Mobile Video

Apple’s Lightning is Not So Fast with Video

2013-03-18T10:23:19Z

Controversy has exploded around Apple’s new Lightning connector that makes most accessories to one’s older Apple products obsolete. But the frustration of accessory renewal is the fact, not the controversy.

The newest debate claims the new Lightning connector isn’t putting out full 1080p.

If you want a proper 1080p signal from your iPhone or iPad, you’d think the best bet is to plug it in directly using Apple’s own Lightning digital AV adapter. But some industry experts suggest it is introducing noticeable compression artifacts.

A well-known software developer (writing in an aptly named “Panic Blog”) discovered that using the old Dock Connector AV adapter will output a full 1920 x 1080 video mirroring signal, but the newer Lightning AV adapter tops out at 1600 x 900.

Incredible, right? So the software developer goes hardware nuts and dives into the adapter and finds it is employing the same compression used in AirPlay to stream out the video. That’s his conclusion. Apple’s is…well, they don’t really talk to their customers as much as preach to them…so "No Comment."

Intel Confirms Web TV Ambitions

2013-02-15T10:28:39Z

Intel confirms ambitions to enter the online TV market-- at the AllThingsD Dive Into Media conference Intel corporate VP of media Erik Huggers claims the company will provide a "superior experience" to what is currently available.

The development comes from Intel's newly formed media division formed by former Apple, Jawbone, BBC and Microsoft employees.

Apparently already in testing, the Intel service delivers live TV via the internet (with smaller channel bundles than what cable companies offer) and a "Catch Up TV" video-on-demand service on both TVs (via STB) and mobile devices.

In other words, the company is gunning for both cable and video-on-demand business through an Intel-powered "an all in one solution" providing "not a value play but a quality play.”

Nook Video Arrives in UK

2012-12-14T13:15:31Z

Barnes & Noble expands licensing partnerships and launches the Nook Video service for Nook HD and HD+ tablets in the UK-- the first video-on-demand (VOD) service in the UK offering UltraViolet titles in the region.

UltraViolet capability makes it easier for customers to integrated compatible physical media and digital purchases across devices. Users can also link UltraViolet andn Nook Cloud accounts, allowing for viewing of purchases through both Nook tablets and other devices through soon-to-launch Nook Video apps.

Content partners for the venture include the BBC, HBO, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, STARZ, and Warner Bros, with other studios to join in the future.

Go Nook Video Offering Debuts in the UK

First 5-Megapixel Video Conferencing on Mac’s Retina Display

2012-07-16T13:46:42Z

Vidyo delivers 5-megapixel multipoint video conferences with data collaboration on the new MacBook Pro from Apple.

With the ability to render a mix of 1080p and 720p video streams, and up to 5MP data share for an aggregate maximum of 5 megapixels, Vidyo says its software delivers 2.5X times the pixel count of hardware telepresence systems on Apple’s latest device.

“While legacy telepresence platforms require redesign and fork-lift upgrades to take advantage of evolving technology, Vidyo’s software-based platform affords the flexibility to capitalize on new, off the shelf hardware, like the MacBook Pro with Retina™ Display, proving our ability to benefit from Moore’s Law,” says Vidyo co-founder and CEO, Ofer Shapiro. “Customers have come to expect technology that keeps pace with the emergence of new form factors in an effective and affordable way; Vidyo is the only company that consistently delivers on end-user expectations.”

The demonstration on the new MacBook Pro highlights the extensibility of Vidyo’s architecture to incorporate collaboration based on the capability of each individual end point-- all on the same Vidyo Infrastructure.

New Adaptive Streaming Standard

2012-03-20T09:36:46Z

A diverse group of technology leaders announce the creation of the DASH Promoters Group dedicated to driving the broad adoption of MPEG's DASH (dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP) standard.

Reacting to the dramatic growth of Internet video, DASH defines a universal delivery format to provide end users with the best-possible video experience and dynamically adapts to changing network conditions during video streaming to devices.

