Netflix responds to change in their concurrent video streaming policy

Earlier today, there was considerable outrage when Netflix began enforcing their policy on concurrent video streams, months after changing their ToS, making it impossible for multiple users to stream movies or TV shows at the same time if they are using the same account.
While the move would of course cut down on groups of people pooling together to use one account, there was outrage from families who legitimately have two people who enjoying streaming films, sometimes at the same moment.

Reads the ToS:

Personal Computer Requirements and Device Limitations: To enjoy watching instantly via your personal computer, your equipment must satisfy certain system requirements. Click here to view the various system requirements. To see partners who offer Netflix ready devices you may use to access our service, click here. YOU MAY INSTANTLY WATCH ON UP TO SIX UNIQUE AUTHORIZED NETFLIX READY DEVICES. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO INSTANTLY WATCH SIMULTANEOUSLY ON ONLY ONE SUCH DEVICE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. For certain membership plans in the United States, you may instantly watch simultaneously on more than one Netflix ready device within your household. Click here to view the number of devices on which you may simultaneously view movies & TV shows that are associated with your plan. The number of devices and concurrent streams may change without notice to you. For certain limited membership plans in the United States, your available Netflix ready device may be limited to personal computers.


This afternoon, however, Netflix’s VP of Communication, Steve Swasey responded to TC and said "the restrictions happened in error and the company is not actively blocking concurrent video streams."

That being said, the ToS, with the wording above, has not been changed.

Source is http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2011/09/07/netflix_responds_to_change_in_their_concurrent_video_streaming_policy

DivX Plus brings Blu-ray features to streaming

Rovi has released DivX Plus, its streaming solution for the delivery of premium digital entertainment to connected devices, including HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc Players, smartphones, game consoles, PCs, Macs, and cable set-top boxes.

The technology brings with it multimedia features that have previously only been associated with Blu-ray discs, part of a package that includes support for 1080p high definition, DTS Audio, subtitles, multiple language tracks, and trick-play features such as smooth fast forward and rewind, quick-start playback, and the ability to resume playback across devices.

“It can deliver a very Blu-ray like experience on a big TV or a quality that is appropriate for a phone or a tablet,” Rovi chief evangelist Richard Bullwinkle told Broadband TV News. He added that both Samsung and LG had taken site-wide licences with a view to installing it across all of their devices. “Their story is that they want an eco-system that allows the consumer to start watching on the TV and continue on the tablet.”

DivX Plus is using digital rights management technology already used by online retailers that offer movies in the DivX format that include WB Shop, Media Markt, and Film Fresh.

Separately, it has been announced that Rovi’s TotalGuide will be included in Panasonic’s connected TV and DVD/BD recorder products sold in Europe.

Source is http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2011/09/01/divx-plus-brings-blu-ray-features-to-streaming/

Pirate Bay boys launch legal cyberlocker 'BayFiles'

The Pirate Bay have announced the launch of their own legal cyberlocker, called BayFiles.

The service, like rivals, allows users to upload files and share them online.

BayFiles is also registered as a DMCA agent, meaning they will take down all files that are flagged as unauthorized due to copyright infringement and bans multiple-time offenders.

In the future, the company hopes to expand BayFiles into a "feature-rich" cloud service, a la Dropbox. Just like new services from Amazon, Google and Apple, the platform will allow you to upload your music and stream it from a phone (or from anywhere) as long as you have Internet access.

The service is free to sign up, and free members can upload files up to 500MB.

Premium members (at $7 a month or $63 a year) can upload 5GB files with unlimited storage.

Source is http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2011/08/30/pirate_bay_boys_launch_legal_cyberlocker_bayfiles

Hotfile to countersue Warner Bros. over anti-piracy abuse

The once-popular cyberlocker Hotfile is preparing to countersue Warner Bros., whilst currently in the middle of a lawsuit brought against it by the MPAA and its member studios.
In February, the MPAA sued Hotfile, run by a man in Florida, after the site saw such huge growth that it became a top 100 site in the world, in regards to traffic.

Cyberlockers, like Hotfile and Fileserve (and the fathers of the industry, Rapidshare and Megaupload) allow users to upload and share all files they want, and many use the platforms to share movies and music, while collecting an income. Hotfile, for example, paid $20 for every 1000 downloads of a user's file (with other conditions).

Despite shutting down some of its biggest uploader's accounts, Hotfile has not really gone down without a fight and a judge has so far thrown out the MPAA's case for direct copyright infringement.

Hotfile is also demanding that the film industry begin sharing its anti-piracy investigation techniques with the world, including why DMCA takedown notices are sent and they found such files. The MPAA has flatly said no, saying they are sensitive trade secrets.

