Zatz Not Funny! » HDTV

Return of the Android Set-Top Box

Dave Zatz — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:52 +0000

Just a few weeks back we heard noise of Google heading into the set-top box space. With DISH Network. At the time, it wasn’t clear if this was merely a rehashing of the upcoming DISH apps or a more significant Android set-top platform play. As it turns out, it does look like Google aims to conquer the television with a dedicated offering. And why wouldn’t they take their open source platform and ad serving business to a larger screen? Following in the footsteps of Yahoo TV, Google has also partnered with Intel and is going with the generic “Google TV.” Beyond DISH, other likely launch partners include Sony and Logitech. Although no concrete functionality, timing, or pricing has been revealed. From the NY Times:

For Google, the project is a pre-emptive move to get a foothold in the living room as more consumers start exploring ways to bring Web content to their television sets. Based on Google’s Android operating system, the TV technology runs on Intel’s Atom chips. Google has built a prototype set-top box, but the technology may be incorporated directly into TVs or other devices.

While the space is getting crowded, television-based Internet content delivery is still in its infancy compared to the mobile marketplace where we’re starting to see some real polished, mature platforms and consolidation. And as you’d expect, the incumbents are firing back. Roku’s CEO says a Google box requires an expensive chip and could run over $200, compared to their highly regarded $99 unit. However, I could easily see Google’s solution subsidized by carriers or advertising. Maybe both. It’s good to see new players and experimentation, but I’m guessing it’ll be at least 2011 before we more clearly see the path forward. Which is also about when I expect the cable industry to start opening up.

Comcast to Deliver The Masters in 3D

Dave Zatz — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:57:38 +0000

I’m no golf fan. And I’ve yet to be sold 3D in the home. So I can’t say I have anything but passing interest in Comcast’s broadcast of The Masters next month, which features:

the first live next-generation 3D broadcast of a major sporting event on TV, the first live simulcast of a next-gen 3D event online, and the industry’s first live multi-camera next-gen 3D production.

Of course, Comcast’s dedicated 3D channel will be provided in addition to the regular feed and limited to only about two hours of live coverage a day. Because how many of us have actually purchased new 3D-capable televisions and shutter glasses?

Zillion TV, Not Dead Yet

Dave Zatz — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:31:18 +0000

Zillion TV continues to sputter along… Originally backed by a few studios, amongst others, in what sounded like a “Hulu box”, the startup has seen all manner of turmoil. Including blown 2009 launch plans, a restructured sales model, a CEO replacement, and unflattering commentary by pilot testers. However, buried within a lawsuit (more turmoil!), we’ve learned Qwest Communications has thrown Zillion a $10 million lifeline “in return for exclusive rights to offer the IP-delivered video-on-demand service in the telco’s footprint.” Yet, it remains to be seen if ZillionTV will actually launch with any telcos in the second half of 2010 as intended. They could always pull a Vudu and figure out how turn it around. But I wouldn’t bank on it. Qwest didn’t… “[We] made a very small, or immaterial, investment in Zillion.”

Wal-mart Dabbles In Vudu

Dave Zatz — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:13:00 +0000

Wow. The rumor was true. Wal-mart is indeed acquiring Vudu. Given their prior failed attempt at digital media distribution and MediaMemo’s way-off financing stat, I had a difficult time buying it. But the deal is done – so congrats to the Vudu team.

Vudu’s story arc is interesting. From the beginning, and like many, I found the idea of a premium priced, dedicated movie box problematic. And suspected we had another Moviebeam on our hands as Vudu nearly folded late in 2008 when they discovered what most of us already knew. But after a few rounds of layoffs, a new strategy to port the Vudu experience to 3rd party hardware, a press relations agency upgrade, and additional financing, they quite successfully weathered the storm.

With Best Buy embracing TiVo and Napster it sort of makes sense Wal-mart would want a digital distribution partner of their own. Although the investors recouped their cash, consumers probably aren’t the big winner here. I fully expect Vudu’s AVN channel will be the first thing axed. And Dan Rayburn anticipates the whole enterprise, under Walmart’s stewardship, will fail.

I do hope the original stand-alone boxes see one more software upgrade to move them off P2P distribution and onto the CDN in use by all other Vudu devices. Rather than a complete shuttering. Also, in light of the acquisition, my plan to find a deal on a LG BD390 is on hold.

The Olympics – Big Screen Edition

Mari Silbey — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:04:25 +0000

Sure it’s 2010 and you can now get your Olympics fix online (albeit with some headaches), but if you’re home in front of the big living-room screen, why not take advantage of the all-HD experience? NBC Universal is offering coverage on NBC, USA, MSNBC, CNBC, and Universal HD, and, as in years past, the broadcast company has made deals left and right with pay-TV operators to provide on-demand content.

