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Thursday, February 02, 2012
By Jason Knott
2012 could someday be remembered as a year of tremendous technological advancements. Today, it's just another year gone by without the Super Bowl in 3D.
How can the world's biggest television event not be a showcase for 3D, which is still trying to gain acceptance among the public? Here is my analysis.
Broadcasters have given up on 3D: Fox, NBC, CBS and even Disney-owned ABC and ESPN have concluded that 3D is for watching Blu-ray movies in home theaters, not television programming.
No demand for 3D: There isn't even an IMAX theater putting the game up in 3D. Of course, they can't unless NBC was broadcasting it, but if there was demand and if they could make money from it, I am sure they would do it.
The Super Bowl is a group-watching event not suited for 3D: You can't have a Super Bowl party and expect to have a pair of glasses for everyone in the room, not to mention off-axis viewing. Will glasses-free 3D change this? Perhaps.
Commercials Aren't shot in 3D. This might be the biggest reason of all since a 30-second spot will cost nearly $4 million this year. Many people watch the Super Bowl solely for the commercials (check out our roundup of the Top 5 Super Bowl Technology Commercials Ever). NBC doesn't want the lack of 3D commercials to inhibit any advertisers.
I guess we all have to settle on watching this epic Eli Manning vs. Tom Brady matchup in…
How can the world's biggest television event not be a showcase for 3D, which is still trying to gain acceptance among the public? Here is my analysis.
Broadcasters have given up on 3D: Fox, NBC, CBS and even Disney-owned ABC and ESPN have concluded that 3D is for watching Blu-ray movies in home theaters, not television programming.
No demand for 3D: There isn't even an IMAX theater putting the game up in 3D. Of course, they can't unless NBC was broadcasting it, but if there was demand and if they could make money from it, I am sure they would do it.
The Super Bowl is a group-watching event not suited for 3D: You can't have a Super Bowl party and expect to have a pair of glasses for everyone in the room, not to mention off-axis viewing. Will glasses-free 3D change this? Perhaps.
Commercials Aren't shot in 3D. This might be the biggest reason of all since a 30-second spot will cost nearly $4 million this year. Many people watch the Super Bowl solely for the commercials (check out our roundup of the Top 5 Super Bowl Technology Commercials Ever). NBC doesn't want the lack of 3D commercials to inhibit any advertisers.
I guess we all have to settle on watching this epic Eli Manning vs. Tom Brady matchup in…
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
By Steve Crowe
Super Bowl XLVI between the New England Patriots and New York Giants, which takes place Sunday, Feb. 5 2012 at 6:30 p.m. (ET), is going to set a record as the most-watched program in television history, according to Media Life's annual pre-Super Bowl poll.
It will be the third straight year that the Super Bowl has set that record. Experts are saying the Super Bowl will draw 113-plus viewers, which would break last year's mark by more than two million viewers.
There are a lot of football fans in this country, but certainly not that many. Some people turn in just to watch the commercials, which will reportedly cost $3.5 million per 30 seconds this time around.
We thought it would be fun to round up the best technology ads that ran during the Super Bowl. Let us know how we did. What is your favorite Super Bowl technology commercial of all-time?
5. Intel - Lunch Room (2010)
It's never fun to hear someone talking smack about you. Not even if you're a robot named Jeffrey.
4. Xerox - Photocopying Monk (1976)
I was a mere twinkle in my father's eye in 1976, but by all accounts, the Xerox 9200 was revolutionary for its speed and accuracy in producing photocopies. Technology sure has come a long way in 36 years.
3. Hulu - Alien Plot (2009)
Starring Alec Baldwin, Hulu's "Alien Plot" video in 2009 promised to turn human brains…
It will be the third straight year that the Super Bowl has set that record. Experts are saying the Super Bowl will draw 113-plus viewers, which would break last year's mark by more than two million viewers.
There are a lot of football fans in this country, but certainly not that many. Some people turn in just to watch the commercials, which will reportedly cost $3.5 million per 30 seconds this time around.
