http://www.dvguru.com DV Guru http://www.dvguru.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.dvguru.com en-us Copyright 2008 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.dvguru.com/2007/01/09/apple-tv/http://www.dvguru.com/2007/01/09/apple-tv/http://www.dvguru.com/2007/01/09/apple-tv/#commentsFiled under: Hardware, At Home

Apple TV was released at the annual Macworld keynote address by Steve Jobs. It was first introduced as ITV, a couple of months back. Apple TV allows users to recieve iTunes content to store and play them. The device will cost $299 and will be available in February (Apple is taking orders now).

The device comes with an internal 40GB drive which equates to 50 hours of movies. It plays back video in Hi-def 720P and an Apple remote is included. It is powered with an Intel processor. The wireless transmission uses 802.11b/g/n wireless networking protocols. Can work on both Mac & Pc with iTunes installed.

As a video podcaster, I cannot tell you how exciting all of this is. My viewers can now watch my shows in their living rooms and not on the computer. This is a big deal because it changes the nature of viewing on the web. Short pieces work better on the computer while in the living room, longer pieces work better. The web as a distribution model looks a lot rosier with Apple TV.

Another interesting thing to note is the importance of iTunes in all of this. It is the center of the entertainment center. If I were Microsoft, I would worry less about Mac OS X and more about iTunes.

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]]>apple tvAppleTvitunesitvmacworldmacworld-2007steve jobsSteveJobsAjit Anthony2007-01-09T16:14:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2007/01/04/lg-to-show-off-hd-dvd-blu-ray-player-at-ces/http://www.dvguru.com/2007/01/04/lg-to-show-off-hd-dvd-blu-ray-player-at-ces/http://www.dvguru.com/2007/01/04/lg-to-show-off-hd-dvd-blu-ray-player-at-ces/#commentsFiled under: Trends, Business, Hardware, Media, DVD, At Home

I originally titled this post "Oh, snap!" because LG's on again off again combo HD-DVD + Blu-Ray player, if released, could save next-gen optical from an untimely demise. Many consumers (including me) have been sitting on the sidelines of the format war waiting for a clear winner, but obviously a combo player would not only be a winner for LG, but retailers might start moving some Blu-Ray and HD-DVD titles off the shelves.

Finally we could see some sort of unification. Please, oh please, LG, don't dash our hopes! And Samsung, we know you're all cozy with Blu-Ray and e'rythang, but throw us a bone and release a dual format player too.

[Via Engadget]

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]]>Randall Bennett2007-01-04T08:00:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/27/xbox-the-top-video-download-success/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/27/xbox-the-top-video-download-success/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/27/xbox-the-top-video-download-success/#commentsFiled under: Trends, Business, Web, At Home, Online

A new Variety report claims that Microsoft's Xbox has seen the greatest relative success in the digital download realm, despite the smaller user base compared to online services such as Amazon Unbox.

``Though exact sales figures aren't available from any Web site or studio, insiders agree that it's the most, and maybe only, positive story in digital movie downloads this year."

The ease of use factor seems to be the dominant reason for the success, since Xbox owners need not deal with transferring content from their computer, or have to deal with any funky proprietary software from web services. The Xbox is an all-in-one solution for downloading and watching movies right on the television, the preferred means of viewing for most people. On top of that, Microsoft is offering quality HD versions of many of the available movies and television shows. Ease of use + high quality = pretty obvious reason for success. Of course, the current situation brings this question to mind: how will Apple's upcoming iTV shake up the digital download market? Will it offer the same kind of ease of use and attract more folks to the idea of buying digital downloads?

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]]>appleat homeAtHomebusinessdigital downloadsDigitalDownloadshdhi-defitvmicrosofttrendsxboxBrian Liloia2006-12-27T19:05:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/21/dvd-players-reign-supreme/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/21/dvd-players-reign-supreme/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/21/dvd-players-reign-supreme/#commentsFiled under: Trends, DVD, At Home

In a report released by Nielson Media Research, more households now own more DVD players than VCRs. DVD ownership rose 6.1% from a year ago translating to 81.2% of American households that own at least one DVD player. Consequently, VCR ownership dropped 4.5% since last year to 79.2%. It's official, you can now stop dubbing VHS tapes to give to people.

DVD ownership has been tracked since 1999 when only 6.7% of households owned a DVD player. That means it should be 2013 before we have a clear HD optical format winner and by then it won't even matter.

