ReelTime to offer streaming movies from Walt Disney Studios

ReelTime Rentals and Disney have reached an agreement to "provide popular video on demand rentals as they become available from The Walt Disney Studios, including new and classic titles from Walt Disney Pictures, Disney-Pixar, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films."

[via engadgetHD]

You Face as a Remote Control

A UCSD computer science student has done a proof-of-concept demonstration on on video showing that you can use your face to slow down or speed up video playback.FashionFunky.

[via FashionFunky]

FCC Chairman: cable TV from phone companies a "victory for consumers"

A U.S. Appeals court has upheld the FCC’s 2007 order that made it easier for AT&T and other phone companies to move into the video business.

The cable industry challenged the FCC’s ruling, as did states, which have long held sway over the video franchising process. Today the court disagreed, telling the complaintants, in so many words, to shut their pie holes.

[via USA Today]

A Movie on Your TV at Home, Before You Can Rent It

In an industry first, Sony Pictures “Hancock,” starring Mr. Smith as a bungling superhero, hits theaters on Wednesday and will be available — after its theater run but before release on DVD — over the Internet, directly to viewers’ television sets. That is, if they own a Sony Bravia TV with a Web connection. The New York Times reports.

"... In November, after “Hancock” has had its run in theaters, it will be available for a fee with the click of a remote control for consumers who own Internet-equipped Sony Bravia televisions. The Bravia Internet link adds $299 to the cost of the television."

Spreading peace over the net

An inspirational YouTube story from the BBC.

Last year 16-year-old Trevor Dougherty from Ithica, NY, put together a short video titled STAND UP for WORLD PEACE.

The film was featured on the video-sharing website YouTube and was nominated for the "Most Inspirational" category in the YouTube Video Awards 2007.

Not only did Trevor Dougherty reach millions online but he physically gathered nearly 6,000 people together to make his point.

Synchronized Office Swimming

Female Russian office workers with time on their hands. Genius!

[via darkroastedblend]

Google enters the PC to TV arena

Google has just released Google Media Server. The Windows-only software works in conjunction with Google’s desktop search application - Google Desktop - to locate various media (photos, music and video) stored on your PC and make it available for streaming over a home network, such as a PlayStation 3.

[via last100]

Bill Gates Tribute Video: Looking Back, Moving ahead

Bill Gates had his last day at Microsoft yesterday. Microsoft published a very nice biographical video titled "Looking Back, Moving ahead" (Part 1, Part 2) that takes you through the life of Bill Gates.

[via I4U]

Two-Thirds of College Kids Watch Online Video

Two-thirds of college kids watch online video; at the same time, rates of TV ownership dropped to 79 percent this year from 82 percent the year before.

[NewTeeVee]

Bill Gates last full day at Microsoft

There is wonderful coverage all over the Web today as this is Bill Gates last day at Microsoft. For those us of who have not been fans of Microsoft over the years, we can only take our hats off for what he has accomplished in both technology and philanthropy.

As engadget so aptly put it, "the end of an era; a fresh beginning; good riddance -- whatever you think of Bill's final day at Microsoft, it's impossible to deny that his tenure there helped forever re-shape not just technology, but the world as we know it".

My favorite coverage though is on Gizmodo, who has been throwing Bill Gates retirement parties all week, filled with links to interviews, parodies, company insight and well wishing.

Above, a fun 60 Minutes interview where Bill Gates tells us how easy school was while chowing down on burgers at his favorite fast food joint. But my personal favorite is this one, where on another 60 Minutes show, he talks of his love for his wife Melinda in a Valentine's Day Special. A side not often seen.

For more video coverage of Bill Gates check out YouTube .

Remote (holder) Buddy

Remote (holder) Buddy exemplifies the need for a universal remote. Hear hear.

[via engadget]

Half UK web videos are from YouTube

According to new research from Comscore, almost half of all internet videos watched by Britons come from YouTube, reports Metro.

"During March, 48% of the 3.5 billion web videos watched in the UK came from Google sites, of which 99% were from YouTube.

... The BBC only has 1.2% share of the video viewing market despite the launch of the BB's iPlayer catch-up service. "

Coming Soon to YouTube: My Face-Lift

Doctors have long recruited patients to help advertise — witness the doctor-patient tag teams on talk shows and infomercials. But it’s now clear that doctors openly offer “thank you” rebates and discounts to patients who post videos of their breast augmentations, bright white teeth or nose jobs — or are willing to be taped extolling the virtues of their physician - on YouTube. The New York Times reports.

... "Doctors — and patients — have taken to online video postings with gusto. Type in the word “Botox” on YouTube and around 2,400 videos pop up. “Breast augmentation” garners over 2,000; “Lasik” around 2,000 videos."

ChannelFlip Launches: UK’s First “Video Magazine For Men”

The Inquisitr reports on the launch of what is claimed to be "the UK’s first “video magazine for men”.

"At launch, ChannelFlip offers over 200 “quirky yet informative” short video programs aimed at “tech savy men.” Content includes coverage of gadgets, technology, gaming and DVD releases. The site has Intel on board as the launch sponsor, and during a trial earlier this year attracted 150,000 viewer a month with over 1 million video views."

France To Tax Mobile, Internet And TV Revenues To Fund Public Broadcaster

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has made good on his promise to shake up the country’s media industry. Starting on January 1 next year prime-time advertising on public television will be phased out, with the lost revenues to be replaced by taxes collected from internet, mobile phone and commercial broadcasting companies, Sarkozy announced yesterday, reports Bloomberg via mocoNews.net.

