February 2005

EFF Release Cookbook: Build an HD PVR
Digital civil liberties organisation, The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has announced the next stage in its ongoing challenge to the US Federal Communications Commission’s “Broadcast Flag” technology mandate (first mentioned by us in Nov.03).
The organisation has released a step-by-step guide called “HD PVR Cookbook” which teaches people how to build a high-definition digital television (HDTV) recorder, unaffected by the technological constraints of the Broadcast Flag.
The EFF is also encouraging people to protest against the FCC rule by holding Build-Ins. These are gatherings around the country to build unfettered HDTV recorders and experience first-hand the kind of innovation stifled by the government mandate.
The Broadcast Flag is an application that places copy controls on DTV Signals in an attempt to stop people making digitally perfect copies of television shows and redistributing them.
It comes in two parts: The first is a tiny bit of data (the flag) that is inserted into a station’s digital stream. It doesn’t actually do anything to the video signal itself. It’s simply there, to tell digital receivers about the protection level of the content.
The second part of the technology comes into play from July 1st when all new devices will be required to protect marked content with an “authorised technology”.
This has the aim of limiting one’s ability to distribute the content via the Internet or other mass methods while simultaneously allowing the consumer unfettered access to his or her content.
Now that sounds pretty reasonable, but as engadget points out, this technology may end up preventing consumers from making perfectly legitimate personal copies of broadcasts.
Moreover, it may outlaw the manufacture and importing of a whole host of TiVo-like devices that send DTV signals into a computer for backup, editing, and playback.
The EFF is inviting individuals to fight back by hosting a Build-In before the Broadcast Flag goes into effect on July 1, 2005.
EFF held the first Build-In at its offices in late January, inviting a number of local programmers, TV fans, and bloggers to try out their ‘Cookbook’ and ‘test-bake’ their own HDTV recorders using standard computers equipped with HD tuner cards.
The results were impressive: the dozen attendees created five working PVRs over the course of the day, using the KnoppMyth distribution of the open-source MythTV software package.
Groups who want to host their own Build-Ins can contact EFF for a “Throw Your Own Build-In” kit, which includes a hard copy of the HD PVR Cookbook, a KnoppMyth CD-ROM, and (of course!) free EFF t-shirts and stickers.
EFF releases its technological challenge to the Broadcast Flag on the same day that the organisation and other civil liberties groups challenge the FCC in the courtroom. In ALA v. FCC, the groups – including the American Library Association and Public Knowledge – argue that the FCC has overstepped its authority in mandating the Broadcast Flag and that the rule should be struck down.
“Even as we’re suing the FCC to stop this interference with technological innovation, we’re also helping television watchers to get off the couch and build their own fully capable PVRs,” said EFF Special Projects Coordinator Wendy Seltzer, who organized the Build-In. “Every MythTV built helps demonstrate the creative development that may be cut off by bad regulation.”
The Electronic Frontier Foundation
HD PVR Cookbook
Photos of the EFF Build-In (EFF)
Will the Broadcast Flag Break Your TiVo? (Slate Mag)
Federal Communications Commission
23 February, 2005
SkyCard: Interactive Credit Card from Sky
In a synergistic embrace, BSkyB and Barclaycard have signed an agreement which will see them join forces to launch a Sky-branded credit card later this year.
The SkyCard will work just like any other credit card but offers the advantage of being fully integrated with Sky’s interactive television services.
We see this is a smart move with Sky inserting themselves between the customer and any content or goods that could be offered to them in the future
Customers can insert their SkyCard in their Sky box to manage their account securely and, soon after launch, to make purchases through the television using their remote control.
This looks like a lucrative opportunity for BSkyB to exploit the unique loyalty and interactive features of the SkyCard to its growing base of more than seven million direct-to-home customers across the UK.
Naturally, there’ll be inducements to get people using the card, with SkyCard cardholders earning SkyPoints with eligible purchases.
These points will offer exclusive savings on Sky entertainment including, for example, the cost of a monthly Sky digital subscription.
Here’s the back-slapping PR schmooze from Jon Florsheim, BSkyB’s Managing Director, Sales, Marketing and Interactive:
“SkyCard will build on the value delivered to customers, enabling them to save money through the loyalty scheme and to get more out of their Sky digital subscription..”
For BSkyB and Barclaycard, this looks to be a winning partnership and maybe one that the customers will enjoy too.
After all, the prospect of being able to buy stuff through your Sky box and earning loyalty points towards the cost of subscription services in the process may prove tempting.
