<![CDATA[High Def Forum - Your High Definition Community & High Definition Resource - High Definition Media]]> http://www.highdefforum.com A place to discuss BD, HD DVD and D-VHS and things that affect adoption of HD Media en Thu, 23 May 2013 18:34:55 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.highdefforum.com/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[High Def Forum - Your High Definition Community & High Definition Resource - High Definition Media]]> http://www.highdefforum.com <![CDATA[Microsoft’s New 'Xbox One' Includes Blu-ray Drive]]> http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141260-microsoft-s-new-xbox-one-includes-blu-ray-drive.html Tue, 21 May 2013 18:44:50 GMT ---Quote--- Microsoft unveiled its next-generation gaming console May 21, the Xbox One, an “all-in-one home entertainment system” that includes a Blu-ray Disc drive, live TV capability, built-in motion and voice controls and HDMI input and output.The inclusion of a Blu-ray drive marks a major...
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Microsoft unveiled its next-generation gaming console May 21, the Xbox One, an “all-in-one home entertainment system” that includes a Blu-ray Disc drive, live TV capability, built-in motion and voice controls and HDMI input and output.The inclusion of a Blu-ray drive marks a major change for Xbox. The current iteration — the Xbox 360 — offered an external HD DVD drive, discontinued shortly after that high-def format threw in the towel versus Blu-ray in early 2008.
http://m.homemediamagazine.com/xbox-...ay-drive-30486 ]]> High Definition Media TowerGrove http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141260-microsoft-s-new-xbox-one-includes-blu-ray-drive.html <![CDATA[Netflix's open connect program.]]> http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141190-netflixs-open-connect-program.html Tue, 14 May 2013 13:32:09 GMT Interesting. ---Quote--- To manage costs as Internet video traffic continues to soar, Netflix has embarked on a program dubbed Open Connect aimed at broadband service providers. By directly connecting with ISPs, Netflix saves money on content-delivery costs. As an incentive to get service... Interesting.

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To manage costs as Internet video traffic continues to soar, Netflix has embarked on a program dubbed Open Connect aimed at broadband service providers. By directly connecting with ISPs, Netflix saves money on content-delivery costs.

As an incentive to get service providers on board, Netflix allows Open Connect partners to provide higher-quality Super HD and 3D titles to their mutual customers. Optionally, ISPs can deploy Netflix-supplied caching servers in their data centers for additional performance gains.

Of the top 15 broadband providers in the U.S., Netflix has signed up Cox Communications, Cablevision Systems and Suddenlink Communications for Open Connect. Netflix has emphasized that it doesn’t ask for any payment from ISPs to hook into its private content delivery network.
http://variety.com/2013/digital/news...et-1200480561/
https://signup.netflix.com/openconnect

Perhaps this is Netflix's solution to world domination. They're attempting to make friends with ISP companies, instead of making enemies (or frenemies).

If they're successful, could this arrangement lead to 4K streaming sooner than expected? ]]> High Definition Media morriscroy http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141190-netflixs-open-connect-program.html BitTorrent attempting to go legit. http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141175-bittorrent-attempting-go-legit.html Sun, 12 May 2013 10:57:11 GMT Heh.

Don't know whether to laugh or cry. :rolleyes:

http://variety.com/2013/digital/news...ng-1200479359/

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In fact, it’s now hoping to persuade Hollywood and other media companies to test out a new concept for distributing digital content: the BitTorrent Bundle, which can function as “a standalone storefront,” according to Mason. With the new format, promotional content — like a movie trailer — could be available for free, but higher-value material can be locked, accessible only if a user enters an email address or pays for it.
It would be like the major record companies making peace with Napster more than a decade ago.


EDIT: More details. http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/...orrent-bundle/ ]]> High Definition Media morriscroy http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141175-bittorrent-attempting-go-legit.html control the volume of the external speakers from the TV? http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141171-control-volume-external-speakers-tv.html Sat, 11 May 2013 14:53:42 GMT Is there a way to controll the volume of the external speakers from the TV? I have the Panasonic Viera plasma, optical going thru a converter to a RCAs on self-powered speakers. I want to control the volume from the TV. Is there a way to do that? Is there a way to controll the volume of the external speakers from the TV? I have the Panasonic Viera plasma, optical going thru a converter to a RCAs on self-powered speakers. I want to control the volume from the TV. Is there a way to do that? ]]> High Definition Media jerrware http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141171-control-volume-external-speakers-tv.html VoD Satisfaction on the Rise http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141122-vod-satisfaction-rise.html Tue, 07 May 2013 15:43:06 GMT http://www.multichannel.com/technology/study-vod-satisfaction-rise/143146 http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130507-909491.html?mod=googlenews_wsj ---Quote--- Amount of Television Content Managed by Vubiquity Increased 86 percent During the 2-Year Period SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., May... http://www.multichannel.com/technolo...on-rise/143146
http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-...googlenews_wsj