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]]>DVDhouseholdmediaopticalownershipVCRVHSRussell Heimlich2006-12-21T19:45:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/20/apple-to-sell-hd-format-videos-in-2007/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/20/apple-to-sell-hd-format-videos-in-2007/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/20/apple-to-sell-hd-format-videos-in-2007/#commentsFiled under: Trends, Business, At Home

Analysts predict that Apple will release HD-format versions of currently available Disney movies through the iTunes Store in 2007. And, why not? It doesn't seem like that dramatic of a prediction. Things are clearly moving in the direction of all-things-HD, and offering high def versions of their currently available movies will allow Apple to keep up the pace. The better question might be, when will other movie studios join Apple and the iTunes Store?

(via HDforIndies)

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]]>appledigital downloadsDigitalDownloadshditunesitunes storeItunesStoreBrian Liloia2006-12-20T13:28:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/18/consumers-adopting-to-movie-downloads/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/18/consumers-adopting-to-movie-downloads/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/18/consumers-adopting-to-movie-downloads/#commentsFiled under: Trends, Web, At Home

ABI Research has recently published a study regarding consumers' adoption of internet video. According to the results, 48% of consumers would not be interested in purchasing a movie download due to the numerous other modes of viewing movies (rental services, etc.). Frankly, I would have expected that number to be higher, but alas, there you go. Though these results might not necessarily be entirely representative, depending on the population of internet users they sampled.

(via Hacking Netflix)

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]]>abi researchAbiResearchconsumersinternet videoInternetVideotrendsBrian Liloia2006-12-18T20:50:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/18/hannibal-deuce-set-top-box-and-then-some/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/18/hannibal-deuce-set-top-box-and-then-some/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/18/hannibal-deuce-set-top-box-and-then-some/#commentsFiled under: Gear, At Home

The Hannibal Duece + is a way complete set-top box, a MythTV DVR built on the Ubuntu Linux operating system with DVD/CD ripping capabilities, wireless connectivity, a 500GB HD, built-in Bittorrent support, and more. You can even DVR different channels simultaneously with its multiple tuner cards capability. It's safe to say this thing covers all the bases. Check out the official page for more specs. For $899, this DVR is aimed at serious couch potatoes.

(via Video Thing)

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]]>at homeAtHomedvrhannibal deuce plusHannibalDeucePlusmythtvset-top boxSet-topBoxtelevisiontvBrian Liloia2006-12-18T13:00:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/14/wii-transfer-1-1/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/14/wii-transfer-1-1/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/14/wii-transfer-1-1/#commentsFiled under: Software, At Home

Wii Transfer is a Mac application that converts movies to be played on Nintendo's awesome new Wii. The Wii accepts most digital camera codecs but the codecs that are not supported, you will need Wii Transfer. The application is a Universal Binary and costs $9. If you are one of those lucky folks with a Wii, you will most likely need this.

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]]>macnintendotransferwiiAjit Anthony2006-12-14T18:58:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/13/bringing-short-films-to-a-mailbox-near-you/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/13/bringing-short-films-to-a-mailbox-near-you/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/13/bringing-short-films-to-a-mailbox-near-you/#commentsFiled under: DVD, At Home

I've made a couple of mentions of The Journal of Short Film here on DVGuru in the past, but this PopMatters interview with founder Karl Mechem makes for a great read if the concept behind the quarterly DVD publication was never quite convincing. To refresh, JSF is a compilation of short films that get submitted from around the globe, and published on DVD to be purchased online or subscribed to. Anyway, Mechem discusses the viability of short film itself, inspiration for starting up a DVD publication, issues of copyright and distribution, and some other good stuff. I'm a big fan of The Journal of Short Film, whose grassroots, no budget approach to getting films distributed is really admirable. Give the interview a look for some nice background information on the group.

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]]>distributionfilmmakingjsfmechemshort filmShortFilmthe journal of short filmTheJournalOfShortFilmBrian Liloia2006-12-13T13:12:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/12/stupid-video-egreetings/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/12/stupid-video-egreetings/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/12/stupid-video-egreetings/#commentsFiled under: Web, At Home, Beginner, Marketing, Online

Now there is one extra way to promote your internet video online. The online video sharing site StupidVideos.com, which focuses on dedicated to humorous, off-the-wall videos, is offering eCards in time for the Christmas season allowing you to embed videos into online greeting cards. Simply select a video and email the card to your friends (if you have any) with your own personalized message. It's a nice idea and I especially like it that there is a permanent link to the card you make.

Enjoy our special Christmas greetings card from DV Guru right here.

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]]>Chris Tew2006-12-12T22:39:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/12/first-viral-video-maker-gets-an-award/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/12/first-viral-video-maker-gets-an-award/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/12/first-viral-video-maker-gets-an-award/#commentsFiled under: The Little Guy, Web, At Home, Online

Two years ago back in December 2004 one of the first Viral videos made it's way onto the internet when then-18-year-old Gary Brolsma filmed himself lip synching in front of his webcam to an the Romanian pop band, O-Zone. Of course under the new Australian and UK copyright laws lip-synching is illegal, but despite that Gary received a lifetime achievement award at age 20, for the Numa Numa dance which has been viewed in excess of 15 million times.