We thought it would be fun to round up the best technology ads that ran during the Super Bowl. Let us know how we did. What is your favorite Super Bowl technology commercial of all-time?
5. Intel - Lunch Room (2010)
It's never fun to hear someone talking smack about you. Not even if you're a robot named Jeffrey.
4. Xerox - Photocopying Monk (1976)
I was a mere twinkle in my father's eye in 1976, but by all accounts, the Xerox 9200 was revolutionary for its speed and accuracy in producing photocopies. Technology sure has come a long way in 36 years.
3. Hulu - Alien Plot (2009)
Starring Alec Baldwin, Hulu's "Alien Plot" video in 2009 promised to turn human brains…
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Photo via Device Magazine
By Rachel Cericola
The rumor that Netflix will offer 3D streaming is certainly nothing new. But CEO Reed Hastings is fueling the fire, saying Netflix is indeed working on a little something for its 3D-capable subscribers.
In a conference call last week, Hastings said (via GigaOM) Netflix is renting 3D Blu-rays. He couldn’t comment on the popularity of that offering, only saying that disc rentals were down overall. “On streaming, that is definitely something we can do and we will be looking at,” Hastings said.
You probably shouldn’t hold your breath. After all, Netflix said it was planning to offer game rentals, and that is not happening. Hastings made that announcement during the same call. Netflix first said it would pursue that option during last summer’s Quickster fiasco.
There’s no word on how far off 3D streaming is (or if it will ever happen). For now, Netflix plans to keep popping up on more devices, as well as launch Netflix for Kids. Netflix is also working on creating separate streaming queues for families and adding more original programming to its lineup.
Will 3D Netflix streaming breathe any life into 3D? Sound off in the comments.
In a conference call last week, Hastings said (via GigaOM) Netflix is renting 3D Blu-rays. He couldn’t comment on the popularity of that offering, only saying that disc rentals were down overall. “On streaming, that is definitely something we can do and we will be looking at,” Hastings said.
You probably shouldn’t hold your breath. After all, Netflix said it was planning to offer game rentals, and that is not happening. Hastings made that announcement during the same call. Netflix first said it would pursue that option during last summer’s Quickster fiasco.
There’s no word on how far off 3D streaming is (or if it will ever happen). For now, Netflix plans to keep popping up on more devices, as well as launch Netflix for Kids. Netflix is also working on creating separate streaming queues for families and adding more original programming to its lineup.
Will 3D Netflix streaming breathe any life into 3D? Sound off in the comments.
Friday, January 27, 2012
By Julie Jacobson
The DVD Content Copy Association has won its lawsuit against Kaleidescape, maker of high-end movie servers.
A Santa Clara, Calif., court handed down a temporary judgment on Jan. 9 that Kaleidescape breached its contract with the DVD CCA, which licenses the Content Scramble System (CSS) decryption scheme for DVD players.
Kaleidescape lets users copy their DVDs onto a media server, and play back the movies disc-free. The court ruled that the CSS licensing agreement expressly prohibits this functionality – a disc must be present in the player. Period. It doesn’t matter if the consumer owns the disc. It doesn’t matter if the server is “locked down” with no way to share movies across a network.
I can’t argue with Judge William J. Monahan’s recent ruling in the breach-of-contract case, but I can argue these two things: 1) This is a very sad day for innovation in the digital entertainment realm and 2) there’s something fishy with the DVD CCA’s power.
I should clarify: It is a sad day for innovation when it comes to American-made consumer electronics manufacturers that try to abide by the intent of the law.
Kaleidescape makes expensive servers that transfer DVDs “bit-for-bit” with CSS encryption intact. The copied content cannot leave the Kaleidescape ecosystem.
It is true, as Judge Monahan noted, that Kaleidescape could have done more to protect content using a DVD carousel or destroy-after-copying scheme. But, really? Such burdens would surely force consumers to…
A Santa Clara, Calif., court handed down a temporary judgment on Jan. 9 that Kaleidescape breached its contract with the DVD CCA, which licenses the Content Scramble System (CSS) decryption scheme for DVD players.
