More Speculation on Apple's New Movie/Video Store at DVinfo.net

Peter Wiley · July 15th, 2005, 08:28 AM

Robert Cringley's column this week decodes the the Apple-Intel deal a bit more and suggests how it might lead to the "iTunes Movie Store"

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20050714.html

Why is this stuff worth paying attention to?

Think about what Apple has done with iTunes. The latest version of the program provides support for podcasting and Apple has allowed anyone with a podcast feed to submit a link to the Music Store. The Music Store presents these links on a more or less equal footing with all the commercial podcast content Apple provides. This is a trivial thing for Apple to do because all Apple is doing is providing a search mechanism and link to material hosted on other peoples' servers.

Now imagine an iTunes Movie Store. What if Apple does the same thing with links to video content that it has done with podcast content?

Apple would make it a snap for anyone with the disk and server space to provide links to film/video content (for burning to DVD for an audience that now prefers to stay home to watch movies) on an equal footing, more or less, with major studios. This would obliterate one of the greatest hurdles that independent producers face: distribution. Apple will of course take a cut for content sold through the movie store for a fee, but that cost is an issue that pales in comparsion with distribution as it stands now.

Such a move by Apple would revolutionize the business and create great opportunities for independent video and film producers.

Will Apple do what I am suggesting? The fact is iTunes already supports video podcast content (for an example search for "Rocketboom" from the main podcast page).

That's why this story is worth following closely.

Boyd Ostroff · July 18th, 2005, 05:11 PM

From today's news:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050718/apple_ipod.html?.v=2

Quote:

Negotiations are an indication that Apple is moving to release a device that plays video files, possibly by September, The (Wall Street) Journal said. Analysts see the development as likely because of Apple's strength in video software

John C. Chu · July 18th, 2005, 05:49 PM

Sounds good...but I don't think we have fast enough connections and bandwith to download a 4-8 gigs worth of data that a full length movie is made up of.
[I know my DSL isn't fast enough]

I rather see Apple come out with a $199.00 Apple branded DVD player that plays h.264 files in full HD[recorded on regular old DVD-Rs]

That is the missing piece right now...why wait till HD-DVD/Blu-Ray, when you can have HD now?

Boyd Ostroff · July 19th, 2005, 07:54 AM

Now Forbes is also speculating about a video iPod. This story got "legs" in a Wall Street Journal article the other day, and the WSJ was right about the Intel switch...

http://www.forbes.com/technology/200...9andelman.html

Quote:

Some of the top music labels say they've been contacted by Apple about the prospects of selling music videos on iTunes—probably ahead of a fall debut of a color-screen Apple full-motion video iPod.

Peter Wiley · July 19th, 2005, 09:08 AM

Yes this is very interesting and getting more so.

BTW, Boyd, I took a look at the operaphilly and greenmist web sites. You all do nice work. Long time ago I was very involved in technical theatre.

Boyd Ostroff · July 19th, 2005, 12:28 PM

Thanks Peter! We are now facing some tough budget challenges unfortunately. But I'm putting together a new production of A Masked Ball that depends heavily on video projection. I'm learning to use the Catalyst media server (Mac/Quicktime based - just to stay on topic :-) which lets you automate projections by networking with the stage lighting console. Cool stuff...

http://www.highend.com/products/digi...g/catalyst.asp

Jeff Sayre · July 19th, 2005, 09:00 PM

Here's a PC Magazine article about this issue put on the web about 5 hours ago:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1838668,00.asp

Why should podcasting be audio-related only? If Apple is successful in rolling out a video-enabled iPod (or rather vPod), then podcasting will truly mean broadcasting through an iPod or vPod.

I agree with Peter. This could very well open up new distribution possibilities for independent producers.

Peter Wiley · July 20th, 2005, 09:06 AM

From business2.blogs.com

A report that Apple is in negotiations with Disney to use Disney content on a iPod or vPod or whatever.

http://business2.blogs.com/business2...disney_co.html

I wonder if a new Disney-Pixar deal might be part of this. Jobs also still CEO of Pixar.

Jeff Sayre · July 20th, 2005, 10:30 AM

This is an interesting story. Steve Jobs and Disney back together. Perhaps Jobs sees new opportunities with the newly appointed CEO-to-be Bob Iger.

Peter Wiley · July 21st, 2005, 07:32 AM

Here is a "picture" of the video iPod

I assume the photo is a fake, but it has some interesting design features. Note the 16:9 screen and what looks like a lens for a camera on the back side.

Jeff Sayre · July 21st, 2005, 09:11 AM

If Apple adds cellphone capabilities, then it could become an all-in-one device.

The screen size, while not large enough to make feature films watchable (not too mention download times for that option), is large enough to enjoy movie shorts.

Who knows, maybe DVC #4 will be available on vPods?

Steve Nunez · July 21st, 2005, 03:17 PM

All Apple has to do is check out Sony's PSP and make something similar with 100% Quicktime Compatibility and they'd have a winner.
vPod, VideoPod, MediaPod?

Peter Wiley · July 21st, 2005, 03:25 PM

Here's more on the video capabilities of a possible new iPod from an Apple source:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=454

The jist is that it may plug into a TV via a new dock to show video on TV.

Boyd Ostroff · July 27th, 2005, 08:15 AM

And here's a contrarian view from BusinessWeek which suggests Apple won't be rolling out a video iPod...

http://yahoo.businessweek.com/techno...0483_tc120.htm

Quote:

While some expect the company to unveil a revolutionary new kind of iPod, designed specifically for playing video, chances are the company will simply fold some video capabilities into all future iPods. That means no separate product name -- and no big advertising blitz

Peter Wiley · July 29th, 2005, 05:36 AM

Arstechnica posts an unverified rumor about the possible brains behind an upcoming Video iPod.

