The Blog for Video 2.0

HungryFlix.com is releasing system improvements today that will greatly enhance the site's ability to handle larger file sizes and scalability to more users.

These improvements have led the site to increase their maximum file size from 500MB to 1GB. Content providers have always been able to store as many files as they wish but with the file size doubled, the door is open to more HD content.

"We are seeing growth on both sides of the HD equation" said HungryFlix CEO Brian Andrews. "Prosumer HD equipment is now in the hands of more filmmakers and producers. These people are shooting in HD and want to present their content in the best possible resolution. Likewise, we are seeing growth in the home media server market with game consoles, slingbox and Apple TV. So we now have both providers and consumers look for HD quality."

HungryFlix.com's goal is to provide consumers and providers with the most choice available anywhere. Users can purchase DRM-free content and move it from one device to another without restrictions.

Labels: apple tv, hungryflix, indie film, ipod movies, movie downloads

At the annual MacWorld Expo this week, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the availability of movie rentals via both iTunes and now directly from the Apple TV.

Apple was able to secure deals from all major and independent film studios including Fox, Universal, Warner and Disney. Library titles will be offered at $2.99, new releases at $3.99 and HD verisons for an additional dollar.

The DRM restrictions are consistent with offerings from Microsoft's Xbox 360 Marketplace, Amazon Unbox and traditional cable pay-per-view. Customers will have 30 days to watch a downloaded film. Once a user starts watching, they will have 24 hours to complete the film before their download expires.

Included in the announcement were upgrades to Apple TV which now includes the tag line, "no computer required." Users can now rent movies directly from their Apple TV device without going through iTunes. This is a great benefit for Apple TV users and may push Apple's portable media dominance into the family room.

For people looking for independent content for their iPod or Apple TV, HungryFlix.com offers movie downloads with no DRM restrictions starting at just $0.99.

Labels: apple tv, download, ipod, iTunes, movie downloads

Apple TV Source, a great blog that covers all things Apple TV, has posted a review of video download stores that offer and alternative to iTunes for Apple TV owners.

The site takes a look at HungryFlix.com, which offers Apple TV movie downloads from independent filmmakers. Apple TV Source says that with some improvements HungryFlix can become, "a powerhouse for independent filmmakers."

Labels: apple tv, filmmaking, hungryflix, independent, indie film, iTunes, movie downloads

HungryFlix.com is now holding an Apple TV Giveaway. Just visit the site and create an account to be registered to win a 40GB Apple TV.

We love watching great films in the comfort of the family room or den. We know that you will too. So join now and get your chance to win.

HungryFlix.com is the spot for independent film downloads All content is compatible with iPod, PSP and now Apple TV.

Labels: apple tv, contest, download, movies, win, youtube

HungryFlix.com is holding our first contest, an Apple TV giveaway. Just regsiter for an account between July 20 - Sep 30, 2007 and you will be entered for a chance to win.

HungryFlix is the home of indie movie downloads for iPhone, iPod, PSP and Apple TV.

We are extremely excited about Apple TV and the opportunities it will open up for independent filmmakers and producers.

Stop by, create an account and download some great indie films today.

For contest rules please click here.

Labels: apple tv, contest, free, giveaway, hungryflix, iphone, movie downloads, movies, win, youtube

TiVo Inc. announced on Tuesday that many of its customers can now order pay-per-view movies and television shows from Amazon.com's Unbox download service directly from their TV, without a personal computer.

TiVo upgraded the "Amazon Unbox on TiVo" service to allow customers with high-speed Internet connections to select one of about 10,000 movies, shows or other video, using the TiVo remote control.

For TiVo, the new capabilities help to distinguish it's DVR units from less expensive models now offered by cable and satellite providers.

This is continued good news for the movie downloads market as it opens more doors for consumers to get great content and view it in the more comfortable family room setting.

Amazon Unbox competitor HungryFlix.com has offered movie downloads for Apple TV since the device's introduction in March.

