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Viodi View Menu<\/strong><\/p>\n Current Issue<\/a>The Other Kind of IP<\/a>Kink-Free Telecom – Live and In-Person<\/a><\/p>\n Previous Issue<\/a><\/p>\n Viodi View Subscribe<\/a> <\/p>\n Viodi Forums<\/strong>Club Viodi<\/a>Local Content<\/a><\/p>\n Multimedia Search <\/a><\/p>\n Viodi Workshops<\/strong>Local Content<\/a>Telco Video 101<\/a>Incremona Training<\/a><\/p>\n Industry<\/strong>Industry Calendar<\/a>Favorite Links<\/a><\/p>\n About Viodi<\/a>Contact<\/a>Biographies<\/a><\/p>\n Interested in Sponsoring the Viodi View? Send an email to: sponsor@viodi.com<\/strong><\/p>\n Please forward<\/strong> this free publication to anyone you know who is involved in some way with independent telephone companies. <\/p>\n Mission of the Viodi View:<\/strong><\/p>\n In this on-line publication, we share our analysis, opinions and direction on the interactive television news and views that we believe will be of interest and use to our friends associated directly or indirectly with independent telephone companies. For more information as to the various ways Viodi works with independent telephone companies, please go to http:\/\/www.viodi.com\/alliance\/<\/a><\/p>\n Disclaimer:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Viodi View [Viodi, LLC] and its associates used their best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, the Viodi View [Viodi, LLC] does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.<\/p>\n All displayed trademarks, logos and service marks are the property of their respective owners. \u00a9 2005Viodi, LLC<\/a>. All Rights Reserved. Viodi View Newsletter – May 25th, 2005 <\/strong><\/p>\n Penny-wise, pound foolish -I must admit that adage applies to me way too often. Once in awhile, I break with my modus operandi and actually consider the full life-cycle costs of a purchase. Hertz<\/strong> and their \u201cGold Club\u201d service is one of those rare companies where I will actually spend a little bit more to save a little bit of time. Bypassing rental car lines is a great relief after a day of rushing through airports, which is what Hertz allows me to do. This past trip was even more pleasant as Hertz gave me a chance to test out a re-born muscle car<\/strong> from the 60s; more on that fun experience in this week\u2019s korner<\/strong>. <\/p>\n Local Content in Oregon<\/strong><\/p>\n Monday\u2019s travel took me to the Great Northwest, where I got to do my favorite Viodi activity; participate in a Local Content Workshop<\/strong>. I am really blessed with the many opportunities to meet independent telcos, but this is probably my favorite event as it is very intimate and is a great chance to hear the perspectives of all kinds of independent telcos. I am continually impressed with the independent telcos and their efforts to build their communities. <\/p>\n I am also impressed with the caliber of speakers that join me in these workshops. Thomas Crowel<\/strong>l, of the Law office of Thomas Crowell, discussed the all important topic of Intellectual Property<\/strong>. This is the third time I have heard this basic talk and each time I pick up another subtly about Intellectual Property. As a service to the Viodi View readers, I will publish another portion of his talk. You can see the last segment we published by <\/p>\n Clicking Here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Parenting and Local Content?<\/strong><\/p>\n Another guest speaker who was a last minute, but wonderful, addition to the program was Kathy Calcagno<\/strong>. Kathy is the producer\/host of a show, Parenting TODAY<\/em><\/strong>, which is broadcast in Portland on the WB affiliate. Like many independent telcos, Parenting TODAY<\/em>, is truly a \u201cmom and pop\u201d effort. Two people create this weekly series that, 20 years ago probably would have required a staff of 20 people. This is a talented duo, but Kathy proves that one does not need prior video experience<\/strong> to be a successful content creator. <\/p>\n A banker by trade, Kathy made the jump into video production, a little more than a year ago. Now, she logs the tapes, writes the scripts, finds sponsors, sells ads, is the on-air talent and ensures that clearances and rights are obtained. Her story is inspiring<\/strong> to any telco wanting to move into this business. Going forward, there could be some interesting opportunities for independent telcos to work with this content creation company. <\/p>\n At the last workshop, one of the telcos brought along a representative from their local school board, which was a brilliant way to motivate members<\/strong> of the community to create content. Involving the youth community is another tactic that has a huge potential. One of the attendees of this month\u2019s workshop was a father-son combination. The 15-year-old son is already very adept at creating videos for his Church<\/strong>, his dad\u2019s publicly traded company<\/strong> and his school<\/strong>. You will be seeing and hearing more about this young man\u2019s initiative in future issues of the Viodi View (first, I want to make sure I get proper permissions).