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ADOBE launched Adobe Media Player 1.0 and Adobe TV. The media player offers content from CBS, MTV, Universal Music Group, PBS, Scripps and CondeNet. It allows Flash downloads and content subscriptions in 1080p, 720p or 480i. Adobe TV is a network in the player with programming related to Adobe products. With Flash on almost every computer and Adobe bundling this software with Flash updates, Adobe Media Player should end up on a computer near you.
FLICKR has added support for video. The popular photo-sharing site will now allow paying “pro” users to post videos up to 90 seconds in length and 150 MB in size. With those limitations, the site is not really aiming to compete with the major players in the online television space. Rather, Yahoo’s Flickr is sticking to its roots, encouraging “video snapshots” that play a similar function as photographs.
DISNEY will release all PIXAR films in 3-D starting next year. The move will help differentiate the theater experience from the large HD screens filling living rooms at a rapid pace. Only around 700 theaters currently have the technology required to exhibit films in 3-D. However, Disney’s strong support of the format increases the chance that theater-owners will upgrade to draw people out of their HD-equipped homes.
THE NTIA will relax rules related to converter box coupon redemption. Citizens residing in assisted-living and nursing homes will now be eligible for the coupons. This erases a major complaint against the program and will make it easier for many elderly television viewers (who are more likely to own an analog TV set) to make the switch to digital. The program will also now accept P.O. Boxes as qualified addresses capable of receiving coupons.
KEVIN MARTIN agreed to relax the dual carriage mandate that required all cable systems to carry stations in both analog and digital starting next February. The changes apply to operators with bandwidth of 552 MHz or less. Analog-only systems will be allowed to provide only analog support for must-carry stations. Digital providers can provide must-carry signals in analog if their digital set-top boxes will receive them. Martin is also circulating a proposal that would allow smaller cable operators to down-convert must-carry HDTV signals into standard definition.
YOUTUBE is now being blocked by four Indonesian Internet service providers for hosting a user-submitted video that accuses the Koran of inciting violence.