I like to watch movies in Widescreen. Some people prefer Full Screen. But when you try to figure out which side is which you get a vague clue telling you that Side A is Widescreen. What does that mean? The side that is facing up, or the side facing down.
It would be easier to just say, Widescreen - This Side Up and mark the other side with a Full Screen message. That way there would be no confusion, and you wouldn't have to get up off the couch and let your snacks cool down or ice cream melt or however you enjoy a movie to flip the disc and sit through the FBI Warnings for a second time.
Showing posts with label Things That Entertain You. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Things That Entertain You. Show all posts
Monday, January 19, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
How We Could Share TV Legally Without a Computer
Obviously, the power of the Internet allows us to share videos without much effort with friends and unknowns alike. There is a hurdle to jump through though; someone out there has to actually capture the video, upload it to the web, and make it available to whomever they want. Most of us don't want to spend the time setting all this up just to avoid having our ISP send us harassing letters about copyright infringement.
Instead, a cable company could allow their cable boxes (which are basically just single purpose computers) to share data with other boxes. Each box could have an identifying "name," exactly like Wiis do right now. You could add contacts (other cable boxes) and if you watch a particularly funny episode of Saturday Night Live, or catch the local TV anchor drop a Freudian slip, you could send the video to someone else.
The receiving cable box would look at the metadata from the video and determine if it had the rights to play the file. If both users subscribe to HBO, then I could send you the episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm that you forgot to record last night. Granted, most subscription services make their shows available on demand, but most normal channels don't.
Working out the specfics of the Digital Rights Management (DRM) would be tricky. But isn't DRM tricky to begin with? And someone is bound to strip the DRM from the files within a week of this service coming out. But most people won't bother, because the shared videos would most likely relate to inside jokes, personal relationships, or obscure late night channel surfing. Broadcasters would benefit by having more people watch their programs and advertisers would benefit from closer scrutiny of the ads for moments to share.
TV 2.0? Again?
Instead, a cable company could allow their cable boxes (which are basically just single purpose computers) to share data with other boxes. Each box could have an identifying "name," exactly like Wiis do right now. You could add contacts (other cable boxes) and if you watch a particularly funny episode of Saturday Night Live, or catch the local TV anchor drop a Freudian slip, you could send the video to someone else.
The receiving cable box would look at the metadata from the video and determine if it had the rights to play the file. If both users subscribe to HBO, then I could send you the episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm that you forgot to record last night. Granted, most subscription services make their shows available on demand, but most normal channels don't.
Working out the specfics of the Digital Rights Management (DRM) would be tricky. But isn't DRM tricky to begin with? And someone is bound to strip the DRM from the files within a week of this service coming out. But most people won't bother, because the shared videos would most likely relate to inside jokes, personal relationships, or obscure late night channel surfing. Broadcasters would benefit by having more people watch their programs and advertisers would benefit from closer scrutiny of the ads for moments to share.
TV 2.0? Again?
Monday, December 29, 2008
How Everyone Could Enjoy Sports
These days, everything is about personalization. Why not bring this to the world of sports on television? When you are watching the big game, what's to stop cable providers from adding an audio channel option so you can choose who is commentating?
Hardcore fans could choose a version that offers in-depth stats, obscure historical facts, and expert analysis. Non-fans could choose a comedic version that would be like Mystery Science Theater for sports. Newcomers to the game could choose an version where the rules of the game are laid out explicitly. Obviously there would be multiple language options and a play-by-play version for the visually impaired.
The ultimate expression could be found in letting the viewers themselves add their own audio commentary that other viewers could tune in to. It could be bigger than podcasts, it would be live and it would have a community feel.
TV 2.0?
Hardcore fans could choose a version that offers in-depth stats, obscure historical facts, and expert analysis. Non-fans could choose a comedic version that would be like Mystery Science Theater for sports. Newcomers to the game could choose an version where the rules of the game are laid out explicitly. Obviously there would be multiple language options and a play-by-play version for the visually impaired.
The ultimate expression could be found in letting the viewers themselves add their own audio commentary that other viewers could tune in to. It could be bigger than podcasts, it would be live and it would have a community feel.
TV 2.0?
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