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Seamless integration of Windows Media Player 11 and URGE delivers complete music experience and redefines music discovery for fans

Microsoft Corp. and MTV Networks, a division of Viacom Inc., today unveiled the new Windows Media® Player 11 and offered an early look at the URGE digital music service during the kickoff keynote address for the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates was joined onstage by MTV Networks’ Music Group President Van Toffler and music superstar Justin Timberlake to preview the seamless integration of Microsoft® Windows Media Player 11 and MTV Networks’ URGE, which is designed to bring the emotional connection of music to the forefront of the digital entertainment experience.

Gates and Toffler highlighted the fresh, streamlined design for Windows Media Player 11 with optimized device support and incredibly fast search capabilities that provide consumers with instant access to the entire URGE catalog of more than 2 million songs. Set to debut this year, URGE will offer a deep well of programming and editorial to guide the consumer’s digital music experience, including exclusive content from MTV Networks’ MTV, VH1 and CMT brands.

“Microsoft and MTV Networks have combined their strengths to dramatically redefine how Windows® users discover and enjoy music,” Gates said. “The result is a seamless melding of software and entertainment expertise that makes it easy for people to discover new music and listen to old favorites.”

“Our audience has come to expect us to deliver the world’s best music programming on MTV, VH1 and CMT,” Toffler said. “URGE will be a major new way for artists across all genres — from alt-country to zydeco — to connect with their fans and find new audiences through multiplatform exposure from MTV Networks and on one of the world’s most popular digital media players, Windows Media Player.”

The Best All-in-One Media Player From Microsoft

As their digital music collections continue to grow, consumers increasingly need software to help them find and organize their music. Windows Media Player 11 addresses this head-on with core advancements that include a simplified user experience and unprecedented performance. Windows Media Player 11 makes it easy to manage all media through innovative design improvements from Windows Vista™, including visual navigation of entire media libraries, and simplified, high-performance device synchronization. Additional performance enhancements let consumers easily scroll through and access music faster than any other media player, whether the library contains 50 or 50,000 tracks. The powerful Windows Media Player 11 wordwheel search brings an entire catalog of music to consumers’ fingertips, providing lightning-fast search results that instantly narrow with each keystroke. Windows Media Player 11 with URGE will be available in Windows Vista, and is also scheduled to be available for Windows XP in the first half of 2006.

Extensive Entertainment Programming From MTV Networks

MTV Networks’ URGE will be the first and only digital music service designed by music veterans for music fans. Whether consumers want to take a few minutes to purchase a specific song or spend hours immersed in the service’s extensive music programming, URGE will provide an experience equally enjoyable for all audiences, from intense fans to aficionados. With robust search capabilities, extensive music charts, and countless programmed playlists, URGE will offer constantly updated music feature stories, exclusive interviews, music videos, and other multimedia editorial across all music genres and styles that provide context and direction for music lovers. URGE will be a one-stop digital music experience for consumers to hear, discover, purchase and enjoy music.

With URGE, music fans will get a choice in how they want to consume digital music to best fit their lifestyle, whether through permanent a la carte download purchases, music subscriptions or fully portable subscriptions. URGE also will feature one of the most robust radio offerings available on the Internet, with more than 100 free and premium stations, all programmed by passionate music professionals. URGE will incorporate MusicNet’s library of more than 2 million tracks, the largest available music library in the industry today. The library includes licensed content from all of the major record labels and thousands of independents. MusicNet is the world’s leading business-to-business digital music service provider.

URGE will be promoted across a broad range of MTV Networks platforms, including the MTV, MTV2, mtvU, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, VH1, VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul and CMT channels, as well as being fully integrated throughout MTV Networks Web sites MTV.com, VH1.com, CMT.com and the new URGE.com. Promotion for URGE will be woven throughout MTV Networks’ on-air and online programming, communicating the consumer benefits and explaining the how-to’s of digital music, while providing an easy and intuitive way for audiences to extend their MTV, VH1 and CMT music experiences.

Seamless Integration Between Music Service and Media Player

Microsoft and MTV Networks have collaborated to enhance the URGE experience with innovations that make using a digital music service as straightforward as accessing a user’s local library. Consumers will enjoy exceptionally fast access to URGE content with enhanced wordwheel search capabilities. With integrated hard-drive and music service browsing, consumers will see all tracks related to their searches, including those from the massive URGE catalog but not stored on their PC. In addition, with drag-and-drop playlist creation, consumers can simply move individual songs or entire stacks of albums into the URGE playlist pane for syncing to a device or burning to a CD. More than 100 portable devices and home network media devices compatible with Windows Media, including the Xbox 360™ video game system, will work with URGE.

Additional URGE features, functionality, and related partnerships will be announced in coming months as URGE is introduced with Windows Media Player 11.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services — MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 80 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft, Windows Media, Windows, Windows Vista and Xbox 360 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Posted by Nana at 12:40 AM | Microsoft and MTV Networks Unveil New Windows Media Player 11 and Preview The New URGE Digital Music Service | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starz Entertainment Group Ignites Portable Internet Video Market With the Launch of Vongo Innovative Content Application Will Drive New Era in Portable Video

Starz Entertainment Group LLC (SEG) today announced the premiere of VONGO -- a new video download application and service for broadband that delivers movies and other video content over the Internet for playback on Windows-based PCs, laptops, and select portable media devices, as well as on a TV.

"Vongo will provide the key content application that will drive a new era in portable video delivered over the Internet," said Robert B. Clasen, president and CEO of SEG. "By combining the wide array of programming choices on Vongo with a host of new portable media devices being announced this week at the Consumer Electronics Show, consumers will be able to seize control of their video and watch whatever, wherever and whenever they want."

Vongo subscribers will have unlimited access to more than 1,000 movies and video selections, as well as a live, streaming Starz TV channel, for a monthly cost of $9.99. Members may download movie and video selections to three eligible devices of their choice per account, allowing for multiple viewing options and family enjoyment. Additionally, select popular pay-per-view titles are available for $3.99 per movie. Vongo is currently available for broadband subscribers in the United States at http://www.vongo.com/.

Starz also announced the first in a series of planned agreements that will extend Vongo's reach as the premier broadband entertainment service for consumers. Initial partners include Sony CONNECT and Microsoft. Sony CONNECT will make Vongo a cornerstone of its new CONNECT Video service, to be launched later this year. SEG worked with Microsoft to ensure that subscription video content from Vongo provides the highest-quality viewing experience on Windows-based PCs, laptops, and select portable media devices, as well as on a TV.

"Based on the evolution of the digital entertainment space, we believe that Vongo will be the critical component in a new entertainment ecosystem; combining services, Vongo's advanced user interface (UI) and a new generation of devices to offer consumers a truly unique offering," said Bob Greene, senior vice president, advanced services for SEG.

Vongo Leverages Starz Exclusive Movie Rights

As one of the largest content aggregators in Hollywood, Starz has access to thousands of theatrical films including first-run hits ("Hitch," "The Aviator," "The Incredibles," "National Treasure," "Kill Bill Vol. 2," "Finding Neverland") and classics ("Pulp Fiction," "Boyz N' The Hood," "Night of the Living Dead," "Good Will Hunting," "Hoosiers," "Dances With Wolves," "Annie Hall") for Vongo upon launch from many of Hollywood's biggest studios.

