Digital Media & Entertainment

Kazaa gets angry with Symantec after “mistake”

By Terence Huynh on February 7th, 2010 No Comments

Remember Kazaa – that adware-riddled application that allowed you to freely download MP3s back in the early noughties? Turns out, they’re still alive, but also have done a Napster and have gone legit after numerous lawsuits and a very big one in Australia that saw it banned. But after Symantec identified it as adware (again), the new owners Brilliant Digital Entertainment are angry and have released a “Consumer Notice”.

“Symantec had justified turning off the music for some of Kazaa customers by flagging files in the Kazaa music plug in application as high risk due to the files being used for serving advertisements,” it said in its press release.

“As a result Kazaa customers or subscribers running Norton AV are having these files stripped from the application which prevents them from using the service” – however, I don’t think there is a lot of people (dare I say, none at all) that use the service as many opted to use other legit ways that didn’t have a history of providing adware that were hard to remove or forced us to actually reformat our computers.

To their defence, however, they have actually made mistakes like this in the past – one notable one was Spotify, a European-based service that allowed you to stream music, in January this year.

However, if I was you – stay away from Kazaa. It should have died a long time ago.

Seven launches catch-up service, dubs it “Plus7″

By Terence Huynh on January 19th, 2010 No Comments

Seven has launched its new Catch-up television service – dubbed “PLUS7″, offering streaming of shows including Castle, Home and Away, Criminal Minds, Heroes, Private Practise, Flash Forward and Parks and Recreation – with more content expected to be added from this year’s television season.

However, the new catch-up service will follow the US method of placing advertising in the middle of shows, though there is no indication on which part of the stream. While Ten has placed ads where the ad breaks go in programming, it is usually because they broke the episodes up. As well, expect to see between 3-4 ads per show.

Content expiration does differ – those on NBC usually end ten days after appearing online; while ABC (US) shows stay up for 28 days. However, shows from Seven – including Home and Away – expire for 7 days. ABC iView offers all shows up for 14 days after broadcast.

While iiNet and Internode have offered to bring ABC iView unmetered, no word if they will extend that to this service.

“At this stage we’re not offering Plus7 unmetered to our customers,” an iiNet spokeswoman said in an e-mail.

No other ISPs have announced any similar deals.

Licence required to upload videos in Italy under new law

By Terence Huynh on January 17th, 2010 No Comments

A new law proposed by the Italian Government could see the citizens of Italy requiring a licence to upload videos to the Internet from the Communications Ministry, which could reduce the freedom of communications, according to lawmakers opposed to the new law.

If the law passes, this would make Italy the only country in Europe and the Western world to require government approval to upload videos — even as simple as a cat playing a piano or sharing video recorded on a holiday to share with friends.

“Italy joins the club of the censors, together with China, Iran and North Korea,” said Vincenzo Vita from the Democratic Party.

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Music labels demand Pirate Bay founders pay up

By Terence Huynh on January 14th, 2010 No Comments

NEWS IN BRIEF: The big four record labels are seeking one million Swedish kronor from two of the Pirate Bay founders, Gottfird and Fredrik; claiming that they have failed to comply with a court order by the Stockholm District Court to cease operating the site. Despite an appeal granted; Universal Music, EMI Music, Sony Music and Warner Music argue that the since that the site is operational, the two must still be involved one way or another and intend to get their fine of 500,000 kroner each for failing to comply with the court, which was the fine outlined in the court ruling.

According to TorrentFreak, the two currently live outside of Sweden, and proving that either one is still involved in an active role on the site will be difficult without monitoring every step they make.

AOL to sack up to 1,200 employees

By Terence Huynh on January 12th, 2010 No Comments

AOL has announced that it will be laying off 1,200 employees as it failed to meet its target of 2,300 – or a third of total employees in the company – in reducing its workforce, as many refused to accept buyouts. According to spokeswoman Tricia Primrose, only 1,100 volunteered to leave the company. The cuts affect both its US and European operations; and layoffs are set to start today, though most will occur on Wednesday.

Cuts include shutting offices in Spain and Sweden, though it still have a presence in Sweden via Adtech AG. Other than that, the cuts have not been broken down, but is expected that many of the cuts could come from under-performing sites and its dial-up division.

At the height of the dot-com boom, AOL bought media conglomerate Time Warner, but that ended to be a disastrous merger as the merged company dropped AOL from its name, and after years of decline in its dial-up business, decided to revamp its business model to a content company – which has turned to be successful, as it owns popular blogs Engadget, Download Squad and Joystiq. Thanks to the acquisition of Weblogs Inc, the company has used the blogging technology to power its massive content network. AOL was spun off by Time Warner in December last year.

