Pachter isn’t the only analyst who believes that Netflix can generate more money if it made a few changes to its policies. According to Heath Terry, an analyst for Goldman Sachs & Co., a pricing/policy change can increase revenue for Netflix by up to 5 percent per subscriber. Terry also mentions that Netflix’s CEO, Reed Hastings, can offer a variety of different plans, such as charging extra to add new users to a Netflix account.

Hastings has thought about introducing family plans to Netflix, which would allows families to have more than two stream running at the same time. He stated that it would help families save money by not having to purchase separate Netflix accounts. but Hastings doesn’t want to get into any price changes or policy changes with Netflix just yet. He says that Netflix is still recovering from its pricing fiasco back in 2011, when it increased its fees for video-streaming/DVD rentals to $15.98 a month from $9.99.

The analysts, however, believe that Netflix can do much better if it offers new account options. Terry states that with new account options, Netflix’s subscriber base can increase to 53 million by 2017, which is 20 million more subscribers than the 33 million the service currently has. Regardless of whether or not account/policy changes would be beneficial to Netflix, Netflix is doing well, with its shares increasing 76% this year, showing that it doesn’t need to implement any changes anytime soon.

[via Bloomberg]

The FMP-X1 will come bundled with 10 feature films and video shorts. The feature films include: Bad Teacher, Battle:Los Angeles, The Bridge on the River Kawi, The Karate Kid, Salt, Taxi Driver, That’s My Boy, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Other Guys, and Total Recall. A majority of those films are actually very appealing, and should help make the $700 price-tag much less painful to stomach.

When Fall rolls around, Sony will also be launching a video-distribution service that owners of the FMP-X1 will be able to take advantage of. The service will offer a whole library of 4K movies and shows for a fee. Titles will be available from a variety of productions, including, of course, Sony Pictures Entertainment. Whether the fee will be per title, or one-set fee for an unlimited amount of content is still unknown.

Also on April 17th, Sony will be working together with The Tribeca Film Festival to promote its 4K video production among amateur and professional film makers, in hopes of getting many film makers to support its products. However, it may be a while before people can adapt to 4K televisions. With the $4,999/$6,999 price-tag along with the $699 price-tag for the media player, these products aren’t exactly affordable for the average consumer.

[via Sony]

The new service will not be using an algorithm. The service has a designated team to help run it 24 hours a day. According to the VEVO’s Senior Vice President of Product and Technology, there will be a lot of heavy lifting occuring behind the scenes. The team has to keep track of the live feed by attaching “metadata” related to the content. Meaning they have to change and adjust information according to the content currently played so that users will be able to, for example, share the correct content to their social feeds and save the right content to their playlists.

VEVO TV is just a start of things to come. In the future, the service can expand to become multiple channels dedicated to a certain category. There could be a channel dedicated to only live music, another for new up-and-coming artists, and several for the various music genres like Rap, Country, Reggae, Pop, and more.

VEVO TV will not be limited to just the PC. Viewers will be able to access the live streaming service from a variety of devices like their Android, iOS, or Windows phones and tablets. The content will also be available through internet TV boxes like Roku, as well as game consoles. VEVO TV brings back the retro MTV, which used to be THE network for watching non-stop music videos.

[via TechCrunch]

Content creators can set the available viewing period for their video after a Vimean purchases it. The time ranges from 24 hours to 1 year. Creators are also able to allow downloads for their videos, however, once a video is downloaded, the Vimean will be allowed to view the video whenever they want and wherever they want. Creators are also able to choose which regions their videos will be available in.

Video creators will be able to keep 90% of the revenue they generate, after the transaction fees. Vimeo will keep the remaining 10% and cover all “delivery costs”. Vimeo on Demand is another way for content creators to be able to make money off of their hard work. Vimeo introduced Tip Jar last year that let users donate money to video creators, and it launched “movies” which was the first pay-to-view experience to be featured on Vimeo.