Kaleidescape lets users copy their DVDs onto a media server, and play back the movies disc-free. The court ruled that the CSS licensing agreement expressly prohibits this functionality – a disc must be present in the player. Period. It doesn’t matter if the consumer owns the disc. It doesn’t matter if the server is “locked down” with no way to share movies across a network.
I can’t argue with Judge William J. Monahan’s recent ruling in the breach-of-contract case, but I can argue these two things: 1) This is a very sad day for innovation in the digital entertainment realm and 2) there’s something fishy with the DVD CCA’s power.
I should clarify: It is a sad day for innovation when it comes to American-made consumer electronics manufacturers that try to abide by the intent of the law.
Kaleidescape makes expensive servers that transfer DVDs “bit-for-bit” with CSS encryption intact. The copied content cannot leave the Kaleidescape ecosystem.
It is true, as Judge Monahan noted, that Kaleidescape could have done more to protect content using a DVD carousel or destroy-after-copying scheme. But, really? Such burdens would surely force consumers to…
Posted by Julie Jacobson on 01/27 at 09:17 AM
News, Blogs, Video, Digital Media, Media Servers, Legal, (27) Comments, Permalink
News, Blogs, Video, Digital Media, Media Servers, Legal, (27) Comments, Permalink
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Can dealers still sell high-end theaters like this? Yes. Find out in free one-hour webinar January 25 at 2 p.m. EST.
By Jason Knott
The average price of an installation in the custom market in 2007 was $29,910. Today, it sits at $13,500, a 55 percent drop over four years.
Sure the recession had a lot to do with that, but did the proliferation of low-cost flat panels in the industry hurt integrators so badly that it squeezed the profitability out of the business? Some think so but at least one industry veteran says the trend can be reversed.
George Walter of Digital Projection International (DPI) says it's all about sales technique and the art of the demo. In some cases, dealers have almost become afraid to offer high-end video solutions. They have abandoned top-down selling in favor of less profitable good/better/best selling, says Walter, who will be presenting a step-by-step demo technique to boost high-end video sales during a CE Pro webinar entitled, "How to Sell Luxury High-Performance Video." The FREE one-hour webcast is on January 25 at 2 p.m. EST.
Among Walter's tips are creating a luxury environment including room aesthetics, how long video demos should run, which media clips to use, and what to point out to clients in terms of contrast, brightness and color saturation.
Also on the webinar, integrator Brandon Haggard of Dallas Extreme will describe how just this week he sold a client with a $3,000 video budget" a $70,000 projector. He also will review his sales technique for selling a client a $250,000 media room when the client was expecting to spend only $10,000.
The…
Sure the recession had a lot to do with that, but did the proliferation of low-cost flat panels in the industry hurt integrators so badly that it squeezed the profitability out of the business? Some think so but at least one industry veteran says the trend can be reversed.
George Walter of Digital Projection International (DPI) says it's all about sales technique and the art of the demo. In some cases, dealers have almost become afraid to offer high-end video solutions. They have abandoned top-down selling in favor of less profitable good/better/best selling, says Walter, who will be presenting a step-by-step demo technique to boost high-end video sales during a CE Pro webinar entitled, "How to Sell Luxury High-Performance Video." The FREE one-hour webcast is on January 25 at 2 p.m. EST.
Among Walter's tips are creating a luxury environment including room aesthetics, how long video demos should run, which media clips to use, and what to point out to clients in terms of contrast, brightness and color saturation.
Also on the webinar, integrator Brandon Haggard of Dallas Extreme will describe how just this week he sold a client with a $3,000 video budget" a $70,000 projector. He also will review his sales technique for selling a client a $250,000 media room when the client was expecting to spend only $10,000.