According to the site, "Sharp sales reps are bragging to potential customers that Apple will be using the Sharp LH7A400 SOC (system on a chip) in the initial version of the video iPod."

The chip specs are posted and provide enough processing power to decode MPEG4 as shown in demonstration hardware.

July 15th, 2005, 08:28 AM	#1
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	More Speculation on Apple's New Movie/Video Store Robert Cringley's column this week decodes the the Apple-Intel deal a bit more and suggests how it might lead to the "iTunes Movie Store" http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20050714.html Why is this stuff worth paying attention to? Think about what Apple has done with iTunes. The latest version of the program provides support for podcasting and Apple has allowed anyone with a podcast feed to submit a link to the Music Store. The Music Store presents these links on a more or less equal footing with all the commercial podcast content Apple provides. This is a trivial thing for Apple to do because all Apple is doing is providing a search mechanism and link to material hosted on other peoples' servers. Now imagine an iTunes Movie Store. What if Apple does the same thing with links to video content that it has done with podcast content? Apple would make it a snap for anyone with the disk and server space to provide links to film/video content (for burning to DVD for an audience that now prefers to stay home to watch movies) on an equal footing, more or less, with major studios. This would obliterate one of the greatest hurdles that independent producers face: distribution. Apple will of course take a cut for content sold through the movie store for a fee, but that cost is an issue that pales in comparsion with distribution as it stands now. Such a move by Apple would revolutionize the business and create great opportunities for independent video and film producers. Will Apple do what I am suggesting? The fact is iTunes already supports video podcast content (for an example search for "Rocketboom" from the main podcast page). That's why this story is worth following closely. Last edited by Peter Wiley; July 15th, 2005 at 11:15 AM. Reason: typos

July 19th, 2005, 09:00 PM	#7
Jeff Sayre Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 301	Here's a PC Magazine article about this issue put on the web about 5 hours ago: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1838668,00.asp Why should podcasting be audio-related only? If Apple is successful in rolling out a video-enabled iPod (or rather vPod), then podcasting will truly mean broadcasting through an iPod or vPod. I agree with Peter. This could very well open up new distribution possibilities for independent producers. __________________ www.SayreMedia.com

July 20th, 2005, 09:06 AM	#8
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	A Disney-Apple Deal? From business2.blogs.com A report that Apple is in negotiations with Disney to use Disney content on a iPod or vPod or whatever. http://business2.blogs.com/business2...disney_co.html I wonder if a new Disney-Pixar deal might be part of this. Jobs also still CEO of Pixar. Last edited by Peter Wiley; July 21st, 2005 at 03:17 PM. Reason: spelling

July 20th, 2005, 10:30 AM	#9
Jeff Sayre Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 301	This is an interesting story. Steve Jobs and Disney back together. Perhaps Jobs sees new opportunities with the newly appointed CEO-to-be Bob Iger. __________________ www.SayreMedia.com

July 21st, 2005, 07:32 AM	#10
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	Picture of the video iPod Here is a "picture" of the video iPod I assume the photo is a fake, but it has some interesting design features. Note the 16:9 screen and what looks like a lens for a camera on the back side. Last edited by Peter Wiley; July 21st, 2005 at 08:13 AM.

July 18th, 2005, 05:49 PM	#3
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	Sounds good...but I don't think we have fast enough connections and bandwith to download a 4-8 gigs worth of data that a full length movie is made up of. [I know my DSL isn't fast enough] I rather see Apple come out with a $199.00 Apple branded DVD player that plays h.264 files in full HD[recorded on regular old DVD-Rs] That is the missing piece right now...why wait till HD-DVD/Blu-Ray, when you can have HD now?

July 19th, 2005, 09:08 AM	#5
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	Yes this is very interesting and getting more so. BTW, Boyd, I took a look at the operaphilly and greenmist web sites. You all do nice work. Long time ago I was very involved in technical theatre.

July 19th, 2005, 12:28 PM	#6
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Thanks Peter! We are now facing some tough budget challenges unfortunately. But I'm putting together a new production of A Masked Ball that depends heavily on video projection. I'm learning to use the Catalyst media server (Mac/Quicktime based - just to stay on topic :-) which lets you automate projections by networking with the stage lighting console. Cool stuff... http://www.highend.com/products/digi...g/catalyst.asp

July 21st, 2005, 09:11 AM	#11
Jeff Sayre Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 301	If Apple adds cellphone capabilities, then it could become an all-in-one device. The screen size, while not large enough to make feature films watchable (not too mention download times for that option), is large enough to enjoy movie shorts. Who knows, maybe DVC #4 will be available on vPods? __________________ www.SayreMedia.com

July 21st, 2005, 03:17 PM	#12
Steve Nunez Trustee Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida Posts: 1,418	All Apple has to do is check out Sony's PSP and make something similar with 100% Quicktime Compatibility and they'd have a winner. vPod, VideoPod, MediaPod? __________________ Steve Nunez-New York City www.stevenunez.com

July 21st, 2005, 03:25 PM	#13
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	New iPod to dock to TV? Here's more on the video capabilities of a possible new iPod from an Apple source: http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=454 The jist is that it may plug into a TV via a new dock to show video on TV.

July 29th, 2005, 05:36 AM	#15
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	Arstechnica posts an unverified rumor about the possible brains behind an upcoming Video iPod. According to the site, "Sharp sales reps are bragging to potential customers that Apple will be using the Sharp LH7A400 SOC (system on a chip) in the initial version of the video iPod." The chip specs are posted and provide enough processing power to decode MPEG4 as shown in demonstration hardware.