Greg Maffei, CEO-elect of SEG parent company Liberty Media Corporation dded "Liberty is excited about this new service from Starz, not only because of its potential revenue stream, but because it positions us as the content leaders in this new era of portable video and personal consumer choice. This re-defines what it means to 'go to the movies,' because with Vongo, the movies go with you. The lessons learned in developing and launching Vongo can apply to other segments of our company and to our sister enterprises both in the US and overseas."

Clasen added, "Critical to this service are the Internet distribution rights we have acquired from our studio partners. We share with them a concern about the piracy over the Internet and so have built in a robust digital rights management system to ensure that only those who are authorized to use this service will do so. We also believe that by providing a convenient, affordable and legal way to access the best of Hollywood we will ensure that consumers will be much less likely to try to engage in video piracy."

Starz Entertainment Group is the exclusive subscription provider of first-run, classic and favorite films from leading Hollywood studios including Walt Disney Pictures, Miramax Films, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Films, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Tri-Star, Screen Gems, Revolution Studios and more. Select recent films are available exclusively from Universal Pictures and New Line Cinema and library and classic titles are provided by a wide array of Hollywood studios. Clasen concluded, "Vongo subscribers have full access to the very best content from Hollywood's biggest studios. Our breadth of subscription movie content is unmatched anywhere on the Internet."

In addition to the movies available as part of the subscription service, Vongo will offer subscribers and non-subscribers alike access to pay per view movies for $3.99 per film. Offering PPV titles in the earlier release VOD window will broaden the range of movies offered on the service and give consumers greater selection and choice.

"Exclusive -- and virtually unlimited -- access to 800-1000 movies per month is the programming foundation of the Vongo service," said Greene. "Adding a PPV option will bring consumers even more movies and will do so sooner as a result of the earlier window from Hollywood. With concerts, extreme sports, and in time, TV series, we see an opportunity to bring additional value and enjoyment to Vongo members, but subscription movies will remain the driver of the service. Vongo will expand significantly its non-movie content in time as we listen to feedback from our members and the content community."

Additional programming available to Vongo subscribers includes full-length music concerts ("INXS: Live Baby Live," "The Hives: Live in Las Vegas," "Prince - Sign 'o' the Times," "The Who: Live in Boston," "Brian Wilson: On Tour"), and Extreme Sports ("Warren Miller's Cold Fusion," "Real Action Sports," "Ride Guide"). At launch, Vongo will offer a live, East Coast feed of the Starz TV channel in its "Watch Live Now" category, with an eye towards adding other television-based content, including series in the future.

"Movies, sports and news are the main drivers for Internet content. So far, sports and news have found an opportunity to distribute content via the Internet, but due to the Hollywood rights issues, subscription movie content has been slower to come to market -- until now," said Greene. An important strategy in the development of Vongo is to engage in a number of strategic alliances with technology, media and device companies in order to extend the reach of Vongo as far as possible. "When we started working on this product 18 months ago, we reached out to industry leaders to engage them in the development of the service," said Greene. "By providing the critical content element, we are helping to create an entire ecosystem of products and services that will provide consumers with unmatched convenience and flexibility. These systems will be easy to use in multiple different settings."

Vongo Looks to Microsoft for Security and Portability -- Where Do You Vongo?

Starz is using Windows Media technologies to power the Vongo service for their ability to provide subscribers with the highest-quality playback experience, whether enjoyed at home on a Windows-based PC or on the go using eligible portable media devices or laptops.

"This is a significant development in the enjoyment of Internet-delivered video content," said Greene. "We believe the ability to easily, securely and legally move Vongo content to the TV and portable devices will be key drivers for Vongo's 'video on the go' consumers -- particularly as those important segments of the marketplace develop."

"With Vongo, Starz brings a wealth of premium and exclusive television and feature film content to hundreds of millions of Windows users," said Blair Westlake, corporate vice president of the Media, Content & Partner Strategy Group. "Powering Vongo with our Windows Media technologies not only gives consumers the best-quality video, but also gives them the flexibility to enjoy their content when and where they want, at home or on the go."

"The combination of Vongo's programming and Microsoft's digital rights management system and media player software has produced the catalyst for this new era of personal video," said John Pollard, senior director in the Mobile & Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft. "With this new service consumers have greater freedom to choose what they want to watch from anywhere at anytime."

Sony CONNECT with Vongo for Distribution

"We are very pleased to be working with Sony CONNECT," said Greene. "Our visions about video delivery over broadband are very much aligned, and we are excited about the marketing opportunities that Sony CONNECT will bring to the table."

In addition, Starz has partnered with a host of other providers in the development of Vongo. "We have built Vongo from scratch in partnership with 'best of breed' vendors and partners," Greene noted. "With Sony CONNECT, Microsoft, and other key alliances to be announced soon, we present the first examples of the broadband-delivered video ecosystem we have built around Vongo to catalyze the development of this marketplace."

Complements and Expands Core Business

Greene concluded that research conducted by SEG over the past year demonstrates that an Internet service will not cannibalize existing distribution systems including cable, satellite, and telco services. "Vongo expands the pie, as approximately 70% of Starz Ticket customers were not subscribers to Starz and approximately 50% were non-premium subscribers altogether. We developed Vongo so that we could provide our existing affiliates the ability to offer great movies directly to their broadband customers. We will work with them to find ways to offer Vongo, including packaging high-speed broadband connections with Vongo to attract even more consumers to this new way of accessing and enjoying content."

He also noted that Starz Ticket, launched in 2004 with RealNetworks Inc., will continue as a service, but that the focus for Starz will be on Vongo. "Starz Ticket on Real Movies provided us with a great chance to see how the market would react to broadband delivery of video. We learned an enormous amount in a real world environment and have incorporated all those lessons into the new Vongo service."

Vongo is available in the United States in beta form beginning today at http://www.vongo.com/. The product will be showcased for interested media at CES in partner booths as well as at the Digital Media Experience at the Bellagio hotel on Jan. 4th from 7 - 10 p.m.

Starz Entertainment Group LLC (SEG) is the largest provider of premium movie services in the United States. SEG offers 13 digital movie channels including the flagship Starz® and Encore® channels with approximately 14 million and 25 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment Group airs more than 750 movies per month across its pay TV channels and is a forerunner in offering its subscribers advanced services such as Starz HDTV, Starz On Demand® and Vongo(SM). Starz Entertainment Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation, http://www.starz.com/.

Posted by Nana at 07:33 AM | Starz Entertainment Group Launches Vongo Video Download Application And Service | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Research and Markets has announced the addition of The Changing Face of Studio Video Sales: Grow New Markets, Push High Definition, Get Interactive to their offering.

The major Hollywood studios are facing a changing landscape for the consumption of their home video products.

Sony Corporation is "betting the farm" on High Definition TV and HDTV products, including the next-generation Blu-Ray disc format. Sony's strategy may be strong enough to drive them into a dominating position for the future of digital home entertainment, and the other major Hollywood studios may simply be along for the ride.

Microsoft and Intel are also lobbying strongly to play a part, with their Connected Digital Home solutions. Microsoft and Intel have voiced strong support for HD-DVD.

Nobody can be sure how it is all going to play out. By 2009, the forecast model predicts a worldwide retail value of US$ 50 Billion, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 5.4% for annual sales value of Hollywood Video Content sold at retail. The DVD value will hold its own but much of the growth will be due to:

- Portable Player products

- Next-Generation optical discs

- Movie & TV Downloads

It is expected that the three alternative delivery formats to gain momentum in 2006, and continue growing through 2009. The coming few years will be very interesting ones for the Hollywood studios.

The Changing Face of Studio Video Sales: Grow New Markets, Push High Definition, Get Interactive found the following:

By 2009, a worldwide retail value of US$50 Billion is forecasted for annual sales of Hollywood video content sold at retail.

By 2009, 41% of US TV Households will be watching movies on HDTV displays.

DVD players that support HDMI deliver High Definition quality today, so next-generation High Definition optical products will need to provide "something more".

Over 40% of Japanese households will have wide-screen HDTV sets by 2009, and Europe and other Asian markets are already seeing robust sales of HDTV displays.

Portable player products and online download services are likely to lead industry growth, especially in Europe and Asia.

The bulk of the Hollywood movie and TV show DVD market value comes from just six countries: Japan, the United States, Canada, the UK, France and Germany.

The intense media interest in next-generation optical disc formats is selling lots of magazines, but will not have much impact on the Hollywood "packaged goods" business until late in the decade.

The Changing Face of Studio Video Sales: Grow New Markets, Push High Definition, Get Interactive covers the market for movie studio video sales. It includes analysis of technology and market trends for the number of TV Households, by region, that have at least one wide-screen HDTV-capable video display. The report also forecasts annual retail sales of Hollywood video products by category and by region through 2009. Profiles of major players in the home video industry are also provided.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c29289

Posted by Nana at 06:09 PM | DVD Disc Sales Value Slows, But New Technologies Will Spur International Growth | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Envision Peripherals Inc. (EPI), home to the AOC and Envision brand of display devices, has the solution for consumers hoping a flat-screen TV will be under the tree this holiday despite what some are calling a "cost-conscious Christmas." EPI's AOC A27W221, 27-inch LCD bucks the trend of rising prices by offering a state-of-the art high-definition ready flat-screen TV with a suggested retail of just $699.00.

"Envision is committed to offering products that combine the latest features and top-of-the line performance with exceptional value," said Michael Lien, GM, USA Brand Sales, Envision Peripherals. "Flat-screen TV is the number one gift on shopping lists of consumers who want electronics products this holiday season, and now they won't have to wait or delay their purchase any longer."

The new 27-inch HDTV-ready LCD is designed to provide years of enjoyment for the entire family. This widescreen model with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels is a stunning focal point for any room in the home. Its impressive response time means viewers always get perfect clarity, even when watching fast-paced sports events or action movies. Best of all, the extremely-wide viewing angle means everyone in the room shares the best seat in the house.

Multiple inputs let consumers add a satellite/cable receiver, a DVD, game console or even a PC. Plus, the unit allows multitasking with PIP (Picture-in-Picture), POP (Picture-over-Picture) and PBP (Picture-by-Picture) functionality so users can work on a PC while watching a movie or view a game and a movie simultaneously. However it's used, the AOC A27W221, 27-inch LCD lets consumers enjoy entertainment via 10-watt speakers with lifelike surround sound.

The new AOC TV is available at leading retail outlets including CompUSA, Staples, BrandsMart USA, Costco, ABC Warehouse, Conn's Appliance, Fry's, Nebraska Furniture Mart and other national and regional retailers, as well as from Amazon.com, PCConnection.com, NewEgg.com, TigerDirect.com and other online retailers.

Here are some other ideas and selections from EPI that will wow everyone on your holiday list:

With the launch of apple's new video plaing ipod came the release of itunes 6, and the ability to download music videos, tv shows, and movie shorts.

According to apple, there are currently 2000 music videos availabe for purchase on itunes. Each video costs $1.99 to download. When compared to the price and length of tv episodes (which also sell for $1.99 an episode), this price seems bit steep. But maybe another way to look at it is that you are getting a 99 cent song and the $1 extra is for the video.

The current collection of TV shows all come from ABC and include the following shows:

Currently has 3 episodes from Desprate housewives Season 2. You can download all of Desprate housewives season 1, with 23 episodes for $34.99

Currently has 3 Lost episodes from Season 2. You can download all of Lost season 1, with 25 episodes for $34.99

2 episodes from the current season of Night Stalker are available.

Offers a partial set of season 3's episodes. There are currently 14 that's so raven shows available for download.

15 Episodes of The suite life are available for download




Apple to give TiVo some competition?
From what they've been able to do with the music aspect of iTunes, it's very easy to see how Apple could be seen as a competitor to TiVo, especially with its TiVoToGo service.

"We think this is a real breakthrough,...It's never before been done, where you can buy hit prime-time TV shows the day after they're broadcast." Steve Jobs

I couldn't agree more with Jobs. As more tv networks get on board, the selection of tv shows available for download will increase to a point where you should be able to find most of the hot shows you want on itunes. Of course this will only be work for a certain type of tv viewer. At this point in time all new shows are only downloadable the day after the show airs. The video quality and resolution also means that this content will only be viewed on the ipod. If Apple wanted to, I'm sure they could work to secure rights to make higher resolution versions available for pc viewing. Quicktime 7 already includes the ability to play HD quality video. Taking all this to the next step could be exactly what the industry needs to get people used to buying video content online, instead of downloading them for free on some P2P network.


Other Directions for video content.
Apple already has a large collection of trailiers online at http://www.apple.com/trailers/ This content is also available in itune, but right now only for viewing in itunes. The next logical step I'd see would be for apple to make these available for downloading into the new ipod. Traillers should of couse be free downloads, and will serve as a way to increase the amount of video content users can access on their new ipods. I'd assume this would help sales. Also if the movie studios have been paying apple to host their trailers, this will just serve as extra bang for the buck.

Other Sites discussing this issue:
Big news from Apple -- moving towards becoming a Media Center? (PVRblog)

The other big milestone is that iTunes now offers TV Show downloads. This is really big, almost as big as the launch of the iTunes Music Store in the first place. more...

Today, it's "Desperate Housewives" & "Lost." Tomorrow, it's ... ? (Jim Hill Media)

After yesterday's announcements by Steve Jobs and Bob Iger, Roger Colton wonders if it won�t too be long before consumers will be able to purchase their favorite videos right from the comfort of their own desktop� more..

2006: The Year of Vidcasting and Advercasting (Micro Persuasion)

Marketers will also jump feet first into advercasting. And why not? They already have vast libraries of video available at their disposal from years of TV and rich media advertising. Imagine if the now defunct BMW films republished their webisodes in vidcast form. I would love to subscribe to these via RSS in iTunes and consume it all on the go on a video-capable iPod. Of course, citizens will jump into the act with their own advercasts as well. more...

Posted by Nana at 10:21 AM | Apple's TV deals for the new ipod and what the future may hold | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

According to a news article at Mercury News "Well-placed industry sources confirmed Friday that the Los Gatos company is close to launching an on-demand rental service that is paired with a Netflix-provided television set-top box."

This confirms our report on the glitch in Netflix that exposed parts of the upcoming service. The Netflix Player glitch was first reported on hackingnetflix two weeks ago.

The new service doesn't seem like it will be grand in nature, and will probable not give customers access to the latest movie releases. This is hinted at by Netflix spokesman Ken Ross, "We have said we're committed to testing a product this year and we expect the test to be of a very modest nature''. At any rate, whatever service Netflix launches, will give it the launch pad it needs to experiment and fine turn their system for the day when the major movie studios provide someday access to video on demand ( VOD ) versions of their latest releases as soon as the DVD versions are available.

Posted by Nana at 09:54 AM | Industry sources confirm Netflix on demand service about to launch | TrackBacks (0)

Netflix, Inc., the world's largest online movie rental service, announced the appointment of Peggy Fry as vice president of advertising sales, a new position created to provide relevant advertisers with opportunities to gain exposure to the company's more than three million subscribers.

Netflix said it will offer advertisers a range of options, from placements in emails to its members to presence on its trademark red mailers and positioning on its Web site (www.netflix.com).

Ms. Fry brings deep sales, Internet and entertainment industry experience to the new post. From 1997 to 2003, she held a series of increasingly senior sales positions at America Online, including vice president of interactive marketing for the AOL Entertainment Group. In this role, she was responsible for all of AOL's movie studio sales, covering both filmed and home entertainment.

Since 2003, Ms. Fry has served as president of Smashing Entertainment, a film production and co-financing company she helped create to produce films for television and theatrical distribution. The company's productions have appeared at the Sundance Film Festival and on Showtime, as well as direct-to-DVD. Earlier in her career, Ms. Fry held sales positions at several large print publishing concerns, including Hearst Publishing, Family Media and Lang Communications.

At Netflix, Ms. Fry will be based at the company's Beverly Hills office.

"Netflix's large and growing subscriber base offers a strong advertising platform, particularly for entertainment and other consumer-oriented marketers," said Ms. Fry. "We'll work with advertisers to deliver messages that are both relevant and interesting and add value to the Netflix customer experience."

About Netflix

Netflix is the world's largest online movie rental service, providing more than three million subscribers access to over 45,000 DVD titles. Under the company's most popular program, for $17.99 a month, Netflix subscribers rent as many DVDs as they want and keep them as long as they want, with three movies out at a time. There are no due dates, no late fees and no shipping fees. DVDs are delivered for free by the USPS from regional shipping centers located throughout the United States. Netflix can reach nearly 90 percent of its subscribers with generally one business-day delivery. Netflix offers personalized movie recommendations to its members and has more than 500 million movie ratings. Netflix also allows members to share and recommend movies to one another through its Friends(TM) feature. For more information, visit www.netflix.com.

Posted by Nana at 12:03 AM | Netflix appoints Peggy Fry as vice president of advertising sales | TrackBacks (0)

Online retail companies team to promote each other's core businesses

Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) and Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) announced a joint promotional agreement covering their core online movie businesses --Walmart.com's movie sales and Netflix's DVD movie rentals. Now, these two online retail companies, each with strong, complementary expertise in online movie services, are engaging in a promotional arrangement to market one another's key movie business at their respective websites.

As movie sales at Walmart.com continue to accelerate, the company is strengthening its commitment to this core business, and as a result, is discontinuing the Wal-Mart DVD Rentals service. Walmart.com's existing DVD Rentals customers will be offered the option to become Netflix subscribers at their current Wal-Mart rate for one year from the date they sign-up. Via its website (www.walmart.com/movies), Walmart.com will also promote and refer customers interested in online DVD rentals to Netflix.

In return, Netflix will promote Wal-Mart's online movie sales business, including the pre-order price guarantee option at Walmart.com, both at its website (www.netflix.com) and in mailers sent to Netflix subscribers. The pre-order price guarantee ensures customers the lowest available price on pre-order movies.

"We've experienced tremendous growth in our online movie sales, and are committed to enhancing our focus in this business at Walmart.com. We're equally excited to team with Netflix, the pioneer of online movie rentals, which not only distinguishes both of our core online competencies, but offers a complementary solution of value, service, and convenience to customers," said John Fleming, Wal-Mart's executive vice president and chief marketing officer who also oversees Walmart.com at the executive level.

Added Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings, "This agreement bolsters both Netflix's leadership in DVD movie rentals and Wal-Mart's strong movie sales business, while providing customers even more choices and convenience. Both companies will continue to expand their respective leads in providing the best in movie entertainment to millions of online customers."

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. Internationally, the company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company's securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.

About Netflix
Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) is the world's largest online movie rental service, providing more than three million subscribers access to over 40,000 DVD titles. Under the company's most popular program, for $17.99 a month, Netflix subscribers rent as many DVDs as they want and keep them as long as they want, with three movies out at a time. There are no due dates, no late fees and no shipping fees. DVDs are delivered for free by the USPS from regional shipping centers located throughout the United States. Netflix can reach nearly 90 percent of its subscribers with generally one business-day delivery. Netflix offers personalized movie recommendations to its members and has more than 500 million movie ratings. Netflix also allows members to share and recommend movies to one another through its Friends� feature. For more information, visit www.netflix.com.

Posted by Nana at 10:26 AM | Walmart.com and Netflix Announce New DVD Promotional Agreement | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Companies Also to Swap Certain Cable Systems and Unwind Comcast's Interests in Time Warner Cable and Time Warner Entertainment Company
Transactions to Expand Both Companies' Cable Footprints and Enhance Their Geographic Subscriber Clusters, Speeding the Delivery of New Products in Areas Currently Served by Adelphia

Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX) and Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq:CMCSA, CMCSK) announced that they have reached definitive agreements to acquire substantially all the assets of Adelphia Communications Corporation (OTC: ADELQ) for a total of $12.7 billion in cash and 16% of the common stock of Time Warner's cable subsidiary, Time Warner Cable Inc. Time Warner Cable and Comcast also will swap certain cable systems. In addition, Time Warner Cable will redeem Comcast's interests of 17.9% in Time Warner Cable and 4.7% in Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. (TWE) (together an effective 21% economic ownership of Time Warner Cable) in an efficient and mutually beneficial way.

These transactions will serve to expand both companies' cable footprints and improve the geographic clusters of their subscribers. Importantly, consumers in areas now served by Adelphia will benefit significantly from the accelerated deployment of video, high-speed data, voice and other advanced services.

As a result of these transactions, Time Warner Cable will gain systems passing approximately 7.5 million homes, with approximately 3.5 million basic subscribers. Time Warner Cable will then manage a total of approximately 14.4 million well-clustered basic subscribers. Time Warner will own 84% of Time Warner Cable's common stock, and the cable company will become a publicly traded company at the time of closing.

Comcast will emerge from these transactions with approximately 1.8 million additional basic subscribers for a net cash investment of approximately $1.5 billion. Following these transactions, Comcast will serve a total of approximately 23.3 million customers. Comcast's clusters in Washington, D.C., Florida, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania will be enhanced, and Comcast will divest its interests in Time Warner Cable and TWE in transactions designed to be tax-free to all parties. Comcast's attributable subscribers, as calculated under the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, will remain under 30% of the multi-channel video subscribers in the United States.

Time Warner Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dick Parsons said: "I'm very pleased that we're able to take full advantage of this unique opportunity to grow our company at a fair price and move it forward - strategically, operationally and financially. Consistent with our strategy, these transactions will better position us to compete, improve returns and create shareholder value. At Time Warner Cable, we'll gain important scale, enhance our subscriber clusters and accelerate growth. As we plan the smooth integration of these new cable systems, we'll stay focused on meeting all of Time Warner's financial and operational objectives, while evaluating how to best employ our significant remaining capacity to improve shareholder returns. My thanks to Brian Roberts and his Comcast team for being such fine partners in this process that produced beneficial results for both companies."

Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast, said: "These transactions underscore our belief that there has never been a better time to be in the cable business. Adding these subscribers, many of whom are in high-growth, geographically desirable areas, will allow us to roll out our new products and services rapidly. Our vision remains to provide customers with more choice and control of their entertainment and communication services, and to generate superior shareholder returns. I would like to thank Dick Parsons and everyone at Time Warner for helping to achieve such a positive outcome for all parties."

Terms of Proposed Transactions

In the proposed transactions:

• Time Warner Cable and Comcast will each acquire a portion of Adelphia's assets, representing approximately 5.0 million basic cable subscribers in the aggregate. Time Warner Cable will pay $9.2 billion in cash and will issue common shares representing 16% of Time Warner Cable's outstanding common equity (taking into account the redemption transaction with Comcast) to Adelphia stakeholders in connection with its acquisition agreement. Comcast will pay $3.5 billion in cash.
• Time Warner Cable and Comcast have agreed to swap certain cable systems to enhance their respective geographic clusters of subscribers.
• Time Warner Cable will redeem Comcast's 17.9% interest in Time Warner Cable, now held in an FCC-mandated trust, in exchange for a subsidiary holding Time Warner Cable systems serving nearly 600,000 subscribers, as well as approximately $1.856 billion in cash.
• TWE will redeem Comcast's 4.7% interest in TWE, now held in an FCC-mandated trust, in exchange for cable systems serving more than 150,000 subscribers, as well as approximately $133 million in cash.
• Comcast's net cash investment in these transactions will be $1.5 billion.
• The purchase of the Adelphia assets is not dependent on the occurrence of the system swaps and redemption transactions between Time Warner and Comcast.

Steve Burke, Chief Operating Officer of Comcast, said, "The Adelphia transaction, the various system swaps, and the redemption of our Time Warner Cable interests will allow us to enhance our key clusters. It is truly a perfect fit. We look forward to quickly integrating the 1.8 million additional subscribers just as we did when we acquired AT&T Broadband and its 13 million subscribers in 2002. Most importantly, we look forward to providing all our subscribers, both old and new, with a complete suite of integrated communications and entertainment products."

Don Logan, Chairman of Time Warner's Media & Communications Group, said: "We like the cable business. It's the only platform today that can deliver enhanced digital video, high-speed data and voice services to consumers, and we have great confidence in its future. Our newly acquired systems will give us a bigger and better-clustered cable footprint, built around five large clusters, including New York City and Los Angeles. Together with Glenn Britt and the Time Warner Cable team, we'll bring our experience in innovation and proven operating track record to improving and growing the performance of these new systems."

Outcome for Time Warner

When these transactions close, Time Warner will own 84% of Time Warner Cable's common stock, which will continue to consist of Class A shares and Class B super-voting shares. The remaining 16% of Time Warner Cable's common equity initially will be owned by Adelphia stakeholders and is expected to be publicly traded in the form of Class A shares. In addition to its 84% stake in the publicly traded Time Warner Cable, Time Warner also will own a direct non-voting common equity interest of approximately $2.9 billion in a subsidiary of Time Warner Cable. The acquisition will be accounted for as an asset purchase. Time Warner said that it expects to retain significant financial flexibility, while maintaining its strong investment-grade debt rating.

Taking into account the proposed acquisition, swaps and redemptions, on a net basis, Time Warner Cable will gain approximately 3.5 million basic video subscribers. Specifically, Time Warner Cable will add around 3 million Adelphia subscribers and more than 1 million Comcast subscribers, and will give Comcast approximately 750,000 current Time Warner Cable subscribers. It will then manage a total of approximately 14.4 million basic subscribers - 12.9 million consolidated and 1.5 million in 50%-owned continuing joint ventures with Comcast. That will make Time Warner Cable the second-largest multi-channel video provider in the U.S. - ahead of all other cable operators, except for Comcast, and ahead of both major satellite companies.

Once these transactions are complete, 85% of Time Warner Cable's managed subscribers will be located in five large clusters, including (in round numbers): 3.1 million in New York, 2.6 million in Texas, 2.4 million in California, 2.3 million in Ohio and 1.9 million in the Carolinas. Time Warner Cable will be the largest cable provider in both New York City and Los Angeles, cities which anchor the country's two largest designated market areas (DMAs).

As part of his current duties as Chairman of Time Warner's Media & Communications Group, Mr. Logan will become non-executive Chairman of Time Warner Cable's board of directors. Glenn Britt, who now serves as Time Warner Cable's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will remain Chief Executive Officer and also will be named President.

Mr. Britt said: "We're very excited about this opportunity and look forward to taking over the day-to-day management of these new systems. Over the last few months, we've done extensive due diligence on the Adelphia properties and have a very realistic view of how we can create new value. We expect a smooth integration, and we'll quickly bring greater choice to consumers with our popular enhanced digital video and high-speed data services. We also are well positioned to compete effectively for telephone customers with our new Digital Phone service. We have the technological, managerial and operational expertise that will allow us to drive penetration rates and improve performance."

Outcome for Comcast

Taking into account the proposed acquisition, swaps and redemptions, on a net basis, Comcast will gain approximately 1.8 million basic video subscribers. Specifically, Comcast will add approximately 2.1 million Adelphia subscribers through the acquisition and the swap, and approximately 750,000 Time Warner cable subscribers through the redemptions of Comcast's interest in Time Warner Cable and TWE and the swap. Comcast will give Time Warner more than 1 million subscribers. Comcast will serve approximately 23.3 million owned and operated subscribers and be attributed with approximately 3.5 million additional subscribers held in various partnerships. Comcast will remain the largest multi-channel video provider in the U.S. and the nation's largest high-speed Internet provider. As a result of these transactions, Comcast will expand its presence in such key geographic areas as Washington D.C., West Palm Beach, Boston and Pittsburgh.

Approvals and Advisors

These transactions between Time Warner Cable, Comcast and Adelphia are subject to customary regulatory review and approvals, including Hart-Scott-Rodino, FCC and local franchise approvals, as well as the Adelphia bankruptcy process, which involves approvals by the bankruptcy court having jurisdiction of Adelphia's Chapter 11 case and Adelphia's creditors. Closing is expected in about 9 to 12 months.

Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers acted as financial advisors to Time Warner. The Blackstone Group acted as financial advisor to Comcast on the Adelphia transaction and assisted on Time Warner. Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisor to Comcast on the Time Warner transaction and assisted on Adelphia. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is legal advisor to Time Warner. Davis Polk & Wardwell is legal advisor to Comcast. Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP advised Comcast on bankruptcy-related issues.

Subscriber Information

The subscriber information contained herein with regard to reporting basic video subscribers has been approximated because each company uses somewhat different methodologies with respect to reporting subscriber counts of multiple-dwelling units. Time Warner will provide additional information with respect to its subscriber count methodology and the impact of these transactions in materials furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and in a conference call for investors scheduled for today (see details below).

About Time Warner Inc.

Time Warner Inc. is a leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include interactive services, cable systems, filmed entertainment, television networks and publishing.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation is the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 21.5 million cable customers and 7 million high-speed Internet customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, Outdoor Life Network, G4, AZN Television, TV One and four Comcast SportsNets. The Company also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

About Time Warner Cable Inc.

Time Warner Cable owns or manages cable systems serving 10.9 million subscribers in 27 states, which include some of the most technologically advanced, best-clustered cable systems in the country with more than 75% of the Company's customers in systems of 300,000 subscribers or more. Utilizing a fully upgraded advanced cable network and a steadfast commitment to providing consumers with choice, value and world-class customer service, Time Warner Cable is an industry leader in delivering advanced products and services such as video on demand, high-definition television, digital video recorders, high-speed data, wireless home networking and Digital Phone. Time Warner Cable is a majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.

Information on Conference Calls

Time Warner's management will discuss today's announcement on a conference call for investors at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 21, 2005. The dial-in numbers are: Domestic - (888) 566 1710 and International - (773) 799 3956. The Passcode is "Time Warner Investor."

Please dial in at least ten minutes before the call's scheduled start time to ensure you are connected by the start of the meeting. Slide presentations to accompany the conference call, as well as a live audio webcast of the conference call, will be available online at www.timewarner.com/investors. To listen to the live webcast, please go to the Web site 15 minutes prior to the start of the presentation to register, download and install any necessary software. Members of the media are invited to listen to this conference call.

A Comcast conference call for investors and analysts will be held at 9:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 21, 2005. Members of the media are invited to listen to this conference call.

The conference call will be broadcast live via the Company's Investor Relations Web site at www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com. A recording of the call will be available on the Investor Relations Web site starting at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 21, 2005.

Those parties interested in participating via telephone should dial (866) 206 2777. A telephone replay will begin immediately following the call and will be available until Friday, April 22, 2005 at midnight ET. To access the rebroadcast, please dial (630) 652 3000 and enter Passcode number 11528460#.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the current expectations and beliefs of the management of Time Warner and Comcast, respectively, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances.

Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to the bankruptcy court approval process, regulatory review and approval process and changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or other regulatory factors, as well as other factors affecting the operation of the businesses of Time Warner Inc. and Comcast Corporation. More detailed information about these factors may be found in the respective filings by Time Warner and Comcast with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including their most recent annual reports on Form 10-K. Time Warner and Comcast are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any such obligation to, update or alter the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

DISTRIBUTION OF PRINCIPAL PROPERTIES

To Time Warner
--------------

From Adelphia
New York (principally Buffalo)
California (principally Los Angeles)
Ohio (principally Cleveland)
Carolinas
Maine (Portland-Bangor)

From Comcast
Dallas
Los Angeles
Cleveland

To Comcast
----------

From Adelphia
Florida (principally Palm Beach and Miami)
Virginia (principally D.C. area)
New England (Boston area, Hartford area, Vermont)
Pennsylvania (principally Pittsburgh area,
Johnstown area and Scranton area)
Colorado Springs

From Time Warner
Minneapolis
Memphis
Jackson
Louisiana (principally Shreveport and Monroe)
Florida (principally Cape Coral and St. Augustine)

Posted by Nana at 08:55 AM | Time Warner Cable and Comcast to Acquire Assets of Adelphia Communications | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

SkyStream MPEG-4 AVC Headends Integrate with Leading Set-Top Boxes to Provide Extensive Choice and Flexibility for Service Providers

NAB2005 Booth #SL2756

SkyStream(R), the leader in IP video delivery solutions, announced the integration of its MPEG-4 AVC headends, the Mediaplex(TM) and iPlex(TM) platforms, with set-top boxes from Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB), Astri, i3, Sentivision, and Thomson.

By giving service providers flexibility and choice with a wide-range of proven MPEG-4 AVC set-top box options and potential applications, SkyStream is offering a complete, interoperable solution to enable roll-out of end-to-end MPEG-4 AVC-based services. SkyStream's AVC complete solution works with any leading middleware and leading digital rights management (DRM) or conditional access (CA) solutions that service providers select for their deployments.

SkyStream's headends will provide MPEG-4 AVC encoding and transcoding to convert MPEG-2 content to an MPEG-4 format, for transmission over any type of network to an MPEG-4 set-top box. This ability to deliver high-quality content at low bit rates generates substantial bandwidth and cost savings for service providers offering IPTV, Video-on-Demand and content delivery over any last mile network. SkyStream's MPEG-4 AVC solution uses highly efficient algorithms, including CABAC and CAVLC, to produce superior broadcast video at half the bit rate of MPEG-2.

"Our integration and interoperability testing with these pioneering set-top box manufacturers will give service providers the confidence they need to adopt new technologies that enhance their businesses with new offerings," said Francois Modarresse, director of marketing, SkyStream. "MPEG-4 AVC allows telcos and IPTV service providers to use their existing broadband networks to deliver broadcast-quality video services. SkyStream and its partners make simple, cost-effective MPEG-4 AVC deployment possible in any network."

"Interoperability with SkyStream's MPEG-4 AVC solutions increases the options available to the market and enables our service operator customers to run their networks more efficiently," said William Luehrs, President of ADB Americas. "This venture with SkyStream is an important step in making the upgrade from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 an easy and painless process for service providers."

"Products and applications using ASTRI's state-of-the-art AVC codec technology and STB reference design will benefit immediately from improved video quality and reduced cost," said Dr. Shen-Chang Chao, Vice President of Communications and Application Software, Wireless Technology of ASTRI. "Since our solution is 100% software programmable, products that utilize our solution will also benefit from continued improvement and innovation on the algorithmic front in the future."

SkyStream's MPEG-4 AVC real-time encoder submodules operate in its Mediaplex-20 and iPlex headends. The compact size of the MPEG-4 AVC submodules -- the industry's smallest broadcast-quality MPEG-4 encoders -- enable the high density of SkyStream's headends. The Mediaplex headend supports 48 encoders in a single chassis, and the iPlex ultra-compact headend supports eight encoders in a single rack-unit.

"i3 is pleased that its Mood(TM) 300 MPEG-4 AVC IP Set-top Box is part of the MPEG-4 demo at NAB and SkyStream's advanced encoding ecosystem. Commercial availability of advanced encoding and decoding technology is key for leading IPTV service providers," says Jan Werne, CEO, i3 micro technology.

A demonstration of SkyStream's complete MPEG-4 AVC solution will be shown at SkyStream's booth #SL2756 in the South Hall during NAB 2005, April 18 to 21. There will be an appointment-only demonstration of MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 AVC transcoding, an industry first, at the show. Please inquire at SkyStream's booth for more information.

MPEG-4 capabilities are available on set-top boxes from the following manufacturers:

-- ADB's iCAN 3100 series: a highly-configurable digital set-top box for telecommunications and broadcast operators that delivers MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC video decoding and can combine IP video reception with video broadcast via terrestrial or satellite and interactive services, such as online gaming, e-mail and T-commerce.

-- Astri IP Set Top Box: an affordable and cost effective IP set-top-box platform with a wide range of applications including IPTV and Video-On-Demand; with upgradeable multiple codecs to provide flexible types of media service support; along with easy integration and expansion to triple play.

-- i3's Mood 300 series: shipping in June, the Mood 300 set top and the optional PVR capability is based on i3's experience in over 40 commercial telco IP TV deployments. Using downloadable codecs for both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 gives service providers media flexibility and extended product life.

-- Sentivison's SV-510: the Sentivision SV-510 has successfully completed interoperability testing with the SkyStream MPEG-4 AVC encoder and supports Video-on-Demand, IPTV and Web browsing. Sentivision is an innovative provider of cutting-edge media technologies and products for the digital entertainment market.

-- Thomson's IP1001: a flexible and affordable IP set-top box that delivers standard and high-definition television, expands broadband services and allows operators to deploy new services and hardware variations such as tuners and hard disc drives for multi-service applications including VOD, PVR and home networking.

"Our collaboration with SkyStream allows network operators to deliver advanced television services with bandwidth efficiency," said Keith Wehmeyer, General Manager, IP Video North America, Thomson. "Implementing IPTV requires an integrated encoder and decoder package, and the SkyStream MPEG-4 AVC solution combined with the IP1100 advanced compression set-top box enables service providers to provide high-definition content over their existing networks."

To arrange for a demonstration, for pricing and additional information, please send email to SkyStream at info@skystream.com or call (408) 616-3300.

About SkyStream

SkyStream provides IP video delivery platforms that enable service providers to transform their business by offering IPTV and MPEG-4 Video Services. SkyStream's products lower opex and capex costs by 40 - 50% and optimize video delivery over any last mile network: zBand(TM) content delivery software for PUSH video on demand; Mediaplex-20(TM) and iPlex(TM) switched digital video headends and the Source Media Router series of IP Encapsulation solutions. SkyStream is the fastest-growing provider of IP video solutions with over 250 customers.

SkyStream's website can be found on the Internet at www.skystream.com.

Posted by Nana at 08:45 AM | SkyStream Offers Complete MPEG-4 AVC Solution for IPTV | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bill Expected to Quickly End Hollywood Litigation; Company Also Announces Parents Television Council Seal of Approval and New Product Introduction

ClearPlay Inc., the leader in parental control technology, applauded the passage of The Family Movie Act today as part of the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act. Passage of the bill is expected to result in dismissal of the lawsuit filed against ClearPlay by eight Hollywood movie studios and the Directors Guild of America in September 2002. The bill will not affect companies in the litigation that edit and rent or resell DVDs.

"This is tremendous news for ClearPlay and a real victory for families," said CEO Bill Aho. "This ensures that parents will have the tools to control the movie content their families and children see in their own home. And it means ClearPlay has a clear path to more significant business development opportunities."

The Family Movie Act was introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) and sponsored in the Senate by Orrin Hatch (R-UT). The bill clarifies the Copyright Act to guarantee the legality of technologies that filter unwanted content in movies in the home. The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act also includes several movie anti-piracy provisions, which also were supported by ClearPlay.

The legislation has received substantial support from many family and parenting organizations, including the Parents Television Council, Focus on the Family, Kids First!, OneMillionMoms.com and Viewer Freedom. "We especially want to thank the thousands of individuals, including many ClearPlay customers, who took the time to call, write and email their elected officials to voice support for the Family Movie Act," added Aho. "This grassroots involvement really made a difference."

The support of the Parents Television Council was particularly timely. The PTC recently recognized ClearPlay as the first product ever to receive its coveted Parents Television Council Seal of Approval, previously awarded to television shows and movies. "The ClearPlay product is a clear winner for parents who want to shield their children from graphic and gratuitous sex, violence and profanity," PTC Executive Director Tim Winter said. "This product puts families in control of the content that their children are watching ... and is an excellent resource for concerned parents."

This was a big week for Salt Lake City-based ClearPlay. The company also announced the introduction of a new ClearPlay product to hit the market in June of this year. Under the ClearPlay brand name, the player includes a USB jump drive for portable flash memory. The drive can be used to easily move the latest ClearPlay Filters from your PC or laptop to the player, or to view digital photos on your television. "The ClearPlay USB DVD player is a tremendous innovation for customer convenience," said company founder Matt Jarman. "It's the next generation of ClearPlay."

About ClearPlay

ClearPlay Inc., founded in 1999, develops advanced parental control technologies for consumer electronic products, including DVD players and recorders, TVs, cable and set-top boxes, digital video recorders, etc. The company's first products allow consumers to view DVDs, purchased or rented through conventional retailers, free of unwanted content. It gives consumers the ability to skip and mute over graphic violence, sex, nudity and profanity, if they choose. ClearPlay DVD players and Filters can be purchased at www.ClearPlay.com. Using ClearPlay does not touch, alter or change the DVD in any way. The technology can also be applied to cable, satellite, PVR and video on demand.

Posted by Nana at 08:42 AM | ClearPlay Applauds Passage of Family Movie Act | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

by Alan Lofft for AxiomAudio.com

Home theater is the hottest thing on the market right now - but what is it? Why would you want it? And what do you really need to get it? Below, I'll explain the basics of Home Theater.

You can have a Home Theater with a setup as simple as a TV set, a pair of stereo speakers, and a DVD player. But usually Home Theater consists of something a little more elaborate.

In fact, setting up a home theater can be entirely affordable. You likely already have at least one of the key elements-a TV set! So what else do you need and what exactly is the goal?

The goal is to duplicate, in your own home, the surround sound envelopment and integration of picture, drama, and sound that you experience in a commercial Dolby Surround movie theater, only on a smaller scale. The entertainment is for you, and your friends and family. That may sound ambitious, but surprisingly, even a basic home theater system can deliver remarkably enhanced playback of DVD movies, concerts, rental tapes and DVDs, and even TV shows like "CSI" or "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" or "Smallville" that are recorded and broadcast in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. For example, you can enter this world with an Axiom Home Theater system for well under $1,500. (You already have the TV, and very possibly a DVD player or Hi-Fi VCR.)

A basic home theater system consists of a pair of front left and right speakers on either side of the TV, a center channel speaker on top (or beneath) the TV set to anchor the actors dialogue at the TV screen no matter where you sit, a pair of smaller Surround Sound Speakers to either side of your couch that carry all the effects and ambient sound of a movie or TV show-street noises, planes flying, jungle sounds, the noise of rain, thunder, or crickets, distant explosions or rumbles of tanks, and all the myriad of other sounds that make up a complicated movie soundtrack, including, of course, the movie score, the music and rock songs that underscore the action on screen. Lastly, most home theater systems add a Subwoofer, typically a square black box that produces ultra-deep bass sounds-rumbles, storms, deep musical bass and the like.

If you've kept count, that's a total of six speakers, including the subwoofer, and it comprises "5.1-channel" sound (the .1 is the subwoofer bass channel). But all the speakers needn't be big. Because the subwoofer carries much of the low bass energy, the other "satellite" speakers can be compact and visually unobtrusive, no larger than a hardcover book.

To this mix, you must add a Dolby Digital Surround Sound Audio/Video receiver, which contains all the circuitry to "decode" the DVD or videotape movie soundtrack and effects, plus five built-in amplifiers for each of the five loudspeaker channels (the subwoofer always has its own dedicated built-in amplifier). And finally, you need a DVD player. (You can use a Hi-Fi stereo VCR, but it will only deliver analog Dolby Surround, not 5.1-channel Dolby Digital.) A DVD player is less than $100, and a Dolby Digital/dts A/V receiver can be had for $200 or more. To that, add perhaps $1,254 for an Axiom Epic Midi Home Theater System, including the powered subwoofer. That's it - a complete surround sound home theater system. Dim the lights, micro the popcorn. Let the show begin!

For more information on Axiom Audio, visit AxiomAudio.com

Confused about which home theater is right for you? Check out the Axiom Home Theater Wizard.

Posted by Nana at 03:45 PM | Home Theater Basics - What you need to establish a home theater | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Scientific-Atlanta chosen to support Project Lightspeed based on extensive video network experience

Scientific-Atlanta announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with SBC Communications, Inc. to design, build and activate the IP video super hub offices (SHO), IP video hub offices (VHO) and IP video operations center (VOC) for its Project Lightspeed network. This advanced network will be able to deliver video, voice and data services to 18 million households in the SBC 13-state service area.

In this first-of-its-kind network, the IP video super hub offices will use Scientific-Atlanta's state-of-the-art video encoders for efficient advanced video coding (AVC) for standard-definition and high-definition transmissions, and will be capable of serving the entire SBC footprint. Additional Scientific-Atlanta advanced video encoders in the IP video hub offices, located throughout the SBC service area, will provide the essential encoding functions for locally originated content. At the IP video operations center, Scientific-Atlanta�s ROSA� Element Manager system will be used to support a broad array of network monitoring and control functions. Scientific-Atlanta�s extensive experience with video networks enables it to provide SBC companies with comprehensive, proven system integration services for the SHOs, VHOs, and the VOC.

�The SBC IPTV architecture represents a significant milestone in the delivery of video to the home over DSL. The state-of-the-art IP video super hub offices and IP video hubs we are creating will provide SBC companies with the performance needed to support services on one of the world�s most advanced video processing networks,� said Jim McDonald, chairman, president and CEO at Scientific-Atlanta. �We also look forward to working hand in hand with Alcatel and Microsoft to assist SBC companies with creating and launching an IP video system.�

About Scientific-Atlanta
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (NYSE: SFA - http://www.scientificatlanta.com) is a leading supplier of digital content contribution and distribution systems, transmission networks for broadband access to the home, digital interactive set-tops and subscriber systems designed for video, high-speed Internet and voice over IP (VoIP) networks, and worldwide customer service and support.

Posted by Nana at 11:04 PM | SBC Selects Scientific-Atlanta to Provide Video Infrastructure for New IPTV Network | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you are using optical disc technologies such as CDs and DVDs for storage, you should take a few moments to answer a quick 2 question survey being run by the Government Information Preservation Working Group (GIPWoG) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). You have until May 31st, to respond.

The DVD Association, in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is sponsoring this survey conducted by one of its� technical working groups, the Government Information Preservation Working Group (GIPWoG). GIPWoG is working with NIST to establish a long-term, or archival, standard measurement for recordable CD and DVD media. This measurement will serve as a standard industry test to determine the archival quality of recordable optical media. The test will not measure how actual media longevity, but will determine if it lasts at least a minimum number of years. The number of years used in the test standard will be determined by your responses.

Posted by Nana at 10:33 PM | Government Survey: How Long Do You Want Digital Storage Media to Last? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Brings live television broadcasts to mobile devices

Digita, Elisa, MTV, Nelonen, Nokia, Sonera and YLE (The Finnish Broadcasting Company) are starting an unique mobile TV pilot in Finland. The project tests mobile TV services and consumer experiences, as well as the underlying technology, with 500 users in the Helsinki capital region.

Selected from Sonera and Elisa mobile phone customers, the test users are able to view real-time TV and radio programs on a Nokia 7710 smartphone equipped with a special accessory to receive mobile TV broadcasts. The Nokia smartphone also enables direct links to the Internet for access to background information on TV programs or sports results. Test users have access to MTV, YLE and Nelonen programs as well as international theme channels such as CNN, BBC World, Euronews, Eurosport, ViVa Plus and Fashion TV. The pilot continues until 20 June 2005.

Elisa and Sonera are responsible for customer service, invoicing and connections to the new interactive supplementary services. Digita has designed and built the digital TV network needed for the distribution of mobile TV services and will manage the network, while Nokia will develop the mobile TV service management and smartphones that can receive mobile TV broadcasts.

The mobile TV test uses IP Datacasting (IPDC), which conforms with the DVB-H standard. At the end of 2004, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) adopted DVB-H as the standard for European mobile television services, enabling the simultaneous transmission of several television, radio and video channels to mobile devices.

First user tests promising
The first mobile TV service experiences in Finland happened via a friendly user test carried out in late 2004. The test showed that people like to watch mobile TV in cars and other means of transport and in public places such as cafes. Watching mobile TV at home and in the workplace was also common. The most usual time was in the mornings and afternoons and early evening.

The test users were interested in news, weather, sports, current issues, entertainment and drama and comedy series. Mobile TV was also considered as a complement to the traditional television. What appealed most to test users was the fact that you can watch mobile TV anywhere you like. According to the results, most of the test users would be prepared to continue using mobile TV services.

Additional information:
Finland�s mobile TV project: www.finnishmobiletv.com

Posted by Nana at 10:04 PM | Mobile TV pilot begins in Finland | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With executive leaders from the cable, Internet and satellite markets, Brightcove, Inc., was today unveiled as a new online television and video distribution company where mainstream and emerging video content publishers and programmers can offer their products directly to consumers over the Internet.

Brightcove was established to take advantage of the convergence of the Internet and television, a trend that is spawning the birth of hundreds of thousands of individual programs and channels online. The company will provide an online service that offers video publishers and programmers an Internet distribution channel for their products and will offer consumers a rich set of services for accessing and using this programming. Brightcove executives bring more than 40 years of successful experience from companies such as Allaire, ATG, British Sky Broadcasting (BskyB), Comcast, Macromedia and News Corporation.

"From production and distribution to marketing and viewing, television's business model is undergoing a significant transformation," said Jeremy Allaire, founder and CEO of Brightcove. "We are working towards a world where television and video production and distribution are much more democratized and where a creative spark, a camera, and a computer are all it takes to put television programming before the eyes of the consumer. Hundreds of mainstream video providers will make this transition, and thousands more will be born."

Brightcove also announced today that it has closed $5.5 million in Series A funding from General Catalyst Partners and Accel Partners. The funding will be used for product and service development, business development, recruiting and general operations.

Television and the Internet Converge

The market for Internet television and online video is growing significantly, as demonstrated by trends such as:

• Global adoption of broadband Internet connectivity, creating an unencumbered distribution pipe for high-quality media;
• The proliferation of home networking, connecting multiple PCs, TVs, and other devices to the network;
• The development of rich media formats that provide a quality and secure viewing experience for video across any number of devices;
• The growth of portable devices capable of carrying Internet-based video programming;
• The rapid growth in streaming video and online video and rich media advertising;
• The diminishing cost of producing quality commercial video products using inexpensive PC workstations and software

The landscape emerging from these trends is one that looks very much like the Web and Internet consumers use today; a world of open file formats and platforms available to anyone, unencumbered by physical, geographic or monopolistic constraints. Many of the thousands of companies involved in the production, packaging and distribution of television will make this shift, and many more will emerge, creating an explosion in original video programming.

Brightcove is being launched to capitalize on these converging trends and provide a service that will offer television and video publishers and programmers an Internet distribution channel for their products; and will offer consumers a rich set of services for accessing and using this programming. The Brightcove service will integrate into the broad Internet content ecosystem, and enable and service publishers of all sizes - from video bloggers, to broadcast and VOD startups, to established cable programmers.

"I haven't yet seen any of these startups straddle the whole value chain, and Brightcove might be among the first," said Rafat Ali, Publisher and Editor of Paidcontent.org. "A consumer video service, a back end service, and other allied services needed for everyone from small publishers, like bloggers, to small-to-mid sized media companies and on line VOD startups, to develop and distribute video easily and cost-effectively. In essence, an open-publishing model."

The Brightcove Team

Led by Allaire, the former chief technology officer of Macromedia and co-founder of Allaire Corp, the Brightcove founding team has more than 40 years of combined experience and successful leadership in:

• E-commerce, content management and personalization
• Rich media platforms
• Broadband consumer services
• Cable and Satellite video distribution

As part of the Series A financing, Jim Breyer of Accel Partners and David Orfao of General Catalyst Partners will be joining Brightcove's board of directors. Breyer and Orfao bring more than 20 years of experience building and supporting successful, industry leading entities including Lotus, Apple, Macromedia, Real Networks, Wal-Mart and Allaire Corp.

About Brightcove

Located in Cambridge, Mass., Brightcove (www.brightcove.com) develops services that offer television and video publishers and programmers an Internet-based distribution channel for their television products, as well as a consumer facing service for accessing and using this programming.

Posted by Nana at 02:39 PM |