The cyberlocker claims that they need the info to defend itself, but also so they can countersue Warner Bros., who is believed to be abusing its anti-piracy abuse by sending take down notices and deleting files that they do not own.

Of course, the countersued cannot be started until this info is procured from the MPAA. There is a deposition scheduled, which the MPAA says is only important "so that Defendants may satisfy themselves that there is no basis for any claim."

Source is http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2011/08/17/hotfile_to_countersue_warner_bros_over_anti-piracy_abuse

Peeking at a 3D Future with the JVC GS-TD1 Twin-Lens Camcorder

Filmmaker Zack Lieberman reviews the 3D JVC GS-TD1 camcorder (and gives his impassioned defense of 3D) over on Nofilmschool.com. He says, "I really liked this camera. A lot. For a two lens system, it’s incredibly small and durable, it makes a beautiful image, and is about as good as I could reasonably expect for 2011." Read it in full here.

Depth of Field Comparison: FS100, 5D MKII & AF100

Magnanimous Media have posted the below no-frills video showing a depth-of-field comparison between the Sony FS100, Panasonic AF100 and Canon 5D MK11. Says Cinescopophilia, "Using Canon 24-70mm and 70-200mm L-Series lenses on all three cameras not only do we get to see the DoF compared but we also experience the crop factor comparison from the three different camera sensor sizes." Read more here.

FS100 5DMkII AF100 - Depth of Field - Magnanimous Media from Magnanimous Media on Vimeo.

Source is http://www.dv.com/article/110220

Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS

Incredible Woman, a Hero and an Amazing Service Dog to be Featured in Movie

Nonprofit organization raises awareness for debilitating disease and animal rescue.

(Vail, CO) Dr. Diane Dike and her service dog, Gracie, found each other through the most debilitating circumstances, and now an award-winning film producer wants to tell their story.

This month Dike joined with award-winning producer/director Darla Rae of Film-It Productions in Denver to make “Diane’s Song,” a movie designed to raise awareness for Diane’s life-threatening disease and bring hope and inspiration to viewers worldwide. Rae is well known for producing films that uplift, encourage, motivate and inspire.

“Our goal is to encourage all to overcome their challenges with faith, hope and love,” said Dike, who was diagnosed at age 23 with cryoglobulinemia vasculitis, a rare and incurable autoimmune disease that causes the blood to turn to sludge in times of stress, if she stands or sits with her feet hanging down, and in cold temperatures.

In the course of overcoming her circumstances, Dike sought to comfort a broken Italian Greyhound that she adopted and named, “Gracie.” The tiny puppy had no home and needed surgery for two broken legs, broken ribs and a ripped off tail. It wasn’t long before Gracie rescued Diane right back, and she’s been saving her daily ever since. Snuggling Gracie keeps Diane’s blood warm and freely flowing, thus keeping her alive.

Both were once homeless, hopeless and facing serious physical, mental and emotional challenges. Both persevered to overcome their daunting circumstances and discovered life was very much worth living.

“We rescued each other,” Dike said. “We each got a second chance.”

Out of their experience came the formation of Second Chance with Saving Grace, a nonprofit organization that reaches out to people and animals who are hurting through a variety of books, informative websites, presentations and engagements (including an appearance on Oprah’s OWN Mystery Diagnosis, "The Woman Whose Legs Turned Black"), prayer, and handing out Love Kits to those who need a little hope in their lives. For more information about the ministry, visit the Second Chance with Saving Grace website listed below.

There is much more to Dike’s story, and “Diane’s Song,” a modern-day Cinderella tale with a twist, will reveal this extraordinary tale of a woman, a dog and a hero who didn’t give up.

“We were waiting for an amazing story to create our next movie, and when I met Diane on Facebook, I knew we’d found it," Rae said. "Her life is a living testimony of what God can do with a life fully surrendered to Him.”

The movie will be filmed in Colorado, and will especially feature businesses in the Eagle County area where Dike resides with her hero husband, Paul, and, of course, Gracie.

Film-It Productions is coming to town Thursday, July 28 to review the area for filming locations and to speak to supporters about this incredible project and opportunity. Rae is raising the $500,000 needed to produce the film through Crowd Funding, a fiscal sponsorship allowing everyone to donate, sponsor, or be involved at many levels to see this brilliant family film brought to fruition. An account has been set up at FirstBank under Second Chance, “Diane’s Song” movie fund. Other ways to donate as well as advertising and product placement opportunities are listed on the SCwSG website. All donations are tax-deductible.

Source is http://www.studentfilmmakers.com/news/Incredible_Woman_a_Hero_and_an_Amazing_Service_Dog_to_be_Featured_in_Movie.shtml