And with Sky no doubt skimming a percentage off any e-commerce/t-commerce sales, there should be smiles all around.
One fly in this interactive ointment may be the trust factor: would you trust Sky as your credit card company?
BSkyB
Barclaycard
23 February, 2005
Robert Clark Photo Trip Sponsored by Sony Ericcson: PR Own Goal?
We know that camera phones are getting better and that the Ericsson S710a Camera Phone has a better one than most, but this over-excited PR bonanza from Sony has rubbed us up the wrong way.
Here’s the story: Sony have waved enough bags of gold at award-winning photographer Robert Clark to entice him to trudge across North America capturing “spontaneous” pictures through the viewfinder of a Sony Ericsson S710a camera.
Now, you may think getting a top photographer to go around taking pictures and then slapping them up on a Web site is fairly unspectacular stuff, but Sony’s press department clearly doesn’t agree.
“A New Era of Digital Photography Begins Today” screams their hyperbolic announcement, “Join Robert Clark as He Travels Across North America, Spontaneously Discovering Life as It Happens”.
We’re not quite sure what ‘Spontaneously Discovering Life as It Happens’ entails. Maybe he’ll be stumbling across new life forms with every step or be in a constant state of astonished delight as wonderful creatures ‘spontaneously’ appear before his eyes.
Mind you, this Clark fella appears equally keen to join in the mutual PR lathering:
“It is truly exciting to have the opportunity to undertake such a prolific journey across North America, and have the opportunity to capture the people, places and things that make this country unique,” purred Robert Clark.
“The camera phone is revolutionising how we see the world, allowing us to capture intimate moments more spontaneously than ever before. This tour aims to be a defining moment in the era of digital photography – elements of American life all captured with a high performance Sony Ericsson camera phone.”
Quick as a flash, Sony’s Vice President of Marketing for Sony Ericsson, Frances Britchford, was on hand to further inflate the wild claims being made for this blatant publicity stunt:
“The Image America tour, and our partnership with the very talented Robert Clark, provides a unique opportunity to capture the essence of the United States and Canada through something that most of us now consider essential to our lives – the cell phone”.
And just when you thought he couldn’t get any further carried away, he rolls out this spectacular piece of convoluted PR guff:
“For experienced photographers or true photo novices, the S710a is the perfect tool to capture life’s moments as they happen.”
Now we like the Sony Ericsson S710a phone. It’s a great phone.
In fact, it’s a nicely designed, well specified, fully featured smart-phone with an above average camera that is fine for taking holiday snaps and photographs of your mates getting drunk. And that’s about it.
It is not – and never will be – “the perfect tool for professional photographers”.
With a resolution of just 1.3 megapixels it sits near the bottom of the pile of even the cheapest digital cameras, so the only professional photographers likely to be using this camera are the ones being sponsored by Sony.
Despite the ludicrous blurb, it’s a fairly safe bet that Clark will produce a fine set of pictures that will put almost all camera phone photographers to shame.
No doubt his years of experience producing work for esteemed magazines like National Geographic and Sports Illustrated will get the very best out of the Sony phone and the ‘commemorative book’ he’s knocking out at the end of his tour will be a fine looking thing (although the cynical amongst us wonder how much pre-publishing Photoshoppery will go on behind the scenes).
For consumers looking for a handy camera/phone combination capable of producing reasonable quality 6″ x 4″ prints, the Sony Ericsson S710a is a fine choice. Professional photographers should, however, look elsewhere.
Sony Ericsson S710a photos
Robert Clark at American PHOTO
Sony Ericsson Image America
Sony Ericsson
23 February, 2005
Broadcast Flag “Crossed The Line”, FCC told by US Appeals Court
A US appeals panel has challenged new federal rules which require certain video devices to incorporate technology designed to prevent copying digital television programs and distributing them over the Internet.
US Appeals Judge Harry T Edwards delivered a slap across the wrists of the Federal Communications Commission by saying that that it had “crossed the line” with its requirements for anti-piracy technology in next-generation television devices.
The anti-piracy technology, known as the broadcast flag, will be required after July 1st for televisions equipped to receive new digital signals. Many personal computers and VCR-type recording devices will also be affected.
The broadcast flag would permit entertainment companies to designate, or flag, programs to prevent viewers from copying shows or distributing them over the Internet.
Two of the three judges on the District of Columbia Circuit panel said the FCC had not received permission from Congress to undertake such a sweeping regulation, and questioned the FCC’s authority to impose regulations affecting television broadcasts after such programs are delivered into households.
