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LG's Smart TV alliance grows, promises first cross-platform HDTV apps in September
The Smart TV Alliance consisting of LG and TP Vision (Philips) is still hammering away at its dream of platform-independent Smart TV apps, and as IFA 2012 gets under way it has a few new announcements. After promising Japanese manufacturers would join back in June it has welcomed Toshiba to the fold, as well as other supporters like Qualcomm, Mstar, Onigo and YuMe. At IFA 2012, LG is showing off the first apps built to the original SDK 1.0 spec built by Accuweather, Eurosport, online music channel Vilanoise and others. It's not stopping there however, as the SDK 2.0 we'd heard about is still due before 2012 is out, and has been built to take advantage of the new more powerful SoCs that companies like Qualcomm (the S4 family) and Mstar can provide to HDTV manufacturers.
Smartphones, not DVRs, are the biggest threat to TV adverts
TV viewers are a famously fickle bunch, which tends to drive TV advertisers crazy. The prevalent theory remains that skipping past ads using a pesky DVR is the biggest enemy of marketers, but new research has once again contradicted that received wisdom. The IPG Media Lab in Los Angeles pulled together a representative group of 48 TV and online video viewers and asked them to sit through some programming while equipped with the usual "devices or distractions" that accompany their viewing habits. Central to the study was the measurement of time each person spent facing the screen and how engaged they were with the content. The first thing noted was that 94 percent of TV viewers and 73 percent of online video consumers used some other form of media to augment their visual entertainment. Smartphones were the most common, with 60 percent of test subjects resorting to their handset while gawking at the TV. That's resulted in a mediocre 52 percent attention level during actual programs and 37 percent during ads. In other words, two thirds of the time, commercials are being ignored and smartphones are helping people with that heinous behavior. Ironically, fast-forwarding adverts using a DVR garnered attention levels that were 12 percent higher, mostly because people were trying to make sure they didn't skip too far ahead. Damn, why does reality have to be all complex and stuff?
WoW Moviewatch: Polystyrene Dream
I don't usually do a lot of WoW music videos, because I tend to be more of a story-buff. But Polystyrene Dream by Yume caught my attention. I'm not sure if it was the ethereal quality of the video, which lined up very well with "Fake Plastic Trees" by Radiohead, or maybe the hints of narrative that persisted through the piece. I could probably drive myself crazy projecting motivations on the two central characters, and trying define relationships, reasoning, and results of their actions. In summary, two blood elves repetitively walk up to an increasing variety of critters, stab them, and take their stuff. It could just be meant to be pretty, and it definitively is pretty. I don't have much to say about the audio track, since it is essentially a nice song by a widely known band. It's possible that if I knew the song or band better, I might see more relevance in the imagery. Still, if you're talking about "Fake Plastic Trees," I guess it's fair to use a pair of Blood Elves as protagonists. [Via WarcraftMovies] If you have any suggestions for WoW Moviewatch, you can mail them to us at machinima AT wowinsider DOT com.Previously on Moviewatch ...
Cinemassively: Arithmomania
Galen Maly, better known as Yume in the World of Warcraft machinima world, has created some of the most popular exploration videos on his platform of choice. Arithmomania, a video backed with a Dogzilla soundtrack, is easily the most known, though, topping many favorites lists. It will not only get your heart pumping, it will inspire you with the different transitions and mass text effects, which he has made available. However, YouTube does not do this video justice. Be sure to check out the high-quality download![Via Warcraftmovies.com]If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them.
WoW Moviewatch: Shpongle music video
This next machinima, Shpongle - Once Upon the Time of Blissful Awareness, doesn't have the fancy WarcraftMovies intro, or even a thumbnail. It's no Baron or Yume, but what it does have is heart. It's a great first attempt.You can tell that bawavax tried his best, which is more than I can say for some first efforts. Aside from going a little effect happy in certain spots, I really enjoyed his use of Particle Illusion in various elements. Hopefully he'll refine his technique and come out with something even better soon![Via Warcraftmovies.com]Previously on Moviewatch ...
WoW Moviewatch: Damaged Dreams
After watching Arithmomania yesterday, I decided to dig into the vault and discovered that we hadn't featured Yume before that! Today, we're highlighting Damaged Dreams, an older music video of his. I declare this a Yume weekend.Damaged Dreams was completed in October 2007, and it's not as polished as Arithmomania, but I'm not sure that it was meant to be. The song is edgy and you can feel the beats in each lightning-fast cut that he makes. An interesting tidbit is that he filmed it all in Burning Crusade, without the help of the model or map viewers. There are too many favorite scenes to list here, so you'll have to watch for yourself. If you enjoyed it, check out the high-resolution version![Via Warcraftmovies.com]Previously on Moviewatch...
WoW Moviewatch: Arithmomania
Artists like Yume, the creator of Arithmomania, and Baron Soosdon are proving that you don't need a storyline to produce a quality machinima. With a heart pumping soundtrack provided by Dogzilla, Yume uses a variety of transitions and filters that would normally bog down a movie. Here, it all fits into place.You won't find much of a point to this video, but if looking upon the vast scenery of WoW makes you sentimental, you'll definitely enjoy it. The editing is right on target, and the filters are applied to coincide with the music. I'd have to say that my two favorite scenes involved the spinning stats, and the split screens that slowly moved in opposite directions. If you liked Arithmomania, definitely check out the high-res version.[Via Warcraftmovies.com]Previously on Moviewatch...