<\/p>\n Thanks to Tut Systems<\/strong><\/a> for opening their facility to Viodi. They showed us a working MPEG-4 system in their lab and explained that they have shipped two MPEG-4 headends to customers. Now, the set-tops just need to catch-up. <\/p>\n A special thanks to Sarah Mason<\/strong> and DV411<\/strong><\/a> for their support of the Local Content Workshop. Definitely give them a call if you are need of video production equipment<\/strong> for your content creation needs.<\/p>\n IP Video @ Supercomm – Going, Going…..<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Content creation is one of the many topics that will be discussed at the LAST EVER IP Video @ Supercomm conference. It will be the last ever, because, this is Supercomm\u2019s last year!<\/strong> I know this is a blatant, self-promotional plug for the conference, but I am truly excited by the program we have put together. The presentations have been flying in over the electronic transom and there are some really good pearls from the 40+ speakers. Viodi is co-producing this conference with USTA (check out this really cool press release by clicking here<\/strong><\/a>\u2013 it is nice to have an editor; thanks Allison Remsen), so I hope to see you in Chicago.<\/p>\n I was not able to get a critical mass of participants for a Sunday afternoon family picnic at Supercomm, so Viodi will not be producing any sort of after-hours event at Supercomm. Entone<\/strong> and a host of their partners will be throwing a big shindig at the House of Blues<\/strong> on Tuesday night. If this is of interest, please RSVP<\/strong> to Van Nguyen<\/strong>, van.nguyen@entone.com<\/strong>. I will be there with Jane and a bunch of other Viodites (hmmm, if you mispronounce it, it kind of sounds like vidiots) for the festivities.Note,<\/strong> the IP Video @ Supercomm<\/strong><\/em><\/a> does require separate registration from Supercomm. Register by Friday<\/strong> to get a discount<\/strong>. Last year it was sold out and we were turning people away, because the room was not big enough. <\/p>\n Special Offer just for Viodi View Readers: <\/strong><\/p>\n Viodi View member who register for C-COR’s Global IP Summit will receive the following:<\/p>\n When registering, enter code 518<\/strong> in the Sponsor box to get this discounted offer.<\/p>\n Kink-Free Telecom – Live and In-Person<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n In the last issue of the Viodi View, I mentioned that I was in Michigan<\/strong> learning about Telecom in this state that has been a leader in telecom reform<\/strong> since the early 90s. One of the things that makes Michigan\u2019s Telecom policy unique is that the legislature has to address the rules every five years; which chronologically is a short time, but, in telecom years, is a lifetime. <\/p>\n The idea behind this sort of law is that regulation of a rapidly changing industry, such as telecom, must be regularly reviewed so that it does not become outdated and stifle innovation and progress. Michigan\u2019s Telecom Act is about to expire and the Telecommunications Association of Michigan<\/strong> is arguing that the rules need to be tweaked<\/strong> to reflect the massive technology and business changes that have occurred in telecom since 2000. <\/p>\n Their Annual meeting reflected this theme, which TAM describes as, \u201cworking out the kinks<\/strong>.\u201d TAM smartly created a catchy graphic that depicts a couple of tin cans connected by a curly-cue string. What impressed me about this annual meeting was that it mixed informative presentations along with an exhibition floor that had exhibits that focused on the services to be offered. SBC\u2019s<\/strong> display of its U-Verse<\/strong> product offering had to impress the many state legislators that attended this 2 day event. Click here to learn more.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Difference Between IPTV & TV Over the Internet<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Being quoted in the same article<\/a><\/strong> as SureWest Communications<\/strong> CTO, Bill DeMuth<\/strong>, is a great honor. The author of this article<\/strong>, Geoff Daily<\/strong>, does a good job distinguishing between IPTV & TV over the Internet. A similar article by Mike Quigley<\/strong> President and Chief Operating Officer of Alcatel<\/strong> in Business Week<\/a><\/strong> also does a pretty good job of charactering the differences. <\/p>\n One note of caution<\/strong> is that many pundits are underestimating<\/strong> the ability of cable and, even satellite, to provide the same interactive functionality as IPTV. Features like multiple camera angles, which I hear touted over and over like they are a new concept, were commercially proven in the early 1990s by Canadian cable pioneer Videotron over coaxial cable television plant. The MSOs will roll out these features as needed in order to stay competitive, so telcos need to realize that IPTV is not<\/strong> going to be the single silver bullet<\/strong> that restores their preeminence in the telecom field. <\/p>\n An Interesting Interactive