“You’re out there in the whole world, regulating. Are washing machines next?” fumed Judge Harry Edwards. Judge David Sentelle was equally unimpressed: “You can’t regulate washing machines. You can’t rule the world.”
The groups challenging the FCC’s broadcast flag regulation include the American Library Association, the Association of Research Libraries, the Medical Library Association, Public Knowledge and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
They argue that the FCC has over-stepped its authority, that Congress should be responsible for making copyright law, and that librarians’ ability to make “fair use” of digital broadcasts will be unreasonably curtailed.
Although the judges’ comments are encouraging for opponents of the Broadcast Flag, doubts have been cast whether their opponents have the legal standing to challenge the rule in court.
Either way, we can expect to wait a few months before the court issues a ruling. In the meantime, activist groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation continue to offer consumers the means to get around the restrictions with their “HD PVR Cookbook,”.
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Federal Communications Commission
23 February, 2005
AllOfMP3 Face Heat from Russian Copyright Cops
Russian prosecutors are considering filing criminal charges against a Web site that offers cheap music downloads, the music industry’s global trade group has said.
The computer crimes unit of the Moscow City Police has submitted the results of its investigation into Allofmp3.com to the Moscow City Prosecutor’s office on February 8, according to the London-based International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).
Allofmp3.com and its principals are alleged to be involved in large-scale copyright infringement by offering music for sale without authorisation from rights holders in Russia and internationally.
The prosecutor has 30 days to decide whether to proceed with a criminal prosecution.
Unlike the market-leading iTunes online music store, Allofmp3.com offers music in the popular MP3 format without troubling itself with pesky digital rights management, leaving users free to copying and share files to their heart’s content.
Songs are offered on the Web site for a mere 5 cents each, compared with 99 cents from most services in the United States, and the site offers music from groups like the Beatles who are famous for refusing to allow their songs to be sold online.
However, the site claims on its Web site that it’s doing nothing illegal because they pay a fee to a copyright group that represents songwriters, the Russian Organisation for Multimedia and Digital Systems.
The Russian music market is ranked 12th in the world and was worth US$326.2 million in 2003.
In most countries, payments must also be made to artists and record labels, but Allofmp3 says it is exempt because of what it describes as a “loophole” in Russian law.
Igor Pozhitkov, Regional Director, IFPI Moscow says: “We have consistently said that Allofmp3.com is not licensed to distribute our members’ repertoire in Russia or anywhere else. We are pleased that the police are bringing this important case to the attention of the prosecutor. We very much hope and expect that the prosecutor will proceed with this case, which involves the sale and digital distribution of copyrighted music without the consent or authorisation of the rights holders.”
Allofmp3.com has apparently declined to comment.
This latest copyright wrangle is symptomatic of the global tangle of music rights, which are licensed differently in every country.
Such confusion – and the continuing availability of free MP3 files from file sharing networks continues to hinder the global roll-out of legitimate online music stores like iTunes and Napster.
Allofmp3.com
22 February, 2005
EHX , Electronic Home Expo
Who attends EHX?
A ‘connected home pro’ is an abbreviated term for anyone whose job it is to deliver the connected home to consumers. For instance… Architects, A/V Contractors, Cabling Contractors, CE Pro Readers, Computer Systems Integrators, Computer VAR, Custom Installers, Electrical Contractors, Electronics Retailers, Homebuilders, HVAC Installers, Mobile Installers, Satellite Dealers, Security Installers, Systems Integrators, TecHome Builder Readers, Telco & Cable Operators. As well as members of these associations:
CEA, CEA’s TechHome Division, CEDIA, CABA, CAA, CompTIA, AAF, BICSI, IEC, IPRO, PARA. Who exhibits at EHX?
Manufacturers and distributors of electronic home products, including home theater, distributed audio systems, structured wiring systems, high-performance audio systems, burglar & fire alarm controls, HVAC controls, lighting controls, music management systems, speaker wire & cables, video cables, screens, acoustical treatments, surge suppression, telephone systems, residential gateways, wireless networking. Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida http://www.ehexpo.com/default.asp
22 February, 2005
GZ-MC500: 3-CCD Hard-Drive Camcorder from JVC Everio
The diminutive JVC GZ-MC500 comes with three 1/4.5-inch CCD that records high-quality MPEG-2 video onto CompactFlash microdrives, with a 4 gig card, capable of storing up to an hour of “DVD-quality” video.
The GZ-MC500 is slightly larger than the previous two Everio models, and the increased size makes it easier for users to access advanced features such as a focus ring, manual shutter speed control, manual aperture control, real time histogram display, auto bracketing and manual white balance control.
