Mobile Video: Distribution to the Fourth Screen

There is a lot of buzz these days about video distribution to cell phones. The idea of uploading an independent film, TV series pilot or even your demo reel to a place where anyone with an iPhone can see it sounds like “the next big thing.” Unfortunately, the ease of distributing to mobile devices is not nearly as easy as uploading a video to YouTube - at least not yet.

Over the next few articles, we’ll look at some of the complexities and strategies for delivering video to mobile devices. We’ll also look at how some trends will have an impact on production and distribution of video content. To begin with, let’s look at one straightforward question - why mobile and how are we going to view video on mobile devices?

Bringing Video to the Masses Part 2

Live from the Voices That Matter conference, author Richard Harrington reveals what’s next beyond YouTube and why offering consumers the ability to download your content is imperative. He also talks about Facebook’s platform, video user statistics, demographics, what constitutes an optimal distribution plan for publishers, and why “video is the new photography.”

You can view part 1 – here!

Having issues with Facebook video?

Note: video tested and known to work in Firefox and Safari; may have issues with IE7.

You can view an alternate version here.

Bringing Video to the Masses - Part 1 of an Interview

Live from the Voices That Matter conference, San Francisco, author Richard Harrington discusses the factors that have caused online video consumption to grow exponentially over the past few years.

You can also view part 2– here!

Online Video Delivery with Kyte

Author and video podcaster Richard Harrington discusses online video distribution with Cody Smith from kyte.com at NAB 2009.

Internet TV: Yahoo and Intel Try Again

Many companies have made numerous attempts to make the computer the center of our leisure-time activities, often based around trying to introduce computers into the living room. For the most part, they haven’t succeeded; many people still spend a lot more time in front of their TV sets than they do their computers. So instead, Yahoo and Intel are making another attempt to bring the Internet to the TV. Later this week at CES they’ll be rolling out The Widget Channel, “a comprehensive software framework that will enable consumers to access their favorite Internet content while they watch TV.”

Square vs. Non-Square Pixels – Producing Video Podcasts

Author and video podcaster Richard Harrington explains the difference between square and non-square pixels and how to make sure your web videos are properly sized.

Liberating segregated HDTV sets

Unfortunately, many of the latest-generation HDTV sets sold in the USA are segregated, meaning that they cruelly block 50Hz signals on their video input. In some cases, they simply show no picture, while in others, they put up an unfriendly message stating: “Unsupported format”. However, as I explained in my recent comparative article on HD players, both AppleTV and WDTV fortunately liberate these segregated HDTV sets so that they can play 50Hz material (25p, 50p, or 50i) with no problem, along with ±60Hz material. My comment here regarding segregated HDTV sets refers to distribution, since for professional production and post-production, I highly recommend the use of professional HD monitors. So far, all of the professional HD monitors I have used personally or have researched are all free of segregation nonsense and play all desired signals.

The rest of this article has been moved to Allan’s PVC channel. Click here to view it.

AppleTV, WDTV, or Blu-ray: Which one is best to distribute your HD project?

Even if your HD project isn’t destined to be broadcast over the air, you’ll still want to have your client be able to play it on an HDTV set, not just on a computer. The good news is that you have several options to make that happen, including Blu-ray, AppleTV, and the brand-new WDTV device from Western Digital. During this transitional period, it is often the producer who influences the client as to which HD player to acquire. Many producers even incorporate the cost of one of these HD players in the project price and then give the device to the client “as a gift” with the first HD project, if the client doesn’t already own any HD player. It’s great to have options, but you must understand them fully (both their strengths and weaknesses) in order to pick one, two of them, or all of them, depending upon the exact format of HD you have produced, the hardware you own (or are willing to buy), the type of client, and the type of delivery. This article will help you learn the details that will help you make the appropriate decision.

The rest of this article has been moved to Allan’s PVC channel. Click here to view it.

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