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Silverlight 3 out of beta, joins forces with your GPU for HD streaming

by Ross Miller, posted Jul 9th 2009 at 9:42PM

A day earlier than expected, Microsoft has launched its third edition of Silverlight and its SDK. As Ars Technica notes, some of the bigger improvements on the user side are GPU hardware acceleration and new codec support including H.264, AAC, and MPEG-4. If you're looking to give it a spin, there's a Smooth Streaming demo available that, as the name suggests, does a pretty good job of streaming HD video with little stutter, even when skipping around. If you've got Firefox 2, Internet Explorer 6, Safari 3 or anything fresher, hit up the read link to get the update.

[Via Ars Technica]

Read - Download Page
Read - Smooth Streaming demo

Akamai sees more publishers switching to HD video online

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 24th 2009 at 1:18PM

Sure Akamai sponsored a new IDC whitepaper finding smooth video and high resolution is important to most online audiences -- services it is conveniently positioned to help provide -- but that doesn't mean the results are wrong. Last year a similarly self promotional survey found 75% or broadcasters planning HD online and in the last twelve months we've had an explosion of HD on the net, from the Olympics and NCAA Championships to Netflix, Amazon, MLB and YouTube to 1080p from DirecTV, DISH and VUDU. Key results of the 2009 analysis? Publishers need HD streaming to keep up with the competition, video quality is important, and high definition means users will stick around longer. Notable in its absence is the complaint many have about downloads and streams, no high quality / surround audio. Just an idea for the 2010 survey guys.

NBCOlympics.com using Silverlight 3, Smooth Streaming for Winter Olympics video

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 20th 2009 at 1:04PM


The Beijing Olympics broadcast benefited greatly from high quality streams available on the NBCOlympics.com website, and it looks like the 2010 Games in Vancouver will be no different. To that end, Microsoft's released server side enhancements like Smooth Streaming technology for adaptive streaming with Silverlight to keep the video streams moving smoothly, and even enable DVR-like features in a live stream without requiring dedicated video servers, all so viewers can get smooth 720p throughout the event. By then Silverlight 3 should be out of beta, which promises support for up to 1080p resolution, native playback of MP4 formats like h.264 and hardware graphics acceleration. Honestly we'd expect nothing less, and while word is CTV, HSN and others will be among the first to take advantage, we're waiting for Netflix to pick up the baton and deliver browser based PQ that rises to the level of Xbox 360 and other players, plus more HD.

Adobe Flash platform for HDTVs & connected devices on display at NAB

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 20th 2009 at 9:03AM


The plan is to get Flash from every computer to every television screen, and Adobe's ready to take the next step this week at the National Association of Broadcasters show in Las Vegas. Broadcom, Comcast, STMicroelectronics, NXP Semiconductors, and Sigma Designs join Intel as set-top box makers with chipsets ready to stream widgets and HD video to connected televisions, while content is on the way from Netflix, New York Times, Disney and Atlantic Records. Of course, Yahoo's widgets and Microsoft Silverlight aim to turn up the interactivity and streaming video to TVs and handhelds as well, though Adobe seems content to share with Yahoo! if need be -- Vizio's Connected HDTV demo and Intel's CE 3100 support both -- expect the blades to come out when Flash enabled hardware comes to market in the second half of this year.

[Via Venture Beat]

Microsoft, AT&T plug PlayReady / Silverlight DRM into U-verse without saying why

by Richard Lawler, posted Mar 31st 2009 at 5:07PM

Microsoft's PlayReady DRM hasn't exactly set the world on fire since first popping up over two years ago on a bevy of wireless carriers, so we were surprised by today's news that it's being integrated into the MediaRoom IPTV platform, specifically AT&T's U-verse service. A Microsoft exec quoted saying "Through the power of software such as PlayReady and Mediaroom, AT&T will bring its customers an exciting new range of services and content" doesn't help, since that power has lead to very little over the last two years with one exception. This is the same Windows Media Player 10 compatible DRM used by Silverlight plugins, like the ones for Netflix and Sky Player TV, so while we'll make the leap of dreaming about Instant Watch coming to AT&T set-top boxes, reality is probably not only something entirely different, but also considerably more like the Xbox 360 IPTV fantasy & other Mediaroom features that have yet to see any release.

