Seems like MovieFly from Hollywood gets some competition from down-under. Seems to me like broadband access isn't that important to have... ;-) Read More...
Shrouded in mystery and under tight security, some 20 specially selected guests, including cinema executives, were this week given a demonstration at the Hard Rock Cafe in Sydney, of something that could change the face of video distribution into the home. What they saw - and an "independent" executive from high-profile consultancy Deloitte Touche Tohatsu confirmed there was no smoke or mirrors - was full screen video streamed in real time from a server 1,000 kilometres away, using Internet protocols and a standard PC, analogue phone line and modem. There was no down load time, no broadband infrastructure and impressive picture quality. The most significant element of 'no download time' compares to the minimum of 20 to 40 minutes (and maximum of a few hours) required for the download of the five US studios' system, currently known as MovieFly. In addition, that a simple 28.8kbps modem could deliver such fast and high quality images undermines the need for broadband. The groundbreaking demonstration was the start of Media World Broadcasting Ltd's (MWB) quest to raise $26.5m (A$50m) to develop what it claims is the Holy Grail of VoD. The company intends to sell licences for the Adams Platform compression technology and using it to roll out a major broadcast network next year, which will double as a marketing tool. "We would not be in this if we were not 110% sure that the technology works," MWB chief executive John Tatoulis told Screendaily, admitting to feeling a bit like a snake oil salesman. "It is real, it was developed in my home town, and we now have the opportunity to revolutionise the distribution and entertainment industry." Tatoulis is reinventing himself with this venture. Let's Get Skase, the film he produced based on the late white collar criminal Christopher Skase, releases in October. Also involved are former Village Cinemas International head John Anderson, former MGM television executive Jeff Holmes, and young technology creator Adam Clark. Holmes expects many programme suppliers to want to form alliances once they understand the potential. "This is the first time I have ever heard of a technology that can service so many houses from one server at such high quality … People have asked me to speculate and I blush at the options. It will offer many new revenue streams and enable households to be reached that are currently monopolised by very large companies." A prospectus will be issued at the end of October unless there is enough investment interest without. The road show is now heading abroad. Source: Screendaily
Shrouded in mystery and under tight security, some 20 specially selected guests, including cinema executives, were this week given a demonstration at the Hard Rock Cafe in Sydney, of something that could change the face of video distribution into the home. What they saw - and an "independent" executive from high-profile consultancy Deloitte Touche Tohatsu confirmed there was no smoke or mirrors - was full screen video streamed in real time from a server 1,000 kilometres away, using Internet protocols and a standard PC, analogue phone line and modem. There was no down load time, no broadband infrastructure and impressive picture quality. The most significant element of 'no download time' compares to the minimum of 20 to 40 minutes (and maximum of a few hours) required for the download of the five US studios' system, currently known as MovieFly. In addition, that a simple 28.8kbps modem could deliver such fast and high quality images undermines the need for broadband. The groundbreaking demonstration was the start of Media World Broadcasting Ltd's (MWB) quest to raise $26.5m (A$50m) to develop what it claims is the Holy Grail of VoD. The company intends to sell licences for the Adams Platform compression technology and using it to roll out a major broadcast network next year, which will double as a marketing tool. "We would not be in this if we were not 110% sure that the technology works," MWB chief executive John Tatoulis told Screendaily, admitting to feeling a bit like a snake oil salesman. "It is real, it was developed in my home town, and we now have the opportunity to revolutionise the distribution and entertainment industry." Tatoulis is reinventing himself with this venture. Let's Get Skase, the film he produced based on the late white collar criminal Christopher Skase, releases in October. Also involved are former Village Cinemas International head John Anderson, former MGM television executive Jeff Holmes, and young technology creator Adam Clark. Holmes expects many programme suppliers to want to form alliances once they understand the potential. "This is the first time I have ever heard of a technology that can service so many houses from one server at such high quality … People have asked me to speculate and I blush at the options. It will offer many new revenue streams and enable households to be reached that are currently monopolised by very large companies." A prospectus will be issued at the end of October unless there is enough investment interest without. The road show is now heading abroad. Source: Screendaily
