the show 'NUMB3RS,' these are all things that link back to our shows." The network also plans to sell ads that will be embedded in the clips.
Labels: cbs, networks, online video, web video
Another nail in the coffin for DRM - AmazonMP3 launches beta
Amazon has release a beta edition of its new DRM-free MP3 music download service this week. The web-based solution has received positive reviews from computer users, music download fans, and the anti-DRM community.
Amazon is offer singles from $0.89, and all files offer 256 kilobits per second and did we mention no DRM?
This is clearly the record labels attempt to reduce iTunes' dominance in the music download market. Time will tell if consumers, who seem to enjoy the seamless nature of iTunes, will move to Amazon's service. In a very interesting move, Amazon offers a downloader helper application that will directly transfer you songs into iTunes or Windows Media Player.
Consumers looking for DRM-free video downloads can try the great indie films offered at HungryFlix.com.
Amazon is offer singles from $0.89, and all files offer 256 kilobits per second and did we mention no DRM?
This is clearly the record labels attempt to reduce iTunes' dominance in the music download market. Time will tell if consumers, who seem to enjoy the seamless nature of iTunes, will move to Amazon's service. In a very interesting move, Amazon offers a downloader helper application that will directly transfer you songs into iTunes or Windows Media Player.
Consumers looking for DRM-free video downloads can try the great indie films offered at HungryFlix.com.
Labels: amazon, download, DRM, iTunes, music downloads
EchoStar to acquire Sling Media
Satellite television provider EchoStar Communications Corp. will buy Sling Media for $380 million, the company founded by brothers Blake and Jason Krikorian in 2004 is poised to go mainstream, taking the idea of "place-shifting" along with it.
The Slingbox links users with their home television programming from any broadband Internet-connected personal computer and many cell phones.
The Slingbox intercepts a television signal from a set-top box or digital video recorder and routes it to the owner. The user can then change channels or view different media content stored on digital video recorders or DVD players.
Sling has yet to pass the 1 million sales mark for its devices. But it has been the dominant U.S. leader among place-shifting products, something CEO Blake Krikorian hopes to expand upon with this partnership.
The partnership could bring exciting new capabilities to Dish Network subscribers.
The Slingbox links users with their home television programming from any broadband Internet-connected personal computer and many cell phones.
The Slingbox intercepts a television signal from a set-top box or digital video recorder and routes it to the owner. The user can then change channels or view different media content stored on digital video recorders or DVD players.
Sling has yet to pass the 1 million sales mark for its devices. But it has been the dominant U.S. leader among place-shifting products, something CEO Blake Krikorian hopes to expand upon with this partnership.
The partnership could bring exciting new capabilities to Dish Network subscribers.
Monday, September 24, 2007
HungryFlix Apple TV Giveaway
HungryFlix.com is the internet's premiere distribtor of independent content specifically formatted for portable devices such as the iPod, PSP and now the new iPhone. We are now running an Apple TV sweepstakes. Just create an account for your chance to win!
We are actively searching for great content from all genres of film and music. We accept short films, features, music video, how-to video and more. All content is DRM-free MPEG4 files that can be played back on a number of devices.
HungryFlix provides all marketing, storage and bandwidth and payment processing. As a content provider, you set the price for your downloads and you earn 60% of the profits from sales of your works.
Here is your chance to join the online distribution revolution. Imagine your film playing on thousands of iPhones across the US!
Visit HungryFlix.com today. Join, Upload and Sell!
Labels: hungryflix, ipod, ipod movies, ipod touch, ipod videos, psp, psp movies, video download
The iTunes Yo-Yo Effect
As Old Media gears up for the start of the fall TV season, we seem to be getting weekly updates on who is and who is not playing nice with Apple's powerful iTunes distribution model.
NBC fought for tiered pricing, Apple held firm, and NBC walked in favor of pushing shows as free streams and as downloads via Amazon Unbox and the yet-to-be-seen Hulu.com.
FOX and CBS seem to be happy with Apple and iTunes. These networks view iTunes as more of a promotional avenue and not for pure revenue.
The iPod/iTunes backlash is growing and it will be interesting to see what the Next Big Thing will be.
All of this is well and good for the big guys and their major studio titles. But as we continue to look at great independent content being produced and distributed online we hope that sites like HungryFlix.com continue to grow.
HungryFlix provides iPod movies free from DRM restrictions. We hope to continue to help indie producers get their works seen.
NBC fought for tiered pricing, Apple held firm, and NBC walked in favor of pushing shows as free streams and as downloads via Amazon Unbox and the yet-to-be-seen Hulu.com.
FOX and CBS seem to be happy with Apple and iTunes. These networks view iTunes as more of a promotional avenue and not for pure revenue.
The iPod/iTunes backlash is growing and it will be interesting to see what the Next Big Thing will be.
All of this is well and good for the big guys and their major studio titles. But as we continue to look at great independent content being produced and distributed online we hope that sites like HungryFlix.com continue to grow.
HungryFlix provides iPod movies free from DRM restrictions. We hope to continue to help indie producers get their works seen.
Labels: download, hungryflix, ipod, iTunes, video, video distribution
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
New iPods - Video for Everyone!
Apple Inc. today announced a full refresh to most of the iPod line. There is a new iPod nano that supports video playback, a new UI with Cover Flow and a bigger brighter screen. The iPod classic now sports 80gb or 160gb--yep, 160gb--of storage. And last but not least, the iPod touch--basically an iPhone minus the phone.
New iPod owners can get some great video content for these devices by downloading movies for iPod from HungryFlix.com.
We are extremely excited by these new devices and look forward to providing great entertainment for these hot new iPods.
