From Slashdot:
Wikipedia's Assault On Patent-Encumbered Codecs
"The Open Video Alliance is launching a campaign today called Let's Get Video on Wikipedia, asking people to create and post videos to Wikipedia articles. (Good, encyclopedia-style videos only!) Because all video must be in patent-free codecs (theora for now), this will make Wikipedia by far the most likely site for an average internet user to have a truly free and open video experience. The campaign seeks to 'strike a blow for freedom' against a wave of h.264 adoption in otherwise open HTML5 video implementations."
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
James Cameron: Innovation Trumps Any Piracy Threat
from TechDirt.com:
James Cameron: Innovation Trumps Any Piracy Threat
Nearly a year ago, Techdirt reader Parker Mason had submitted a story to us, suggesting that the amazing visuals and 3D + IMAX aspect of Avatar was a perfect example of adding value to movies that would give people a real reason to go to the theater. I actually kept that story open in a tab for months, intending to write it up, and I never got around to it -- and, to be honest, I wasn't entirely convinced that Avatar would really get a huge reception. Don't I look foolish? Yes, Avatar obviously has been a blockbuster of blockbuster proportions -- in part because of exactly those points. People want that greater experience and I was certainly among those who ponied up for the full 3D IMAX version (and not the fake IMAX version either -- thanks to a friend who reminded me of that bit of deception).
It looks like James Cameron recognizes all this as well. Nastybutler77 was the first of a bunch of you to point to Cameron's claim that innovation trumps "piracy," which he made onstage at CTIA:
James Cameron: Innovation Trumps Any Piracy Threat
Nearly a year ago, Techdirt reader Parker Mason had submitted a story to us, suggesting that the amazing visuals and 3D + IMAX aspect of Avatar was a perfect example of adding value to movies that would give people a real reason to go to the theater. I actually kept that story open in a tab for months, intending to write it up, and I never got around to it -- and, to be honest, I wasn't entirely convinced that Avatar would really get a huge reception. Don't I look foolish? Yes, Avatar obviously has been a blockbuster of blockbuster proportions -- in part because of exactly those points. People want that greater experience and I was certainly among those who ponied up for the full 3D IMAX version (and not the fake IMAX version either -- thanks to a friend who reminded me of that bit of deception).
It looks like James Cameron recognizes all this as well. Nastybutler77 was the first of a bunch of you to point to Cameron's claim that innovation trumps "piracy," which he made onstage at CTIA:
"In film we have definitely felt threatened by piracy," he said. "We saw the music industry crash and burn in its efforts to stop it. But with G4 (I think he meant 4G wireless) and Moore's Law, you can't fight it...."Indeed. It's great that he's recognizing this. The other interesting point he made was that they're going to release the Avatar DVD while the film is still showing in the theaters -- in part because the show is still doing well in the theaters. Of course, many theaters have complained about how they don't want shorter release windows (or, horror of horrors, the idea of releasing a movie in the theater and on DVD at the same time). However, it will be interesting to see whether the DVD release, while the movie is still in some theaters, leads to at least a little bump in box office sales for the movie, as people who watch it on DVD decide they want to see it on the big screen.
"The music industry saw it coming, they tried to stop it, and they got rolled over," he said. "Then they started suing everybody. And now it is what it is."
Instead, Cameron said he has tried to innovate to give movie goers a reason to go to theater. And in creating a rich, "reinvigorated cinema experience," Cameron said he discovered that people are willing to pay money to experience the same content in different ways. Not only are they willing to pay $10 or more to see Avatar on the big screen in 3D, but they also will pay to own the DVD and to take it with them on their phone or portable device.
"People are discriminating about the experience," he said. "They want to own it, have it on a iPhone when they want it, and they want the social experience of going to the cinema. These are really different experiences. And I think they can all co-exist in the same eco-system."
Because NBC Could Never Have Figured Out How To Put TV Shows On The Internet By Itself...
From TechDirt.com:
Because NBC Could Never Have Figured Out How To Put TV Shows On The Internet By Itself...