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Amount of Television Content Managed by Vubiquity Increased 86 percent During the 2-Year Period


SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., May 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Vubiquity, the largest global provider of multiplatform video services, today announced the results of a tracking study measuring consumer behaviors and attitudes toward Video on Demand (VOD) and TV Everywhere (TVE). In the survey, conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates during the fourth quarter of 2012, satisfaction with On Demand grew 5% over 2010. The biggest areas of improved satisfaction were the quality of programs (+6%), availability of programs in HD (+8%) and the number of choices available (+6%).

Availability of Free On Demand (FOD) Content Increasing Viewership

Among the most significant finding was that 65% percent of On Demand users agreed with the statement, "Everything I might ever want to watch is easily available" On Demand. In a similar survey Vubiquity conducted in Q4, 2010, only 12 % agreed with that same statement. Accordingly, the availability of more television content On Demand has resulted in greater perceived value for VOD services. When survey respondents were asked to rank available subscriptions and services by value, VOD was ranked number one (62%), ahead of DVRs (60%), HD channels (55%) and premium channels (47%).

An abstract summarizing the research and providing additional data is available for download from the Vubiquity website.

"Vubiquity has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of television content we manage for VOD which directly correlates to what consumers reported in this study. In 2012, we managed over 85,000 total hours of FOD content, 86 percent more than 2 years before, and the increase in HD was 285 percent," said Laurie Lawrence, CMO of Vubiquity. "And the amount of content continues to grow. Vubiquity's expertise at quick-turn content for the C3 window enables content owners to monetize their FOD content, which leads to more content on the platform, driving increased value for the consumer, and in turn, for the service provider."

Viewing Habits, Connected Devices and TV Everywhere

Due largely to the increased availability of episodic television on demand, binge viewing grew in 2012. 76% of the survey's respondents say they watched three or more episodes of a TV show consecutively in one sitting, with nearly 40% indicating that they do this more often now compared with 12 months ago. Connected devices and TV Everywhere services are also helping to fuel this trend.

Close to 70% of homes now have a TV screen with access to the Internet. Whether its via a Blu-Ray player, gaming console, Roku device or Smart TV, more households are able to access content on the TV screen via connected devices. Viewers are viewing content on other screens, most dramatically children's animated content, where 35% of respondents indicated that they use an alternate screen to access the On Demand content. Scripted and reality shows follow closely with 30% and 28% respectively.

Conclusions

With more content available than ever before, VOD's value to consumers is growing. As fast turnaround of VOD assets becomes more pervasive, and fulfills customer expectations of next-day content availability, this trend should continue to help the market to monetize digital video content.

Connected devices are offering consumers increased access to content, making binge viewing of TV episodes On Demand the norm. VOD remains important in how TV programs are discovered and provides opportunities for continued growth.

Methodology

A national sample of approximately 1,700 consumers with access to VOD services from a cable/telco/satellite provider participated in the survey. Respondents ranged in age from 18 -- 64 and demographics roughly mirror the US population in age and gender. The study was conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates, Inc., a leading research-based strategic consulting firm.
(I don't have access to Vubiquity's downloadable reports).

Blah. I don't know what to think, if this data can be confirmed by a reliable independent third party.

Hopefully such trends will not scuttle a possible future 4K physical disc/card/cube format. ]]> High Definition Media morriscroy http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141122-vod-satisfaction-rise.html Redbox Q1 sales revenue down 5 percent YoY http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141114-redbox-q1-sales-revenue-down-5-percent-yoy.html Mon, 06 May 2013 22:04:39 GMT Per the DEG Report. First time we've seen a YoY decline in Redbox rental revenue, signaling that the last growth area of OD rental has peaked.