Microsoft's Silverlight to deliver NCAA March Madness on Demand in HD

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 17th 2009 at 8:21PM


Fantastic news, cube dwellers -- you can finally put that office T1 to use this year, as CBSSports.com has inked an agreement with Microsoft that will enable it to provide a 1.5 megabits per second stream of March Madness. In other words, you'll be able to watch the 64 most deserved teams scrap it out online in HD for that all important National Championship. Employers, hear this: just go ahead and give your folks a few days off. It's not like they'll be even remotely productive with MMoD coming at 'em in high-def.

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

Beyond TV 4.9 officially released, packs in placeshifting, h.264, ClearQAM for $99

by Richard Lawler, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 11:45AM


Dumping the beta tag, Snapstream's officially rolled out the placeshifting, Clear QAM-compatible singing and dancing Beyond TV 4.9, rolling previously optional $29.99 h.264 and DVD burning plugins into the standard package, upping the pricetag for new users from $69 to $99 (upgraders who never bought the plugins and don't want them can still hop in for the old price). If watching place shifted TV via web browser isn't interesting enough by itself, Snapstream threw in beta support for the Hauppage HD-PVR, new Web admin features and more. Enough to convince you to upgrade, or dive into the build it yourself DVR market for the first time?

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

Netflix CPO gets technical about encoding for streaming

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 20th 2008 at 6:02AM


Go on, confess. If you're reading this now, chances are you have at least a passing interest in learning how all of this glorious streaming content actually gets to your TV set / computer while still managing to look at least halfway decent. If you're willing to be honest with yourself, there's a lot in the read link that you'll love. Without going too in-depth here (wouldn't want to scare anyone off, you know?), Netflix's Chief Product Officer covers the basics of first- and second-generation encoding as well as how it handles the wonderful high-def encodes that are used to deliver Watch Instantly content to the Xbox 360. Oh, and now that the New Xbox Experience is live, you can chime in below and let us know if all that hard work that's being done behind the scenes is paying dividends on your HDTV.

[Via CNET]

Netflix opens 'Watch Instantly' to Mac owners who opt-in

by Steven Kim, posted Nov 2nd 2008 at 1:24PM

Netflix 'Watch Now' on Mac
Mac owners who have been waiting for Netflix to open up the 'Watch Instantly' option just got a little something to light up their day -- the service is now available to the public; or at least members of the public who opt in via a web form. It's all based on Microsoft's Silverlight, so you'll need to download and install the plugin for your web browser, but please mind the six device limit if you've got a small cadre of 'Watch Instantly' devices in use. So if you can live with the fact that Microsoft tech is the lynchpin to your Mac streaming enjoyment, hustle on over and sign yourselves up for that non-HD, but ample selection of streaming content.

Microsoft's Silverlight to get adaptive streaming boost from Akamai

by Steven Kim, posted Oct 30th 2008 at 8:22PM

Microsoft and Akamai Smooth HDMicrosoft is hoping to spread the HD to more than its Xbox 360, and has partnered up with Akamai to demo its latest combination of technologies that will send 720p content smoothly over the internet. A beta release of the Silverlight player plus Akamai's AdaptiveEdge Streaming will debut in early 2009, but the aim is as old as the hills -- deliver smooth (or at least, smoothly degrading) HD video to internet viewers with standard web servers, as opposed to dedicated video streaming servers. The videos will stream at 720p and maintain a 24fps minimum, eating up 2 - 6 Mbps in the process, all the while adapting the transmission based on the quality of the connection. Curious? There's a demo link in the source below, so get some post-Olympics use out of that Silverlight plugin you installed this summer!