Labels: apple tv, digital download, internet video, iptv, movie downloads, online video, tivo

TUAW, among many other sites, is reporting that YouTube is in the process of transcoding some portion of their catalog from Flash Video to H.264. The move is in order to support Apple TV and, some claim, the iPhone.

It is not clear if this signals YouTube's move away from Flash or just the addition of a format. What is clear is that the Apple/Google partnership is working wonderfully and bringing great new tools to end users.

The support for H.264 on the web's largest video site is very interesting.

Labels: apple tv, iphone, iTunes, youtube

Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced at the Wall Street Journal's D: All Things Digital conference that the Apple TV will soon be upgraded with a 160GB version and with support for downloading clips from YouTube.

The more open support of a-non iTunes video source is great news for Apple TV owners. It is also interesting to note that third party developers have already hacked Apple TV with a YouTube plugin.

This could lead to future deals with other providers of movie downloads such as HungryFlix.com.

Labels: apple tv, hungryflix, iTunes, youtube

Roxio on Tuesday introduced Crunch, a new $39.99 application designed especially for users of the Apple TV, video iPod or the forthcoming iPhone who want to convert video optimized for those devices but don’t want to burn that content to disc.

Roxio's site mentions the following features:

* Convert DV, AVI, MOV, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, DivX, DVD-Video, Video_TS folders, and more
* Automatically add converted video to your iTunes library for easy syncing with your Apple TV, iPod, or iPhone
* Powerful award-winning video conversion technology from the makers of Toast®.

For those of us "open" to Open Source software, another option is the widely popular HandBrake. HandBrake is available for Mac, Windows and Linux. The latest beta version adds support for Apple TV and the Sony PSP.

Labels: apple tv, crunch, h.264, handbrake, ipod, mpeg4, psp, roxio, video encoding

HungryFlix.com continues to be the leading source of independentmovie downloads for Apple TV with this week's featured content being the films of Tempe DVD. Tempe is one of the world's leading distributors of B-Movie Indie Horror.

Horror movie fans and Apple TV owners can download 640x480 versions at prices of just $3.99 and up.

Labels: apple tv, appletv, b-movie, download, horror, ipod

Looking to encode your video for the iPod or Apple TV. Here are the formats for each device.

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: apple tv, encoding, h.264, ipod, mpeg4, video encoding

Wages of Sin, a B-movie martial arts flick, is the world's first independent film delivered to Apple TV. In a special promotion, TimeCode Mechanics is offering this feature length movie download for just $1.99 at HungryFlix.com. But, this special pricing is only for the 24 hours of fun we call Friday The 13th!!!

The future of online distribution for independent films is here!

Stop by HungryFlix and check out all the great downloads from TimeCode Mechanics:
Wages of Sin for Apple TV

Wages of Sin Fight Choreography for Apple TV
TimeCode's Producer Page

Labels: apple tv, digital download, hungryflix, movie downloads, wages of sin

Our message is starting to spread across the web, with Apple sites taking the lead in reporting that movie downloads for Apple TV are now available on http://www.hungryflix.com.

MacDailyNews has this post.

And iPodNN/MacNN had this post on "Wages of Sin" on HungryFlix.com.

We appriecate these news mentions and look forward to more.

Labels: apple tv, hungryflix, ipod, mac, online distribution

Forward looking director/producer Nathyn Brendan Masters has released an Apple TV compatible special edition of his new action film "Wages of Sin" on HungryFlix.com.

The Apple TV version will give users a near DVD quality product at a lower price and with the convience of being able to view the movie on an iPod, computer with iTunes or on the new Apple TV device.

Download Wages of Sin at HungryFlix.com today!

Labels: apple tv, digital download, indie film, iTunes, movie downloads

Well, you know we here at http://www.hungryflix.com are very exicited about the Apple TV and similar devices. Here is a quick little clip showing the Apple TV in action with one of the great films available at hungryflix.com.

