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Sony adds HD POV action cam

January 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment

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Sony has used the largest stage in consumer electronics, last week’s 2014 International CES show in Las Vegas to bring out a high-end action cam that combine high quality images with a portability that will enable users to capture and display their feats and those of others, athletic of otherwise.

The Sony HDR-AS100V Action Cam is a POV (point-of-view) device that is designed for high-end users who want the best in video quality with a simple interface that is easy to use, important features if you are say, hanging on the side of a mountain filming your climb.

Basic Features
At the very start the HDR-AS100V comes in a splashproof case so when using around water, or snow as the season and situation dictate, it does not have to be encased in a waterproof housing, although that is needed for underwater work. It has a media/battery indicator that informs users of how much capacity and recordable time is available. Its on-screen indicators inform users of both recording and shooting mode as well as GPS Tracking States and image stabilization. It has a display panel that enables users to view settings and images. A waterproof casing is also included.

Advanced Image quality
However the camera offers much more including the ability to record high quality, 1080/24p video and high-speed 720/120p or 720/240p shooting. It has a built-in stereo microphone for use with the images. For still images it functions as a 13.5 megapixel camera and has multiple functions including the ability to do time-lapse photography.

The key to the image quality starts with the camera’s support of XAVC 5, a version of the codec that was developed for the emerging 4K/HD video space. This enables very high speed bit transfer that in turn allows the camera to capture live video in quality HD. The next step is its ultra-wide Carl Zeiss Tessar lens that provides a 170-degree viewing angle. To augment that there is Sony’s SteadyShot Image Stabilization, a huge enhancement over Sony’s previous stabilization offering, providing double the camera’s stability over the older technology. When on it limits the lens’s viewing angle to 120 degrees.

The Action Cam AS100V features a lens that is ideal for panoramic shots that is not all the camera is capable of, it features an enhanced 18 megapixel sensor for use in low light and night conditions, perfect for everything from spelunking to night skiing.

Connectivity
Currently the camera cannot do live video streaming but Sony is promising that an update this summer with provide that capability. However despite that there are a number of very nice futures including both Wi-Fi and Near Field Communications (NFC) support that enable to share content on smartphones and tablets using the free PlayMemories Mobile app that supports both Android and iOS devices.

For the technically minded there is the ability to control up to five Action Cam AS100V devices using the optional Live View Remote model RM-LVR1, a wristwatch sized controlling device that features an LCD that is waterproof and synchs automatically with the cameras. The HDR-AS100V with the RM-LVR1 as a bundle that is being called the HDR-AS100VR.

Mount Options
While users of portable cams often find new and unusual mounting issues for the device, Sony Electronics has worked hard to head off issues in this area. It ships with a tripod adapter that can be used with the cameras when they are out of the waterproof housing. That however is just the start as it also has at least 26 different mounting attachments with a number of new ones joining the already established mounts that the company had made available for earlier models. He newest mounts include an Action Monopod (VCT-AMP1), Hard Lens Protector (AKA-HLP1), Camera Leash Pack (AKA-LSP1), Arm Kit (VCT-AMK1) and the aforementioned Live-View Remote Kit (HDR-AS100VR).

The $299.99 HDR-AS100V is currently only available as a pre-order from Sony but the company said that it expects it to hit the market in March.

Filed Under: Android, Apple, Apps, Cycling, GoPro, iOS, Live sports via mobile, Skiing, Sony Tagged With: , , , ,

NBC continues to ratchet up digital access to Winter Olympics

January 9, 2014 by 2 Comments

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We reported earlier on NBC’s plans to provide online coverage of all 15 sports during the upcoming Winter Olympics that start Feb. 6 but the network has announced additional features that will likely thrill many online viewers.

So on top of the already announced 1,000 hours of coverage that the network will be live streaming also comes a host of digital-only programming that it will also make available to verified cable, satellite and telco customers.

While NBC has live-streamed Olympic events in the past this is a new feature that the network has never tried before. There will be three main features of the new programming. The program, which will generally stream from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET will be available as an exclusive video channel on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports Live Extra app.

It will focus on the most popular events of the day, and not as a general news service, more on that later. It will be showing events live such as the ice hockey games and various skiing events. There is also a dedicated Twitter handle for fans that enjoy following it from that angle: @NBC_GoldZone.

The second piece of on-line programming is called Olympic Ice. As you can imagine it will cover all of the Olympic Ice Skating events and news, but as a review broadcast. The 30-minute program will also be available on both NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports Live Extra app and will start broadcasting each evening at 5:30 p.m. ET on most days, from Feb. 7-21.