The…
Posted by Jason Knott on 01/24 at 01:39 PM
Blogs, Displays, TVs, Projectors and Screens, (3) Comments, Permalink
Blogs, Displays, TVs, Projectors and Screens, (3) Comments, Permalink
By Jason Knott
What will the the connected home of the future look like? How will we interact with displays and controls?
Glass manufacturer Corning offers its vision of the future with this amazing 5-minute video.
The company foresees interactive screens everywhere, and I mean everywhere! In the bedroom, bathroom, refrigerator, kitchen countertops, bus stops, automobiles, workplace and of course, the home theater. Not to mention portable flexible glass screens also. Each screen communicates with the smartphone and immediately transfers data, and, of course, each system depends on some sort of glass (that's where Corning comes in!). But the real crux of the video for integrators is the connectivity.
The video, called "A Day Made of Glass," is nearly a year old but has 16 million views on YouTube. While watching it, I couldn't help but think about all the digital signage and displays in the movie "Blade Runner", but this Corning video paints a much brighter picture.
This would be a great clip to show prospective clients about what you can do for them.
Glass manufacturer Corning offers its vision of the future with this amazing 5-minute video.
The company foresees interactive screens everywhere, and I mean everywhere! In the bedroom, bathroom, refrigerator, kitchen countertops, bus stops, automobiles, workplace and of course, the home theater. Not to mention portable flexible glass screens also. Each screen communicates with the smartphone and immediately transfers data, and, of course, each system depends on some sort of glass (that's where Corning comes in!). But the real crux of the video for integrators is the connectivity.
The video, called "A Day Made of Glass," is nearly a year old but has 16 million views on YouTube. While watching it, I couldn't help but think about all the digital signage and displays in the movie "Blade Runner", but this Corning video paints a much brighter picture.
This would be a great clip to show prospective clients about what you can do for them.
Posted by Jason Knott on 01/24 at 10:16 AM
Blogs, Videos, Home Automation and Control, Control Systems, (1) Comments, Permalink
Blogs, Videos, Home Automation and Control, Control Systems, (1) Comments, Permalink
The Art of Flight utilizes the latest audio and video technology from Dolby Laboratories to highlight extreme snowboarders Travis Rice and his friends.
By Robert Archer
It’s amazing how driven audio and video enthusiasts are to find the next great audiophile recording or reference-level video release.
Joel Silver is president and founder of the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), and a massive home theater enthusiast. So it’s not surprising when he says that custom installers have to know about a specific video because its quality is so good.
Silver’s latest video recommendation is The Art of Flight, and according to the industry’s leading video authority, this Blu-ray is the newest ISF reference disc for sound and picture quality in a home video release.
The Art of Flight is a documentary from Red Bull Media House and Brain Farm Digital Cinema that follows the exploits of extreme snowboarders Travis Rice and his friends as they tackle some of the most mountainous terrain in the world.
Silver notes that the video was edited in post production using Dolby Laboratories’ PRM-4200 Professional Reference Monitor that employs the company’s Dual-Modulation Display Technology. He adds that it was released with a dynamic Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack.
Silver says that Dolby’s new display and companion display technology is truly state-of-the-art, and that because of the monitor’s capabilities the post-production team was able to create one of the best-looking Blu-ray videos ever released. “Dolby flexed its muscle with this disc,” he says. “Dolby used the disc at CES [International Consumer Electronics Show] and I’m using it at my house. Right now if you visit me, you’ll get a glass of wine…
Joel Silver is president and founder of the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), and a massive home theater enthusiast. So it’s not surprising when he says that custom installers have to know about a specific video because its quality is so good.
Silver’s latest video recommendation is The Art of Flight, and according to the industry’s leading video authority, this Blu-ray is the newest ISF reference disc for sound and picture quality in a home video release.
The Art of Flight is a documentary from Red Bull Media House and Brain Farm Digital Cinema that follows the exploits of extreme snowboarders Travis Rice and his friends as they tackle some of the most mountainous terrain in the world.
Silver notes that the video was edited in post production using Dolby Laboratories’ PRM-4200 Professional Reference Monitor that employs the company’s Dual-Modulation Display Technology. He adds that it was released with a dynamic Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack.
