VOTW: Boxee Readies Set-top Box
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, July 19, 2010 · 
·
And last but not least, our video of the week (VOTW). Boxee, software that allows users to watch movies and TV shows from the Web on a television, is putting the final touches on its new set-top box. In this video, Zach Klein, who oversees design at Boxee, discusses the STB and the production methods the company is using to make it. Zach tells us that the device will be on retail shelves in late October/early November. D-Link is builing the box, which is expected to go on sale for around $200.
Sonic Solutions Delivers Video-on-Demand for Sears, Kmart
Posted by Jesse Ward on Thursday, July 1, 2010 · ·
Sears and Kmart are preparing to enter the crowded video on demand (VoD) marketplace. Sonic Solutions announced that it will team with the retailers to deliver movies and TV episodes for rent or purchase, including new releases often on the same day as the DVDs become available. The VoD service will be available on Internet-connected devices including TVs, Blu-ray players and mobile phones.
As part of the multi-year agreement, Sears has licensed Sonic Solutions’ RoxioNow platform. Service is expected to launch later this year and be broadly promoted at retail stores nationwide.
Hulu Plus
Posted by Steve Fravel on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 · ·
Hulu has added a new product. According to the Hulu online options, episodes of programs from NBC, Fox and ABC from this past season in addition to a catalog of other programming is available by subscription. This new wrinkle in the service is called Hulu Plus. Hulu has priced the service at $9.99 per month.
Recent episodes are still available as free content, but carry commerical advertising. Hulu Plus will allow multiple viewings for episodes that cover a longer period of time, including earlier seasons.
Sony PS3 leads the Pack with Connected Consoles
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, April 16, 2010 · ·
A recent study by The Diffusion Group has determined that roughly one third of households in the United States with broadband service have a video game console connected to the Internet. It is the opinion of some that game consoles are likely the solution of choice for delivery of mainstream over-the-top (OTT) video content.
Of the three primary game consoles sold in the United States, the study determined that the Sony Playstation 3 leads the way in terms of users connecting the consoles to the Internet. Sony is followed closely by Microsoft’s XBox 360, with the Nintendo Wii having Internet connection in over 50% of consumer homes that have chosen that platform. Read more
WalMart Agrees to Buy Movie Service Vudu
Posted by Kevin McGuire on Monday, February 22, 2010 · ·
According to the New York Times, Walmart has agreed to buy movie service Vudu. Vudu is a 3 year old start up founded by industry veterans from companies like TiVo, WebTV, and OpenTV, to name a few. It had deals with major studios bringing the ability to purchase or rent over 5,000 titles through either a stand alone box, or recently embedded into a variety of consumer devices like TVs and DVD players.
While details of the transaction are not known, one can be safe to assume that Wal-Mart is doing it to protect/diversify their DVD sales business. One site that I came across suggested that Walmart made up nearly 40% of the total $17B DVD market back in 2006 (which I believe was before iTunes sold movies).
Will they be successful? Time will tell. With services like Netflix, Blockbuster, and Boxee having a head start, Walmart may have a difficult time differentiating itself in an increasingly crowded market. I’d bet they will adopt one of their time tested strategies to try to compete: low, low prices.
HBO GO
Posted by Kevin McGuire on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 · (1) ·
Here we go again. HBO has entered into the online video market with it’s “HBO GO” product. They describe the service on their website:
It’s HBO. Anywhere.
Unlimited Access- Gain instant access to hundreds of titles including HBO Original Series, blockbuster movies, sports and more in high-quality HD. Plus, get bonus features and exclusive behind-the-scenes extras.
Watch anytime, anywhere- Watch HBO GO wherever you go- from your laptop or desktop. Pause, fast-forward, rewind and view at your convenience.
Make it your own- Create personal Watchlists and set a Series Pass to access your favorite HBO shows automatically.
HBO GO. Free with your HBO subscription.
Frontier Launches OTT Video
Posted by Jesse Ward on Thursday, February 11, 2010 · ·
Last Sunday Frontier Communications entered the over-the-top (OTT) video fray with its “my fitv” Web video portal.
The website aggregates Internet-based video content, creating a single search interface for customers. Most of the content is housed on another site such as Hulu. Frontier simply directs the user to that site to watch the video in its entirety.
Frontier claims to have access to more than 100,000 titles from major networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and ESPN360. In some markets, my fitv will also provide access to local content. The ILEC also will offer paid content via its Amazon.com relationship.
Most important, the site is available to any interested consumer with a broadband connection, regardless of whether they are a Frontier customer. Read more
