View Full Version : Comcast getting into movie downloads
ripple_024
10-09-2006, 08:25 AM
Comcast has been itching to get into on-demand video downloads and further details on its planned service are emerging. The service will reportedly launch by the end of October and will allow users to watch movies either on their PCs or on the family room TV via a set-top box. Pricing and system requirements (for PCs) are not yet known. Will it be enough to make a splash in the burgeoning movie download market? (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061008-7931.html)
gastrof
10-09-2006, 12:21 PM
Could I ask what this has to do with TiVo?
Also, is this something you copy and pasted? Sounds like you're playing publicity agent for Comcast.
ripple_024
10-09-2006, 01:13 PM
umm...what does it have to do with tivo? the last i checked, comcast has tivo software on their dvrs so it may be plausible that in the future, movies could be downloaded to the dvr vs. an additional set top box.
regarding the cut & paste...yes i did...are you the forum police?
GumboChief
10-09-2006, 01:44 PM
How is this different from on demand pay per view?
The only diff I see is the data is streamed to a pc. If that is the case, who cares?
Comcast has been itching to get into on-demand video downloads and further details on its planned service are emerging. The service will reportedly launch by the end of October and will allow users to watch movies either on their PCs or on the family room TV via a set-top box. Pricing and system requirements (for PCs) are not yet known. Will it be enough to make a splash in the burgeoning movie download market? (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061008-7931.html)
cditty
10-09-2006, 01:47 PM
All I can say is YAY. More crap being downloaded over their internet connections making my speed that much slower.
GumboChief
10-09-2006, 02:00 PM
All I can say is YAY. More crap being downloaded over their internet connections making my speed that much slower.
Exactly. Can you say TIVOCAST? :mad:
Nothing but crap.
gastrof
10-09-2006, 02:19 PM
umm...what does it have to do with tivo? the last i checked, comcast has tivo software on their dvrs so it may be plausible that in the future, movies could be downloaded to the dvr vs. an additional set top box.
regarding the cut & paste...yes i did...are you the forum police?
LOL!
TiVoStephen
10-09-2006, 02:59 PM
Sorry you feel that way, Mr. Gumbo. We're open to suggestions -- let us know what you'd like to see.
Dan203
10-09-2006, 03:07 PM
We're open to suggestions -- let us know what you'd like to see.
I'd like to see new release Hollywood movies offered on a Pay Per Download basis. Or even better a NetFlix type approach where you get unlimited downloads based on a single monthly fee, but only have access to the 2 or 3 at a given time, using some sort of que which downloads the next one as soon as one of the available ones is deleted. Seems like your current TiVoCast system is already set up for the que type system, so all you need is the movies and the monthly fee. :)
Dan
GumboChief
10-09-2006, 03:15 PM
I'd like to see new release Hollywood movies offered on a Pay Per Download basis. Or even better a NetFlix type approach where you get unlimited downloads based on a single monthly fee, but only have access to the 2 or 3 at a given time, using some sort of que which downloads the next one as soon as one of the available ones is deleted. Seems like your current TiVoCast system is already set up for the que type system, so all you need is the movies and the monthly fee. :)
Dan
YES!
I don't need/want content I can get online for free.
I want a netflix type queue back-ended by a large catalog.
Barring that, why don't I yet have a way to add a selection on tivocentral, using a cellphone friendly, low-bandwidth web site? And no, I don't want to switch phone providers.
MsRoboto
10-09-2006, 04:31 PM
and Comcast does not run Tivo software. At least not yet. There is talk of it being in beta or in beta soon but Tivo does not run Comcast.
rainwater
10-09-2006, 05:05 PM
Exactly. Can you say TIVOCAST? :mad:
Nothing but crap.
Don't worry, TivoCast is designed to not download new episodes intentionally once you reach the episode limit. So I would say you don't have to worry about network traffic very much since it is designed so poorly.
mtchamp
10-09-2006, 05:42 PM
The New York Times subscription is cool. I too want a monthly subscription to a huge library of movies. I think it's just a matter of time, right?
d_anders
10-09-2006, 11:37 PM
Sorry you feel that way, Mr. Gumbo. We're open to suggestions -- let us know what you'd like to see.
You take criticism way too seriously...Why did you even reply?...but the way you replied implies that you guys are really, really proud of what you've been deliverying...CNET, Rocketboom, and Heavy...come on.
Kudos on the delivery vehicle, but now TiVo really needs to deliver something.
The current content is a tease, is mostly lame, and in the end blows in terms of overall viewing value.