Now Gary has his own website, NewNuma.com which is sponsoring a contest with $45,000 in prize money for the best amateur lip-synching videos.

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]]>Chris Tew2006-12-12T21:38:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/11/iprojector-project-directly-from-your-ipod/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/11/iprojector-project-directly-from-your-ipod/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/11/iprojector-project-directly-from-your-ipod/#commentsFiled under: Gear, On Campus, At Home

Here's a more interesting iPod accessory: the iProjector is a special video projector with a docking station to directly connect your video iPod for screening videos and photos. It features a 800x600 native resolution, 24-bit color, 1000 ANSI lumens brightness, and a projection size of 30 inches by 90 inches. The device will be introduced at CES 2007 by manufacturer ION Audio. No word on the actual performance and quality of the device just yet. Intriguing.

(via CinemaTech)

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]]>applecesgearipodiprojectorprojectorBrian Liloia2006-12-11T23:16:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/08/relationship-between-tv-screen-size-resolution-and-viewing-dis/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/08/relationship-between-tv-screen-size-resolution-and-viewing-dis/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/12/08/relationship-between-tv-screen-size-resolution-and-viewing-dis/#commentsFiled under: Television, At Home

Here's a beneficial read for all the home theater and HD geeks out there that sets the record straight on when differences in high resolutions are more easily apparent. The article includes a chart showing, for any given screen size, how close a viewer should sit to the TV to notice the benefits in a higher resolution screen, such as 1080p. The article concludes that you will have to have a properly set up space, sitting the appropriate distance from your television to notice any benefits of higher resolutions. Otherwise, you won't gain anything from your shiny new plasma or LCD TV. Check out the full feature for more in-depth technical nerdery.

(via HDforIndies)

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]]>1080pat homeAtHomehdresolutiontelevisionBrian Liloia2006-12-08T12:30:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/29/wal-marts-digital-movie-download-plan/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/29/wal-marts-digital-movie-download-plan/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/29/wal-marts-digital-movie-download-plan/#commentsFiled under: Trends, Business, Web, DVD, At Home, Online

Wal-Mart has officially made their brilliant entry into digital movie downloads this week, with Superman Returns being the first movie title to feature their digital download purcahse options. The DVD contains a "video download feature sticker" on the cover, and customers who are interested can log onto Wal-Mart's website to register and then purchase their movie download. Of course, you'll have to first download the Wal-Mart Video Download Manager software (shiver), and yes, that's PC only. No Mac support here. You'll also need Windows Media Player 10, as this content is obviously DRM protected. Standard downloads cost $2.97(640x480 resolution, 1500kbps), and can only be viewed on PCs, or for $1.97, you can download a version compatible with "PlayForSure" portable video players. (Whatever that means.) There is no iPod support. $3.97 will get you both the standard and portable versions.

Sigh.

(via TUAW)

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]]>digital downloadDigitalDownloaddvdmoviewal-martBrian Liloia2006-11-29T17:03:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/27/xbox-live-video-is-um-live/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/27/xbox-live-video-is-um-live/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/27/xbox-live-video-is-um-live/#commentsFiled under: Trends, Television, Movies, Web, At Home, Online

Xbox Live released their video download service last Wednesday and is off to a rip roaring start. Now you can get HD movie rentals over your fat Internet pipe for a mere 6 bucks (or 480 MS points). Standard definition movies go for $3 as well as HD TV shows and SD shows are $2. Keep in mind these are all rentals meaning they will evaporate after a certain time, but what a cool way to introduce users to IPTV. And there are a few small glitches with the launch since Microsoft apparently doesn't have enough bandwidth to back up the HD downloads, so expect things to be a little pokey. I don't have an Xbox 360 nor do I plan on getting one but this will be good competition for Apple once they drop their iTV product sometime early next year.

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]]>downloadhigh definitionHighDefinitionlivemarketplacemicrosoftmovietelevisionxboxRussell Heimlich2006-11-27T20:06:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/24/on-the-benefits-of-taking-a-sabbatical/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/24/on-the-benefits-of-taking-a-sabbatical/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/24/on-the-benefits-of-taking-a-sabbatical/#commentsFiled under: The Little Guy, At Home

This post by Mike Curtis, inspired by a DVguru post, is one of my favorite HD for Indies post. Mike talks about a time he took a sabbatical to learn - "I drove up to the mountains of Colorado for a month with a Mac IIci, a big monitor, a stereo and tons of CDs. (this was summer 1991), and the Photoshop and other software manuals. I would go hike, bike, whatever during the day, then come back to the condo and dink around on the computer - half working through the manual to actually LEARN all the features, and half to free form doodle to apply what I'd learned."