Vimeo believes that many content creators do exceptional work with their videos and that they should be compensated for it. It’s not the only service monetizing its content. YouTube is rumored to be launching a paid content service too sometime in the Spring. Its paid content services may range from $1 to $5. With Vimeo, users are able to watch their content on their smartphone, tablets, gaming systems, and Smart TVs all in HD. Paid content services like Vimeo’s and YouTube’s are helping strengthen the advancement of Internet TV.

[via Vimeo]

The streamer naturally supports full 1080p video, as well as surround sound, and pipes media via the 300Mbit/s WiFi adapter. If your reception is a little shaky then there’s an Ethernet port, with other ports including HDMI and optical out.

How are you going to control all of this? Using the supplied remote control app, available for iOS and Android. The free application will allow you to control just about any function on the streamer via WiFi, letting you get rid of another unnecessary physical remote. If this sounds like the media streamer for you, then have a hunt around retailers where you should expect to pick one up for around $69.99.

Color can stream video and then inform friends via Facebook when a user starts to broadcast, with the intention that events such as concerts can be shared live. The company also hopes to up the quality sent out over LTE by customizing the app to each specific smartphone on Verizon’s network. On top of that, Color will add a feature in the future that will extract still frames from video to be shared.

Bill Nguyen, creator of Color, argues that writing apps to the OS level for the level of quality they’re trying to achieve isn’t good enough, and that they have to start tailoring the app specifically for each chipset in order to achieve the dream of high quality HD streaming video. Twitter integration is also going to be added, and Color has said that the current app will continue to see updates in the meantime.

[via Engadget]

The Livestream Broadcaster is a tiny red box that can either be attached to video equipment for covering live events or used as a desktop encoder. Either way, the Broadcaster eliminates the need for a computer. It automatically encodes live recordings on the fly into H.264 video and AAC audio at up to 2.3Mbps and then streams it via Ethernet, WiFi, or a 3G/4G USB modem to the LiveStream platform.

Cameras connect to the Livestream Broadcaster using HDMI video input, while microphones can be connected directly to its 3.5mm audio jack. In contrast to existing equipment that cost in the thousands, the Livestream Broadcaster only costs $495, really lowering the barrier of entry into live broadcasting. The device comes with 3 free months of Livestream service, which costs $45 per month.

[via MarketWatch]

Not only is this like most HD DVR’s that can consume content, pause and record live HDTV but it also doubles as a TV tuner that converts broadcast and cable TV into streaming MPEG-4 for the most popular connected devices such as iPad and iPhone.

There is one big difference with Simple.TV from most of their competition. They don’t offer standard HDMI outputs or internal storage. Instead users can connect to their home wireless networks to stream content to their devices, including home PC’s and laptops. Same goes for the storage and instead they offer USB 2.0 allowing their customers the option to stream to their network for a low price, or add their own external storage devices.

Launching with major partners already such as Roku and Google TV we can expect to see more from Simple.TV at CES and will be sure to stop by their booth for a full rundown. One important note and concern is the fact that this is a streaming media device yet doesn’t offer WiFi — users will be required to connect using Ethernet, but they do provide 2 ports. We’re assuming you could also use the USB port for wireless network cards.

It will run users a low price of $4.99 per month but allows unlimited streaming for up to 5 users. Priced at $149 plus the $4.99/month subscription, Simple.TV will ship in the Spring of 2012.

The festival starts on July 1 and ends July 31. Major bands and artists to play at the festival from London’s Roundhouse include Adele, Coldplay, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, Paul Simon, My Chemical Romance, Duran Duran, and many others. All the performances can be streamed live in HD from Live Nation Studios to your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

The iTunes Festival London 2011 app is available worldwide and can be downloaded for free starting today. It also supports AirPlay, which means that you can use the app with Apple TV to stream the HD content to your television set. Music fans also have the option to purchase live EPs of their favorite artists from the event through iTunes.

[via PRNewswire]

The Eyez have an attractive design; pretty much the classic pair of sunglasses. The lenses are 100% UVA/UVB. The tinted lenses can also be swapped out for a clear pair or fitted with prescription lenses by a professional (kids, don’t try this at home). The HD 720p camera is concealed inside the body of the glases, and battery life is an estimated 3 hours of recording time per charge. The Eyez can communicate via WiFi 802.11n, Bluetooth v3.0, or micro USB.