Silver says that Dolby’s new display and companion display technology is truly state-of-the-art, and that because of the monitor’s capabilities the post-production team was able to create one of the best-looking Blu-ray videos ever released. “Dolby flexed its muscle with this disc,” he says. “Dolby used the disc at CES [International Consumer Electronics Show] and I’m using it at my house. Right now if you visit me, you’ll get a glass of wine…
Posted by Robert Archer on 01/24 at 09:06 AM
Blogs, Audio, Video, Blu-ray, Digital Media, Home Theater, (8) Comments, Permalink
Blogs, Audio, Video, Blu-ray, Digital Media, Home Theater, (8) Comments, Permalink
Monday, January 23, 2012
By Jason Knott
It sounds crazy, but the home appraisal industry is using a valuation process that was established in the Great Depression. For non-history buffs, that's the 1930s!
No wonder appraisers can't figure out how to value electronics ... they are using a playbook that probably has electricity as an "option."
According to the "Reengineering the Appraisal Process Redux" (pdf) white paper from the Collateral Risk Network, an update is long overdue and the recommendations being put forth will aid builders, homeowners and integrators.
Here is a look at some of the recommendations.
Dump the antiquated "comparables" method for determining value and use instead databases, real statistics (regarding home amenities like electronics, for example) and local knowledge. The "comps" method has never been logical in my opinion. I can tell you that my tiny 747-square-foot home in Redondo Beach is a perfect example. The house sits three homes away from Manhattan Beach, a more elite neighborhood with a better school system. A house the same as mine just a block away would sell for nearly double what my house is worth.
During several refinances, appraisers have used Manhattan Beach "comps" to elevate the value of my house. Likewise, my house sits near a busy thoroughfare, but that is not taken into account either. Of course, in both those instances, the antiquated appraisal process has benefitted me for refinancing, but it creates a false value should I decide to sell.
Look back at historical sales data over the previous 24 months vs. just…
No wonder appraisers can't figure out how to value electronics ... they are using a playbook that probably has electricity as an "option."
According to the "Reengineering the Appraisal Process Redux" (pdf) white paper from the Collateral Risk Network, an update is long overdue and the recommendations being put forth will aid builders, homeowners and integrators.
Here is a look at some of the recommendations.
Dump the antiquated "comparables" method for determining value and use instead databases, real statistics (regarding home amenities like electronics, for example) and local knowledge. The "comps" method has never been logical in my opinion. I can tell you that my tiny 747-square-foot home in Redondo Beach is a perfect example. The house sits three homes away from Manhattan Beach, a more elite neighborhood with a better school system. A house the same as mine just a block away would sell for nearly double what my house is worth.
During several refinances, appraisers have used Manhattan Beach "comps" to elevate the value of my house. Likewise, my house sits near a busy thoroughfare, but that is not taken into account either. Of course, in both those instances, the antiquated appraisal process has benefitted me for refinancing, but it creates a false value should I decide to sell.
Look back at historical sales data over the previous 24 months vs. just…
Monday, January 16, 2012
By Julie Jacobson
How many photographers does it take to snap a picture of the CEA TechHome board and Leadership Award winners during CES 2012?
The answer: Just one, but it takes a good five minutes.
Here, the photographer gets impatient with the execs, even though they appear to be very well behaved for a change. Watch the eye-rolling and other gestures by the subjects … they’re growing impatient as well.
The photo was taken during the CEA TechHome Mark of Excellence Awards, held for the first time during the Consumer Electronics Show. The awards and reception took place on the showfloor in the CEPro@CES TechZone.
Below is the video of "The Taking of the TechHome Photo" and below that is my version of the final picture.
VIDEO: Photographing the CEA TechHome leaders during CES 2012
CEA TechHome board and past Leadership Award winners (from left)
Kevin Buchanan, Home Entertainment Inc.
Dan Fulmer, FulTech Solutions Inc.
