The new Cell iViewer HDTV is the first connected TV to support directly streaming of the BBC iPlayer catch-up service without the need for an external set-top box, Blu-ray/DVD player, or video game console.

iViewer, powered by Oregan Networks’ Onyx solution, supports a variety of Internet-based media including YouTube, Disney Movies Preview, Movie Rush, Autocar Magazine, Sky Sports Boots and All, CNN daily video podcast, Jamie’s Ministry of Food, Delicious TV Veg, Diggnation, and Larry King’s video podcast. Content is accessed on-screen through an animated carousel interface with data being updated dynamically as it becomes available.

Other specs include:

• Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity
• 26 inch or 32 inch models
• 32 inch features 1080p resolution
• 26 inch is HD ready
• Table stand
• Remote control
• Integrated Freeview channels
• 2 HDMI ports
• 7 day electronic programming guide
• Fast channel search
• Nicam stereo

We’ll try and check out the Cello iViewer at CES 2010.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Cello iViewer

Big news for Sony PS3 owners who also have Netflix subscriptions – the two companies have announced a partnership to bring Netflix streaming to the PlayStation 3 platform. Due to arrive next month, Netflix streaming will be available to all Netflix members in the U.S. who also own a PS3 console.

Enabling Netflix streaming on your PS3 will be an interesting affair especially if you’re used to other means of activating Netflix-enabled devices. You’ll need to reserve a free instant streaming Blu-ray disc from Netflix which  leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3. Of course, your PS3 console needs to be connected to the Internet in order for the activation to occur (or any streaming for that matter).

Once enabled, Netflix subscribers will be able to view movies and TV shows that can be watched instantly with titles organized into categories such as members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals, and members’ individual Instant Queues. You’ll also be able to add movies and TV shows to their Queues, read synopses, and rate movies on the PS3.

You can reserve the free instant streaming disc for the PS3 by going to www.netflix.com/ps3.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony, Netflix, PlayStation 3, Netflix Streaming

For all you geeks out there – a little tribute. Thanks to Andru for this linky.

[Check it out via AndruEdwards.com]

Technorati Tags: I AM A GEEK, YouTube video, The Society for Geek Advancement

[Check it out via Mobile Burn]

Read this in Chinese Simplified and in French

Technorati Tags: Hulu, Apple iPhone

If you’re a fan (and a customer) of Amazon Video On Demand, then you’ll be happy to hear that the company has added HD titles into the service mix. Customers will now be able to rent movie titles and purchase TV shows in HD format from a wide variety of networks and studios. There are currently over 500 HD TV show and movies from places such as Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Showtime Networks. In addition, Amazon also announced that their entire library of 40,000 titles (including HD titles) will now be available on Panasonic’s VIERA CAST enabled HDTV sets. Other devices compatible with the service include the Roku digital video player, TiVo Series3, HD, and HD XL DVRs, and the Sony Bravia Internet Video Link.

Using the aforementioned devices, customers will be able to rent HD movies for $3.99 to $4.99 a title. Customers will also be able to purchase HD quality TV shows for $2.99. Purchased shows can be watched on Macs, PCs, and other compatible media devices.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Amazon, Amazon Video On Demand

Because we clearly don’t have enough choices when it comes to watching digital content such as movies and television shows, there needs to be yet another vendor coming into this ever crowded space (yes, I’m being sarcastic here). That vendor would be ZillionTV Corporation and the new service is aptly called the ZillionTV service. The concept is pretty simple. Get the ZillionTV set-top box (which will be offered through ISPs – not cable companies mind you), connect it to your high speed Internet connection and to your TV set, and stream personalized digital content direct to your television set.

According to Mitchell Berman, CEO of ZillionTV Corporation, “ZillionTV is building a new television ecosystem grounded in partnerships spanning from powerhouse TV networks and Hollywood studios, to Visa, and major advertisers.” What does this exactly mean? ZillionTV is trying to develop a platform that will make everyone happy – and we really do mean everyone – from content providers (studio houses etc) to advertisers to end users. For content providers, ZillionTV gives them the opportunity to tailor their content to the end users out there. Content providers will be able to fine tune or tailor their content offerings based on information such as geography, demographics and psychographics. This very same information is also particularly useful for advertisers. Let’s face it, advertisers often take risks when they buy ads for specific time slots or TV shows. They never really if consumer they’re trying to target is indeed the one watching the show and advertisement. Plus they never really know what the exact interests are of the viewer. With ZillionTV, advertisers will be able to tap into rich collections of tracking information such as geographic locations, demographics, consumer spending habits, and consumer preferences. Finally, ZillionTV benefits to consumers are in the area of choice. Consumers can choose what they want to watch, when they want to watch it, and how they want to watch it.

The first two make sense of course, but what exactly do I mean by “how they want to watch it?”.

