TDG Opinions - All Comments

re: 4 Predictions for 2012

Thierry Fautier — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:51:06 GMT

HbbTV 1.5 based on MPEG DASH is solving #4 for broadcasters's content.

re: First UltraViolet Supported Movie to Launch Next Week, But Devil is in the Details

Mike Patnode — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:02:21 GMT

Actually, from the UV web site, it looks like "Horrible Bosses" will beat the "Green Lantern" by a few days...

re: Netflix/Qwikster: Premature Bifurcation

Seow YK — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:01:10 GMT

Netflix has always been the pin-up boy of OTT. Its 25 million subscribers is something most, if not all OTT players drool over.

However, the question had always been would Netflix achieve its current performance without the DVD service? Or is it the near ubiquitous availability of the Netflix service on almost any connected device out there?

I think it is a bold move from Reed Hastings. And it will now become an interesting test case of the hypothesis on whether a mainstream paid OTT service will succeed on its own.

I suspect Netflix is probably the Yahoo of OTT. They have shown the way, but someone else may figure it all out and lead in the end.

re: Netflix/Qwikster: Premature Bifurcation

Alfred Poor — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:30:19 GMT

Interesting analysis, but I think you're behind the curve on this one, Colin. If you think that the DVD-by-mail business is so wonderful, I expect Netflix would be more than happy to receive your offer to buy Qwikster. Competing against Blockbuster is not such an impressive task, considering that company's recent history. And surveys about subscriber intentions haven't proven to be that accurate at predicting subscriber actions. I'll grant that Hulu/Hulu Plus could pose a threat to the new streaming-only Netflix, but that operation's future is far from certain at this point.

I think that the Netflix leadership has done the right thing; they've taken a bold action to underscore their commitment to a change that they initiated years ago. Whether it's a winning strategy or not will remain to be seen, but it's reasonable to conclude that the past approach would not continue to be viable indefinitely. (How's your local Blockbuster store doing?)

I expect that the victor in streaming video services is probably lurking behind Door Number 3, and that Hulu and Netflix eventually will join Joost as trailblazers who pointed the way but couldn't maintain reliable and adequate access to content. Google/YouTube? Amazon? Microsoft? Maybe Comcast or Verizon? All I know for certain is that this is going to be fun to watch.

Alfred Poor

re: Netflix/Qwikster: Premature Bifurcation

Dave — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:16:58 GMT

Couldn't agree more about the premature bifurcation.

Netflix won kudos in some circles for having a name that supported the original DVD service while anticipating the ultimate value of streaming.......No need to create two names now....

re: Ultraviolet Remains Invisible to the Human Eye

Mike Nann — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:54:33 GMT

DTS also issued a press release announcing a joint IBC demonstration and collaboration with Digital Rapids, featuring the companies' tools for the production of media in the UltraViolet Common File Format. (Full disclosure: I work for Digital Rapids). http://bit.ly/o2Lv3g

re: John Sununu and Harold Ford Would Like You to Know Netflix is Unfair to All Americans.

Tory — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:58:11 GMT

With the emergence SmartTV Apps, the cable companies will be waging major warfare. Apps are actually TV channels without the million dollar plus investment. And they can offer both linear and VOD models simultaneously. We have SmartTV Apps on both Samsung and LG running in Europe. As the percentage of connected TS increases , the cable companies will have their prized and expensive tier model challenged by anew wave of content providers.