| We are living in an exciting time. As the Web 2.0 | | | | important factor is comfort. Most people want to |
| bubble expands and the popularity and acceptance | | | | sit, back, relax and enjoy the show...that is hard |
| of user-driven ( which is just another word for | | | | to do in an office or den setting. The final issue is |
| independent, btw) content increases, we are | | | | that TV viewing-especially for movies-is |
| finally seeing "new and improved" ways of | | | | considered to be a group activity. Many people like |
| consuming this content. Streaming is still the most | | | | to watch movies with family and friends, this is |
| popular method of watching internet distributed | | | | impossible to do when all huddled around the |
| content. But, with the introduction of the new iPod | | | | computer. |
| touch, iPhone, slingmedia slingbox, TiVo, and Apple | | | | So, we have new exciting options available. While |
| TV, we are begining to see the completion of the | | | | geeks have been pumping online content to media |
| distribution channel from content creation to | | | | center PCs or hacked Xboxes for years, we are |
| internet distribution to delivery in the family room | | | | now moving into the land of the rest of us. The |
| and your pocket. | | | | new devices promise plug-and-play simplicity and a |
| I don't think the importance of this can be | | | | "look mom, no wires" approach to download |
| underestimated. Think back to 5 years ago...how | | | | movies off the net or from other networked |
| much online video was distributed? What were | | | | computers. |
| the levels of quality? It is easy to see how far | | | | The abiity to watch independent content in the |
| we have come. A parallel can be made to the | | | | family room is a huge win for content creators. |
| software industry. It is now very rare to run off | | | | Anyone can grab a DV camera and make a |
| to the store to purchase software. Yes, major | | | | movie. We've seen this through the past five |
| packages such as an OS upgrade, Office suite or | | | | years in the explosion of no-budget filmmaking. |
| design/production software are still delivered on | | | | The hardest part has always been getting your |
| physical media. But most small to medium sized | | | | movie seen. Now with the internet as the |
| software packages are purchased and distributed | | | | distribution channel we've eliminated the need for |
| online. This trend has moved to the music | | | | getting a "real" distribution deal. And now, that we |
| industry with iTunes, Rhapsody and Napster. This | | | | can get into the family room it's time to grab the |
| is a huge shift that will also sweep up the video | | | | popcorn! |
| industry. | | | | This trend is also moving to mobile video with the |
| The audience for watching video on a computer is | | | | hot new iPod touch and iPhone. These devices |
| small. I doubt that anyone over 45 is even willing | | | | offer beautiful large displays, decent battery life |
| to try watching more than a 3 minute clip on a | | | | and support for movie downloads from a number |
| computer screen. Long form programs such as | | | | of providers, including Apple's on iTunes and |
| TV shows and movies belong on a TV. Another | | | | HungryFlix. |