December 12, 2004
Amazing Video
Video: portable and transferable, is becoming more mainstream and more achievable. We used to swap videotapes, now we swap video files. There are a number of devices that allow you to download video from your computer for any-time viewing. Michael Gartenberg thinks there is a market for these devices. CNET seems more doubtful. In my opinion, the difference in market size is probably similar to the difference between the FM radio market and the miniature TV market, or the portable CD player vs the portable DVD player. You can listen almost anywhere, but most bosses will object to you catching up with your favorite television show during work hours.
I expect we will see the same controversies and difficulties over DRM that we see with portable music devices and DVR's. It's not a pretty picture in the intellectual property world. AllYourTV.com reports that Time Warner is apparently in discussion with several cable providers about limiting the ability of people to view popular TV shows which they have recorded on their cable company supplied DVR. Time Warner is calling this "transitional fair use" (transitional from what to what I wonder?) Time Warner is proposing that consumers have a limited, (one to two week) post-broadcast period during which they can watch recordings they have made of popular shows like Six Feet Under. This will only affect the barely motivated, and will irritate others into hacker mode. I don't endorse stealing the work of others, but pretending that you can effectively put shop lifting tags onto data bits is stupid.
I don't see much speculation on the potential use of these players to bore your relatives with your home made movies and vids. I do think analysts are missing out here. Anyone who makes home movies would definitely load them up on their Creative Labs Zen Portable Media Center. Come to think of it, I would probably like to watch my nephews play soccer or my niece pulverize her tennis opponents.
There are a number of portable video devices available in the $500+ range. They are often referred to as portable media players. Wired reviews are here, here and here. (The December issue of Wired is fantastic, by the way. The issue focuses on the "New Age of Exploration")
I like the idea of the DVX-Pod by Ama Technologies-you can record directly from your cable box or dvd player. I don't think I watch enough video to justify it at $600 but if it drops down I might get one to use as a DVR and portable player. If I am bored while waiting or while riding mass transit, I usually read a book, but maybe one of these players would change that.
Posted by Trigger Tech at December 12, 2004 5:38 PM Permalink