Either you're on edge, or your mgmt doesn't share enough info with you on what's really going on with TiVoCast. If the current content is all you guys got...then it's a lot of flash with no substance. Hopefully, more is on the way, and you're just holding back, then fine
Making content easier to access is path to success, but in the end, content is king. IPODs are cool, but they are only valued because they deliver CONTENT via a great delivery experience.
davezatz
10-10-2006, 09:31 AM
We're open to suggestions -- let us know what you'd like to see.
Dean pretty much covered my perspective as well: We've got a nice proof-of-concept, now get us a significant amount of compelling/meaningful content. Like those full-length feature films or ALL of YouTube. Impress me. For the right stuff, I'm willing to pay - and your bandwidth cost discussion doesn't interest me as a consumer (though it might as a blogger).
Until then, use more descriptive titles with the NYTimes. I have no idea if a clip is food, travel, tech, etc and my Humax DVD-burning TiVo moves at the speed of dark these days. Also give me an easy way to string clips together (until you get that longer, more compelling content) - let me watch the last three weeks of CNET back to back to back without kicking me to my molasses-slow interface. Obviously, and you've alluded to it, TiVoCast needs better organization as does the entire Music, Photos, Advertising, and More screen - so hopefully that's queued up for a fall software update. :)
ripple_024
10-10-2006, 12:02 PM
Dean pretty much covered my perspective as well: We've got a nice proof-of-concept, now get us a significant amount of compelling/meaningful content. Like those full-length feature films or ALL of YouTube. Impress me. For the right stuff, I'm willing to pay - and your bandwidth cost discussion doesn't interest me as a consumer (though it might as a blogger).
Until then, use more descriptive titles with the NYTimes. I have no idea if a clip is food, travel, tech, etc and my Humax DVD-burning TiVo moves at the speed of dark these days. Also give me an easy way to string clips together (until you get that longer, more compelling content) - let me watch the last three weeks of CNET back to back to back without kicking me to my molasses-slow interface. Obviously, and you've alluded to it, TiVoCast needs better organization as does the entire Music, Photos, Advertising, and More screen - so hopefully that's queued up for a fall software update. :)
amen
ZeoTiVo
10-10-2006, 12:21 PM
You take criticism way too seriously...Why did you even reply?...but the way you replied implies that you guys are really, really proud of what you've been deliverying...CNET, Rocketboom, and Heavy...come on. ummm, all of you missed what the post and reply was about :rolleyes: Gumbo was complaining that Comcast delivering content over his Internet connection would slow it down for hi. By implication he was also referring to the way TiVoCast delivers content. TiVoStephen was asking how else TiVo could deliver content.
The current content is a tease, is mostly lame, and in the end blows in terms of overall viewing value.
Either you're on edge, or your mgmt doesn't share enough info with you on what's really going on with TiVoCast. If the current content is all you guys got...then it's a lot of flash with no substance. Hopefully, more is on the way, and you're just holding back, then fine
Making content easier to access is path to success, but in the end, content is king. IPODs are cool, but they are only valued because they deliver CONTENT via a great delivery experience.TiVoStephen now heads the TiVoCast efforts (edit to add - in charge of the operations of it) for those who did not know that. And we have all voiced the same desire for first run mainstream content so I think these suggestions are nothing new nor is the desire and thus willingness to pay anything new. It is a bummer that we can not publicly hear what efforts are being made to get such content but of course any public discussion on ongoing negotiations or even lack thereof would shut down all such opportunities pretty much for good. I have not really had high hopes ever since it became apparent that Netflix itself could not get downloadable rights for the movies they have. I would have thought it much easier for a player with such a large catalog of content :eek:
ZeoTiVo
10-10-2006, 12:25 PM
The service will reportedly launch by the end of October and will allow users to watch movies either on their PCs or on the family room TV via a set-top box. [/URL]
why in the world would Comcast not make use of VOD or PPV for this ? Digital copy protection could be applied to it if piracy is the concern
also - what movies will be available? Are we talking movies on the same day they become available to DVD rent? or the VOD movie schedule as already happening today?
ummm, all of you missed what the post and reply was about :rolleyes: Gumbo was complaining that Comcast delivering content over his Internet connection would slow it down for hi. By implication he was also referring to the way TiVoCast delivers content. TiVoStephen was asking how else TiVo could deliver content.
I see what you're saying, BUT it doesn't seem that TS was asking how else TiVo could DELIVER content...
Sorry you feel that way, Mr. Gumbo. We're open to suggestions -- let us know what you'd like to see.
not, how you'd like to get it...I think it was TiVoStephen who missed what GUMBO was complaining about...or I'm just confused all together...
I like the CNET stuff, I use to watch some of their clips online, but now I can watch them on my TV...only thing I liked better about it being online was I got to choose which clips I wanted to see...