Verizon FiOS:

Want Olympics fare on FiOS VOD? Verizon is promising highlights, complete event replays, info on the Olympic park in Calgary, and even Olympics trivia. On the HD front, FiOS customers will get less than half of the VOD content in high-def, but Verizon did just make the announcement that it’s launching MSNBC in HD, just in time for the opening ceremonies. Oh, and if you’re looking for some interactive TV, stay tuned for an on-screen FiOS app with medal counts, bios, and more.

Comcast Xfinity:

Yes, it’s officially Xfinity now in several markets, but so far the branding hasn’t changed on my Comcast guide. In any case, the VOD menu is full of Olympics clips: an intro of Team USA, physics lessons around different sports (hockey, snowboarding, etc.), a “Where Were You” category with highlights from yesteryear, and a “Best of the Day” selection, which promises daily coverage once the games begin. By my observation, it appears that all of the content is available in HD.

AT&T U-verse:

AT&T is heading into the Olympics not just with on-demand content, but also with a Multiview app for watching several events at once. The U-verse NBC Olympics Application includes up to four different channels on screen and links to information like event schedules, athlete bios, and medal count. According to AT&T, its on-demand fare will include “exclusive Team USA” videos. Not sure how valuable that will be, but exclusive is always good, right?

Replacing a Burned Out Sony HDTV Lamp

Davis Freeberg — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:57:59 +0000

I’m a huge fan of internet video, but nothing can replace the big screen high definition experience. And while I knew it would happen sooner or later, I still wasn’t fully prepared when my large screen rear projection Sony Wega HDTV gave a loud pop and ceased to display the magic flickering lights that I’ve fallen in love with.

My first response was one of panic. I knew that it was possible that I might have a burned out bulb but, given some of the issues that other Wega owners have experienced, I also knew that it might be more serious. After the panic subsided, I made a few calls to see what it would cost me to bring in a pro. After getting a few quotes, I was shocked at how expensive it can be just to have a repairman troubleshoot your big screen. While I’ll admit to being tempted to use this as an excuse to make the jump from a rear projector to a flat screen, I also wasn’t ready to give up on my TV just yet.

So with gritty determination, I waded through the murky waters of online forums in search of a potential diagnosis. The more research I did, the more apparent it became that I had in fact exhausted the lovelight inside my television. Luckily, it turns out that this sort of repair is pretty easy for the home gamer to fix. So after finding a generic replacement lamp online (~$100), I eagerly tried my hand at television repair.

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Digital Media Bytes: The Davis Freeberg Edition

Dave Zatz — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:23:06 +0000

Photo by Thomas Hawk

Looks like Davis Freeberg has awoken from his long blogging slumber…!

How To Save Blockbuster
With the future looking pretty bleak for just about any video store, how can a company like Blockbuster save themselves? By sacrificing their media business in exchange for an opportunity to reinvent their retail business.

Cut The Cable and Free Your TV
Over the holidays, it became clear that cable TV simply wasn’t offering a very good value for what they were providing. Thanks to sites like Netflix, Megavideo, Amazon and Hulu, it was easy to stay up to date via the laptop and with less distractions, I found that I was actually accomplishing a lot more in my life.

Friends Don’t Let Friends Subscribe To HBO
With consumers clearly wanting to access content online, one would think that HBO would be the first in line to embrace this trend, but they’ve chosen to fight progress instead of helping to usher in the digital age.

How Real Time Search Could Drive Traffic Offline
Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about one of the biggest weaknesses of the online experience. For as fast as all those ones and zeros move, when it comes to instant gratification, you still need to wait a few days to receive most purchases.

Is Google Pulling A Bait And Switch On Their Users?
As the media landscape has gotten more competitive, I’ve noticed that publications are becoming increasingly aggressive at trying to monetize the eyeballs that they do get.

Elevate: The $1000 TV Lift Cabinet

Dave Zatz — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:41:55 +0000

We rarely cover home entertainment, gaming, or gadget furnishings, but the new $1000 Elevate television stand is noteworthy for making lift cabinet technology available to the masses. Elevate, which raises/lowers up to a 42″ television in under 40 seconds, will be available next month in three finishes and with optional, matching side tables. Elevate comes fully assembled and is operated via remote. I can’t say I’m fond of the look for the living room (not to mention my plasma wouldn’t fit), but this could be a mighty fine addition to a study or bedroom. Especially in a bedroom. If you can figure out how to hide the cabling.

Click to enlarge: