First off, just what is convergence?
The word originally came from the world of math and science. Its earliest use was
by a man named William Derham, who was working at trying to measure the speed
of sound by timing the flash and the roar of a cannon. That was in the
1600's-1700's.
The term has been used in technology, business, science and journalism -
everything from explaining corporate strategy to Darwin's "The Origin of
Species" (still a "hot" topic today, what?).
What we want to approach today is convergence in the digital media.
Convergence refers to the power of digital media to combine voice, video, data,
text, and money in new applications, devices and networks.
Television is probably the most amazing invention of mankind. Sending pictures
and sound through the air has a magical quality that challenges the imagination.
Next in line is the computer. This cool electronics - that takes ones and zeros and
turns them into words, pictures, sounds, data - and places them in the palm of your
hand is nothing less than amazing in itself.
You can't leave out the telephone - which has passed from being connected by
wires to wireless voice, then audio and sounds, then video, then internet, then ....
Convergence. Convergence is taking all of these media and combining
them into one delivery system. Major companies are gearing up for entering into
this new development.
Here are some things coming up through this cool electronics melding:
o AOL is putting old TV shows on the Internet
o CBS and NBC are offering current TV shows online - and ABC, Apple and
Disney are putting shows on the new Video iPod
o Google is into offering video - Chris Rock's new show premieres online before
it is aired over regular network channels
o MTV has bought the independent film network iFilm and launches a 24/7
Internet TV Network [MTV Uber]
What does all this mean to you?
With the proper cool electronics coming available, you can expect that within ... say
five years ... your TV watching will expand beyond network - cable - satellite, and
the private video networks of companies like TiVo and RePlay - to what one person
has called "ubiquitous content." In other words, any show or video you can think of
will be delivered to you over the Internet. Think 1000 channels?!
And this Internet TV will be delivered to your home TV set (HDTV big screen) and
more. There will be gadgets and devices that hook up your TV set directly to the
Internet to deliver video directly to your set instead of your computer.
Anyone with a camera will be able to upload video to the net. You will see the good,
the bad and the ugly for awhile - but the cream will rise as they always say - and
levels of video will form into communities of like style, ability and value - all
through the new cool electronics that are becoming available now.
Sponsored videos will become more plentiful. One advertiser will supply and
sponsor programs - like the Hallmark Hall of Fame has done since the early days of
broadcasting.
Niche programs will become an important marketing tool for small companies - like
cooking shows sponsored by a local/regional grocery store - or health shows
backed by health food products. Do I hear "infomercial?" They may become the
norm. We can only hope that the creative people in our society will also be
challenged and bring us some real product that we can learn from and enjoy.
There will be improved search capabilities. you will be able to search video content
as well as titles. This will be done by transcribing dialogue into text and stored in a
database. Videos will be searched and rated just like websites are now.
Set-top boxes [like the new Brightbox] will connect you from living room to living
room by video phone and video email. Now you will have to dress up to answer
your email (at least cover up).
A user interface will become the most important feature of your TV because there
will be SO MUCH CONTENT. The interface will make suggestions based on your
mood, your astrological sign or what other people have chosen. This is already
happening in Japan.
Video communities will form to find and present content to fit various fields, moods,
interests, and levels to suit your needs.
Your home TV (DVR, DVD, Tivo, etc.) can be watched on your computer anywhere in
the world with a broadband connection and the cool electronics in devices like the
Slingbox - which is available now.
How about interactive shopping and education?
You watch a program and pause the program to respond to a commercial while you
think about it. Or - you are watching King Kong - you will be able to click on the
"King" and get a lesson about apes and their history.
TV's are being built now (in Japan) with ethernet connections. this will speed up the
connection convergence.
Of course, the commercial value of TV will not disappear. Unfortunately, it may get
more imbedded in the programming. Shopping will be made easier - with the
ability to see products in real time and real size- or at least closer to real size - and
right from your home set in your living room, kitchen or bedroom. Point and click
and buy with the new cool electronics.
Movies on the Internet
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
You're watching TV one evening scanning through the reruns
thinking it's pathetic how little there is to watch anymore when a
fantastic movie trailer comes on. It's everything you love - the right
actors, the wit, the action - and your heart beats a little faster in
anticipation - if only you could watch it RIGHT NOW!
Well, the film industry has heard you. Along with the speed of the internet, consumers have now come to a new stage of demand. It used to be that we WANTED everything immediately - now we EXPECT it.
This is not the sort of thing that goes unnoticed by industries that cater to public reception. And now it has been announced that we may not be far away from simply walking over to our computer and downloading the newest releases.
During a meeting at the Cannes Film Festival, Culture Ministers from across Europe, film industry representatives and Internet Service Providers were among those who met to discuss the possible policies needed to distribute movies online.
BBC news reports European Union media commissioner Viviane Reding as stating: "In Europe, as in other continents, the opportunities for people to enjoy films online are set to increase tremendously over the next few years".
Naturally there are still many issues to be resolved before movies are readily available to the public online. Piracy and broadband capabilities are still being questioned.
Piracy became the prominent issue when music files were being illegally shared over the internet. While the music industry fought against such services as Napster, they are still far from recovering their market revenue and the film industry is not anxious to join them.
What can't be debated is that there IS a market, and no industry likes to bypass that because of possible problems.
Right now European broadband may not be up to the task of downloading such large files but has plans to proceed with distribution soon.
In America there has already been movie distribution with the inevitable legal proceedings against individuals facilitating unauthorized downloads.
