Public Service Publisher Initiative

Retiring this weblog

The domain name, pspblog.org, is up for renewal and I've decided to let it expire.  Posts here have been infrequent and have always been mirrored on my main weblog, technology360.com, so it would simplify my life a little bit to just keep one technology blog.  You can still get to the archive of posts to this blog at technology360.typepad.com/psp.

--Dennis Haarsager

OMN 1.0 release

After 17 months as a public beta, Open Media Network has released version 1.0 of its client software.  Congratulations to Mike Homer, the former Netscape (et al.) exec whose vision this is and who has overseen the development of this great gift to public media. The group of us from the public broadcasting community that has been working with Mike on this since before the public beta is greatful for his willingness to consult with us on design and features throughout the process. 

If you haven't checked out OMN in a while or at all, please go to the site and download the client and start browsing the audio and video there.  I'm working on a couple of posts for this blog about it, one covering features that may not be obvious (like its ability to be distributed with your branding) and another giving a "top 10" list for how stations and independent producers can use to transform their future.  --Dennis Haarsager

Interview with VeriSign's VP of Broadband Content Service

Tracy Swedlow has an interesting interview with Todd Johnson, VP of Broadband Content Services at VeriSign.  Johnson was formerly CEO at Kontiki, which VeriSign recently acquired and which powers a number of Net-based video on demand services, including Open Media Network, with which the Public Service Publisher group has been working for the past 18 months. Link:  [itvt] News Blog.

OMN vs. Google Video comparison

Yesterday, PBS announced (immediately below) a download-to-own pilot involving Google Video and Open Media Network.  This won't be a full review but today I splurged and spent $1.99 x 2 to download the same 28-min. episode of NOW from each service to get a feel for the user experience.  If you're a producer and would like to get your feet wet, it's a good four bucks to spend.

Both Google and OMN require a download.  Google's 4.5 MB download is for its Google Video Player.  Browsing and ordering, however, are done on the web.  OMN's 6.5 MB download (Windows or Mac) is a client that does everything, incorporating whatever player you have on your system to match the encoding format of the program involved.  I could not find an encoding rate for the proprietary Google Video (gvi) file, but its size was 273 MB.  The OMN Windows Media (wmv) file was encoded at a very high rate of 2.7 mbps and came in at 552 MB.  OMN is designed to (in a future release) permit syncing with TiVo and other devices.  So far as I know, Google is a computer-only experience.

The purchase experience was about the same in each case -- easy.

Subjectively, the wmv file was super sharp and looked great, even blown up as far as my 21-inch monitor would support.  The gvi file looked quite soft in a side-by-side comparison, something one would expect from the encoding difference, but in fact most OMN video is encoded in the 1 to 1.5 mbps range and, having seen a lot of them, those wmv files are sharper than the gvi file of about the same size.  It would be interesting to learn Google's encoding rate and something about how its compression algorithm compares to wmv.  Perhaps some reader can point me in the right direction.  Apparently, there's a way to save gvi files as avi files, but I didn't try to figure it out.  PBS could encode these files at half the rate, IMHO, and have a great user experience and halve the download time.

Google has two very user-friendly features that OMN lacks.  Instead of giving you a file size like OMN, Google gives you the running time of the asset.  That's easier for it to do because it controls the encoding format and, presumably, the encoding rate.  OMN takes a format-and-encoding-rate-agnostic approach so it's hard to calculate.    The other nice feature of Google's player is a thumbnail index.  That, of course, makes it easier to browse through the program.

OMN has the edge on personalization features.  Both enable you to rate program, but OMN allows you to suggest a parental control rating and comment on the program.  OMN has good tagging functions that I couldn't find in Google's case.

Would be interested to hear from others who have tried both services.  --Dennis Haarsager

Yesterday, PBS announced (immediately below) a download-to-own pilot involving Google Video and Open Media Network.  This won't be a full review but today I splurged and spent $1.99 x 2 to download the same 28-min. episode of NOW from each service to get a feel for the user experience.  If you're a producer and would like to get your feet wet, it's a good four bucks to spend.