I've been pretty hard on NBC Universal and its partially owned subsidiary Hulu for some consistently poor strategic decisions making over the years, but this recent lawsuit against them seems pretty ridiculous. AdamR points us to the news that a company you probably haven't heard of called Hulavision (its founder is Errol Hula -- get it?) is suing NBC and Hulu claiming that they stole the idea for Hulu and the name. The details of the case don't look much more convincing:
Because NBC Could Never Have Figured Out How To Put TV Shows On The Internet By Itself...
I've been pretty hard on NBC Universal and its partially owned subsidiary Hulu for some consistently poor strategic decisions making over the years, but this recent lawsuit against them seems pretty ridiculous. AdamR points us to the news that a company you probably haven't heard of called Hulavision (its founder is Errol Hula -- get it?) is suing NBC and Hulu claiming that they stole the idea for Hulu and the name. The details of the case don't look much more convincing:
Hulavision and principal Errol Hula claim that the company developed technology to deliver television programs directly to viewers online. Hula then met with NBCU business development exec Raymond Vergel de Dios at a Las Vegas trade show and was invited to have further discussions about working together. In the spring of 2006, Hula and NBCU allegedly signed a nondisclosure agreement, after which Hula revealed his company's business model, marketing strategy, product roadmap and a "shared revenue model chart" that included valuable trade secrets.Yes. Apparently he seems to think that the concept, technology and business model of taking TV shows and putting them online is his and his alone. As if NBC wasn't likely to figure out how to take video and put it online. And, really, if they were going to take the name from Hula, you'd at least think they'd use a name that was a lot more indicative of video online. There is simply no benefit at all to NBC purposely trying to take Hula's name for Hulu.
Computer Vision Tech Grabs Humans In Real-Time 3D
From Slashdot:
Computer Vision Tech Grabs Humans In Real-Time 3D
Tinkle writes "Toshiba's R&D Labs in Cambridge, UK have developed a system capable of real-time 3D modeling of the human face and body — using a simple set of three different colored lights. Simple it may be, but the results are impressive. Commercial applications for computer vision technology look set to be huge — according professor Roberto Cipolla. On the horizon: cheap and easy digitized everyday objects for ecommerce, plus gesture-based interfaces — a la Natal — and in-car safety systems. Ultimately even driver-less cars. 'This is going to be the decade of computer vision,' predicts Cipolla."
Thursday, March 25, 2010
How the Nintendo 3DS Might Handle 3D Display
From Slashdot: How the Nintendo 3DS Might Handle 3D Display
"Blogger Peter Smith weighs in with some possibilities for how the new Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming system will provide 3D gaming without the need for 3D glasses. The DSi has cameras, which means the 3DS will have to have them too if it's going to be backwards compatible. We've also heard rumors that the "next DS" will have tilt-sensors better than the iPhone. With either the camera or tilt-sensors either of these 'faux 3D' systems would work. But since we've seen the DSi do this already, it doesn't seem likely that the new hardware will rely on the same old trick. Enter our friends at Engadget, who uncovered some details from Japanese newspapers. If they're right, the Nintendo 3DS will incorporate parallax barrier LCD screens from Sharp (see also this explanation of dynamic parallax barrier screens). This is the same technology used in a few "3D Laptops.""
"Blogger Peter Smith weighs in with some possibilities for how the new Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming system will provide 3D gaming without the need for 3D glasses. The DSi has cameras, which means the 3DS will have to have them too if it's going to be backwards compatible. We've also heard rumors that the "next DS" will have tilt-sensors better than the iPhone. With either the camera or tilt-sensors either of these 'faux 3D' systems would work. But since we've seen the DSi do this already, it doesn't seem likely that the new hardware will rely on the same old trick. Enter our friends at Engadget, who uncovered some details from Japanese newspapers. If they're right, the Nintendo 3DS will incorporate parallax barrier LCD screens from Sharp (see also this explanation of dynamic parallax barrier screens). This is the same technology used in a few "3D Laptops.""