Consumers will have several means to access content on ZillionTV. If you’re cheap like myself, then you can opt for free television content that’s ad-supported (think Hulu.com except probably more ads). Of course, don’t expect all of the content to be available through this medium. If you can’t find the show you want via the ad-supported channel or if you’re not a fan of ads, then you can opt to rent or buy to own the content.  Their major point – you don’t need a subscription for accessing online video content (a little poke at providers such as Netflix but.. then again, Netfix’s Watch Instantly service was an add-on to their existing DVD rental subscription service. You don’t actually pay for the Watch Instantly service per se).

Two major dings for me – All content will be streamed to the ZillionTV set-top box – there’s no concept of saving content to your local drive. This also means you better have a good broadband connection at home. The other ding? Content will be available initially in standard definition only. Come on.. how can you launch a new service not in HD?

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the service/set-top box is actually the Wii-like motion-sensing remote control. Users can wave the remote to navigate the user interface thanks to motion-sensing technology from Hillcrest Labs.

According to PC Magazine, ZillionTV hopes to have 15,000 pieces of content available through the service.  Prices will apparently be comparable with what you’d get via iTunes – $1.99 to $3.99 to rent a TV show or movie and prices around $7.99 to own a show. If you rent something, you’ll have a month to view it but once you do, you have 24 hours to finish.

There are still many unanswered questions of course. Which ISPs will offer the set-top box? How much will the box cost from these vendors (although ZillionTV does mention the box might be free to end users)? What content will be available in the ad-supported model?

Finally, I think ZillionTV is a wait and see service for now. There are just too many existing services and devices that offer similar if not identical services.

About the only interesting feature is the ad-supported content – but one has to wonder how many content providers will opt for this. Our guess is you’ll find a lot of older content available in the ad-supported model (which will be great if you’re into viewing older content). 

If the ad-supported model doesn’t appeal to you and you’re OK with renting or buying content, then one can’t help but wonder why anyone would do this on ZillionTV when they could easily do this on Apple TV, or the Xbox 360. I rent movies on both platforms and I definitely purchase TV shows on both platforms from time to time and I can’t think of a good reason to use ZillionTV or the existing devices. In addition, I can also transfer content purchased on Apple TV to my iPod/iPhone – something that just isn’t possible with ZillionTV.

Don’t get me wrong – I’d love to see ZillionTV succeed – especially with the ad-supported model. Yet, I can’t help but think that ZillionTV isn’t compelling enough of a service right now.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: ZillionTV

Ah the Roku Player – the little player that could. First the player delivered  Netflix streaming direct to the television set at an affordable price.  Then it received a 720p HD upgrade a few weeks back that allowed it to stream HD videos from Netflix. Now, Zatz Not Funny is reporting that Roku is privately testing a new beta software update that will bring Amazon Video On Demand support to the player. If all goes well, the support will be rolled out in version 2.0 of the software update. Not too bad for a $99 dollar player.

[Check it out via DVICE.com]

Technorati Tags: Roku Player, Amazon Video On Demand

If you’re not familiar with the service, here’s what you need to get going.

1. Xbox 360 console along with an Xbox LIVE Gold subscription

2. Subscription to Netflix

3. Broadband Internet connection

Once you have those three components, all you’ll need to do is fire up the console, connect to Xbox LIVE, download the Netflix application, register the console with Netflix (you’ll need an Internet connected PC for that), and then start queuing up movies for the Watch Instantly service.

I’m a huge fan of the service – especially since it’s letting me catch up on old episodes of 30 Rock (yeah, I was a bit late to the show).

About the only complaint with the service is the fact that only 12,000 titles are currently available via Netflix’s watch instantly service. Hopefully studios will realize the popularity of the service and will make their content available.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, Netflix Streaming

Widgets are migrating from the web/PC desktop, to the mobile phone, and now to the TV set. Dubbed the “Connected TV” experience, Intel showcased several upcoming devices utilizing the new Intel Media Processor CE 3100 and enabling the new “Widget Channel” application framework.

Announced back in 2008 and developed by Intel and Yahoo, the “Widget Channel” delivers Internet content directly to your television set via devices such as Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, and of course the TV set. TV Widgets from all sorts of content service providers have been developed since the launch of the Widget Channel including widgets from AP, CBS, CinemaNow, eBay, MySpace, and Yahoo! Here are several pictures of widget enabled devices from the Intel CES 2009 booth. We’ll show some of the vendor specific devices later on (including HDTV sets from Samsung, Toshiba and others).

The bottom is a Widget enabled Blu-ray player.