Video of Apple TV in action

Labels: apple tv, hungryflix, iTunes, movie downloads, online distribution, quicktime

somethingawful.com reports on one user getting Xvid and the Perian plugin to work on an hours old Apple TV.

Seems like the hackers will be having fun with this new device over the next few weeks.

Labels: apple tv, iTunes, xvid

Well, it seems the world is finally starting to get what we feel will be the biggest new area for the network connected set top box--independent content.

NewTeeVee is reporting from the New Video Sumit in San Jose, where industry experts and analysts have agreed that Apple TV is going to be a major boost for the video blogger community.

There is even talk that Apple TV can do for video distribution and consumption what the iPod did for music.

Time will tell and it is important to remember that the devices that ship in 2007 will all be version 1.0 products that will typically only be purchased by tech fans and early adopters. That being said, hungryflix.com the growing online source for movie downloads is solidly in support of indie filmmakers and producers and we fell that the direct path to the family room will be an enormous benefit to our community.

Read more at:
http://newteevee.com/2007/03/19/appletv-big-boon-for-indie-video/#more-879

And even more at:
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/5584/982/

Labels: apple, apple tv, ipod, iTunes, online distribution, online video

As the first Apple TV units begin to ship, word has come that the latest QuickTime update includes a new "Export to Apple TV" option.

The preset Apple TV export will yield DVD-quality 720x404 or 1280x720 HD video.

While power users will want more fine-tuning through advanced settings these pre-defined output options will be great for most users.

HungryFlix.com will soon begin support these advanced resolutions in our movie downloads.

Labels: apple tv, online video, quicktime

Apple's new set top box that provides for viewing of iTunes content on your TV is now shipping. We feel this can be the beginning of a huge trend for online media. Just as the iPod did for music, the Apple TV may in fact do for movies/TV/Video podcasts and other video content.

HungryFlix.com is very excited that now our customers have an easy, well designed and affordable way to enjoy our premium independent content in the family room.

Downlad great movies at HungryFlix.com!

Find out more on Apple TV at Apple TV

Labels: apple tv, iTunes, online distribution, online video

Apple TV, Apple Inc's set-top box that will allow users to play downloaded movies and video podcasts on their family room TV has been delayed until mid-March.

No specific reason was given, a spokeperson simply said: “Wrapping up Apple TV is taking a few weeks longer than we projected, and we now expect to begin shipments mid-March.”

Apple TV will sell for $299 directly from Apple. The device will sync with iTunes from a Mac or PC and allow users to stream movies and videos wirelessly to their TV set. This will allow users to watch their movie downloads from HungryFlix.com in the family room.

Labels: apple, apple tv, download, iTunes, online distribution, online video

Adams Media Research has released the results from their "Video on the Internet" management report. In the report they claim that the online video market will see significant growth in both ad-supported and paid download models.

AMR’s analysis claims that the advertising model will dominate in the early experimental period of 2007-2009. But as significant numbers of homes connect their TVs to the Internet, consumer spending on downloaded movies and TV shows should expand rapidly and exceed ad spending substantially by 2011.

The state that new devices that bring video into the family room will help push for more downloaded content. Users can download movies today from Apple's iTunes, HungryFlix.com, Google Video and other sites.

Labels: apple tv, download, iptv, movies, online distribution, online video

MP4Converter has released a new package that allows you to convert most video formats for use with Apple TV. The Apple TV Video Converter is available for both Mac and Windows and sells for $35.00.

The software has predefined profiles that help you get the specify video you like such as minimal size video, high quality video, etc. It can convert video to iPod MP4 with 640 x 480 resolution.