IP Cameras from OneKing Tech
Dear Sir,
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Simon
P.S. IP High Speed Dome Demo *please use IE browser, and allow some ActiveX script to be installed*
http://www.1king.cn/english/
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F5, Bldg 7, Yusheng Industrial Park, Gushu, Bao'an, Shenzhen, China
Tel: 86-755-2917 8484
Email&MSN Messager: simonschea@gmail.com Skype: simonschea
Website: www.1king.cn
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M351 High Speed Mini IP Dome (PTZ, Wi-Fi)
10x Optical&10x digital Samsung Zoom Len
360° Pan; 0~280°/S 0~100°/S Tilt
WI-FI Wireless: LAN 802.11b/g
OSD; Remote Control (optional)
Monday, March 22, 2010
Could quantum dots replace CCD and CMOS image sensors?
Quantum dots are tiny bits of semiconductor crystals with amazing optical properties that are determined not only by their material composition, but their size. Till now these have mostly been used for emitting light but can also receive light.
Silicon Valley startup InVisage has unveiled a potentially disruptive technology that might be a game changer for digital photography. Industry analysts are understandably intrigued by this quantum dot technology and its potential to displace the mighty CMOS image sensor in future cameras. Among other things, InVisage claims that quantum films offer four times the sensitivity as CMOS images sensor yet are less expensive to manufacture.
Quantum film threatens to replace CMOS image chips
Just as film was displaced by silicon chips, so now quantum film threatens to replace CMOS image chips by responding electrically to light instead of by changing its chemical composition.
See:
Silicon Valley startup InVisage has unveiled a potentially disruptive technology that might be a game changer for digital photography. Industry analysts are understandably intrigued by this quantum dot technology and its potential to displace the mighty CMOS image sensor in future cameras. Among other things, InVisage claims that quantum films offer four times the sensitivity as CMOS images sensor yet are less expensive to manufacture.
Quantum film threatens to replace CMOS image chips
Just as film was displaced by silicon chips, so now quantum film threatens to replace CMOS image chips by responding electrically to light instead of by changing its chemical composition.
See:
Saturday, March 20, 2010
disconnected the Cable TV
I've decided that most of what's on TV has just become really offensive and crappy these day. I could really see it's effects on my pre-teen kids. So I disconnected the Cable TV permanently.
All my TV is only from the Internet and the 1 broadcast channel we can pick up ABC. Just so much pointless mindless programming on that channel when compared to the internet.
All my TV is only from the Internet and the 1 broadcast channel we can pick up ABC. Just so much pointless mindless programming on that channel when compared to the internet.
Friday, March 19, 2010
YouTube's Bandwidth Bill May be Zero
I have been saying this forever. I realized this should be possible in 1994.
http://www.videotechnology.com/new0306.html
From Slashdot:
YouTube's Bandwidth Bill May be Zero
"Credit Suisse made headlines this summer when it estimated that YouTube was costing Google a half a billion dollars in 2009 as it streamed 75 billion videos. But a new report from Arbor Networks suggests that even though Google is approaching 10 percent of the net's traffic, it's got so much fiber optic cable it is simply trading traffic, with no payment involved, with the net's largest ISPs. 'I think Google's transit costs are close to zero,' said Craig Labovitz, the chief scientist for Arbor Networks and a longtime internet researcher. Arbor Networks, which sells network monitoring equipment used by about 70 percent of the net's ISPs, likely knows more about the net's ebbs and flows than anyone outside of the National Security Agency."
It's all 'bout da video's yo.
The Most Damning Information Viacom Dug Up On Google And YouTube
It's all 'bout da video's yo.
Google Slams Viacom For Secret YouTube Uploads
Google countered that Viacom managers continued to secretly upload content to YouTube even after the media company had filed the $1 billion copyright suit in March 2007.
The Google legal department must also have there hands full because there in a fight with the Chinese gov too, and may very well pull completely out of China.
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