Currently most live social network streaming is being done through phones or camcorders, and most is not actually live, it is uploaded after it is recorded. Using the Eyez free Android or iOS app, smartphone users can wirelessly upload their video in real time or stream to a blog or live video feed. One problem that other similar products have run into is bandwidth. Unfortunately not all cellular networks are created equal, and live video streaming has been problematic when users were attempting to stream over networks with speeds of 3G and slower. Most major metropolitan areas are getting decent 4G and LTE coverage, but it is still not everywhere. It can be very frustrating being limited by the speed of the network.

The MSRP of Eyez is set at $199, but ZionEyez is offering a limited-time special of $149 to anyone that is willing to pre-order a product with an unspecified release date.

[via ZionEyez]

Built-in Bluetooth also connects to your phone, so you have a viewfinder to check the angle, with an HDMI port to connect to a screen without having to pull the microSD card. It also has the first external 2.5mm microphone jack on any hands-free camera, so it will separate the audio you want from ambient noise surrounding you.

The Contour has three resolutions, four frame rates, and a five-megapixel still mode, as well as an interactive GPS receiver which tracks speed, location, and elevation at four frames per second.

And here is your obligatory PR quote, though this one is from stunt driver Greg Tracy, not a CEO, so it’s more interesting:

“When I’m shooting action, I love to put the audience in the middle of it and experience it first-hand. With the Contour+, I’ll be able to do this like never before.” said Tracy. “With its professional-grade lens, connectivity options and size, the Contour+ is the perfect tool for my demanding production work, and it won’t break the bank.”

The camera sells for $499, and we are seeing it available on Amazon, and B&H Photo, Video, and Pro Audio starting May 18. It is available for pre-order now.

Here are the specs:
· Wide angle 170 degree F2.8 lens
· Flush-front lens
· 270 degree on-axis smooth lens rotation
· Streaming of live video via HDMI port
· Configurable White Balance
· Playback of full-display HD Video through HDMI port
· Rear door pass-through for USB and HDMI ports
· 4Hz (4 times per second) performance of GPS Receiver

And also check out the video of the Contour in action here..

Press release:

TAKE STORYTELLING TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH NEW CONTOUR+ HANDS-FREE VIDEO CAMERA – AVAILABLE TODAY

Contour’s Latest Innovation Adds Richness to Stories with Progression in Video, Location, Audio, and Streaming

SEATTLE, Wash. – May 12, 2011 – Contour, Inc. (http://www.contour.com),a market leader in hands-free video cameras, today announced Contour+, Contour’s first camera for the broadcast and pro-sumer markets. The Contour+ marks the next progression in hands-free video and represents the company’s continued focus on leading the market’s innovation. The Contour+ is now available at Contour.com and retail partners for $499.

“Nowhere on Earth is off limits to filmmakers and other visual storytellers, but there are plenty of places standard pro cameras can’t go,” said Marc Barros, Contour CEO. “Contour+ delivers high-quality video, audio, location data and streaming capabilities anywhere there’s a story to tell. Today, anyone can be a documentarian or filmmaker, and we’ve created the most affordable way to give pro-sumers, broadcast and filmmakers everything they need to tell incredibly rich stories from right within the action.”

The hands-free and wireless technology that has established Contour’s technical leadership in the market is augmented with progressions in the lens, first-ever features in the hands-free market, andmore to create a new era in the technical side of storytelling. The camera’s powerful and unique combination of technical features has piqued the interest of industry tastemakers including Film Producer and Freeride Entertainment Director, Derek Westerlund.

“Hands-free is a big revolution in the camera space, but we haven’t had anything that was progressive enough to use on professional shoots until now,” said Westerlund. “The Contour+ allows me to capture great POV shots and will help bring the movie’s story to life. The Contour+ is the new standard for next generation, high-quality, hands-free cameras.”

Greg Tracy, a renowned stunt driver and filmmaker who has worked on feature films such as “Bourne Ultimatum,” “Wanted,” and “The Town,” looks forward to using the new Contour+ on his upcoming professional shoots. “When I’m shooting action, I love to put the audience in the middle of it and experience it first-hand. With the Contour+, I’ll be able to do this like never before.” said Tracy. “With its professional-grade lens, connectivity options and size, the Contour+ is the perfect tool for my demanding production work, and it won’t break the bank.”