Both Google and OMN require a download.  Google's 4.5 MB download is for its Google Video Player.  Browsing and ordering, however, are done on the web.  OMN's 6.5 MB download (Windows or Mac) is a client that does everything, incorporating whatever player you have on your system to match the encoding format of the program involved.  I could not find an encoding rate for the proprietary Google Video (gvi) file, but its size was 273 MB.  The OMN Windows Media (wmv) file was encoded at a very high rate of 2.7 mbps and came in at 552 MB.  OMN is designed to (in a future release) permit syncing with TiVo and other devices.  So far as I know, Google is a computer-only experience.

The purchase experience was about the same in each case -- easy.

Subjectively, the wmv file was super sharp and looked great, even blown up as far as my 21-inch monitor would support.  The gvi file looked quite soft in a side-by-side comparison, something one would expect from the encoding difference, but in fact most OMN video is encoded in the 1 to 1.5 mbps range and, having seen a lot of them, those wmv files are sharper than the gvi file of about the same size.  It would be interesting to learn Google's encoding rate and something about how its compression algorithm compares to wmv.  Perhaps some reader can point me in the right direction.  Apparently, there's a way to save gvi files as avi files, but I didn't try to figure it out.  PBS could encode these files at half the rate, IMHO, and have a great user experience and halve the download time.

Google has two very user-friendly features that OMN lacks.  Instead of giving you a file size like OMN, Google gives you the running time of the asset.  That's easier for it to do because it controls the encoding format and, presumably, the encoding rate.  OMN takes a format-and-encoding-rate-agnostic approach so it's hard to calculate.    The other nice feature of Google's player is a thumbnail index.  That, of course, makes it easier to browse through the program.

OMN has the edge on personalization features.  Both enable you to rate program, but OMN allows you to suggest a parental control rating and comment on the program.  OMN has good tagging functions that I couldn't find in Google's case.

Would be interested to hear from others who have tried both services.  --Dennis Haarsager

PBS launches download pilot

PBS announced today a download-to-own pilot with seven PBS-branded series:  Antiques Roadshow, NOVA, NOW, Scientific American Frontiers, Arthur, Cyberchase, and FETCH! (gosh, do we really need to shout the titles?).  Google Video and Open Media Network are doing the distribution.  The PBS/OMN press release is quoted below.

PBS BRINGS POPULAR TV PROGRAMS TO INTERNET VIEWERS THROUGH OPEN MEDIA NETWORK

PBS Press Tour, Pasadena, CA--July 26, 2006—PBS announced today the launch of a “download to own” initiative that lets viewers purchase episodes of popular PBS programs via the Internet for viewing anytime, anywhere. PBS has teamed with Open Media Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the best of public broadcasting and educational programming to the Internet via www.omn.org. The announcement was made by PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger at the Television Critics Association Press Tour.

“PBS and our local stations are undergoing a transformation from traditional television broadcasting to a vibrant 21st century digital public media service,” said Ms. Kerger. “Open Media Network is helping us accomplish this by offering favorite PBS programs for sale directly to the online audience. We’re excited to partner with another non-profit organization committed to bringing PBS’ award-winning content to the public.”

Open Media Network (OMN) uses the Internet to bring online audiences high-quality, educational programming. It provides its service free of charge to other non-profit and service institutions while utilizing the most advanced video and audio delivery technology available. Programming is delivered in full DVD quality and is then viewable on a variety of devices, including notebook computers, portable media players, cell phones and set top boxes.

“Some of the most informative, thought provoking programs on television are brought to us by PBS and its member stations,” said Mike Homer, founder of Open Media Network. “Making this content available through Internet downloads for anytime, anywhere viewing means we can help PBS bring it to a much larger audience than ever before.”

OMN brings unique advantages to PBS, NPR and public broadcasters, which extend viewership and encourage audience participation. OMN lets public broadcasters across the country like KQED (San Francisco), Idaho Public Television and WGBH (Boston) offer their television and radio programs from their own websites using their own brands or through OMN’s website, increasing their potential audiences.