Application<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking of interactive applications that could be accomplished over IPTV or cable television plant, in the last issue I mentioned being impressed with Digisoft.tv\u2019s two-screen interactive television application. Using a standard Sprint PCS picture phone, they snapped a photo of Peter Lowten and I and sent it to an ADB hybrid RF\/Ethernet set-top box [an aside; this box could be real interesting for a hybrid RF\/Ethernet, Fiber to the Home video system]. Click here<\/strong><\/a> to reference the full article from the last issue of the Viodi View. <\/p>\n People on the Move:<\/strong><\/p>\n As some of you may have noticed, Jerry Brandt<\/strong>, who will be giving a very informative talk at the IP Video @ Supercomm<\/em><\/strong> on content requirements, has joined Intel<\/strong>. <\/p>\n Wayne Gaudette<\/strong>, an old pal from my Raynet<\/strong> daze, has just accepted a Regional Vice President position at Bigband Networks<\/strong>. When Wayne and I were at Raynet in the 1992\/93 <\/strong>timeframe, we worked on a \u201ctriple play<\/strong>\u201d project with Bell of Pennsylvania<\/strong> whereby we were going to extend the campus\u2019s cable and data system to off-site apartments. Bell of Pennsylvania bought and installed the equipment and we were ready to go, but regulatory challenges shut down the service before its launch. The ironic thing is that Scott Sandall<\/strong> of D & E<\/strong> will be talking at IP Video @ Supercomm <\/strong><\/em>about a similar service that D & E offers to those very same apartments.<\/p>\n Congratulations<\/strong> to Jerry and Wayne in their new adventures. <\/p>\n The\u00a0Korner: Is This the Start of a Mid-Life Crisis?<\/strong><\/p>\n When I first stole a look at the new Mustang<\/strong> about a month ago, Paris Hilton\u2019s<\/strong> allegedly trademarked phrase, \u201cthat\u2019s hot<\/strong>\u201d, came to mind. The Ford designers were able to capture the essence of the original Mustang from its glory muscle car days, giving it a distinctive, yet nostalgic look. Let me be clear, I believe that the first priority of a car should be economical transport. As such, I almost always rent a sub-compact which saves a buck or two in rental fees and allows me to eek a little more mileage from the little car\u2019s thimble-size gas tank. <\/p>\n One can imagine my delight when I saw that Hertz<\/strong> had upgraded<\/strong> my sub-compact car to a factory fresh, 2005 Mustang for my travels around Portland this week. The soft-top convertible version I drove was noisy, as would be expected. I was pleasantly surprised, however, that I could fit my over-packed suitcases into this car\u2019s relatively small trunk. Two people could comfortably vacation in this sporty speed machine, but it would probably be impossible to travel with a family of four and their associated luggage.<\/p>\n Make no mistake; this car is really a two-seater meant for the open road and to be driven by free-spirited, middle-age krazies<\/strong> like me. The surprising amount of front seat leg room coupled with the bucket seats and the full-length headrest makes for a comfortable seating arrangement. With big round dials reminiscent of the original Mustang, the instrumentation panel harkened back<\/strong> to the days of when the world was analog. <\/p>\n The thing that really impressed me was the raw power<\/strong>. It felt like wild mustangs were under the hood, as a gentle touch of the gas pedal resulted in a testosterone-rush of rather rapid acceleration. I did detect the faint scent of burning rubber at least one starting line \u2013 I mean stop light. It was probably a good thing that the thoroughfares in the \u201cCity of Roses were somewhat congested, as there is nothing worse than getting a speeding ticket where traffic school is not a viable option. <\/p>\n I just hope my fleeting infatuation with this Detroit iron is not an indication of something bigger \u2013 something like a mid-life crisis<\/strong>. Please feel free to initiate an \u201cintervention<\/strong>\u201d, if I exhibit the tell-tale signs associated with this affliction \u2013 signs such as, I become a snappy dresser, my hair is colored (and combed) and you notice syringes in my personal effects that look like they could be from do-it-yourself, anti-wrinkle treatments (if such a thing exists). <\/p>\n Next Article<\/a><\/p>\n Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n Previous Issue<\/a><\/p>\n Viodi View Subscribe<\/strong><\/p>\n IP Video @ Supercomm Agenda<\/strong><\/p>\n Services – Is the future now?<\/a><\/p>\n It’s 2005 and content is still King<\/a><\/p>\n Studio Requirements & the Impact on Tech Decisions<\/a><\/p>\n Grassroots content – Grow it locally<\/a><\/p>\n Success cases of Telco deployment of video and broadband services<\/a><\/p>\n The regulatory landscape for broadband – roundtable<\/a><\/p>\n Advertising – Content or clutter?<\/a><\/p>\n Practical uses of interactive television<\/a><\/p>\n The impact of the back-office on a successful rollout of broadband and video services<\/a><\/p>\n
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