He relates all this to illustrate how important it is to have the time to focus on learning. Sometimes school provides that opportunity, sometimes a sabbatical. In an case, I suggest you read the eloquent post which only grows on the ideas I have mentioned.

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]]>hd for indiesHdForIndiesmike curtisMikeCurtissabbaticalAjit Anthony2006-11-24T12:37:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/22/diy-build-your-own-hd-projector-pt-5/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/22/diy-build-your-own-hd-projector-pt-5/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/22/diy-build-your-own-hd-projector-pt-5/#commentsFiled under: Hardware, Gear, At Home, DIY

Engadget has posted the fifth installment in its DIY HD projector saga. There is one more to go after this. Whew, I was getting tired just reading the posts. In part 5, instructions to mount the components will be covered. If you are interested in building one, you can find the earlier lessons here:

• Build your own HD projector (Part 1) - concept and parts
• Build your own HD projector (Part 2) - LCD teardown
• Build your own HD projector (Part 3) - build process and mounts
• Build your own HD projector (Part 4) - chassis and lens

Might make a good Thanksgiving weekend project!

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]]>engadgethdhi-defprojectorAjit Anthony2006-11-22T11:27:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/21/we-watch-50-dvds-per-year/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/21/we-watch-50-dvds-per-year/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/21/we-watch-50-dvds-per-year/#commentsFiled under: Movies, DVD, At Home

According to this study, Americans watch 50 or more DVDs per year. On average, Americans have 20.7 hours per week for leisure, with 25% of individuals spending that time watching TV, while just 8% spend it going to the movie theater, and 4% renting movies. However, consumers watch more movies on average on DVD (approximately six a month), compared to watching movies on TV or in theaters. And although the typical American sees movies in a theater less than once a month, they watch almost six a month on DVD. That means in a typical year, Americans watch 50 DVDs. Whaddya think? How do you compare to these statistics?

(via Hacking NetFlix)

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]]>at homeAtHomedvdmoviesBrian Liloia2006-11-21T16:48:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/21/study-finds-ipod-users-rarely-play-video/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/21/study-finds-ipod-users-rarely-play-video/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/21/study-finds-ipod-users-rarely-play-video/#commentsFiled under: Trends, Business, Web, At Home, Online

Nielsen Media Research monitored a panel of 400 iPod users and found that: "Less than 1% of content items played by iPod users on either iTunes or the device itself were videos. Among video iPod users, that percentage barely improves, up to 2.2%." From this they gather: "Worst-case scenario: The panel is an early indication that TV and movies have limited appeal on iPods. Best-case scenario: While adoption of video may be proceeding more slowly than the hype suggests, there is tremendous upside ahead." Here is my response:

• People are ready for mobile video but the iPod isn't. That screen size alone is a huge drawback.
  
• In general, music is friendlier to mobile users but not necessarily to this extent. This does not mean, however, that video has no mobile potential. It is just not as potent as music.
  
• iTunes/iPod is still seen as a music box. (1.5 billion songs versus 45 million videos sold on iTunes)
  
• People aren't aware of how to get what they watch online (like Youtube) to their computers.
• If they do, people don't know how to incorporate video into their iPods. As matter of fact, just today, someone asked me how.
• People are willing to play music over and over again. So it is good to carry it with you. While with video, most people play it once. Not much of need to carry it or even store it on their computers.
• So it is more important that video is available on demand (wireless downloads) than say downloading to computer, then device.
• I say all this because I am confident that someone will surely make this mobile video thing work. Like the study says: "Walt Disney Co. noted that about 500,000 movies have been sold in the two months." People are ready.

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]]>appleipoditunesAjit Anthony2006-11-21T12:29:00+00:00http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/17/a-quick-video-on-how-to-shoot-better-videos/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/17/a-quick-video-on-how-to-shoot-better-videos/http://www.dvguru.com/2006/11/17/a-quick-video-on-how-to-shoot-better-videos/#commentsFiled under: At Home, The Shoot, Beginner

Tina Wood of On10.net fame has a quick and easy video about how to shoot better videos. It covers the basics to get the job done and the best part is it is fun and interesting, so you will actually watch it all the way through. Topics include using a key light, get your hands on a tripod, shoot a lot of footage while varying the shots, and a little bit of sound audio advice. I think it would be a good idea to send this to that aunt or uncle who always whips out the camcorder at Thanksgiving with the idea of creating a masterpiece but ends up producing yet another yawner. Anyone that has to watch the resulting video will thank you dearly.

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]]>basicbeginnerconsumerhobbyisthomeon10shootshootingTina WoodTinaWoodtipsvideoRussell Heimlich2006-11-17T09:17:00+00:00