How Contour+ Delivers

The next progression in hands-free cameras lets explorers:

• Expand Field of Vision: A six-element glass lens delivers 1080p video quality, an adjustable white balance to dial-in details and a 170-degree field of view to clearly integrate peripherals and backdrops in each shot

• Deliver Live Action: Streaming video via HDMI and an external transmitter broadcasts the action in real-time

• Stay Connected Better than any POV Camera: Built-in Bluetooth connects to a mobile phone, creating a wireless viewfinder to check the angle; a HDMI port allows instant replay on a laptop or widescreen direct from the included microSD card

• Capture Crisp Audio: The first external 2.5mm microphone jack on any hands-free camera helps distinguish featured audio from ambient noise

• Benefit from Contour’s Signature Elements: Three resolutions, four frame rates and a five-megapixel still mode are available to customize the shot; an internal interactive GPS receiver tracks speed, location, and elevation at four frames per second

Shipping today from Contour.com, the Contour+ is also available from Amazon.com; B&H Photo, Video, and Pro-Audio; Gear Co-Op, Paragon, and Samy’s Camera.

Contour’s complete collection of high quality, easy-to-use cameras, including the ContourGPS and ContourHD, provide a variety of solutions to fit every adventurer’s need. The company helps people further share their stories with its free apps and online community.

About Contour

Contour is a market leader in the hands-free video camera category. Producing simple, thoughtfully designed and intuitive adventure storytelling tools, Contour, enables modern day explorers to use video and location-based video to relive and replay their personal tales ofaction, adventure and travel, sharing them with world at the touch of a button. For more information about Contour please visit www.contour.com.

A Three Screen Solution
We have an analysis series that we give upon request to our clients, which goes in depth about the three screen ecosystem. The premise is that there are three primary screens that consumers spend the most time with: the PC, the TV and the mobile phone. Each screen has a robust hardware, software and service ecosystem, and understanding where you are in that ecosystem is important.

A company like Microsoft has a strategy to bring a Microsoft-centric experience to all three screens. There aren’t many in the industry who can pull off a three screen strategy, but Apple and Google definitely fall into the discussion. The point is, partnering or acquiring key parts of the three screen ecosystem become important for these vendors to stay competitive.

Skype brings a already mature solution to Microsoft as a part of their three screen strategy. Integrating Skype into their operating systems is where they have an opportunity to differentiate.

The Brand Brings Credibly
Skype has great technology but Microsoft could have developed something similar. Skype does more for Microsoft as a brand that lends credibility to a video communication solution. Consumers and business alike are either already Skype customers or well aware of what Skype is and does. Microsoft needs a credible video communications story, particularly for consumers. Skype’s credibility as a brand and its brand awareness is one of the more valuable things Microsoft acquires toward their strategic goals.

That is not to discount the sizable Skype installed base, which is the other key element of value for Microsoft but the mobile element will be the next frontier for Microsoft and Skype.

Carrier Relationships Is Another Key
Even though we emphasize the importance of the three screens the mobile device is probably one of the more significant of the three. That is mostly because it’s extremely personal and the brand or vendor ecosystem the consumer trusts for their mobile device could lead to longer brand loyalty. You have heard the saying that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, and the technology equivalent is “the way to a consumer’s heart is through their mobile phone.”

Skype had decent relationships with the carriers, but that was strengthened even more when they bought Qik late last year. Qik may play a very important role in Microsofts long term strategy and could also be a key reason they bought Skype. Microsoft is in a desperate position to strengthen their offering in mobile and in particular mobile video communications.

Apple has strength with FaceTime and Google has some of their own video solutions that they can further integrate into Chrome and Android. Microsoft in Skype has added to their ecosystem an key part that both their partners and their customers need.

Another bit of evidence that the Apple cloud streaming video application is coming has surfaced with a new hire by Apple. Apple has hired Kevin Timmons away from Microsoft. Timmons was general manager of the Microsoft data centers that power the software faints global cloud computer operations.