Labels: hungryflix, ipod, ipod nano, ipod touch, itunes wifi, video download, video ipod
Rumor Mill: Apple to release widescreen iPod today
Apple Inc. has a media event entitled "The Beat Goes On", scheduled for 10am PST today. The rumor mill has been going full force, with the most popular suggestions being complete updates to the iPod line. The biggest rumor is that of an iPhone-without-the-Phone iPod, or commonly known as the "widescreen iPod."
HungryFlix.com has been waiting for this "true video iPod" for two years. We feel that Apple will finally deliver today and that music and movie fans across the globe will rejoice.
And of course, once you get your shiny new widescreen iPod be sure to stop by HungryFlix for some great movie downloads.
HungryFlix.com has been waiting for this "true video iPod" for two years. We feel that Apple will finally deliver today and that music and movie fans across the globe will rejoice.
And of course, once you get your shiny new widescreen iPod be sure to stop by HungryFlix for some great movie downloads.
Labels: apple, iphone, ipod, movie downloads, movies, video downloads, video ipod, widescreen ipod
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
America's Chemical Angels - Awesome Documentary comes to HungryFlix
HungryFlix.com just received a great documentary, America's Chemical Angels
The problem of giving psychoactive drugs to millions of American children is rarely discussed in mainstream media. However, over the last three decades, there has been a continuing scholarly debate about the wisdom of putting millions of American schoolchildren on a lifetime prescription of psychoactive drugs to control behaviors and improve grades. Now, the federal government is bringing up the issue of dangerous side effects from those drugs.
The problem of giving psychoactive drugs to millions of American children is rarely discussed in mainstream media. However, over the last three decades, there has been a continuing scholarly debate about the wisdom of putting millions of American schoolchildren on a lifetime prescription of psychoactive drugs to control behaviors and improve grades. Now, the federal government is bringing up the issue of dangerous side effects from those drugs.
Labels: documentary, drugs, movie downloads, movies, Ritalin, teens
Media download stats fall in Japan
The number of downloads from legal music and video services in Japan has fallen for the first time, according to the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).
A total of 111.6 million downloads were made during the second quarter of this year, down from 114.3 million in the first quarter of the year, the RIAJ said. The figures are derived from data supplied to the RIAJ by its 42 member companies.
Root causes for the drop were not yet determined. Even with the small decrease in volume, revenue managed a slight increase.
US-based startups like HungryFlix.com offer movie and music downloads and continue to see growth. It will be interesting to see if this negative trend moves to the US.
A total of 111.6 million downloads were made during the second quarter of this year, down from 114.3 million in the first quarter of the year, the RIAJ said. The figures are derived from data supplied to the RIAJ by its 42 member companies.
Root causes for the drop were not yet determined. Even with the small decrease in volume, revenue managed a slight increase.
US-based startups like HungryFlix.com offer movie and music downloads and continue to see growth. It will be interesting to see if this negative trend moves to the US.
Labels: digital download, download, hungryflix, iTunes, movie downloads, music downloads
Monday, September 3, 2007
How to convert DVD for iPod and iPhone
Are you looking to convert DVDs or other videos for the iPod or iPhone? Here is how to get video on your iPod or iPhone. Follow these notes for converting your DVDs or home movies for your iPod or iPhone.
Video content must be MPEG4. We highly recommend encoding with the H.264 codec. While encoding times will increase, H.264 will yield higher quality video with smaller file sizes.
MPEG4 with H.264 Codec (file formats: .m4v, .mp4)
Lower-quality iPod/iTunes Video: Up to 768 Kbps, 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3. Audio: AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 KHz, stereo audio
High-quality iPod: Up to 1.5 Mbps, Baseline Low-Complexity with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 640x480 pixels at 30 fps) in .m4v format
High-quality Apple TV: Up to 3 Mbps, Progressive Main Profile (CAVLC) with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 1280 by 720 pixels at 24 fps, 960 by 540 pixels at 30 fps) in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov file formats
MPEG-4 video
PSP Video: Up to 2.5 Mbps, 480 x 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile. Audio: AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 KHz, stereo audio
High-quality iPod/Apple TV MPEG-4: Up to 3 Mbps, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 720 by 432 pixels at 30 fps) in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov file formats
MPEG-4 High Definition Video
File formats: .m4v, .mp4 and .mov
Video: 1280 x 720 pixels, 30 frames per second. Audio: AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 KHz, stereo
MP3 Audio
Up to 160 Kbps, 48 KHz, stereo audio
AAC Audio
AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 KHz, stereo audio
Video content must be MPEG4. We highly recommend encoding with the H.264 codec. While encoding times will increase, H.264 will yield higher quality video with smaller file sizes.
MPEG4 with H.264 Codec (file formats: .m4v, .mp4)
Lower-quality iPod/iTunes Video: Up to 768 Kbps, 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3. Audio: AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 KHz, stereo audio
High-quality iPod: Up to 1.5 Mbps, Baseline Low-Complexity with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 640x480 pixels at 30 fps) in .m4v format
High-quality Apple TV: Up to 3 Mbps, Progressive Main Profile (CAVLC) with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 1280 by 720 pixels at 24 fps, 960 by 540 pixels at 30 fps) in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov file formats
MPEG-4 video
PSP Video: Up to 2.5 Mbps, 480 x 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile. Audio: AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 KHz, stereo audio
High-quality iPod/Apple TV MPEG-4: Up to 3 Mbps, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 720 by 432 pixels at 30 fps) in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov file formats
MPEG-4 High Definition Video
File formats: .m4v, .mp4 and .mov
Video: 1280 x 720 pixels, 30 frames per second. Audio: AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 KHz, stereo
MP3 Audio
Up to 160 Kbps, 48 KHz, stereo audio
AAC Audio
AAC-LC up to 160 Kbps, 48 KHz, stereo audio
Labels: convert DVD, DVD to iPod, iphone, ipod, video
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