The final program is a general news effort entitled Olympic News Desk Updates that plans to stream update cover the course of each day as well as provide breaking news and highlights after each event.

I believe that the additional streaming programs, as well as the previously announced programming, will be met as a very welcome addition to this and hopefully future Olympic broadcasts. One of the joys of an event, even when you are not present, is to see it as it occurs, or to catch news and analysis of the event after it has just concluded. Most will want to watch events that they enjoy at home on big screen tvs even after they know the final score anyway, I suspect.

If you are wondering how to get verified to watch on-line it is very simple

In order to get verified simply:
1. Go to NBCOlympics.com/LiveExtra
2. Click the “Verify Now” button
3. Select your cable, satellite or telco provider
4. Enter the username and password that corresponds with your account
5. Upon verification of your subscription to an Olympics-eligible package, you will be signed in throughout the Games on that device.
It would make sense to do so early since NBC expects that it will have the most devices verified to view the Sochi Olympics for any sporting event ever, most likely dwarfing the 9.9 million devices that were verified for the recent London Olympic Games. You can verify for multiple devices, but must go through the process for each device.

Filed Under: Apps, Live sports via mobile, Live Sports Video Consumption, NBC Sports, Olympics, Skiing, Sports Social Media, Twitter Tagged With: , ,

Pebble takes second step in smartwatch space

January 7, 2014 by 2 Comments

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Pebble has brought out its second generation smartwatch with the $249 Pebble Steel Watch, a more fashionable, and expensive version of the original $150 Pebble offering from last year. The watch is being shown at the current CES International trade show in Las Vegas.

The Steel Watch will be available in either a brushed stainless or black matte finish as the company develops a look that would not look garish on an executive. It replaces the plastic cover with Gorilla Glass and comes with both steel and leather straps.

The battery life is good for between 5 and 7 days and it is waterproof to 5 meters. The company has added a tri-colored LED and as with the earlier model will run both the Android and the iOS operating system. Scheduled to ship at the end of the month the move coincides with the launching of the Pebble Appstore, a place where users can easily find apps designed to run on the device.

Pebble, the Kickstarter favorite, wow the market when its funding effort went massively over the amount that the company founders were seeking, something that slightly harmed the company, at least public relations wise, by forcing it deliver the product late because it needed to build significantly more than it had expected in its early run. Not that this is not a problem that most startup companies would kill for.

Pebble was certainly one of the groundbreakers, if not the groundbreaker in the wearable computing technology with mainstream devices that connected a watch with a cell phone to bring data to your wrist. There were already sports specific devices that did some of the same features in areas such as golf and running but none that seemed to serve as a pure extension of your mobile phone.

That started a land rush by larger mobile developers to lay claim to this space as well, with Samsung, Apple, Google, Sony, Dell and others delivering products, planning to or simple becoming part of the rumor mill that they have one in the works.

Samsung, Qualcomm and Sony have already brought out products with the Samsung Gear, Qualcomm Toq and the Sony SmartWatch and I am sure this year we will see a wave of additional devices introduced to the market, much like how the tablet space exploded a few years ago. A number will be simply me-too devices while others will take the time to create truly differentiated offerings.

Filed Under: Amazon, Android, Apple, Apps, Dell, Golf, Google, iOS, Kickstarter, Live sports via mobile, Samsung, Sony, Startup Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

ESPN holding nothing back for tonight’s BCS broadcast

January 6, 2014 by 2 Comments

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An era ends tonight in college football with the last of the current format championships about to be played between Florida State and Auburn. Next season will usher in a playoff format that is a major change from the current poll-based system.

The current system was introduced in 1998 and now it is gone, but when you look at the freight train of equipment and army of personnel that ESPN is bringing to the event, it will likely live on for quite a long time in the form of multiple digital recordings.

The sports channel is broadcasting the 2014 Vizio BCS National Championship game tonight with the biggest broadcast team in its history and has termed it the “BCS Megacast” with it being presented across six of its television platforms as well as its audio and digital outlets.

You can pretty much take your choice of platforms- ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPN Radio, ESPN3, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN International. There will be pregame talkshows, interviews, analysis, celebrities and much more available prior to the kickoff at 8:30 ET.

Social and digital media will be strongly represented in the mix with the personalities posting thoughts and comments prior to kickoff as well during the game.

For those that are not able to watch at home or in a comfortable sporting establishment the presentations that were broadcast on the ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPNEWS will be available to a range of alternative platforms via WatchESPN including online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets, through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members, on Apple TV and Roku to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.

So how many people and trucks will this take? According to USA Today Sports and ESPN it will be 16 trucks, 63 cameras, 73 microphones a four-engine generator and as many as 200 employees, only a few who you will see online.