TiVoStephen
10-10-2006, 02:21 PM
Actually, Zeo had it right, although my wording could have been better. But thanks to all for the feedback.
My role is TiVoCast Operations -- managing subscriptions, the download process, and internal tools, systems, and reporting. I do work closely with the folks making the content deals to implement what they bring, and I can definitely bring your ideas to the table, but that's not the main focus of my role.
Dan203
10-10-2006, 03:30 PM
Tell them that they should look at offering a a desktop app that allows people to TiVoCast whatever content they want from their PC to their TiVo automatically. Bonus points if it automatically converts from other formats to MPEG-2 if the user has paid for a TiVo Desktop Plus upgrade key.
Dan
davezatz
10-10-2006, 05:22 PM
How about a nice little widget (both online and on my TiVo) that lets me see what I'm subscribed to and/or subscribe to other stuff. Like a sushi menu or something. I think selective downloads of prior episodes is cool... if the bandwidth expenses are a concern (as you alluded to elsewhere), charge NYTimes or CNET per download.
rainwater
10-10-2006, 05:54 PM
Tell them that they should look at offering a a desktop app that allows people to TiVoCast whatever content they want from their PC to their TiVo automatically. Bonus points if it automatically converts from other formats to MPEG-2 if the user has paid for a TiVo Desktop Plus upgrade key.
Dan
It would be even better if TiVoCast allowed you to add RSS feeds to vidcasts. Then they could be downloaded automatically to Now Playing. Many vidcasts already offer video that is in the mpeg2 format and I'm sure others would be willing to add a feed for tivo compatible downloads.
rainwater
10-10-2006, 05:57 PM
if the bandwidth expenses are a concern (as you alluded to elsewhere), charge NYTimes or CNET per download.
That's one of the major problems with TivoCast. The NYTimes or CNet stuff is something those companies could easily provide bandwith themselves for. However, TiVo seems intent on making it a closed system so they are forced to handle all of the bandwith. That is just a bad design IMHO. Certainly, TiVo will be handling the bandwith for any exclusive paid content they may add, but they are missing the boat on not creating an open system that can utilize the bandwith other content hosts are already providing.
ChuckyBox
10-10-2006, 08:04 PM
I do work closely with the folks making the content deals to implement what they bring, and I can definitely bring your ideas to the table [ ... ]
One word: porn.
d_anders
10-10-2006, 10:36 PM
...and I can definitely bring your ideas to the table, but that's not the main focus of my role.
1) More access and search of internet video --- YouTube to the living room.
2) Movies, Movies, Movies...make a deal with someone or provide your own service. Allow purchase of movies that can be downloaded/redownloaded and viewed anytime, or at least provide rentals. Including purchase is ideal because it would enable faster access to newly released content.
Youtube, CinemaNow, MovieBeam, Movielink...
Akimbo is doing it, why can't TiVo?
peteypete
10-10-2006, 11:08 PM
YES!
I don't need/want content I can get online for free.
I want a netflix type queue back-ended by a large catalog.
Barring that, why don't I yet have a way to add a selection on tivocentral, using a cellphone friendly, low-bandwidth web site? And no, I don't want to switch phone providers.
Yes, Netflix. CATALOG. YouTube would be nice. Please stop hinting at stuff and just do it. YouTube is only 20 months old and was bought out 3x the market cap of TIVO. Come on, someone has to think that Tivo is a strategic partner. Get it on!
classicsat
10-11-2006, 10:04 AM
Apart from rights contracts, bandwidth is an important isse, and S2 Tivos are hard to use as an IPTV box as they can only use MPEG2.
What TiVo or someone will have to do is make a gateway box that accepts incoming video of the internet and converts it to TiVo compatible MPEG2. Then TiVo as an IPTV could actually work.
We're open to suggestions -- let us know what you'd like to see.
With all due respect Stephen, I'm sure you already know what we want to see:
The ability to search for and retrieve/request specific content (movies, TV episodes, public domain material). Some could be free, some ad supported, some PPV (or Pay-Per-Download).
Heck, I'd also love to see more Product Watch stuff (which seems to have just died) and would really like to see Tivo find a way to encourage more networks/broadcasters to expand the use of iPreview tags.
You teased us with the change to "Find Programs" from "Pick Programs to Record". I'd like to think that TivoCast had a lot to do with that change. I understand a large hurdle, if not the largest, is securing the rights for the content.
But surely you must already know what we want.
(And now that I can't order PPV over cable with my Series 3 boxes, I'd jump at an opportunity for TivoCast HD PPV content :))
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