VEVO is accessible in Australia – just don’t get your hopes up yet

By Terence Huynh on December 17th, 2009 3 Comments

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Guess what! Australia can now officially access VEVO.com! That would be great news, but there is a downside. While you can access the pages, you will not be able to play any of the content – mainly because of rights restrictions (meaning those living in Canada, US or Japan are allowed to view the videos).

However, there is a way to watch videos from VEVO – and that’s on YouTube; and it’s pretty simple. Just go to the end of the forward slash after youtube.com, write the artist’s first and last name (no space between) and add VEVO at the end of the name. It’s pretty much a hit or miss, because not all artists have a profile like this. You can still play the video from VEVO on the YouTube player, but it has to be an artist signed by Universal Music Group as others will be blocked.

I should also note, on my experience, it does stop to buffer a lot; and that you will not know how much has been already downloaded (that little red thing that progressively gets to the end of the seek bar).

It’s official – Comcast takes majority stake in NBC Universal

By Terence Huynh on December 4th, 2009 No Comments

In the biggest management shakeup in the media industry, GE and Comcast have announced the long rumoured deal that would see Comcast gaining a 51 percent majority stake of the media empire NBC Universal, after GE bought the final 20 percent of its original 80 percent holding of the company from Vivendi. GE will still hold a 49 percent stake.

Comcast will give approximately $6.5 billion to GE for the majority shareholding.

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Murdoch might delay newspaper paywall

By Terence Huynh on November 5th, 2009 No Comments

News Corporation’s chief executive Rupert Murdoch has said that it might miss the target of next June to introduce “pay walls” on its newspaper content around the world, which includes The Australian in Australia, the New York Post in America, and the Sun and the Times in the United Kingdom.

Despite posting an 11 percent rise in profits, mainly thanks to its film studio Twentieth Century Fox and its box office takings for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, it still plans to go ahead with the pay wall idea, inspired by The Wall Street Journal, but could happen sometime after, according to MediaGuardian.

The plan, which has split the industry over whether to offer it on their websites, is an attempt to monetise its content other than advertising. While the Guardian has said that it intends to be free; the New York Times is planning to launch similar moves in order to keep financially stable. In Australia, Fairfax Media has also announced plans to launch a similar service.

One big problem: most of the content will remain free on other sources, like the BBC, NPR and the ABC in Australia; along with blogs and ways to distribute the news content via creative methods. So, good luck in trying to push us in this stupid idea of a pay wall.

Rumor: Apple Game Console?

By Luke Chandler on October 30th, 2009 4 Comments

Could Apple bring out (another) gaming console? That’s what Analyst Jerry Johnson predicts, saying:

“In terms of predicting the ‘next gen’ of gaming hardware, Parker refused to be drawn on specifics, although he was keen to speculate that it would not be too surprising to see Apple launch a dedicated gaming console based around Intel’s Larabee chip.”

Apple has changed a lot since they tried (and epic failed) to release a gaming console called “The Apple Bandai Pippin”. It was Expensive and inferior to the PlayStation and N64.But Apple have changed, All Mac “Fanboys” must have everything Apple. Look at the iPod and the iPhone.

Or could Apple use Apple TV as a base for a console?

No doubt if Apple were to make a console they would use iTunes to Sell Games. But Apple would need to see Big Game Developers to start developing games so it would not become a flop.

I personally think if Apple were to bring out a Gaming Console the Controller would incorporate a “Multi Touch” Pad(s).

I would like to know what you think. Leave your comments.

BBC looking into global iPlayer catchup service

By Terence Huynh on October 25th, 2009 No Comments

The BBC is said to be looking into offering a global service to its iPlayer service, currently available to the UK market only, with the help of its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide. However, unlike the iPlayer in the UK, you are likely going to be charged to watch one single episode.

The iPlayer in the UK is paid by the license fee and is advertising free – mainly because of its charter states that no advertising is permitted on any of services. Rights issues, however, prevent its content to be viewed outside the UK, however, its radio content is available to be streamed via podcasts or heard live.

The main reason that resonates across the stories around the world is that it would allow its commercial arm to raise its prices for “premium content”, with executives saying that audiences around the globe will be prepared to pay $10 per episode for shows like Doctor Who, Torchwood and Spooks.

As well, if the service is launched, the content will most likely be a catchup service on the many BBC-owned international channels, including BBC America in the US and UKTV in Australia; or will be historical material from the BBC archives. Also, because of the nature of BBC America and UKTV’s programming, it will also include programming from its rival broadcasters ITV and Channel 4.

Talking to paidContent earlier in the month, managing director for BBC.com Luke Bradley-Jones said that users are willing to pay for such content. “Millions of people love Torchwood and would probably pay 10 bucks an episode rather than two bucks,” he said, noting the pricing that Apple sells the same content in its iTunes store.

Right. Though, I’m not sure I would pay $10 for an episode, where I could get it cheaper on iTunes, or free on your very own service (via a IP masker) or even via BitTorrent.

