Posts for 'Widevine'

  • VideoNuze Report Podcast #81 - Dec. 10, 2010

    Daisy Whitney and I are back this week for the 81st edition of the VideoNuze Report podcast, for December 10, 2010.

    This week Daisy and I focus on Google's video efforts from two perspectives: first, whether it should pay CBS (and other networks) to allow Google TV to access their programs, and second, what are the implications of its acquisition of Widevine, announced last Friday.

    On the former point, as I argued in "Google to Pay CBS? Unlikely." I think it's a big stretch to believe that Google, which is a search engine, is going to start paying content providers like CBS, to direct traffic to them. Certainly that's not what it does online, and there's little reason to believe it will start doing so with Google TV.

    Meanwhile, the Widevine deal underscores how far Google has come in prioritizing copyright protection. It wasn't that long ago when YouTube was a rogue copyright infringer and yet that didn't deter Google from acquiring it. With Widevine and multiple other Google video initiatives, the company is extremely well-positioned to play a bigger role in the distribution and monetization of Hollywood content in 2011.

    If you want to learn more about Google, and also other key online/mobile video trends and predictions for 2011, then join me for a complimentary webinar I'll be hosting with The Diffusion Group's Colin Dixon next Wed., Dec. 15th at 11am PT/2pm ET. We'll demystify 2011 and leave plenty of time for audience Q&A.

    Click here to listen to the podcast (12 minutes, 17 seconds)


    Click here for previous podcasts

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  • With Widevine Acquisition, Google is Poised to Go Hollywood

    Just as the week is wrapping up, Google has announced its acquisition of Widevine, a provider of digital content protection and video optimization technologies. Widevine was a private company that had raised over $50 million to date. The acquisition is very noteworthy as Google will now own a 60+ patent portfolio in the critical area of securing digital video delivery to every conceivable type of viewing device. As such, Google has a critical building block in its ability to deliver premium content to devices using its Android, Google TV and Chrome technologies.

    In addition to the technology, Google is also inheriting  Widevine's customer relationships with many leading consumer electronics, content and distribution companies. Among Widevine's long list of customers are Panasonic, LG, Best Buy, boxee, Sonic Solutions, LOVEFiLM, Samsung, DISH Network, Netflix, Blockbuster and others. All of these relationships give Google further opportunities to drive Google TV adoption and further immerse itself in the video ecosystem.

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  • Boxee and Widevine Partner for Enhanced Video Delivery

    Boxee and Widevine are announcing this morning that they plan to incorporate Widevine's DRM, adaptive streaming and virtual DVD controls into CE devices that contain Boxee's digital media software. The move gives Boxee a more complete solution to offer CE providers looking to bring both content and connectivity to their devices.

    Widevine has been on a roll recently, signing deals with EchoStar, Sonic Solutions, LOVEFiLM and others in the past few months. Widevine is benefiting from an explosion of connected devices that bring online video to TVs. Consumer electronics manufacturers must ensure that video is delivered securely and complies with digital rights, and plays out in high-quality. In addition Widevine offers a "trick play" feature with progressive download that allows users to fast forward or rewind like they would with a DVD, without the annoying buffering.

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  • Widevine Announces Product Update, List of Supported Devices and New Customers

    Widevine is announcing the 4.4.4 version of its video optimization and DRM platform today, with new features, a list of supported devices and new customers. Widevine's CEO Brian Baker brought me up to speed yesterday.

    Widevine is supporting HTTP streaming and also adaptive bit rate streaming for live events and shows, not just on-demand. Devices supported include Apple products, Blu-ray players (Haier, LG, Philips, Samsung, Toshiba), connected TVs, Nintendo Wii, Windows PCs and 50 models of set-top boxes. As TV Everywhere services begin to roll out, secure delivery is a key to success, and Brian explained that Widevine is positioning itself to be in the middle of the action.

    On the customer front, Netflix and Best Buy are being announced as new customers. Netflix has been aggressively rolling out new content and supported devices for its Watch Instantly streaming feature. Brian wouldn't confirm, but it seems fair to assume that Widevine is the DRM solution Netflix is using for streaming to the Nintendo Wii, which, given its massive installed base could quickly become a significant percentage of Netflix's streaming use (it just went live last week). In a related move, last week Irdeto announced that Netflix had licensed its Cloakware software as part of its DRM efforts.  

    What do you think? Post a comment now (no sign-in required).

     
  • News from NAB

    The press releases began flying today, timed with NAB's kickoff. Here are a few that caught my eye:

    Move Networks Raises $46 Million

    Move continues its fund-raising prowess, raising a large C round. As more content providers push the HD quality bar, Move's content delivery services have increased appeal.

    Signiant Powers Hulu's Distribution Efforts

    Hulu, the NBC-Fox aggregator is using Signiant's media management platform to ingest content from the various content partners it works with.

    Widevine Provides Content Security for Microsoft's Silverlight

    For the first time Microsoft has used a third-party content security system to add a layer of protection for content providers using the company's new rich media plug-in.

    EveryZing Introduced "RAMP," Signs Up Cox Radio

    Building on its recent launch of EZSearch and EZSEO to enable video discovery, EveryZing has introduced a management console for the products for which Cox Radio will be the first customer.

    Live Streaming Quality Bar Raised Via Mogulus-Kulabyte Partnership

    Live streaming gains further traction as Mogulus and Kulabyte announce deal to bring high-quality live Flash streaming to producers.

    No doubt there will be plenty more over the next couple of days.

     
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