Ken Moyes, EH Publishing
Joe Lautner, Elan (formerly HomeLogic)
Helen Heneveld, Bedrock Learning
Ric Johnson, RightatHome Tech
Walt Zerbe, Russound (2012 TechHome Leadership Award recipient)
Skip Lockrem, Last Mile Home
Duane Paulson, Duane Paulson LLC
Avi Rosenthal, Evolve
Richard Scholl, Worthington Distribution
Kinsey Fabrizio, CEa TechHome
Ian Hendler, Leviton
Jay McLellan, HAI
The answer: Just one, but it takes a good five minutes.
Here, the photographer gets impatient with the execs, even though they appear to be very well behaved for a change. Watch the eye-rolling and other gestures by the subjects … they’re growing impatient as well.
The photo was taken during the CEA TechHome Mark of Excellence Awards, held for the first time during the Consumer Electronics Show. The awards and reception took place on the showfloor in the CEPro@CES TechZone.
Below is the video of "The Taking of the TechHome Photo" and below that is my version of the final picture.
VIDEO: Photographing the CEA TechHome leaders during CES 2012
CEA TechHome board and past Leadership Award winners (from left)
Kevin Buchanan, Home Entertainment Inc.
Dan Fulmer, FulTech Solutions Inc.
Ken Moyes, EH Publishing
Joe Lautner, Elan (formerly HomeLogic)
Helen Heneveld, Bedrock Learning
Ric Johnson, RightatHome Tech
Walt Zerbe, Russound (2012 TechHome Leadership Award recipient)
Skip Lockrem, Last Mile Home
Duane Paulson, Duane Paulson LLC
Avi Rosenthal, Evolve
Richard Scholl, Worthington Distribution
Kinsey Fabrizio, CEa TechHome
Ian Hendler, Leviton
Jay McLellan, HAI
Monday, January 09, 2012
Yup, I used to look something like that. Catch me at CES 2012 in chic jeans and sneaks.
By Julie Jacobson
My name is Julie and I have been to the Consumer Electronics Show 19 times. I don't necessarily choose to go. It just sort of happens to me. I fight it, but then I find myself on a plane to Vegas and the next thing you know I’m living on peppermint candies and high-priced steaks, fending off PR people from obscure toy companies, and nursing a Chapstick hangover long after the show closes.
I can't say that I've always enjoyed fancy meals during CES. In the early days, EH Publishing couldn't afford it and neither could our advertisers. Oh wait, we didn’t have any.
But as the industry grew, so too did the throng of partners lining up to lavish my editorial colleagues and me with fine wine and sumptuous food over three-hour meals, after which someone is bound to order coffee and dessert (Arghhh).
Thirty pounds later, I learned to say no. Now I pick up some Chinese food or a sandwich and eat dinner in my hotel room. Alone or with my husband. Quietly. I’m in bed by 9 p.m. and up by 5 the next morning to get some writing done before the craziness begins again.
I’m older and wiser, and so is CES.
Here I am on the morning of “press day” at CES, the day before the expo opens, reflecting on shows past. Flash back to 1994, the year we formally launched EH Publishing after acquiring this dinky little magazine…
I can't say that I've always enjoyed fancy meals during CES. In the early days, EH Publishing couldn't afford it and neither could our advertisers. Oh wait, we didn’t have any.
But as the industry grew, so too did the throng of partners lining up to lavish my editorial colleagues and me with fine wine and sumptuous food over three-hour meals, after which someone is bound to order coffee and dessert (Arghhh).
Dinner for One
Thirty pounds later, I learned to say no. Now I pick up some Chinese food or a sandwich and eat dinner in my hotel room. Alone or with my husband. Quietly. I’m in bed by 9 p.m. and up by 5 the next morning to get some writing done before the craziness begins again.
I’m older and wiser, and so is CES.
Here I am on the morning of “press day” at CES, the day before the expo opens, reflecting on shows past. Flash back to 1994, the year we formally launched EH Publishing after acquiring this dinky little magazine…
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