Gandolfini 'Sopranos' wardrobe sells for $187,750

The Soprano's wardrobe was auctioned off at Christie's POP CULTURE Auction today. The highest bid was $43,750 for a faux bloodstained costume, worn by Tony in a scene when heis shot by a demented Uncle Junior.

Read full article in USA Today.

China OKs video sharing for sites

Chinese regulators have given 247 firms the go-ahead to run online video-sharing services after ordering dozens of companies to halt operations earlier this year -- but it has not licensed China's top three most popular websites; Tudou.com, Youku.com and 56.com.

[via Variety]

NBC to release show-specific streaming data

How many people are watching 30Rock on NBC's website? The TV network is going to start telling us, according to LA Times Blog.

"Trying to make advertisers more comfortable buying spots on online shows, NBC Digital Entertainment said today it would begin to release show-specific streaming data for the first time through the Nielsen Online VideoCensus. The network says this new type of measurement makes it possible for advertisers to compare audience numbers, show by show. "

BBC adds radio content to TV on new iPlayer

The BBC will launch its next generation iPlayer tomorrow with a fully integrated on-demand radio service alongside its seven-day catch-up TV content.

The service will give iPlayer users access to the BBC's TV and Radio content, with users now able to access BBC radio stations as live streams and 'listen again' features.

[via NMA]

Vint Cerf: Video streaming to give way to downloading

Vint Cerf, one of the fathers of the Internet and Google's chief Internet evangelist, expects that video will be downloaded rather than streamed over time. News.com reports on his talk on Beet.TV.

"With gigabit for second speed, users could download an hour of video in 16 seconds. "It's like the iPod--you can download music faster than you can listen to it," he said.

Cerf also said that broadcasting, rather than downloading a separate copy to every user, is a good delivery model, and that users will have more control over which ads to watch."

Broadband Video Evolves

Programmers are fine-tuning their broadband game, introducing more user-friendly video players and experimenting with new ad formats such as graphic overlays and the “skins” forma, which surrounds the video player with branding. Broadcasting & Cable's special report.

"Meanwhile, content providers are trying to raise the video quality of their offerings to deliver a TV-like experience to viewers who are consuming short clips or full-length shows on their PC or laptop screens. Being able to do so without raising distribution costs to the point where broadband video becomes a money pit instead of a source of incremental revenue is the big issue."

Japan-style game shows coming to U.S. TV

Something to look forward to: Crazy Japan-style game shows are coming to U.S. television.

"Human Tetris, as in the Nintendo game. Slip 'n' Slide bowling. Diaper-wearing contestants spinning around in cribs and tackling an obstacle course. These stunts are trademarks of Japanese game shows - and they are about to be introduced to American television viewers, according to the IHT.

NBC will stream the entire Beijing Olympics online -- for Vista users only

NBC, the network responsible for all US Olympic television programming will stream the entire Beijing Olympics online for the first time -- for Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate users only. The Inudstry Standard reports.

"The scheme, called "NBC Olympics on the Go" -- though it isn't compatible with any mobile devices -- will allow Vista users to watch any and all events form the games on their PC's."

Madison Avenue Likes What It Sees in the Mirror

According to The New York Times, “Mad Men,” is inspiring commercials; designer fashions; window displays in department stores; merchandise like cigarette lighters, CDs and calendars; and a mock issue of the trade publication Advertising Age.

Industry awards shows, exhibitions and parties are also adopting “Mad Men” themes.

... The series was even the subject of an $8,000 question on a recent episode of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” asking which business “Mad Men” is about. When a contestant asked the audience for help, 86 percent answered correctly.

Read full article.

Video Comments The Japanese Way (Nico Nico Douga)

TechCrunch reports on the huge success of a user-generated video portal from Japan called Nico Nico Douga.

"... Nico Nico’s most distinctive feature - and the main reason why users spend twice as much time on Nico Nico as they do on Youtube - is that members communicate via short texts inserted on top of the video feeds. Entries are time-synched and flow over the frame from right to left. Using different colors, other users can add comments later in the same way. Some videos are virtually covered with thousands of lines of text, which can be filtered or turned off."

YouTube Unveils 'Screening Room' For Free Indie Movies

YouTube is opening a dedicated area called "The Screening Room" that will host indie film, and offer tools to help producers build an audience and generate revenue, eports Silicon Alley Insider.

"YouTube will add four new indie films every two weeks--including some that have appeared in film festivals and others that have never been seen before."

Image from its indie.

Pirate Bay looks to disrupt new Swedish law

Techradar reports that Swedish Pirate Bay team has pledged to do everything that it can to ffight against Sweden's recent ruling that it will monitor all phone calls and internet traffic that "leaves the country".

Ebay founder turns video blogger, invests in Seesmic

Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay, has invested in the video comment service Seesmic, announcing the news in what else but a video comment on Seesmic.

[via FT Tech Blog]

John Malone: Free Internet TV is absurd

John Malone, the billionaire US media mogul, warned on Friday that moves by television networks to make programs available for free on the internet were doomed to fail. The Financial Times reports.

"I think the idea that they’re going to put television shows and movies on the internet, bypass their traditional distribution and have no way of collecting [revenues] is absurd.”

Bill Gates' 'senior moment'

The Microsoft CEO shows his humorous side by acting out "a senior moment" in his leaving video which was shown to Microsoft colleagues.

[via BBC]