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Viodi View Newsletter – March 30th, 2005
- High Definition Reality
- Learn More About High Def at the Local Content Workshop
- Small Retailers Band Together
- 802.22 WRAN Working Group Update
- Make Your Voice Heard
- Tidbits from Minnesota
- The Korner – Give Me a Hand
It was Ray Davies of the Kinks who, in the mid 1980s, had the foresight to suggest that people, “think visual” and “think digital”. The last few weeks, I have been thinking a great deal about digital and video. These once distinct technologies have melded into a tool as powerful as the Guttenberg press was in its day. From education to religion to politics, every aspect of society will be touched by this digital video revolution. It is frightening how far the tools have advanced, as they allow ordinary people to create deceptively realistic video imagery.
Early Bird Registration for IPTV 2005 Ends April 4th
IPTV 2005 is the essential developers event which brings together all segments of the technology ecosystem including semiconductor companies, OEMs, software vendors and telcos in a single forum designed to help companies plan, develop and execute winning technology strategies. Email us at [email protected] and we will send a link for Viodi View readers to receive a special discount.
I had the chance to experience the cutting edge of this digital video shift at a West Los Angeles open house sponsored by DV411. DV411 is a system integrator of the digital video tools, such as non linear editing systems, that are the basis for the significant changes that are occurring in the video production industry. The open house featured representatives from companies like Avid, Cineform and Pinnacle (Avid just announced their intent to purchase Pinnacle). The theme of the open house was “high definition”. One take-away from this open house was that independent telcos have to get their pipes ready for all the new high definition content coming down the pipe.
Learn More About High Def at the Local Content Workshop
To hear more about what I learned from the DV411 folks [and to get one of the nice tee-shirts or hats they provided – thanks DV411], you will have to come to the next Local Content Workshop in Minnesota on April 5th. Ok, so this is a self-serving teaser for this event that covers everything having to do with telcos and the creation of local video content. I am looking forward to this installment, as Chuck Lerhke of New Ulm Telephone will tell us about a documentary he is producing on the 2nd largest statue in the U.S. Thomas Lowrey, a successful producer-turned attorney will answer queries about copyrights and clearances. If you still want early-bird pricing for next week’s workshop, email me.
Based on what I have learned from telcos, local content is a long-term differentiator and something that is a must-have. Working with local merchants to create local content is one way for a telco to compete against current and future (e.g. big box retailers) competition. In a similar vein, the Associated Press had a good article regarding how local retailers in small towns are beginning to band together to fight the onslaught of larger-out-town competitors and their strong brands.
Strong customer relationships combined with products that leverage a company’s brand are critical to continued growth for any business. No one knows this better than P-Diddy, a.k.a. Sean Combs. This king of the hip-hop generation made an appearance at the Cellular Telephone Industry Association’s trade show a few weeks back and declared that, “It’s all about cell phones…cell phones, cell phones, cell phones. I don’t own spectrum, I don’t have network infrastructure, I don’t make customer service calls, but I do have subscribers…tens of millions of them,” So, it looks like the guy, formerly known as Puff Daddy, will leverage his “subscribers” by launching a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) venture.
802.22 Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) WG Update
The reality is that, even with the rise of MVNOs, there still needs to be entities that build and operate the telecommunications’ infrastructure. One of the promising new approaches for last mile infrastructure, which could be critical for independent telcos and their efforts to use wireless to broaden their reach, is represented by the work that is being done in the 802.22 Working Group. In this issue, Alan Weissberger of Data Communications Technology reports on the progress of the Working Group in defining a Functional Requirements document for this future standard. Click here to read about this important work.
Note: The importance of wireless to serve rural areas can be seen in a speech given by FCC Commissioner Adelstein at the WISPCON VII conference last week. His comments are worth a read.
Regardless of the infrastructure, there seems to be universal agreement that the regulatory field has to be leveled. The contentious part is the various industry segments have different definitions of “level playing field”. Thus, it is very important that independent telcos make their voices heard. OPASTCO’s Legislative and Regulatory conference is one venue for telcos to be heard on a Federal level.
At the state level, I am looking forward to speaking at the Telecommunications Association of Michigan’s Annual Meeting in Lansing on May 11th. They have invited FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to speak at this two day event. TAM has put together a very informative web site, www.kinkfreetelecom.com that is a good example of what can be done at the state level. Another good forum for discussing the regulatory challenges facing independent telcos is USTA’s Small Company Caucus in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis was the hot bed of activity last week, as over 2,000 people attended the Minnesota Telecommunications Association’s convention. Click here to read some of the interesting tidbits uncovered by Roger Bindl at this three day event. Roger will be back in Minnesota in less than a week to discuss the techniques he is using to create content that is regularly shown on Madison’s WYOU public access channel, as well as the Wis-Kino film group.
Scenes from MTA by Roger Bindl
One of the mini-controversies currently engulfing California’s Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is the creation of videos by the California state government that were fed directly to news outlets. Critics have suggested that the production and distribution of these videos borders on state-generated propaganda. Propaganda, especially done well, is scary as it essentially paints a fictional picture that appears to be the truth. With the current state of video editing and digital image manipulation, it is possible for virtually anyone to create their version of the truth that looks pretty realistic.
For instance, in this week’s video, it appears as if I beat Arnold Schwarzenegger in an arm wrestling match. Ok, so the premise of me beating Schwarzenegger is not too believable, but the video looks real. This is due to the amazing technology from a company called Ultimatte. This video was shot at the DV Expo West last December, so as one would expect, the audience was digitally superimposed onto the background. The amazing thing is that the Arnold Schwarzenegger look-alike was also keyed in to the background.
Watch Video (wmv, 1:00)
It is so realistic that for a moment I thought he had been there with me. Check out this video and see if you can identify the timing flaw that gives away the truth behind this one minute fantasy.
Note: The Celebrity Impersonater stars Lyndall Grant. This video does not constitute a celebrity endorsement. It is not affilicated with “The Terminator Films” or any related copyrights. For more information on the celebrity impersonater, visit www.lyndallgrant.com. He has an interesting background that is worth the read.
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IP Video @ Supercomm Agenda
It’s 2005 and content is still King
Studio Requirements & the Impact on Tech Decisions
Grassroots content – Grow it locally
Success cases of Telco deployment of video and broadband services
The regulatory landscape for broadband – roundtable
Advertising – Content or clutter?
Practical uses of interactive television
The impact of the back-office on a successful rollout of broadband and video services
The impact of operations on the consumer experience
Speakers Include
- Dorothy Atwood, SBC
- Craig Bender, Tut Systems
- Paul Berriman, PCCW
- Geoff Burke, Calix
- Roger Bindl, Viodi
- Laura Buddine, Iacta
- Jerry Brandt, Adventis
- Paul Connolly, Scientific Atlanta
- Bill Corrall, Sun Microsystems
- Rod Collingwood, TCT West
- Allison Dollar, Interactive Television Alliance
- Jim Farmer, FTTH Council
- Bo Ferm, Irdeto Access
- Matt Hallam, Consolidated Communications
- Jane Jude, Hargray
- Howard Juul, INS
- Steve Klein, Zhone Technologies
- Howard Liu, Ph.D, The Walt Disney Company
- Peter Pifer, ETI Software
- Robert Primosch, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
- Alan Toman, Travertine Entertainment
- Floyd Wagoner, Motorola
- Jeffrey Weber, SBC
Viodi Job Board
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