B&M rental was down only 12%, not much more than Redbox.

http://hometheater.about.com/b/2013/...rt-of-2013.htm ]]> High Definition Media bruceames http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141114-redbox-q1-sales-revenue-down-5-percent-yoy.html Best Blu-Ray player for the money? http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141105-best-blu-ray-player-money.html Sun, 05 May 2013 17:23:42 GMT In the market In the market ]]> High Definition Media HV77 http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141105-best-blu-ray-player-money.html Blu-ray, Digital Up Q1 Home Entertainment Spending 5% http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141067-blu-ray-digital-up-q1-home-entertainment-spending-5-a.html Wed, 01 May 2013 17:09:56 GMT Especially noteworthy is EST up 51.2%, to $231 million. EST is now more than 10% of total sell through. Blu-ray is 30% and DVD is 60%. Ultraviolent seems to be spurring the growth of EST and is probably helping OD sales as well due to it being an attractive pack-in. ---Quote--- Consumer... Especially noteworthy is EST up 51.2%, to $231 million. EST is now more than 10% of total sell through. Blu-ray is 30% and DVD is 60%. Ultraviolent seems to be spurring the growth of EST and is probably helping OD sales as well due to it being an attractive pack-in.

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Consumer spending on home entertainment rose more than 5% in the first quarter of this year, driven by a strong slate of theatrical titles becoming available on disc and through digital distribution.

Consumers spent an estimated $4.69 billion on home entertainment purchases and rentals in the first quarter (ended March 31), up from $4.46 billion in the first three months of 2012, according to numbers released this morning by DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group.

For studios, the big news was a rebirth in disc sales, which have been trending downward for more than five years. Buoyed by a 28.5% increase in Blu-ray Disc sales, overall packaged media sales were up 2%, to $2.1 billion from $2 billion in the first quarter of 2012. Add in electronic sellthrough, which grew 51.5% in the first quarter to $231 million, and the total sellthrough pie grew nearly 5%.

The surprisingly strong growth of electronic sellthrough, or EST, can be attributed largely to increased access to digital content. Credit for this, observers say, goes to UltraViolet, which ties in physical disc sales with digital sales and has been embraced by leading retailers like Walmart and Best Buy.

Consumers buy a disc and can then access that content anywhere, at anytime, on a wide array of devices, including smartphones and tablets. The success of UltraViolet appears to have broken Apple's grip on the EST market and positioned it for much broader acceptance.

Sales of new release product grew 12%, according to DEG numbers, which are compiled using studio data and retailer input. Sales of new releases on Blu-ray Disc were up 37%. Sales of catalog titles on Blu-ray were up 16% from the first quarter of 2012.

The rental sector didn't fare as well in the first quarter of 2013, with physical disc rentals down 11.9% to an estimated $1 billion.

Total consumer spending on digital content consumption was up 26.2%, to $1.56 billion, buoyed by healthy gains in not just EST but also video-on-demand (up nearly 16% to $614.9 million) and subscription streaming (up 29% to $709.6 million).

Meanwhile, data from DEG's consumer electronics members shows that despite the trend toward distribution the number of Blu-ray homes continues to grow, with 3.2 million players sold in the first quarter (including BD set-tops, PS3). Nearly 60 million U.S. homes now have at least one BD player.

Consumers also bought 9.4 million HDTVs in the first quarter of 2013, DEG data shows, bringing the total number of HDTV households in the United States to more.


http://www.homemediamagazine.com/ind...ending-5-30315 ]]> High Definition Media bruceames http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141067-blu-ray-digital-up-q1-home-entertainment-spending-5-a.html <![CDATA[Netflix's Reed Hastings' 11-page manifesto]]> http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141024-netflixs-reed-hastings-11-page-manifesto.html Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:25:14 GMT Heh. A long rambling essay by Reed Hastings, on the future. http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/NFLX/2445649448x0x656145/e4410bd8-e5d4-4d31-ad79-84c36c49f77c/IROverviewHomePageLetter_4.24.13_pdf.pdf Dunno whether to laugh or cry. :haha: Heh.

A long rambling essay by Reed Hastings, on the future.

http://files.shareholder.com/downloa....24.13_pdf.pdf

Dunno whether to laugh or cry. :haha: ]]> High Definition Media morriscroy http://www.highdefforum.com/high-definition-media/141024-netflixs-reed-hastings-11-page-manifesto.html