Although the fight against piracy is being taken very seriously by the industry, it is still parents who are at the forefront of setting the example and instructing children on the ethics of downloading such material. Responsibility is learned.
In any event, the next time you see a great movie advertised and you are handy to the internet, perhaps you should stay in, avoid the lines and the traffic and check it out online!
Well, the film industry has heard you. Along with the speed of the internet, consumers have now come to a new stage of demand. It used to be that we WANTED everything immediately - now we EXPECT it.
This is not the sort of thing that goes unnoticed by industries that cater to public reception. And now it has been announced that we may not be far away from simply walking over to our computer and downloading the newest releases.
During a meeting at the Cannes Film Festival, Culture Ministers from across Europe, film industry representatives and Internet Service Providers were among those who met to discuss the possible policies needed to distribute movies online.
BBC news reports European Union media commissioner Viviane Reding as stating: "In Europe, as in other continents, the opportunities for people to enjoy films online are set to increase tremendously over the next few years".
Naturally there are still many issues to be resolved before movies are readily available to the public online. Piracy and broadband capabilities are still being questioned.
Piracy became the prominent issue when music files were being illegally shared over the internet. While the music industry fought against such services as Napster, they are still far from recovering their market revenue and the film industry is not anxious to join them.
What can't be debated is that there IS a market, and no industry likes to bypass that because of possible problems.
Right now European broadband may not be up to the task of downloading such large files but has plans to proceed with distribution soon.
In America there has already been movie distribution with the inevitable legal proceedings against individuals facilitating unauthorized downloads.
Although the fight against piracy is being taken very seriously by the industry, it is still parents who are at the forefront of setting the example and instructing children on the ethics of downloading such material. Responsibility is learned.
In any event, the next time you see a great movie advertised and you are handy to the internet, perhaps you should stay in, avoid the lines and the traffic and check it out online!
Save Money by Renting your DVDs Online
Thursday, November 3, 2011
As a movie lover myself I discovered that the best way to rent
DVD movies and games in this day and age of the modern computer is by
using one of the Online DVD and Game Rental Services. If you love
watching movies or playing video games you should seriously consider one
of these rental services as a time savings convenience and value.
The two largest DVD Online Rental companies which are very well known by their 3 Million plus members is NetFlix and Blockbutster. Both services are very similar, however, NetFlix seems to be top dog as of this writing.
Some of the great benefits of Online DVD Rental includes:
Both DVD rental services, NetFlix and Blockbuter, have done a wonderful job of keeping their service simple and easy to use. By providing your basic information and then adding your favorite movies to a list or queue you can begin receiving movies right to your mailbox postage free. It's just so crazy simple!
One of the best advantages to renting your DVDs online is direct delivery to your door. Not only do you receive free shipping, you'll also get fast delivery of your DVD movies and game rentals. I always receive movies in 1-2 days and return shipping via a pre-paid envelope back to the company is delivered in a timely manner as well. This makes the DVD turnaround time very quick and your more than likely to always have a DVD movie on hand.
You may keep each DVD or Game as long as you like. Remember, there are no late fees so you are free to watch movies at your leisure. No need to feel rushed in watching your movie because the DVD does not have a required due date for return. This one feature alone is money in the bank from saved late fees. I don't know about you, but our family has paid many late fees over the years for movies that were not watched by the 1, 2 or 3 day return due date. We actually paid more in late fees than we did for the movie!
No more late fees for us! We do all of our DVD movie rental online now. It not only saves us the hassle and time from running back and forth to the nearest DVD rental store, we love the anticipation of our next DVD in the mailbox! --It's almost like Christmas...
Online DVD rental is definitely the superior choice for renting DVD movies. As long as the DVD Rental services continue to keep the process simple and easy I see Online DVD Rental as the wave of the future.
The two largest DVD Online Rental companies which are very well known by their 3 Million plus members is NetFlix and Blockbutster. Both services are very similar, however, NetFlix seems to be top dog as of this writing.
Some of the great benefits of Online DVD Rental includes:
I am confident that you will find either of these services a great resource for your own DVD and Gaming needs.
- 40,000 + movie titles- New releases
- No late fees
- Free shipping, both to you and the return shipping
- Affordable monthly plans
- No long term contracts
- Cancel membership anytime
Both DVD rental services, NetFlix and Blockbuter, have done a wonderful job of keeping their service simple and easy to use. By providing your basic information and then adding your favorite movies to a list or queue you can begin receiving movies right to your mailbox postage free. It's just so crazy simple!
One of the best advantages to renting your DVDs online is direct delivery to your door. Not only do you receive free shipping, you'll also get fast delivery of your DVD movies and game rentals. I always receive movies in 1-2 days and return shipping via a pre-paid envelope back to the company is delivered in a timely manner as well. This makes the DVD turnaround time very quick and your more than likely to always have a DVD movie on hand.
You may keep each DVD or Game as long as you like. Remember, there are no late fees so you are free to watch movies at your leisure. No need to feel rushed in watching your movie because the DVD does not have a required due date for return. This one feature alone is money in the bank from saved late fees. I don't know about you, but our family has paid many late fees over the years for movies that were not watched by the 1, 2 or 3 day return due date. We actually paid more in late fees than we did for the movie!
No more late fees for us! We do all of our DVD movie rental online now. It not only saves us the hassle and time from running back and forth to the nearest DVD rental store, we love the anticipation of our next DVD in the mailbox! --It's almost like Christmas...
Online DVD rental is definitely the superior choice for renting DVD movies. As long as the DVD Rental services continue to keep the process simple and easy I see Online DVD Rental as the wave of the future.
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