Apple TV was released at the annual Macworld keynote address by Steve Jobs. It was first introduced as ITV, a couple of months back. Apple TV allows users to recieve iTunes content to store and play them. The device will cost $299 and will be available in February (Apple is taking orders now).
The device comes with an internal 40GB drive which equates to 50 hours of movies. It plays back video in Hi-def 720P and an Apple remote is included. It is powered with an Intel processor. The wireless transmission uses 802.11b/g/n wireless networking protocols. Can work on both Mac & Pc with iTunes installed.
As a video podcaster, I cannot tell you how exciting all of this is. My viewers can now watch my shows in their living rooms and not on the computer. This is a big deal because it changes the nature of viewing on the web. Short pieces work better on the computer while in the living room, longer pieces work better. The web as a distribution model looks a lot rosier with Apple TV.
Another interesting thing to note is the importance of iTunes in all of this. It is the center of the entertainment center. If I were Microsoft, I would worry less about Mac OS X and more about iTunes.
I originally titled this post "Oh, snap!" because LG's on again off again combo HD-DVD + Blu-Ray player, if released, could save next-gen optical from an untimely demise. Many consumers (including me) have been sitting on the sidelines of the format war waiting for a clear winner, but obviously a combo player would not only be a winner for LG, but retailers might start moving some Blu-Ray and HD-DVD titles off the shelves.
Finally we could see some sort of unification. Please, oh please, LG, don't dash our hopes! And Samsung, we know you're all cozy with Blu-Ray and e'rythang, but throw us a bone and release a dual format player too.
A new Variety report claims that Microsoft's Xbox has seen the greatest relative success in the digital download realm, despite the smaller user base compared to online services such as Amazon Unbox. ``Though exact sales figures aren't available from any Web site or studio, insiders agree that it's the most, and maybe only, positive story in digital movie downloads this year."
The ease of use factor seems to be the dominant reason for the success, since Xbox owners need not deal with transferring content from their computer, or have to deal with any funky proprietary software from web services. The Xbox is an all-in-one solution for downloading and watching movies right on the television, the preferred means of viewing for most people. On top of that, Microsoft is offering quality HD versions of many of the available movies and television shows. Ease of use + high quality = pretty obvious reason for success. Of course, the current situation brings this question to mind: how will Apple's upcoming iTV shake up the digital download market? Will it offer the same kind of ease of use and attract more folks to the idea of buying digital downloads?
In a report released by Nielson Media Research, more households now own more DVD players than VCRs. DVD ownership rose 6.1% from a year ago translating to 81.2% of American households that own at least one DVD player. Consequently, VCR ownership dropped 4.5% since last year to 79.2%. It's official, you can now stop dubbing VHS tapes to give to people.
DVD ownership has been tracked since 1999 when only 6.7% of households owned a DVD player. That means it should be 2013 before we have a clear HD optical format winner and by then it won't even matter.
Analysts predict that Apple will release HD-format versions of currently available Disney movies through the iTunes Store in 2007. And, why not? It doesn't seem like that dramatic of a prediction. Things are clearly moving in the direction of all-things-HD, and offering high def versions of their currently available movies will allow Apple to keep up the pace. The better question might be, when will other movie studios join Apple and the iTunes Store?
ABI Research has recently published a study regarding consumers' adoption of internet video. According to the results, 48% of consumers would not be interested in purchasing a movie download due to the numerous other modes of viewing movies (rental services, etc.). Frankly, I would have expected that number to be higher, but alas, there you go. Though these results might not necessarily be entirely representative, depending on the population of internet users they sampled.
The Hannibal Duece + is a way complete set-top box, a MythTV DVR built on the Ubuntu Linux operating system with DVD/CD ripping capabilities, wireless connectivity, a 500GB HD, built-in Bittorrent support, and more. You can even DVR different channels simultaneously with its multiple tuner cards capability. It's safe to say this thing covers all the bases. Check out the official page for more specs. For $899, this DVR is aimed at serious couch potatoes.
Wii Transfer is a Mac application that converts movies to be played on Nintendo's awesome new Wii. The Wii accepts most digital camera codecs but the codecs that are not supported, you will need Wii Transfer. The application is a Universal Binary and costs $9. If you are one of those lucky folks with a Wii, you will most likely need this.
I've made a couple of mentions of The Journal of Short Film here on DVGuru in the past, but this PopMatters interview with founder Karl Mechem makes for a great read if the concept behind the quarterly DVD publication was never quite convincing. To refresh, JSF is a compilation of short films that get submitted from around the globe, and published on DVD to be purchased online or subscribed to. Anyway, Mechem discusses the viability of short film itself, inspiration for starting up a DVD publication, issues of copyright and distribution, and some other good stuff. I'm a big fan of The Journal of Short Film, whose grassroots, no budget approach to getting films distributed is really admirable. Give the interview a look for some nice background information on the group.
Now there is one extra way to promote your internet video online. The online video sharing site StupidVideos.com, which focuses on dedicated to humorous, off-the-wall videos, is offering eCards in time for the Christmas season allowing you to embed videos into online greeting cards. Simply select a video and email the card to your friends (if you have any) with your own personalized message. It's a nice idea and I especially like it that there is a permanent link to the card you make.
Enjoy our special Christmas greetings card from DV Guru right here.
