Cisco Intent on Adding ExtendMedia
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, August 27, 2010 · 
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Cisco has announced the pending acquisition of ExtendMedia with an eye on enhancing content management capabilities to encompass the “everywhere” concept. Current trends indicate a growing importance of Web and mobile applications as consumers adopt and expand the ways that video is consumed.
3D Without the Glasses?
Posted by Steve Fravel on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 · ·
“Autostereoscopic,” is the term for what Toshiba says it will employ with a new line of 3D television sets that are predicted to be on the market before the end of this year. The term autostereoscopic is used to describe the process in which the viewer is not required to wear glasses to see the dimensional image.
DishOnline.com Launches in Support of TV Everywhere
Posted by Steve Fravel on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 · ·
After several months of beta testing with a few thousand users, DishOnline.com, the online portal for Dish Network’s TV Everywhere platform, launched on August 24. Subscribers may access up to 150,000 video clips, full-length episodes and films through the website.
Subscribers also may remotely access their DVR receivers via the site to manage recordings, set timers or search through the program listings. Those who have a ViP 922 Sling-enabled receiver, or who have a Slingbox may watch live or recorded content from wherever they may be.
NFL Network Scores with NCTC
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, August 23, 2010 · (1) ·
According to reports, the NFL and the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) have come to terms on a long-term agreement. The deal will cover licensing and distribution of NFL Network and NFL RedZone to NCTC members.
NCTC members include both small and large cable operators around the country accounting for approximately 26.7 million subscribers. The addition of NFL Network gives viewers access to programming dedicated entirely to football. The content will feature the entire pre-season football schedule along with Thursday Night Football in the regular season. NFL RedZone covers every Sunday NFL game, focusing on the most exciting highlights of each game including the touchdowns.
DirecTV Offers NFL Sunday Ticket to Non-Subscribers
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, August 23, 2010 · ·
DirecTV has an exclusive arrangement with the NFL for the Sunday Ticket. This is a pay service that allows subscribers access to up to 14 games each week of the NFL season. DirecTV began offering a variation to New York City residents last season and will expand the offer nationwide this year.
Eligibility is limited to those who are not able to receive a DirecTV satellite signal. The cost per season is $350. The content is delivered via the Internet. A spokesman for DirecTV quoted in USA Today indicated that the games would be streamed in HD 720p. Non-subscribers may order service during the week prior to Week 1 of the season. When ordering, customers must verify that they cannot receive a signal.
Intel Set to Acquire McAfee
Posted by Steve Fravel on Thursday, August 19, 2010 · ·
In a move that underscores the growing importance of security, chip maker Intel has reached an agreement to acquire security software maker McAfee for $7.68 billion. The addition is one more in a growing list of companies that Intel has recently bought increasing its influence across the spectrum of mobile and computing devices.
In a release, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said, “In the past, energy-efficient performance and connectivity have defined computing requirements. Looking forward, security will join those as a third pillar of what people demand from all computing experiences.”
McAfee shareholders have not yet voted to ratify the deal, which still must past regulatory review.
Apps Seemingly Everywhere for TV
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, August 13, 2010 · ·
Many video providers are creating apps for the iPad.
Dish Network is “slinging” content to mobile devices such as the Apple iPad. Time Warner Cable is also developing a prototype application for the iPad. AT&T U-verse is making content available to smartphones. Verizon is developing a video application for devices than run Google’s Android operating system too. It seems like every distributor has or will have a means of making video content available to mobile devices.
Filling the “three screens” with content seems to be well on the way. Consumers will have many different choices for providers that can send content to whatever device is convenient, when it is convenient for the consumer to watch it. Is this a good thing, bad thing or just another part of the digital metamorphosis?
Mobility with the capability of effectively expanding the options for communications and entertainment is efficient.
Good or bad? Time will tell.
For more, see this Wall Street Journal article.