Timmons is reportedly taking a leadership position at Apple. The hire hints that the big data center I mentioned before in North Carolina isn’t all Apple is eyeing. The rumors earlier in the week claimed that Apple was setting up data centers around the country and around the world. Microsoft noted that Timmons was leaving but didn’t say where he was going. Timmons going to Apple comes from industry sources.

[via Datacenterknowelge]

The device streams the HD video over the WiFi network inside a home and needs no wires run to operate. The device provides some cool capabilities within the home like multi-room DVR capability and remote management. Motorola claims that the VAP2400 is the first true beamforming 4×4 solution capable of supporting multiple HD and SD streams inside the home.

The multiple HD streams can be shot through walls as well. The device promises near zero packet loss and low latency. It supports auto-detection and auto-provisioning capability and can be self-installed by the homeowner saving money. The VAP2400 also supports TR-069 remote management. It will ship globally starting in Q3 at an unannounced price.

The PBO Core gets a new user interface that looks better and is easier to use and navigate. The functionality was enhanced with new Internet Media Services (IMS), better HDTV compatibility, and the ability to play content from external optical USB drives. The device can now show album artwork when playing audio files as well.

The addition of IMS allows for streaming and internet services like RSS feeds for video, streaming podcasts, online photo albums, live stock information, weather, news and more. All of the new features are added via a new firmware that existing Patriot Box Office users can download. The PBO Core device has HDMI 1.3a support, supports 5.1 and 7.1 Dolby Digital and DTS sound, and has a wide range of supported file formats.

The service offers content from networks like CBS, ABC, NBC, KCAL, FOX, KTLA, Russia Today, BBC News, RAI Sports, Dubai Sports, TVE Spain, SCUZZ , FLAUNT and other networks. To use the FilmOn service you have to download a free HDi Player from the FilmOn website. The service can send content to the PC or to mobile devices.

Users need a broadband connection and the monthly fee for the service is $9.95. The HD video needs a connection of at least 1Mbps and HD is supported on mobile devices with Dolby 5.1 sound as well. The service has been in beta for the last year and has several million viewers according to FilmOn.

The Best of R3 Media

Meet the Motorola A955: We’ve got no idea what it is. It’s either the Motorola Shadow, the Nexus Two, or the Droid 2. All of which haven’t officially been announced, or even spied on camera (completely), but we know that at least one of those handsets exist. And, sure enough, the Motorola A955 fits right in with the Droid 2 mythos, as it follows the first version of the Droid’s model number (A855) quite nicely. So, that’s our bet. But, then again, it could be something completely different, too. [via Android Community]

Apple Asks “What’s the iPad?”: Good enough question for some, we imagine. While the iPad has been basically a smash hit here in the States, there’s still no telling how well it will do around the world once the tablet starts showing up in people’s hands. So, Apple wanted to make sure that you get the point of the iPad, or at least something close to that. That’s why they made a nice little video for you. Hopefully it answers your questions. [via Everything iPad]

Microsoft Mobile Office Available Now: For Windows Mobile 6.5, no less. Considering that Windows Phone 7 is getting its own, pretty spectacular version of Windows Mobile, there’s no doubt that this version won’t be making it to the next iteration of the mobile platform. But, it’s good to see Microsoft giving Windows Mobile some love, even in the shadow of what’s coming. Features include mobile versions of Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Excel. It’s available for download right now, so get crackin’ and let us know what you think. [via SlashPhone]

The Dredge Net

One Man Wants to Give All of Africa WiFi: Yes. All of it. Not just the large metropolitan areas, or even some villages. But all of the villages out there, and everything else in between. Paul English is the co-founder of the travel search engine Kayak (which is also available in an application format on some smartphones) has an idea to use satellites, along with terrestrial infrastructure, to give the entire continent access to free, high-speed WiFi. It would basically be like the “closed” Internet that you get at a local, public library: access to Skype, Gmail, and Google, but “non-essential” things like pornography, or high-bandwidth intensive videos wouldn’t be allowed, either. A lofty goal, yes, and it probably won’t be done for a decade, but at least he’s trying. And using his own money, no less. [via DVICE]