Two years ago back in December 2004 one of the first Viral videos made it's way onto the internet when then-18-year-old Gary Brolsma filmed himself lip synching in front of his webcam to an the Romanian pop band, O-Zone. Of course under the new Australian and UK copyright laws lip-synching is illegal, but despite that Gary received a lifetime achievement award at age 20, for the Numa Numa dance which has been viewed in excess of 15 million times.
Now Gary has his own website, NewNuma.com which is sponsoring a contest with $45,000 in prize money for the best amateur lip-synching videos.
Here's a more interesting iPod accessory: the iProjector is a special video projector with a docking station to directly connect your video iPod for screening videos and photos. It features a 800x600 native resolution, 24-bit color, 1000 ANSI lumens brightness, and a projection size of 30 inches by 90 inches. The device will be introduced at CES 2007 by manufacturer ION Audio. No word on the actual performance and quality of the device just yet. Intriguing.
Here's a beneficial read for all the home theater and HD geeks out there that sets the record straight on when differences in high resolutions are more easily apparent. The article includes a chart showing, for any given screen size, how close a viewer should sit to the TV to notice the benefits in a higher resolution screen, such as 1080p. The article concludes that you will have to have a properly set up space, sitting the appropriate distance from your television to notice any benefits of higher resolutions. Otherwise, you won't gain anything from your shiny new plasma or LCD TV. Check out the full feature for more in-depth technical nerdery.
Wal-Mart has officially made their brilliant entry into digital movie downloads this week, with Superman Returns being the first movie title to feature their digital download purcahse options. The DVD contains a "video download feature sticker" on the cover, and customers who are interested can log onto Wal-Mart's website to register and then purchase their movie download. Of course, you'll have to first download the Wal-Mart Video Download Manager software (shiver), and yes, that's PC only. No Mac support here. You'll also need Windows Media Player 10, as this content is obviously DRM protected. Standard downloads cost $2.97(640x480 resolution, 1500kbps), and can only be viewed on PCs, or for $1.97, you can download a version compatible with "PlayForSure" portable video players. (Whatever that means.) There is no iPod support. $3.97 will get you both the standard and portable versions.
Xbox Live released their video download service last Wednesday and is off to a rip roaring start. Now you can get HD movie rentals over your fat Internet pipe for a mere 6 bucks (or 480 MS points). Standard definition movies go for $3 as well as HD TV shows and SD shows are $2. Keep in mind these are all rentals meaning they will evaporate after a certain time, but what a cool way to introduce users to IPTV. And there are a few small glitches with the launch since Microsoft apparently doesn't have enough bandwidth to back up the HD downloads, so expect things to be a little pokey. I don't have an Xbox 360 nor do I plan on getting one but this will be good competition for Apple once they drop their iTV product sometime early next year.
I originally titled this post "Oh, snap!" because LG's on again off again combo HD-DVD + Blu-Ray player, if released, could save next-gen optical from an untimely demise. Many consumers (including me) have been sitting on the sidelines of the format war waiting for a clear winner, but obviously a combo player would not only be a winner for LG, but retailers might start moving some Blu-Ray and HD-DVD titles off the shelves.
A new Variety 
In a report released by Nielson Media Research, more households now own more DVD players than VCRs. DVD ownership rose 6.1% from a year ago translating to 81.2% of American households that own at least one DVD player. Consequently, VCR ownership dropped 4.5% since last year to 79.2%. It's official, you can now stop dubbing VHS tapes to give to people.
ABI Research has recently published a study regarding consumers' adoption of internet video. According to the results, 48% of consumers would not be interested in purchasing a movie download due to the numerous other modes of viewing movies (rental services, etc.). Frankly, I would have expected that number to be higher, but alas, there you go. Though these results might not necessarily be entirely representative, depending on the population of internet users they sampled. 
The 
Wii Transfer is a Mac application that converts movies to be played on Nintendo's awesome new Wii. The Wii accepts most digital camera codecs but the codecs that are not supported, you will need Wii Transfer. The application is a Universal Binary and costs $9. If you are one of those lucky folks with a Wii, you will most likely need this.
I've made a couple of mentions of 
Now there is one extra way to promote your internet video online. The online video sharing site StupidVideos.com, which focuses on dedicated to humorous, off-the-wall videos, is offering 
Two years ago back in December 2004 one of the first Viral videos made it's way onto the internet when then-18-year-old Gary Brolsma filmed himself lip synching in front of his webcam to an the Romanian pop band, O-Zone. Of course under the new 
Here's a more interesting iPod accessory: the 
Wal-Mart has officially made their brilliant entry into digital movie downloads this week, with Superman Returns being the first movie title to feature their digital download purcahse options. The DVD contains a "video download feature sticker" on the cover, and customers who are interested can log onto Wal-Mart's website to register and then purchase their movie download. Of course, you'll have to first download the Wal-Mart Video Download Manager software (shiver), and yes, that's PC only. No Mac support here. You'll also need Windows Media Player 10, as this content is obviously DRM protected. Standard downloads cost $2.97(640x480 resolution, 1500kbps), and can only be viewed on PCs, or for $1.97, you can download a version compatible with "PlayForSure" portable video players. (Whatever that means.) There is no iPod support. $3.97 will get you both the standard and portable versions. 
Xbox Live released their 
