Digital revolution

Three U.S. scientists will share the Nobel Prize in physics and their work has direct impact on media production and the digital environment. The innovation that seems to gather the most news attention is the development of fiber optics--the ability to transmit pulses of light over long distances through tiny strands of glass, smaller than a human hair. Fiber optic technology would lead to digital transmission of data--the pulses of light representing zeros and ones that are the heart of digital communications.

The other development is the invention of the CCD or charge-coupled device. The CCD became the heart of the digital camera and all modern video cameras. I have in my office three old pick-up tubes; these were vacuum tubes that were the heart of a television camera. One tube for each of the three primary colors--red, blue and green. The CCD would replace these and lead us to a generation of light weight, high performing and low cost cameras, from professional video cameras to cell phone cameras. The CCD converts the image into an electronic signal and replaces the old tubes. What is also especially nostalgic is that the CCD came from Bell Labs, the research lab that dates back to the founding of Bell Telephone and is responsible for numerous advances that have improved communications and made life more interesting. Once the CCD could record the image, think for a moment about the relatively "easy" step of converting this from light to electronic signal to digital information. Once digital, just like text and music, the video file (albeit a large file) could be edited and transmitted as digital data.

Read more here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8292372.stm

AND here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/science/07nobel.html?_r=1&hp

Sony shows off 3D TV technology

Sony has shown off a new single-lens camera able to capture 3D images.

The majority of existing 3D set-ups use two-camera systems to record images tailored specifically for the left and right eye of the viewer.

The new camera takes a single image that is split by mirrors and recorded on two sensors, resulting in a "smoother" picture, according to Sony.

The prototype camera will be unveiled at next week's Ceatec electronics show in Tokyo, Japan.

Viewers will be able to watch the 3D images using special polarised glasses. Without them, they will just see normal 2D television, according to the firm.

The firm said the camera, which is able to capture images very quickly, is especially suited to sporting events.

Long shot

The new camera is one of a number of developments being put forward by the firm, which hopes that 3D TV is about to take off.

This week, the firm also opened the doors to its European research labs to show off a different 3D camera technology for recording football games.

Broadcasters are focusing efforts on 3D sporting events

The technology uses three fixed cameras to record the entire football pitch. The images can them be mapped and, using software, create a 3D view.

"Each camera films a third of the pitch," explained John Stone, general manager of research and development at Sony Professional.

"Because those cameras are set up at the same focal point, they can be stitched together.

"And because we have the depth information for every shot we can a synthesise a 3D impression be effectively positioning the pixel to different depth positions in the 3D composition."

Mr Stone stressed that while the technology to display images in 3D was in place, it would be some time before it would be common place.

"I'm not sure we're quite at the stage now where we're going to have 3D Match of the Day," said Mr Stone. "But i'm hoping that there's going to be live events televised in 3D from 2010, and that can be edited down into shorter 3D highlights."

More from this article here.

Career Advice

I'm in Indianapolis, Indiana. I've spent the morning and afternoon at a Student Career Workshop sponsored by the Educational Foundation of the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE). NATPE is a TV trade association for TV stations and companies that produce and sell content for TV and other video devices. Go to www.natpe.org for more info.

I actually work for the Ed Foundation--have been working with them for about 15 years. NATPE sponsors two career seminars for college students each year. Want some career advice? Take a look at some of the career advice videos we've posted on YouTube. Just do a search with the terms: NATPE Career Advice or click here:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=natpe+career+advice&search_type=

The Beatles Box Set a Bargain or Not?

The Beatles and Yo-Yo Ma, have quality enhanced box sets available this month in stereo and mono. Box sets are being directed to older age groups. This is partly because the younger population is downloading music. They are interested in getting individual songs. The older population is interested in these original box sets. According to Mr. Eisenberg “It preserves a time that we want to remember, that we want to remain in.” Record companies are now targeting the older population with something special, because they have the money and attention span.