Showcasing the strong local associations PBS stations have within their communities, PBS programs downloaded through OMN will soon carry a spot encouraging viewers to become members of their local PBS station.

Viewers can start watching PBS content now by going to www.omn.org and downloading the free OMN internet TV payer. Each episode is $1.99 for unlimited playbacks, except for NOVA which is priced at $7.99 per episode.

Select episodes of PBS programs made available through OMN include:

Primetime Programming

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW

NOVA

NOW

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS

PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! Programming

ARTHUR

CYBERCHASE

FETCH!

About PBS 
PBS is a media enterprise that serves 354 public noncommercial television stations and reaches almost 90 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS’ premier kids’ TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (pbskids.org), continue to be parents’ and teachers’ most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.

About OMN

OMN is a public service dedicated to bringing “media that matters” to the public via the Internet. It gives viewers easy TV Guide®-like access to previously hard-to-find content created by public broadcasters, educational institutions, non-profits and community-based organizations. Based on Verisign’s advanced media delivery technology, OMN provides free and paid audio and video downloads in HD- or DVD-quality. It lets viewers watch their programs on their computers or take their personal OMN libraries mobile. More information can be found at www.omn.org.

   

PBS announced today a download-to-own pilot with seven PBS-branded series:  Antiques Roadshow, NOVA, NOW, Scientific American Frontiers, Arthur, Cyberchase, and FETCH! (gosh, do we really need to shout the titles?).  Google Video and Open Media Network are doing the distribution.  The PBS/OMN press release is quoted below.

PBS BRINGS POPULAR TV PROGRAMS TO INTERNET VIEWERS THROUGH OPEN MEDIA NETWORK

PBS Press Tour, Pasadena, CA--July 26, 2006—PBS announced today the launch of a “download to own” initiative that lets viewers purchase episodes of popular PBS programs via the Internet for viewing anytime, anywhere. PBS has teamed with Open Media Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the best of public broadcasting and educational programming to the Internet via www.omn.org. The announcement was made by PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger at the Television Critics Association Press Tour.

“PBS and our local stations are undergoing a transformation from traditional television broadcasting to a vibrant 21st century digital public media service,” said Ms. Kerger. “Open Media Network is helping us accomplish this by offering favorite PBS programs for sale directly to the online audience. We’re excited to partner with another non-profit organization committed to bringing PBS’ award-winning content to the public.”

Open Media Network (OMN) uses the Internet to bring online audiences high-quality, educational programming. It provides its service free of charge to other non-profit and service institutions while utilizing the most advanced video and audio delivery technology available. Programming is delivered in full DVD quality and is then viewable on a variety of devices, including notebook computers, portable media players, cell phones and set top boxes.

“Some of the most informative, thought provoking programs on television are brought to us by PBS and its member stations,” said Mike Homer, founder of Open Media Network. “Making this content available through Internet downloads for anytime, anywhere viewing means we can help PBS bring it to a much larger audience than ever before.”

OMN brings unique advantages to PBS, NPR and public broadcasters, which extend viewership and encourage audience participation. OMN lets public broadcasters across the country like KQED (San Francisco), Idaho Public Television and WGBH (Boston) offer their television and radio programs from their own websites using their own brands or through OMN’s website, increasing their potential audiences.

Showcasing the strong local associations PBS stations have within their communities, PBS programs downloaded through OMN will soon carry a spot encouraging viewers to become members of their local PBS station.

Viewers can start watching PBS content now by going to www.omn.org and downloading the free OMN internet TV payer. Each episode is $1.99 for unlimited playbacks, except for NOVA which is priced at $7.99 per episode.

Select episodes of PBS programs made available through OMN include:

Primetime Programming

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW

NOVA

NOW

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS

PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! Programming

ARTHUR

CYBERCHASE

FETCH!

About PBS 
PBS is a media enterprise that serves 354 public noncommercial television stations and reaches almost 90 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS’ premier kids’ TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (pbskids.org), continue to be parents’ and teachers’ most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.