Here’s a set-top box with Widget Channel support

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Intel, Connected TV, CES 2009, Widget Channel

On the hardware side, an increasing number of vendors are releasing devices targeted for the living room space. Everyone wants a piece of the pie – from Apple, to Microsoft, to Sony to your local cable TV operator – they’re all keenly interested in this space and why not? There’s enormous growth opportunities here IF it’s executed correctly. Of course this space can easily suffer from having too many choices – thereby confusing consumers and causing them to sit it out while the dust settles to a select few vendors.

In our own household, we have everything from Apple TV to the Xbox 360 to a Windows Media Center PC to the Sony PlayStation 3. Each device serves a unique purpose and no one single device owns everything in our home. Apple TV is a great platform for viewing YouTube content, new movies etc. The Xbox 360 is a great platform for watching Netflix movies, new movies also, and connecting to my Windows PC for Windows Media Center content.  Speaking of MCE, we use that platform for recording live TV – basically our home DVR and it works wonderfully – especially in conjunction with the Xbox 360. Finally, there’s the PS3.. which quite honestly does nothing for us at this point.

But it’s more than just the hardware devices being in place. The manufacturers are make it enormously easy for the average consumer to get to the content. Apple TV’s user interface is a snap to use – click on a button, purchase the movie, wait a few seconds, and then BAM – watch the movie. The New Xbox Experience is simply beautiful to navigate through. MCE is.. well it’s always been a pleasure to use. Yet more importantly, it’s harder for the average Joe to realize content viewed is actually content streamed from the Net.

However, none of this would matter of course without the growing proliferation of content – and we’re not just talking about user generated content from YouTube. We’re talking about the major networks and studio houses making their content available online and via the hardware services – like iTunes and Xbox LIVE. Yes, there are still issues to work out but the mere fact that one could sit down in front of their large screen TV and rent Moulin Rouge at whim is just amazing – something that wasn’t doable even just two years ago.

Yet ultimately the key driver to ALL of this has to be the proliferation of high speed bandwidth across the country and around the world. None of this would be possible if we were stuck with using 56K modems at home.

Great.. So where do we go from here?

Having used Netflix’s Watch Instantly service via the Xbox 360 over the last month or so, I’m convinced that the best way to approach online content from a consumer perspective is to demand for subscription based video on-demand services.

It makes sense of course from a consumer standpoint (but definitely doesn’t make sense for the studio houses).

We already utilize subscription based services today – such as cable TV, digital music, and online DVD rentals. Do you pay NBC on a per episode basis simply to watch the Office every Thursday? No.. you pay a monthly subscription to the cable company to have the right to tune into N number of channels. Sure there’s still pay per view movies – but that’s relegated to new movies and sports specials.

Sitting on my couch at home and watching movies streamed to me from Netflix on the big screen TV has convinced me that I would indeed be willing to pay a small nominal fee every month if it meant I could get all the movies out there on an on-demand basis.

If it cost say.. $10 to $15 dollars a month to have access to all movies – wouldn’t you consider it? Heck, I’d be willing to sit through a few ads also if it meant I could gain access to all of it at any time of the day and in any day of the week.

Subscription based video on-demand is the way to go if you ask me. This will guarantee that online video viewership continues to grow past the billion mark.

Technorati Tags: Online video

CNET’s Crave blog has already published a hands-on look at the new service on TiVo HD box. Here’s what they have to say:

“The most important takeaway for us is that we watched several movies without any hiccups and each movie started up in a few seconds. While many streaming services “feel” like you’re streaming video over the Internet, this feels more like you’re expanding the recorded content of your TiVo. And while you lose some of the benefits of watching the actual DVD (special features, surround sound), we couldn’t help but notice that in some ways it’s better than DVD; movies loaded right away and with no previews.”

While I no longer use TiVo, I can say this much for the Netflix Watch Instantly service – it rocks – especially for owners of the Xbox 360 console. If there’s one single reason to upgrade the Xbox 360 to the New Xbox Experience, it would be for the Netflix streaming support. While video on-demand is free for subscribers, I for one would not mind paying a bit more for unlimited movies on-demand. Forget about renting on a per title basis. Go the music subscription route and let users subscribe to unlimited movies on a monthly basis.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: TiVo HD, TiVo Series 3, TiVo HD XL, Netflix

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Netflix, Watch Instantly Mac

Missed this one last week. Blockbuster teamed up with 2Wire to introduce the 2Wire MediaPoint digital media player which allows users easy access to on-demand video content via Blockbuster’s ONDEMAND content. For a limited time, customers can get the 2Wire MediaPoint digital media player for free with the advance rental of 25 Blockbuster ONDEMAND titles for $99 dollars.

While it’s certainly easy to compare ONDEMAND to Netflix’s Watch Instantly service, it’s more akin to services from Apple TV and Xbox 360. You pay rental fees on a per title basis for as low as $1.99 each. This also means you can watch newer titles than those typically found on Netflix.