The Beatles box set is going for around $200 and the Yo-Yo Ma around $800. Box sets of worldwide celebrities according to the article box sets are leaping into the market “like a rain of bowling balls.” There are many different things to consider with box sets. Listening to all the CD’s is not what having them is all about, it’s that the collector or fan owns it they are in complete control of it. They could be a great gift for someone, and the online charges are less expensive because you’re paying for it once.

What is expensive for one person is a bargain for another. Is this a bargain to you or would you never consider it? Should we re-examine box sets and their value. Will it be a waste to buy a box set because something new will replace it, or are they preserving something classic that will never fade out?

Check out the full article at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/weekinreview/27wakin.html?_r=1&ref=music

Down but hanging on.....

Network television....those over-the-air stations and their affiliated Big Five broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW) are doing pretty well, so far this TV season. Ok, we're only four days into the new TV season but here are some numbers.

Once upon a time, before the growth of so many cable channels, the over-the-air networks and their affiliates received 90%+ of all television viewing. The latest number shows a 42% share. There is real erosion but in 100+ channel homes, that's still not a bad percentage of viewers. To simplify the figure: If a group of 100 people were watching television, 42 of this 100 would likely be watching one of the Big Five networks.

Read the full article here:

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=114358

Network Phenom: Little Broadcast Erosion

Wayne Friedman, Sep 25, 2009 06:26 PM

The first four big days of the broadcast season might tell you of something that the networks have not seen in recent years -- very little broadcast erosion. The collective average ratings of the big five broadcast networks was at a Nielsen 15.4 rating among 18-49 viewers, down just 3% from a 15.8 a year ago. Total shares for the five networks were 42 versus 41 through the first four days a year ago.

Entertainment Brands and Extensions

Hasbro Toys is a name most of you will recognize. Hasbro also includes television programs that have developed from the toy lines. Now, Hasbro has hired someone to head a "virtual studio" for the company. It's a virtual studio because they're in the business of developing ideas and figuring out how to get an idea monetized. Others will be hired to handle the actual production--in the traditional production studio setting.

Here's the article link. Look at the product lines owned by Hasbro. Can a board game like Trivial Pursuit become a television/cable or online media event? Look also at the other people hired for this project and where they previously worked.

Hasbro's GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra, has generated about $300 million--equally split between domestic and int'l box office revenue. That movie had a production budget of $175 million plus marketing costs.

http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2009/09/stephen-j-davis-heads-up-virtu.php

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gijoe.htm

Disney Aquiring Marvel Entertianment

DISNEY TO ACQUIRE MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT

Worldwide leader in family entertainment agrees to acquire Marvel and its portfolio of over 5,000 characters

Acquisition highlights Disney's strategic focus on quality branded content, technological innovation and international expansion to build long-term shareholder value

Burbank, CA and New York, NY, August 31, 2009 —Building on its strategy of delivering quality branded content to people around the world, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) has agreed to acquire Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:MVL) in a stock and cash transaction, the companies announced today.

Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on August 28, 2009, Marvel shareholders would receive a total of $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. At closing, the amount of cash and stock will be adjusted if necessary so that the total value of the Disney stock issued as merger consideration based on its trading value at that time is not less than 40% of the total merger consideration.

Based on the closing price of Disney stock on Friday, August 28, the transaction value is $50 per Marvel share or approximately $4 billion.

"This transaction combines Marvel's strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney's creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories," said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. "Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney."

"We believe that adding Marvel to Disney's unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation," Iger said.

"Disney is the perfect home for Marvel's fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses," said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel's Chief Executive Officer. "This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney's tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world."

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel including its more than 5,000 Marvel characters. Mr. Perlmutter will oversee the Marvel properties, and will work directly with Disney's global lines of business to build and further integrate Marvel's properties.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Marvel have each approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to Disney shares issued in the transaction and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval of Marvel shareholders. Marvel was advised on the transaction by BofA Merrill Lynch.

Read more about this here .