About OMN

OMN is a public service dedicated to bringing “media that matters” to the public via the Internet. It gives viewers easy TV Guide®-like access to previously hard-to-find content created by public broadcasters, educational institutions, non-profits and community-based organizations. Based on Verisign’s advanced media delivery technology, OMN provides free and paid audio and video downloads in HD- or DVD-quality. It lets viewers watch their programs on their computers or take their personal OMN libraries mobile. More information can be found at www.omn.org.

New Open Media Network client

The spiffy new "Beta 3" version of the Open Media Network client is available at omn.org.  The download is under 3 mb.  Even though it's in beta, there's a wide selection of public service audio and video available (some 62,500 pieces).  --Dennis Haarsager

BBC iMP internet trial could revolutionise broadcasting

informitv.com has a good article on the results of the BBC integrated Media Player trial, as reported by Ashley Highfield, BBC director of new media and technology, at the MIPTV/MILIA conference in Cannes.  It includes the following ¶:

"... The 5,000 users downloaded 150,000 programmes during the four month trial, although they only apparently watched around than half that number. The main reason cited for this was the limitation of the seven day period after transmission in which the programmes could be viewed. A quarter of the users said the download speed could be improved, but over three quarters said they would not compromise on quality for quicker downloads. ..."

The BBC iMP uses the same distribution engine, Kontiki, as does Open Media Network.  Link:  informitv.  --Dennis Haarsager

AOL and Warner Launch In2TV

Geoff Duncan writes:  "AOL and Warner Bros. launched In2TV, billed as the first broadband television network and featuring "classic" television programming.  ...¶... AOL and Warner Bros. announced In2TV last November, and, unlike conventional online video services, the Hi-Q portion of In2TV operates using a peer-to-peer Relay Network developed by Kontiki and controlled by AOL. According to AOL, the Relay Network does not present any security or privacy risks to users (time will tell!), and is used to delivery high-quality video to individual users faster by putting some of the bandwidth delivery burden on users' broadband Internet connections, rather putting all of it on AOL's network. ..."  Link:  Designtechnica.

Verisign Acquires Broadband Video Firm Kontiki For $62 Million; Forms VeriSign Broadband Content Services

Staci Kramer writes:  "VeriSign continues its web services expansion with the $62 million acquisition of California-based Kontiki as the basis of the new VeriSign Broadband Content Services, which will deliver rich media over IP. Kontiki provides peer delivery systems for high-quality video, software and digital content; current clients include AOL, BSkyB and Verizon. ..."  Link: paidContent.org.

For other coverage, see VeriSign Buys Kontiki: $62M (link: Red Herring), VeriSign Buys Broadband P2P Company Kontiki (link:  Playfuls.com), and Kontiki acquired by VeriSign (link: SiliconBeat).
Added 3/15/2006:  VeriSign to acquire Kontiki (link:  ZDNet), A VeriSign Move Into Digital Content (Link: internetnews.com), VeriSign Acquires P2P  Firm Kontiki (link: BetaNews), VeriSign Buys Broadband Media Firm (link:  TheStreet.com), VeriSign to Acquire Kontiki for Digital Media Delivery (link:  Converge Network Digest), and the press release on this: VeriSign Enters Broadband Content Services Market to Enable Intelligent Delivery of Digital Media Over IP Networks (link: PR Newswire).

Kontiki also powers Open Media Network, with which the Public Service Publisher Initiative is partnering, the BBC Interactive Media Player, and others.  I'm viewing this as a positive development for Open Media Network.  --Dennis Haarsager

Online quest: shared platform, separate skins

Steve Behrens has written a nice profile of Open Media Network (download the small client software there to do your own test drive) in the 2/21/2006 issue of Current.  It even ends with a report on Steve's experiences as a user.  Link:  Current.

The 2/21 issue also includes a related article, Through the looking glass to Public Broadcasting 2.0 by PSP principal Dennis Haarsager.  Link:  Current.