Category: Item of Interest

Full list of Avid Console Commands http://bit.ly/bwvBBo For command line junkies a lot of custom power.

You con’t have to rely on the list. You can ‘help command” in the console and hit Return to get the list, but the text version is easier to refer to.

Embed Videos In Your Web Pages Using HTML5 http://bit.ly/bUpnHO Practical advice and what works in which browser.

From giant video sites like YouTube to Wikipedia, everyone it seems wants to get their video out of Flash and into native web formats. With Microsoft recently announcing it will support the HTML5 video tag in the coming Internet Explorer 9, expect even more sites to abandon Flash for native video.

So, you want in on the fun? Do you want to use some HTML5 video tags on your site right now? No problem. Fasten your seat belts, as we’re about to take a tour of the wonderful world of HTML5 video.

A better way to measure web video? http://bit.ly/bFcD7L Ad giant WPP’s R&D division launches beta of new service.

This will really only interest those who want to support media from advertising – not the only business model for sure – but would be a good step to accurate viewing figures. Too often, a “view” is counted if the video is played at all – even a second or two counts as a play; or the video auto-plays, sliently in a hidden window “below the fold” to get the play numbers up.

Kantar Video, a new business unit, just launched under the direction of Bill Lederer, who has previously worked for Kantar, TNS, and Getty Images. Its first product, “Kantar Videolytics,” is rolling out in private beta, and Lederer expects to launch a public beta this fall. It will be a subscription service that integrates into existing web video players, formats, etc.

A dozen reasons TV shows get made BESIDES ratings http://bit.ly/axQHvp from VP of SyFy Craig Engler.

But beyond that there are dozens of other things we consider along the way. Some weigh more heavily than others, and each show follows a slightly different path. Below are a dozen things we think about when evaluating shows and potential shows that might give you more insight into how things actually make it onto TV. This isn’t comprehensive and it’s definitely not a formula, but it does go beyond just the cost vs. ratings most people know about:

What kind of show it is; who’s connected to it; does it have a sustainable premise; what type of audience will it bring; when can we air it; what can we air with it and what will it be up against; can it be repeated; is it easy to understand….

Lot to consider.

Google Lawyer Says ACTA Is ‘Cultural Imperialism’ http://bit.ly/alKDzV

And, indeed, it is a form of cultural imperialism, in that it seeks to export certain aspects of US copyright law around the globe… while critically leaving out the consumer protections and necessary exceptions. I wonder if the USTR, who is negotiating the agreement on behalf of the US will put up Keller’s words on their website next to the entertainment industry letters in support of ACTA that it’s put on the USTR website? Or, does the USTR only listen to Hollywood on this particular topic?

Steve Jobs Is A Genius Control Freak http://bit.ly/btB0ew No surprise but explanation of why it’s paying off.

A lot of it has to do with securing and maintaining power over various mobile ecosystem players. And here’s how Apple does that – technically, strategically, and psychologically.

Discussion of the advantages of the tight control over ecosystem – such as the ability to be nimble with processors (changing family or custom versions of ARM built only for Apple); keeping small enough to not have a monopoly (by any definition) to abuse; and more.

Like it or not, but the closed system, Apple-knows-best approach does seem to be working for Apple even if the Open Source, Open Internet folk aren’t so keen.

Jeremy Silver on “The Pirate Thing” http://bit.ly/daQo7e “There is a shift in attitude of mind required.”

Jeremy Silver is the chair of the Featured Artist Coalition and not exactly a disinterested party. The whole article is worth a close read:

There is a shift in attitude of mind required. We have to look at a world in which the reproduction right and the control of it are progressively eroded. Given the woefully low level of economic development of alternative methods of funding content, we are fortunate that the rate of erosion is slower than it might have been. Whether the impending new legislation in the UK will slow that erosion any more, I somehow doubt. And unfortunately I believe the cost of that legislation to civil liberties and freedom of speech will be much greater than the likely cultural and economic benefit it strives to achieve.

CBS plans to offer HTML5 videos in Fall season http://bit.ly/bsYxR1 As well as existing Flash versions

Another brick in the wall.

Studios-with their aging business models, get to break TVs as well. http://bit.ly/dqAjpq

This is a really, really bad decision by the FCC. There is no reason Studios and networks get to break out TVs by disabling outputs, just to support their outdated and unchanging business models.  They fought for the Broadcast Flag many times over the last decade and I’m incredibly disappointed that the current administration gave it to them.

A truly bad decision. Studios and Networks need to adapt their business models – which they appear to be incapable of – or simply die a natural death. The sooner the better.

Here’s Bob Pisano, President and Interim CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America lying:

“This action is an important victory for consumers who will now have far greater access to see recent high-definition movies in their homes,”

There is nothing that is good for the consumer.  There have been already many releases in this “impossible” window. It’s just bad business decisions and a complicit (bad) Government.

Still it could have been worse had the Studios got what they really wanted. At least there are these restrictions:

Cable companies won’t be able to shut off analog signals on TVs and video recorders any time they want, only when a subscriber has purchased one of the early-run, on-demand movies.

Cable and satellite companies also have to stop blocking the analog signals when the movies are released on DVD.