Comcast Makes an iPad App: Yes, two pieces of iPad information tonight. We couldn’t really help ourselves. As soon as we saw this app, we had to share it here. It’s a pretty simple, relatively, channel guide, which shows you all the available channels for your account with Comcast. The User Interface (UI) is great, and it looks really, really easy to navigate through. One of the most simple features, like having the TV station’s logos visible, is also one of the coolest. Definitely worth a look if you’ve got an iPad and are using Comcast, that’s for sure. [via CrunchGear]

Netflix Begins Streaming HD to PCs and Macs: This one’s quick, because we know as soon as you read that title, you closed this window and went right on over to Netflix. We don’t blame you. The video streaming and disc-sending company is now starting to stream HD videos to PCs and Macs, which should make pretty much everyone happy. Why are you still here? [via Netflix]

Vudu had been known recently for its Vudu Box and Vudu XL service, used to distribute movies over the web via a hybrid peer-to-peer technology, in which they were the first to stream video at 1080p high-def.   Wal-Mart is evidently betting that the majority of consumers will gradually move toward the online distribution of media content, leaving DVDs and physical media behind in the dust.

Because DVD sales have declined in recent years, retailers and studios have looked to digital distribution to slide back in line with profits.  Wal-Mart, who happens to be the largest DVD retailer in the country, may seem like it has shot itself in the foot with this move.  But with digital distribution being an increasingly more economical medium, like the iPad partnership between the NY Times and Apple, this move may very well determine and reestablish their business model for the future.

Walmart Announces Acquisition of Digital Entertainment Provider, VUDU

Company takes next step to enhance home entertainment and information delivery options for consumers

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 22, 2010 — Walmart announced today a definitive agreement to acquire VUDU, Inc., a leading provider of digital technologies and services that enable the delivery of entertainment content directly to broadband high-definition TVs and Blu-ray players. The deal is expected to close within the next few weeks.

VUDU is a revolutionary service, built into a growing number of broadband-ready TVs and Blu-ray players, that delivers instant access to thousands of movies and TV shows directly through the television. Customers with broadband Internet access and an Internet-ready TV or Blu-ray player can rent or purchase movies, typically in high-definition, without needing a connected computer or cable/satellite service. New movies and features will be added continually, enabling customers to enjoy a product that continues to become more robust long after they have left the store.

“The real winner here is the customer,” said Eduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman for Walmart. “Combining VUDU’s unique digital technology and service with Walmart’s retail expertise and scale will provide customers with unprecedented access to home entertainment options as they migrate to a digital environment.”

VUDU has licensing agreements with almost every major movie studio and dozens of independent and international distributors to offer approximately 16,000 movies, including the largest 1080p library of video on-demand movies available anywhere. Via their broadband Internet connection, users have the ability to rent or buy titles and begin viewing them instantly.

VUDU will continue developing entertainment and information delivery solutions such as VUDU Apps, a platform that delivers hundreds of streaming Internet applications and services to TVs and Blu-ray players with built-in Internet connectivity. VUDU has partnered with some of the leading names in Internet and media entertainment to offer applications on its platform including Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, The New York Times and The Associated Press.

“We are excited about the opportunity to take our company’s vision to the next level,” said Edward Lichty, VUDU executive vice president. “VUDU’s services and Apps platform will give Walmart a powerful new vehicle to offer customers the content they want in a way that expands the frontier of quality, value and convenience.”

VUDU, based in Santa Clara, Calif., will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walmart. The company is not disclosing financial terms of the agreement as the acquisition is not material to its first quarter earnings for fiscal year 2011.

[via New York Times]

“VUDU Apps provides customers with access to a wide range of Internet services and applications including streaming vieo, music on demand, photo browsing, social networking and more. The platform uses a unique, cloud-based architecture optimized for consumer electronics devices. VUDU Apps supports the development of responsive apps designed specifically for use on HDTVs without the need for downloading or installing software, ensuring consumers always have access to the most current version of an application. Devices featuring VUDU Apps will begin shipping to consumers in the first quarter of this year.”