There are free tools to handle this conversion but if those have not yet met your needs check out this release at http://www.mp4converter.net/appletv-video-converter-mac.html

Labels: apple tv, conversion, mp4, mpeg4, quicktime

Apple announced in a joint statement with Lionsgate that more than 150 movies from the studio would be added to the iTunes store by the end of the month.
“We’re delighted to offer these incredibly popular Lionsgate films on iTunes, and look forward to adding even more films in the future,” said Steve Beeks, president of Lionsgate. “iTunes lets users download these wonderful films to watch on their computer, TV or iPod, so movie fans can take their favorite Lionsgate films with them anywhere.”

iTunes customers will be able to purchase blockbuster Lionsgate films like “Terminator 2,” “LA Story,” “Basic Instinct,” “The Blair Witch Project” and “Dirty Dancing” and more than 150 titles coming to iTunes this month. Lionsgate joins Paramount and Disney, who just recently announced that it had sold over 1.3 million movies since it joined the store.

It appears that the release is limited to a portion of Lionsgate's catalog rather than new releases, similar to the current deal with Paramount.

This adds to the options available to customers in the US. Movie fans can also download movies from HungryFlix.com, which offers great independent content not available on iTunes.

Labels: apple, apple tv, ipod, iTunes, media, movies, online video, studios, video distribution

Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple, Inc.) has published a letter to the community in which he talks about the past, present and future of online music sales and music consumption.

At the end of the letter Mr. Jobs asks the record companies to remove the DRM requirements from the songs Apple sells in iTunes. He says, "Apple will embrace this wholeheartedly."

Apple has come under fire recently from European governments and internet and music industry pundits who all claim in one way or another that Apple is the source of, and primary benefactor of, DRM in iTunes and the iPod.

It has often been claimed that Apple's "closed" system locks people into buying iPods and music from iTunes. Mr. Jobs gives his views on this and provides some interesting statistics to back up his views.

HungryFlix provides movie and music downloads with no DRM. We believe that consumers should not be treated as criminals and that content providers will be rewarded by providing their content to a broad set of users in open formats.

The full letter from Steve Jobs can be found at http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic/

Labels: apple tv, DRM, ipod, iTunes, music, online distribution, video distribution

We are living in an exciting time. As the Web 2.0 bubble expands and the popularity and acceptance of user-driven ( which is just another word for independent, btw) content increases, we are finally seeing "new and improved" ways of consuming this content. Streaming is still the most popular method of watching internet distributed content. But, with the introduction of the slingmedia slingbox and the Apple tv, we are begining to see the completion of the distribution channel from content creation to internet distribution to delivery in the family room.

I don't think the importance of this can be underestimated. Think back to 5 years ago...how much online video was distributed? What were the levels of quality? It is easy to see how far we have come. A parallel can be made to the software industry. It is now very rare to run off to the store to purchase software. Yes, major packages such as an OS upgrade, Office suite or design/production software are still delivered on physical media. But most small to medium sized software packages are purchased and distributed online. This trend has moved to the music industry with iTunes, Rhapsody and Napster. This is a huge shift that will also sweep up the video industry.

The audience for watching video on a computer is small. I doubt that anyone over 45 is even willing to try watching more than a 3 minute clip on a computer screen. We are just too programmed in our ways. Long form programs belong on a TV. Another important factor is comfort. Most people want to sit, back, relax and enjoy the show...that is hard to do in an office or den setting. The final issue is that TV viewing-especially for movies-is considered to be a group activity. Many people like to watch movies with family and friends, this is impossible to do when all huddled around the computer.

So, we have new exciting options available. While geeks have been pumping online content to media center PCs or hacked Xboxes for years, we are now moving into the land of the rest of us. The new devices promise plug-and-play simplicity and a "look mom, no wires" approach to grabbing content off the net or from other networked computers.

The abiity to watch independent content in the family room is a huge win for content creators. Anyone can grab a DV camera and make a movie. We've seen this through the past five years in the explosion of no-budget filmmaking. The hardest part has always been getting your movie seen. Now with the internet as the distribution channel we've eliminated the need for getting a "real" distribution deal. And now, that we can get into the family room it's time to grab the popcorn!

Hungry for content? http://www.hungryflix.com

Labels: apple tv, indie film, online video, short films, slingbox, video, video distribution