There’s also the usual Program AE dial on the side of the unit, offering a range of exposure options including Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Twilight, Sports, Snow, Portrait, and Auto/Manual modes.
In keeping with its prosumer aspirations, the camera features a rotating grip and is kitted out with a matt black finish of a fairly rugged construction, although the small LCD screen (1.8 in) and weird omission of a microphone input may deter prospective customers.
The camcorder’s zoom is a bit weedy as well, measuring in at only 10x optical zoom (8x for stills).
The Everio offers four recording quality levels for the MPEG-2 video, with the highest quality setting providing 60 minutes of video recording time on a 4 gig card, with the lowest quality setting stretching it out to pixellated-tastic 300 minutes (JVC says that models with six or eight gigabyte hard disks will be available later in the year).
JVC includes the PowerProducer DVD authoring software with the GZ-MC500 so users can export their video to different medium/formats.
For capturing high quality still images, new camcorder sports an interpolation technique called “pixel-shift” which JVC claims is capable of doubling the amount of information horizontally and vertically via “prism optics and filterless 3-CCD pixel shift technology”.
Translated into a language approaching English, this means that the camera is able to produce thumping great 5-megapixel with a resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels still shots. This is second only to Samsung’s latest Duocam camcorder.
With consumers warming to hard disk based recorders, this compact combination of camcorder and camera, could prove enticing to enthusiasts keen to start fiddling about with all those exposure options and consumers looking for auto-everything recorder.
The JVC Everio GZ-MC500 will be available in March for $1,799.95 (£950, €1,400)
JVC
CCD
22 February, 2005
DR-DX7S Leads JVC DVD/HDD Recorder Line Up
JVC have wheeled out a veritable cavalcade of new, full-featured multi-format DVD recorders, including a series of combination units that combine DVD recording with hard disk drive (HDD), VHS and Mini DV recording.
Stuffed full of technical innovations and user-friendly features, JVC hopes that their range will delight DVD dubbers and enrapture home recorders.
At the heart of the new JVC DVD recorder line is the DR-M100S, which records in the DVD-RAM and DVD-RW/-R formats. Also in the 2005 line up is the DR-MH300S DVD/HDD unit with 160GB hard disk drive, as well as the DR-MV5S DVD/VHS recorder, which features JVC’s exclusive VHS Progressive Scan for superior VHS mode playback.
Interestingly, JVC is also offering a new three-way combination unit – the DR-DX7S -combining a Mini DV deck with DVD and hard disk drive recording.
“The growth of the DVD recorder market over the last year shows that consumers are looking for more versatility in how they watch television and movies,” said Dave Owen, General Manager, Consumer Video, JVC Company of America. “Our new DVD recorder line is designed to meet the needs of virtually every customer. We’re providing advanced recorders that offer an unprecedented merger of innovation and utility.”Let’s take a closer look at some of the new models offered in JVCs line up.
Available in March 2005 for around $349.95 (€268, £185) the DR-M100S DVD recorder allows up to 16 hours of recording time (when using a dual sided disc) and shares all of its features with the line’s combo models. It can record in DVD-RAM and DVD-RW/-R formats and play back DVD-RAM, DVD-RW/-R formats, as well as CD, CD-R/RW, VCD, SVCD, JPEG and MP3 files.
The DR-MV5S makes it easy for consumers wishing to archive their collection of VHS recordings onto DVD. Combining a DVD recorder with a VHS VCR the one-touch intelligent dubbing system offers auto record speed optimiser which calculates total recording time on VHS tape then automatically selects the most suitable recording speed for dubbing to DVD.
Those with VHS collections chaotically labelled with a load of indecipherable scrawling, may enjoy the auto thumbnail creation feature, which automatically creates video thumbnail chapter references when dubbing to DVD.
The DR-MV5S will be available in April for around $449.95 (€345, £237).
We find the DR-DX7S the most interesting of them all (launching in July for $1,799.95, (€1,378, £958) although it’s not cheap.
By combining a 250GB hard disk drive, a DVD recorder and a Mini DV deck this looks to be a perfect solution for camcorder users who don’t fancy fannying about with a computer.
Users can simply load a Mini DV cassette into the deck to easily edit home videos on the hard disk drive and then dub onto DVD.
Mini DV is recorded onto the hard disk drive in the original Mini DV format, so footage can be dubbed, edited on the hard disk drive and then transferred back to Mini DV without a loss in quality. Nice.