Applications available on VUDU Apps run the gamut of popular websites from video to photo to music to news to social networking as well as include other Internet services, such as the VUDU Streaming Movie Service. More than 100 applications are available on VUDU Apps, providing access to popular services like Pandora, Picasa, Flickr, Dailymotion and leading news providers, such as The New York Times and The Associated Press.

The full list of services includes:
• VUDU Streaming Movie Service
• Pandora
• Flickr
• Picasa
• Facebook
• Twitter
• AP
• New York Times
• Dailymotion
• Stock Quotes
• Weather
• NBC Nightly News
• Meet the Press
• Today
• Countdown
• Rachel Maddow
• Morning Joe
• Zeitgeist
• Good Morning America
• Face the Nation
• White House Weekly Address
• Fast Draw
• Katie Couric’s Notebook
• Anderson Cooper 360 Daily
• CNN Daily
• Bill Moyers Journal
• In Case You Missed It
• Now in the News
• CNN Student News
• Journal Editorial Report
• FOX News Flash
• Washington Post | Photo Stories
• Washington Post | HD Podcast
• Slate V
• Around the Horn
• Mike & Mike Moment
• The Basketball Jones
• MLS
• The Dish
• Racing One
• TGRtv Extreme HD
• Discovery Channel
• NOVA
• Nature
• NASA Jet Propulsion Lab
• Hidden Universe HD
• Ted Talks
• Walt Mossberg
• Andy Jordan’s Tech Diary
• USA Today – Talking Tech
• Hak5
• Pixel Perfect
• Systm
• Fresh Trax
• Philharmonia Orchestra
• XLR8R
• Best of VH1
• The Frustrated Rockstars
• UVTV
• Popcorn
• The Digg Reel
• The Screening Room
• Scene Stealers
• Indie Film Nation
• National Lampoon
• New Yorker Animated Cartoons
• iFanboy
• Scam School
• Sesame Street
• Stump the Chef (HD)
• Good Housekeeping: Whats for Dinner
• Delicious TV Veg
• City by City (HD)
• DiveFilm HD
• The Parent Code (HD)
• Rocketboom
• Diggnation HD
• Totally Rad Show
• Tekzilla
• Best of Revision3
• Sessler’s Soapbox Video Podcast
• Attack of the Show
• X-Play’s Daily Video Podcast
• X-Play Game Previews
• G4 Videogame Trailers
• Fresh Ink
• The Feed Daily Video Podcast
• Gadget Pr0n
• Around the Net
• Cheat! Video Podcast
• The MMO Report
• Teton Gravity Research
• Golf Tips
• From the Top at Carnegie Hall
• Stand Up
• IRrelevant Astronomy
• London Landscape TV
• Backpack Picnic
• Big Love
• Bored To Death
• Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Entourage
• Flight of the Conchords
• Hung
• True Blood
• New York on the Clock
• ABC News with Diane Sawyer
• Amanpour
• Cnet News
• Monocle
• Princeton University
• Californication
• Dexter
• Beautiful places in HD
• City Concealed

The Sling Receiver 300 has component, composite and HDMI connectors for hooking up to your second HDTV, along with both analog and digital audio outputs for if you’re not using HDMI.  EchoStar have confirmed they’ll be offering the device as an accompaniment to their SlingLoaded 922 HD DVR sometime in the not-too-distant future.

As for the Slingbox 700U, it hooks up to a compatible DVR via USB and automatically decrypts incoming video, transcodes it and then re-encrypts it ready to be sent out over the internet connection.  The concept is enough to appeal to DISH Network, who plan to offer it to their line-up as a companion to their existing ViP HD DVR.  No word on release dates, however.

Press Release:

Sling Media Introduces Sling Receiver 300 for Television Service Providers

Enjoy your primary SlingLoaded™ DVR content on any HDTV in your home

Las Vegas, Nev., USA – Jan. 6, 2010 – Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), today unveiled the Sling Receiver 300 to television service providers. The Sling Receiver 300 is a companion product to a SlingLoaded™ set-top box, such as the award-winning EchoStar SlingLoaded 922 HD DVR, that delivers a full 1080i video stream from an HD DVR to any other HD television in a home using the viewer’s wireless home network. The Sling Receiver 300 was selected as a CES Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Award honoree in the Multi-Room Audio/Video category.

