Big video announcements by Microsoft, Adobe

While Adobe has made great strides with Flash video, Microsoft is responding with an announcement here at NAB that it’s unveiling Silverlight, a new cross-platform video solution that’s very similar to Flash. Meanwhile, Adobe is announcing that it will offer the Adobe Media Player, a free video player, as well as a technology called “Apollo” that allows more real-time web integration and customization with Flash video. MLB will use Silverlight to add real-time scoring and statistics to live streams, and eBay is using Apollo to integrate video functionality. “The future battle lines are going to be drawn between Microsoft and Adobe in this space,” says Chris Swenson, an analyst at NPD Group, a research firm. I’d remove the word “future” from that quote, and I’ll venture to say Microsoft has a ways to go to catch up. But that hasn’t stopped them before.

On a separate note, I’m going to bash Windows XP for a moment. While my video camera works splendidly on my Mac at home (plug and play), my Windows PC refuses to recognize it here in Vegas. Look, it’s like the Mac ad.

3 comments April 16th, 2007

Get over your brand

When I was producing and I didn’t feel like adding a story right before a show, all I had to say was “it will destroy the flow,” and I wouldn’t have to add it. Nobody questioned this statement. It made no sense, but it sounds like something you’re supposed to say, and it sounds like something you’re supposed to agree with. The web equivalent excuse is “it doesn’t fit with our brand.” Lost Remote often suggests starting lots of sites - niche sites, local search, blogs and all kinds of online programming. Those who are less than inclined to do so dismiss the idea by saying “it doesn’t fit with our brand.” I have no idea what this means. Another variation on the theme is “It will dilute our brand.” I have no idea what this means, either. Get over your brand. You’re not in the brand business - you’re in the production and sales and overall making money business. The web is not TV. Having a cool local entertainment site doesn’t “dilute” you any worse than having “Judge Judy” dilutes the brand of your newscast. It’s another form of programming. Besides, “NBC17″ is not a brand - it’s a set of instructions.

4 comments April 16th, 2007