Netflix finally brings 'Watch Instantly' to Macs via Silverlight

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Oct 26th 2008 at 9:44PM Breaking News


In a move that seemed like it would never, ever, ever happen, Netflix has finally managed to bring its streaming video technology (and decent library) to Macs everywhere, thanks to Microsoft's Flash-esque also-ran, Silverlight. It seems that the software will allow the rental house to safely DRM its content where ever it goes via Redmond's Play Ready, thus leaping the hurdle that has kept some 12,000 movies and TV shows off of non-PC systems. Netflix claims that the new implementation in Silverlight provides "breakthrough navigation for fast-forward and rewind," though fails to indicate exactly when this is all being rolled out (we assume immediately). Unfortunately for super-duper late adopters, the software will only work with Intel-based Macs, so if you've been holding onto a G3 for dear life, here's one more reason to finally can it, along with your Xbox 360 HD-DVD player, Von Dutch trucker cap, and gas-guzzling Escalade. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Netflix finally brings 'Watch Instantly' to Macs via Silverlight

BeyondTV 4.9 Beta adds placeshifting to the DIY DVR formula

by Richard Lawler, posted Sep 10th 2008 at 9:32AM


Windows Media Center alternative BeyondTV is actually taking advantage of Microsoft's Silverlight technology for its latest feature, placeshifting recorded TV, Slingbox-style. Download Squad mentions the 4.9 beta release allows users to log in remotely via a webpage, view a list of stored programs, and select them for real-time transcoding and streaming. That's not all BeyondTV's added since we last checked in on version 4.3 -- real-time ShowSqueeze, the aforementioned Web Admin access and more make this worth a look. BeyondTV is $70, but there's a free trial if you've just got to start slinging HDTV around the neighborhood, or the world, right now.

[Via Download Squad]

Ready to watch the 2008 Beijing Olympics?

by Richard Lawler, posted Aug 7th 2008 at 3:22PM Featured Story

There's no doubt about it, no matter what the air quality -- or the political climate -- is like, these will be the best Olympics ever to watch from home (maybe 2012, eh Oscar?) With every moment captured in high definition and available right away, viewers will have their choice of sports to watch at all times, on a number of different platforms. Whether you're new to HD -- and are absolutely sure your HDTV is set up properly -- in the last four years or still have nightmares punctuated by "We've got chips...and salsa" (we've formed a support group for the survivors of 2004) we'll do our part to make sure you're equipped to get the most possible out of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Continue reading Ready to watch the 2008 Beijing Olympics?

Internet video provider Swarmcast partners up with Silverlight

by Steven Kim, posted Mar 8th 2008 at 11:55PM

Swarmcast partners with Silverlight
Whether you're so burned out by the format war that you've sworn off physical media entirely or you want the instant gratification that only internet distribution can provide, you've probably heard about Swarmcast before. The company has great plans for HD internet video delivery and has shown some "proof of concept" with its Autobahn HD player for Flash. This week at Microsoft's web-centric MIX08 conference, Swarmcast announced that it is also partnering with Microsoft's Silverlight. Only time will tell if Silverlight's cross-platform reach will be enough to make it serious competition for Flash, but Microsoft's platform is gaining momentum.

Netflix bringing streaming rentals to Macs, game console next?

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jan 24th 2008 at 11:40AM


Recent announcements on iTunes rentals certainly caused a stir amongst the neglected Mac-masses, but it looks like the online rental game is about to get a little more cutthroat for fanboys and fangirls everywhere. According to a new report (and backed up by an earlier blog post), streaming content for Netflix subscribers is headed to Mac screens in 2008 -- if everyone has their way. During the company's Q4 earnings call this week, the snail-mail service hinted that this would be the year that streaming rentals would come to Mac users due to the advent of DRM options that play nice with Apple's gear (namely, Microsoft's Silverlight technology). Combine this with news that the company plans to offer all-you-can-eat online rentals for $8.99 a month, its intentions to bring a STB to market with LG, and a possible game console partnership -- well, it all adds up to stiff competition for Apple and other challengers, despite what they say.

[Via Mac Rumors]

Read - Netflix: Mac Streaming Coming This Year
Read - Instant watching on Mac, Firefox, and more




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