With the Sling Receiver 300, viewers can enjoy the same HD programming that they experience on their primary HDTV on a secondary HDTV in their home without the need to run additional cables or purchase a second DVR.

“HDTV viewers often want to extend their main set-top box experience to another HDTV with minimal hassle and expense,” said John M. Paul, executive vice president of Products at Sling Media. “The Sling Receiver 300 can extend the full quality of a primary HD DVR experience to any secondary HDTV in the home, while eliminating the cost and problems of running cable.”

How It Works
The Sling Receiver 300 connects to a second HDTV via its built-in HDMI, component or composite video connectors. Depending on the connection method, multiple video formats up to 1080i can be delivered. Audio is delivered to the second TV using HDMI, digital audio or analog audio outputs. The Sling Receiver 300 is small enough to be mounted behind an HDTV.

The Sling Receiver 300 is one in a suite of products and services that EchoStar Technologies L.L.C and its affiliate Sling Media are making available to television service providers to help them attract new subscribers, retain current customers, and bring placeshifting to the largest audience possible.

Sling Media will be demonstrating this new technology in Booth 9021 at the Consumer Electronics Show 2010 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Press Release:

Sling Media Introduces Slingbox 700U for Television Service Providers

DISH Network plans to be first to take sleek, ultra-slim device that adds HD Slingbox capability to any compatible set-top box using simple USB connection

Las Vegas, Nev., USA – Jan. 6, 2010 – Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), today unveiled the Slingbox 700U and announced that DISH Network plans to be the first television service provider to add the device to its product lineup. The smallest Slingbox® yet, the Slingbox 700U is the fastest way of adding award-winning Slingbox capabilities to an existing Internet-connected set-top box such as DISH Network’s ViP® HD DVR.

“Television service providers are constantly looking for ways to deliver new and exciting services to satisfy existing customers and attract new customers,” said John M. Paul, executive vice president of Products at Sling Media. “The surprisingly small, easy-to-install Slingbox 700U delivers ‘TV Everywhere’ services at a low acquisition and installation cost because it connects via USB on the existing set-top box and self-configures.”

The Slingbox 700U eliminates the need for television service providers to invest in the development of their own placeshifting set-top boxes in order to offer “TV Everywhere” services. The newest Slingbox is easy to set up and can help television service providers reduce training and installation costs. The Slingbox 700U can significantly reduce time to market for television service providers wanting to add “TV Everywhere” services to their portfolio.

“The Slingbox 700U is an ideal device to implement our ‘TV Everywhere’ strategy for existing customers with ViP series satellite TV receivers,” said Ira Bahr, Chief Marketing Officer for DISH Network. “Sling Media has developed an easy-to-install Slingbox that greatly expands the number of customers who can enjoy ‘TV Everywhere’ around the house, or anywhere outside the home, on their laptops or mobile smartphones.”

How It Works
The Slingbox 700U’s sleek, modern and ultra-slim enclosure only hints at the technical sophistication inside. It is powered through a USB connection which removes the need for any other wires or connectors. In real time, the Slingbox 700U decrypts incoming video, transcodes it and then re-encrypts it for secure transmission over the Internet.

The Slingbox 700U is one in a suite of products and services that EchoStar Technologies L.L.C and its affiliate Sling Media are making available to television service providers to help them attract new subscribers, retain current customers, and bring placeshifting to the largest audience possible.

Sling Media will be demonstrating this new technology in Booth 9021 at the Consumer Electronics Show 2010 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The device uses UWB connectivity to stream video from a 2-inch USB dongle to the TV via an HDMI adapter. The kit supports Windows 7, Vista, XP, and Mac computers. The entire system promises to be up and running on only 5 minutes.

Supported resolution for the device is up to 1680 x 1050 and it can stream 720p HD video up to 30 feet away. The chipset inside the device supports Band Groups 1, 3 and 6 making it capable of operating worldwide. The device will ship to OEMs in Q1 2010.