Distribution

The Auteurs, Scorsese, social networking and cinema

Written by Forum Editor Monday, 15 June 2009 21:52

Calling the venture an 'online cinematheque', the Auteurs is the brainchild of Efe Cakarel, a former Goldman Sachs banker and offers arthouse and classic films on demand.

The idea is to make arthouse and classic films, which are typically difficult to find outside dedicated small cinemas, accessible to a wider audience.

In a masterstroke of PR, The Auteurs have announced a partnership with Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Foundation. The WCF is dedicated to restoring lost cinema classics and has partnered with The Auteurs for distribution.

Read more about The Auteurs at CNN.

The death of the CD Single

Written by Kelsey Brookes Thursday, 11 June 2009 23:18

I know it's only tangentially related to the topics we discuss here, but I believe this is a Sign Of Things To Come™.

JB Hi-Fi are ditching CD Singles.

Long the staple of music fans who only want the good stuff, the CD single has been increasingly irrelevant in an era of cheap, legal music downloads where you no longer need to put up with the tacked-on B-sides.

I've often been heard to utter the phrase "Physical media, how quaint." when faced with DVDs or CDs. When you can have an AppleTV or Boxee, why on earth do you need to carry around little plastic discs everywhere?

So goodbye CD Single, I have no doubt your brethren, DVD Director's Cut and TV Box Set will join you soon in that great irrelevancy in the sky.

Cisco predicts growth of web video

Written by Kelsey Brookes Thursday, 11 June 2009 22:31

While a more cynical observer might feel that Cisco are simply scaring up new business, their predictions of a five-fold increase in web video by 2013 are probably not too far off the mark.

With online streaming services such as NetFlix, Hulu and VidZone (to name a few) becoming more popular both on the desktop and in embedded devices, the demand for online video (and higher quality video along with it) is set to explode.

The real question is - can our ISPs handle the challenge? Is that Cisco calling?

Sony launches VidZone for PS3

Last Updated on Thursday, 11 June 2009 22:56 Written by Kelsey Brookes Thursday, 11 June 2009 22:06

Sony have released VidZone, their online music video application/service for PS3.

This is a free application, downloadable via the Sony online store, giving you access to free access to thousands of music videos.

No word on how often it will be updated, but it should be noted that this is an ad-supported model: expect more of the same in the future as media companies wise up to what consumers are really after.

VidZone

Hulu creates desktop app

Written by Kelsey Brookes Thursday, 28 May 2009 23:48

Hulu Labs have just released a desktop client for Mac and Windows. Still not available outside the US, of course.

So the question is, will Boxee be allowed to re-integrate or are Hulu looking to take the media centre space and offer playback of stored media?