Hopefully this will make for a great broadcast, but much of that will depend on the teams. A stinker of a game will lead to fans tuning out as happened a few years ago when Alabama crushed LSU 21-0. The blowout was obvious early and fans tuned out in droves even though ESPN had added some interesting bells and whistles to its broadcast. At that time the future was 3D and ESPN had a 3D broadcast of the game as well as a more traditional broadcast.

However I am looking forward to the game and hopefully in all of the broadcasts comes something that will last to enhance future broadcasts.

Filed Under: ABC, Android, Apple, Apps, BCS, ESPN, ESPN FC, ESPN Radio, ESPN3, iPad, Live sports via mobile, Live Sports Video Consumption, NCAA Football, WatchESPN Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Online options for upcoming Sochi Olympics

December 18, 2013 by 1 Comment

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As the XXII Winter Olympics rapidly nears fans of events will soon be scanning broadcast times to see if they will manage to be home from work in time to view various competitions live, but cable, telco and satellite customers should have a very nice alternative.

The reason is that for the first time all of the competition will be available live streamed by NBC sports on its NBCOlympics.com and its NBC Sports Live Extra app to the nation’s 100+ million cable, satellite and telco customers. An estimated 1,000 hours of live broadcasts are expected to be available.

Fans will benefit in two ways from the networks largesse: The online coverage will include all 15 sports as well as each medal winning performance in all 98 separate events. The second is the cost, which is no additional cost, as in free — as long as you have a qualifying cable or other broadband service video plan.

Then there is also a pair of additional bonuses. Viewers also get access to online coverage of the US Olympics Team Trials prior to the start of the games and during the games they will have access to a host of additional programming including exclusive content, real-time results, medal standings, event highlights and analysis, athlete interviews and profiles, and rewinds of all event coverage.

While a portion of the live streaming will be available to everybody the bulk will only be available to subscribers of satellite, telco or cable networks. Viewers have to be authenticated as being paid subscribers.

In order to get verified simply:
1. Go to NBCOlympics.com/LiveExtra
2. Click the “Verify Now” button
3. Select your cable, satellite or telco provider
4. Enter the username and password that corresponds with your account
5. Upon verification of your subscription to an Olympics-eligible package, you will be signed in throughout the Games on that device!

It would make sense to do so early since NBC expects that it will have the most devices verified to view the Sochi Olympics for any sporting event ever, most likely dwarfing the 9.9 million devices that were verified for the recent London Olympic Games. You can verify for multiple devices, but must go through the process for each device.

Filed Under: Apps, Live sports via mobile, Live Sports Video Consumption, NBC Sports, Olympics Tagged With: , , ,

Mobile and online usage continues to soar for ESPN & MNF

December 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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The Dec. 2 Seattle Seahawks 34-7 blowout of the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football was a huge broadcasting success for ESPN, it was the No. 1 program on at that time not only on cable but also over the air broadcast — and it was also a smashing hit online as that audience continues to surge.

The Saints-Seahawks broadcast was strong enough to garner a 9.7 U.S. rating, numbers that represent an average of 11,289,000 households and 15,500,000 TV viewers, according to Nielsen.

ESPN, as all broadcasters are, is working hard at expanding and enhancing its digital offerings including tablet, smartphone and PC offerings and has seen those users expand as the technology and quality of the offerings continues to increase.

A look at how it has performed this year on Monday Night Football shows how well it is succeeding in that area. It reported that across all of its platforms its NFL-focused Digital Media that includes ESPN.com, mobile Web, apps and WatchESPN it has a 27% increase in viewership compared to the same period last year, with an average minute audience of 65,000 during each broadcast.

The most recent game showed how those numbers are continuing to grow as it represented the second largest online audience ever (the first being the Eagles-Redskins from earlier this year). The game had an average minute audience of 81,000 with a total of 225,000 unique views, numbers that represent an increase of 134% and 145% over a year ago respectively.

Overall digital media at ESPN is up strongly as well, 16%, compared to last year, according to ESPN. The strongest area last week was with mobile apps, with its new SportsCenter app enjoying an audience that registered 136,000 average minute users, up 55% from last year. Its Fantasy Football app had an average audience of 148,000, up 88%. The unique viewers for both were, respectively, 7.5 million and 3.9 million.

The broadcaster expects another big Monday Night audience next week When the Cowboys play the Bears and former Bears’ player and head coach Mike Ditka gets his number retired at halftime.

Filed Under: Apps, ESPN, ESPN3, Fantasy Sports, Live sports via mobile, Live Sports Video Consumption, NFL, Seattle Seahwaks, WatchESPN Tagged With: , , ,
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