JVC
22 February, 2005
TheyWorkForYou.com Improves. Keep Closer Tabs on MP’s Performance
Politicians, eh? Despite electing the slippery blighters, it can be next to impossible to work out what they’re doing – or not doing – on your behalf.
Thanks to the wonderful folks at theyworkforyou.com, you’ve been able to check up on their activities and find out if your local Member of Parliament has been delivering on their promises or skiving off down the pub.
To find out what your MP has been up to, simply type in your postcode and you’ll be presented with a detailed homepage for your local MP.
From here you can check on their performance data (how often they reply to faxes, Parliamentary attendance records, voting record etc), read their latest wafflings in the House, peruse their declared ‘member interests’ and even have a look at their expense claims.
But the meat’n’potatoes of the site is their online, searchable database of Hansard (in case you didn’t know, Hansard is the Parliamentary publication which records every mumbled utterance of MPs in the House of Commons). This lets you access and search everything said in Parliament since 2001. Not only that, but you can place your comment against each of the phrase uttered.
Since its June 2004 launch, the site’s feature list is constantly updated. One of the recently additions is to have the system alert you, via email, whenever your MP speaks – driving the information to you, rather than you having to check the site.
You can also now search through all your MPs speeches and be notified whenever an issue of interest to you is raised in the house. And if you don’t like what they’re saying, you can use an online form to mail your MP a piece of your mind. Fantastic stuff!
The not-for-profit site was launched last June and is maintained by twenty or so volunteers who have declared their belief that it should be really easy for people to keep tabs on their elected MP, and to be able to comment on what goes on in Parliament.
Their mission statement explains:
“For all its faults and foibles, our democracy is a profound gift from previous generations. Yet most people don’t know the name of their MP, nor their constituency, let alone what their MP does or says in their name.
br> We aim to help bridge this growing democratic disconnect, in the belief that there is little wrong with Parliament that a healthy mixture of transparency and public engagement won’t fix. Hence this website.”
The team have an impeccable background, developing and running some of our favourite Web sites: PublicWhip.org.uk, FaxYourMP.com, PepysDiary.com, Haddock.org, Byliner.com, B3Ta, DowningStreetSays.com, MySociety,
They were also responsible for the highly-accessible ‘re-versionings’ of the National Rail Timetable and the Odeon Cinema websites (the latter was sadly taken offline as a result of legal threats by the Odeon).
Although there’s no denying that the digitisation of music and films is a more sexy subject for some, this site is a great example of how technology can be used to really make a difference and make the democratic process more accountable.
Please use it!
TheyWorkForYou.com
22 February, 2005
HomeChoice Floats Advert Targeting on IP VOD
Video Networks Ltd (VNL) has announced a range of enhancements to the TV functionality of its HomeChoice service, claimed to improve the overall customer experience.
The enhancements include ‘On-demand intros’ which lets advertisers place brand stings, messages, cross promotions or advertisements automatically before any on-demand programme.
These on-demand intros are designed to look like the trailers and cross promotions that are shown before the start of a movie in a cinema.
HomeChoice will soon be showing targeted trailers at the beginning of purchased films together with parental advice where appropriate. The trailers will be for films of similar genres or suitability for the audience.
Targeted advertising or sponsorship may also be included, with viewers being able to link from these on-demand intros into other video-on-demand content related to the brand being advertised.
The benefit for consumers is that because the programme itself is on-demand, they wouldn’t miss any viewing time by responding to these adverts.
Also announced is the ability to press a button on the HomeChoice remote control and receive an email containing details of programmes, products or services promoted on screen.
HomeChoice are yet to implement the feature, but have suggested that the technology could be used to include a URL taking you to a specific part of a company’s Web site, a PDF brochure for a car advertisement or a printable coupon allowing money off a specific product that has been promoted.
Dean Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer, Video Networks Ltd said: “Video Networks has already announced plans to launch The Ad Chart following an extremely successful pilot with Lowe Partners and these latest developments reinforce our commitment to creating alternative advertising opportunities on our platform. We will continue to build on these enhancements to build a comprehensive advertising strategy during 2005.”
Video Networks have also introduced the ability to broadcast short, channel specific, targeted messages that can start the moment the viewer tunes in – these could include messages promoting upgrade promos on channels.
Our first reaction when we read today’s announcement was not a good one: do hapless consumers really want even more adverts/promos/jingly-jangly PR assaults thrust at them every time they go near their video box?
Happily, we rang them up and learnt that viewers can skip the ads. Phew.
Video Networks Ltd
21 February, 2005