The Mediapoint digital media player connects to your network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi and allows you to fast-forward, rewind, and pause your on-demand video. Movies are streamed at DVD quality for now although the player supports HD video content and can be connected to HDTVs.

I think Blockbuster missed the boat on this one. We don’t need another on-demand video rental service. What we need is an all-in-one subscription based service that lets customers stream on-demand all of the movie titles they want on a flat monthly fee.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Blockbuster ONDEMAND, 2Wire Mediapoint digital media player

Owners of the Samsung BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 standalone Blu-ray players will soon be able to access Netflix HD content via a firmware update that will be made available during the first week of December. Both players already offer Netflix streaming support with access to over 12,000 standard definition titles but the new update will provide playback support for approximately 300 HD titles at 720p resolutions. Xbox 360 consoles with the New Xbox Experience already have Netflix HD support.

[Check it out via GearLive]

Technorati Tags: Samsung BD-P2500, BD-P2550, Blu-ray players, Netflix HD

“It is expected that Netflix members who watch movies and TV episodes instantly on their computers will enjoy a faster, easier connection and a more robust viewing experience with Silverlight, due to the quality built directly into the player.”

One of the side effects of Netflix moving to Silverlight is the built-in support for Intel-based Macs. The company on Friday announced that Mac users with Netflix subscriptions could now participate in the beta program via an opt-in program. However, Netflix mentioned in their company blog to:

1. Expect bugs
2. Not all titles are available on Silverlight
3. Once you opt into the beta, you’ll need to use Silverlight

Finally, for owners of the Xbox 360 console, don’t forget that you’ll soon be able to enjoy Netflix streaming straight to the console. I can’t wait.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Netflix, Silverlight, Mac, Watch Instantly

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Samsung, BD-P2500, BD-P2550 Blu-ray, Netflix, Pandora,

Having a content business certainly helps Sony promote their hardware offerings. Case in point – Sony is now offering a special promotion to owners of the BRAVIA Internet Video Link who are also fans of the summer movie Hancock. Starting on October 28th on through November 10th, Sony will be offering the movie Hancock for rent via the Internet Video Link service before the title becomes available on DVD or Blu-ray. Owners of the BRAVIA Internet Video Link will be able to rent Hancock for $9.99 which is then viewable within a 24 hour period. In addition, if you purchase the rental stream and register online, Sony will send you a free Blu-ray copy of Hancock after the title becomes available via Blu-ray on November 25th.

According to Sony, “This marks the first time a top grossing theatrical movie will reach consumers’ homes via an Internet-enabled platform prior to the packaged media release.” Of course it helps that Hancock is a result of Sony Pictures! Sony can easily make their own titles available for their platforms before anyone else (seems a bit unfair eh?). However, one has to wonder how well the BRAVIA Internet Video Link really is performing given the wealth of competition in the online video space. A marketing act like this seems to suggest that Sony needs to help spur sales of the device.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony, BRAVIA Internet Video Link, Hancock

LG’s microsite is now up for their new BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player. The BD300 is the world’s first Blu-ray player to support Netflix’s Watch Instantly feature which streams movies and TV shows over the Internet directly to your player at home. With an active Netflix account, you’ll have access to over 12,000 titles from Netflix with titles typically starting within 30 seconds of selection. Other features of the BD300 include the following:

• Blu-ray playback with BD-Lie and BonusView support
• Full HD 1080p output via HDMI
• Support for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Advanced Digital Out
• LG SimpLink Connectivity
• DVD 1080p upconversion
• USB Media Host support
• Universal Remote Control
• Measures 16.9″ x 2.3″ x 10.9″

The BD300 has an MSRP of $399.95.

[Check it out]

[Check out the microsite]

Technorati Tags: LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Player, Netflix

• Gone Baby Gone
• Dan in Real Life
• Next
• The Lives of Others
• No Country for Old Men
• The Pursuit of Happyness
• Deja Vu
• Apocalypto
• Becoming Jane
• Superbad
• Meet the Robinsons
• The Illusionist

These additions joins recently added content from CBS, Disney, and NBC TV shoes.

Now for the other interesting tidbit – Netflix acknowledged in this blog posting that they’re working on a “Watch Now” Mac solution which should be available by the end of the year. Other ways to watch streaming videos from Netflix include the Roku player, the upcoming LG BD300 Blu-ray Network player, and soon the Xbox 360 console.

[Check it out via News.com]

Technorati Tags: Netflix, Starz Play, Mac Watch Now

Sony also announced that Dailymotion’s SD and HD content will be available to users of the BRAVIA Internet Video Link. If you have a Sony BRAVIA TV, you can purchase the optional BRAVIA Internet Video Link for around $300 dollars.

[Check it out]

[Check it out at Amazon's website]

Technorati Tags: Amazon.com, Video On Demand, Sony, BRAVIA Internet Video Link