It incorporates all of the best elements of proprietary adaptive streaming solutions designed to solve the classic issues users see when they stream video: intermittent stalls, poor video quality under changing network conditions, and significant video start-up lag.

The membership of the DASH Promoters Group represents a significant cross section of major players across the multimedia and video delivery value chain. Microsoft, Netflix, and Qualcomm are the founding members. Other companies include: Adobe, AEG Digital Media, Akamai, BuyDRM, Digital Rapids, Digital TV Labs, Dolby, EBU-UER, Elemental, Envivio, Ericsson, Harmonic, Intertrust, NDS, Packet Ship, Path1, RGB Networks, Samsung, Thomson, University of Klagenfurt, and ZiXi.

Voddler and Dolby Launch Mobile Movie Service

2012-03-02T15:43:02Z

Voddler and Dolby Laboratories implement Dolby Digital Plus audio in the latest mobile version of the Voddler video-on-demand (VOD) service.

Launched at Mobile World Congress on select Nokia smartphones (N9, 700, 701, 603, 803, and the upcoming 803) the Voddler app streams full movie with "true" 5.1 Dolby-powered surround sound.

The Voddler online library offers movies and TV series from 35 studios for customers in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, with the option to either purchase, rent or purchase titles.

Go Voddler Launches World's First Dolby Digital Plus Movie Service to Mobile Devices

Mobile Devices Get 360-Degree Video

2012-01-20T10:52:15Z

Kogeto shows off the Dot 360-degree panoramic video recording accessory for iOS and Android devices (and the GoPro camera) at CES 2012.

The idea behind the dot is fairly simple-- users need to install the Kogeto Looker app before attaching the holster-like Dot to their smartphone of choice. The app allows the automatic recording of 360-degree panoramic video for users to either edit or upload to the web.

The Dot is already available for the iPhone 4/4S, and an update should hit the market post-CES for iPhones and Android phones (under the name "iCONIC for Android"), as well as GoPro Hero cameras.

Go Kogeto Dot

LifeSize: VTC Compatibility to iPad, iPhone & Cloud

2012-01-16T15:55:18Z

Everyone wants videoconferencing products to integrate desktop applications like Skype, iChat and GoogleTalk into high-end VTC systems-- especially HD ones. This would allow everyone to be able to jump on a VTC network anywhere at any time-- even if you don't have a high-end VTC system.

Well, those days are coming and in the meantime, companies like Cisco, Polycom and now Logitech with LifeSize are offering a patch-like solution by making their networks available via mobile devices like iPads and mobile phones via the Cloud.

Dubbed LifeSize Connections, it's an HD video collaboration platform that uses the cloud to connect compatible VTC's available to devices (phones, laptops and iPads) via a $1000 box.

OK, so how? Well, first of all, they bought Mirial, so they've integrated their mobile connectivity technology into the LifeSize Cloud.

Watch LifeSize Connections

Mirial Adds H.264 Support on Mobile Devices

2012-01-16T15:51:55Z

Mirial announces ClearSea supports H.264 also on mobile devices, leveraging on the hardware-based decoding capabilities of the mobile CPU.

The support in ClearSea for H.264 up to qHD is available on most Tegra2-based devices and Qualcomm-based devices, such as HTC Sensation, the Motorola Atrix 4G, the Dell Streak 7 and many others, with qHD (960x540 pixels) being the native resolution of the most advanced smartphones available today. The majority of Android devices can still enjoy H.264 high quality video codec up to CIF resolution in ClearSea.

ClearSea is the only professional video conferencing solution including a software client for Android devices that enables organization to connect Pc, Mac, Android or iOS devices and any standards-based H.323/SIP equipment, such as videoconferencing room systems.

ClearSea for Android, as well as for iOS, Windows and Mac, is available today as a service or as an on-premises solution.

Go Mirial and ClearSea