Seven Network launches second channel on November 1

By Terence Huynh on October 23rd, 2009 No Comments

Seven Network has today announced that it will be naming its second channel, on channel 72, 7TWO and will be launching the channel on November 1 at noon. The channel will join ABC3, SBS TWO, GO! and ONE as the new channels that will join the Freeview platform.

“I am pleased to announce that 7TWO will be the home for premiere episodes of our international hits including J.J Abrams’ Lost, Ugly Betty, Heroes and 24,” said Tim Worner, the network’s Director of Programming and Production.

“We’ve been strategic in putting together a program schedule for 7TWO that allows us to grow our audience between our two channels, without sacrificing one for the other. It is a complementary relationship that will go from strength to strength maximising the opportunities for our audience and clients.”

Other shows that will be on the new channel will be The Sopranos, Six Feet Under and premiere episodes of NBC’s The Jay Leno Show. British and New Zealand programming will also be broadcast, with Prime Suspect, Judge John Deed and Rosemary & Thyme joining FTA premieres of UK motoring show Fifth Gear and New Zealand hospital drama Shortland Street. ITV soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale will also be broadcast during the afternoon.

Seven will also broadcast some of its archived shows like Sons & Daughters, Harry’s Practise, The Real Seachange and The Outdoor Room. Older episodes of Home and Away are broadcast in the mornings, while the last four episodes of Home and Away of the week will be shown on 7TWO on Friday, allowing viewers to catch up before watching Friday’s episode.

But new seasons of Ugly Betty and Heroes that are the big highlights. Heroes, previously in a late night timeslot on the main channel, will now be given a prime time slot, hoping to compete with GO’s programming offerings. Premiere episodes of Lost and 24 are set to join the channel’s programming line up in 2010.

To view the channel, switch over to channel 72 on your digital set top box. If you cannot see the channel yet, then you must retune your box. No word if Prime will be bringing the channel to regional viewers.

Foxtel to bring new channel, dubs it ‘Next Generation’

By Terence Huynh on September 29th, 2009 1 Comment

Foxtel has announced it will be bringing another 30 channels to its platform during the year, and will make significant upgrades to its new guide and active services, revamp its channel packages and bring downloadable content to users.

Its new service, dubbed “FOXTEL Next Generation”, will be launched on November 15, while its new service that will allow you to download movies and TV shows relating to your packages will be accessible to all subscribers on October 1.

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Digital television uptake increases

By Terence Huynh on August 28th, 2009 No Comments

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Digital television uptake has increased, according to Senator Stephen Conroy, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy; as new figures show that 54 percent of all Australian households are now using digital television, up from 47 percent from last year.

“Digital switchover is the largest national format change since decimal currency and progress to date suggests Australians are on board,” the minister said.

“There is still a significant challenge ahead but evidence shows strong community awareness and satisfaction with the improved picture and sound quality, new content and new channels.”

This can be partially be thanks to the aggressive campaigning of Freeview among all five free-to-air channels; along with the scheduled shutting down of analogue broadcasting services in regional areas in the first half of 2010, and the launches of ONE HD, SBS Two and GO!, with one more from Seven to come sometime this year.

Also, the figures also show that 93 percent of all households in Australia are at least aware of the switchover, up from 82 percent from last year. Again, this increase can be thanked by the Freeview advertising.

Now, can we get some more channels on the digital platform now?

Image from: kalleboo/Flickr (CC)

UK: Music Survey Reveals 14-24 Year Olds Pirate On Average Of 8,000 Music Tracks – Each

By Terence Huynh on August 11th, 2009 No Comments

ukmusic Results from research conducted by the University of Hertford in the UK, commissioned by the music industry group UK Music, has came with startling revelations that 61 percent of all 14 to 24 year olds living in the UK that were interviewed use file sharing networks to collect, on average, 8000 tracks on their computers.

More than 1,800 young people were asked to do the survey, with the University finding that 86 percent have copied a CD for a friend,;75 percent said that they sent music via email, Bluetooth, Skype or MSN; 57 percent saying that they have copied their friend’s entire music collection and 28 percent have ripped it out of a radio, TV or internet stream of the song.

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Nine officially launches new general entertainment channel GO!

By Terence Huynh on August 9th, 2009 1 Comment

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Tonight at 6:30PM saw the launch of Nine’s new general entertainment channel, GO!, on channel 99 on the digital television platform, which will complement the already existing ABC2, the upcoming ABC3 and SBS Two; along with One HD, the networks HD channels and their main channels, on the Freeview platform.

Regional viewers, via WIN and NBN, will be able to see the channel on channel 88, while Foxtel and Austar subscribers will have to wait – but it would likely not take long, unlike One HD, since the owner of Nine’s parent company, PBL Media, Consolidated Media Holdings has a stake in Foxtel.

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