Lightbox press event release

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846 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1100945 3-Aug-2014 08:41

What is the rough time frame to supporting tv's/consoles/digital media players?

I appreciate PCs are probably easier and costs are an issue but I think whoever wins/dominates this space in NZ is the person who gets on a lot of devices first (with content of course). I hate comparing everything to netflix but they could launch tomorrow and suit almost everyone's choice of streaming device. That seems super risky?

sultanoswing

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#1100956 3-Aug-2014 09:24

sdav: What is the rough time frame to supporting tv's/consoles/digital media players?

I appreciate PCs are probably easier and costs are an issue but I think whoever wins/dominates this space in NZ is the person who gets on a lot of devices first (with content of course). I hate comparing everything to netflix but they could launch tomorrow and suit almost everyone's choice of streaming device. That seems super risky?

^^ this.

It is likely that NZ is large enough for only one dominant SVOD player in the same we we have Trademe and...not much else. Too small for e-bay to exist here as well (at least locally).

In this case, the first player that gets this correct is in pole position to dominate the NZ SVOD market for a long time. By launching first, Lightbox hopes to be in that pole position. Of course the challenge for them is to launch in a compelling enough way that they don't become another Quickflix. So far it seems that those that can access the service - and are prepared to do so hunched over the laptop (or perhaps they're lucky/skilled enough to have the HTPC hooked up to the 60" plasma) - are impressed with the interface and content. This is a reasonable start then.

However, Lightbox *must* (IMHO) as an adjunct priority pull their thumbs out from their backsides and get on to supporting as many devices and platforms as quickly as possible, as evidenced by the requests in this thread. So far we've got requests for:
Android
iOS
Linux
WDTV
Xbox
PS
Roku
AppleTV (non airplay options)
Amazon FireTV
Smart TVs
XBMC
Plex

... have I missed any? Getting an API out there would be a great first step to having the community do a bunch of work for you guys.

Oh - and in terms of content - don't forget the large library of hard-to-get NZ movies which would be great to see on a uniquely NZ SVOD service: Quiet Earth, Footrot Flats, Came a Hot Friday, Goodbye Pork Pie, Darkhorse*, What We Do In the Shadows*, Beyond the Edge*, Angel at My Table, Bad Taste, Braindead, Utu etc.... a quick Google search for "NZ films" turns up a great Kiwi back catalogue. In fact here ya go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_New_Zealand_films

* new releases - so could be rent or buy a la M-Go/Vudu.

^^ get the above right and then I'm on my way to signing up ahead of or in addition to my current providers ;)

EDITED: Added devices as below

Jase2985

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#1100962 3-Aug-2014 09:31

yep you have, XMBC and Plex for those that run media centers/servers.

BigMal

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#1100988 3-Aug-2014 09:50

I really think they should do a dirt cheap box like Sky in the UK does http://www.nowtv.com/box (it's a modded Roku)

Ultimately Telecom must be targeting average Joes not geeks and average Joes won't want to watch on the PC or bother with Airplay.

Lightbox

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Lightbox

#1100994 3-Aug-2014 10:08

There is little question that adding more devices to our line up post launch is our first priority. However, there's a balance to strike - almost of all the platforms mentioned are bespoke, separate implementations, often requiring tweaking of APIs, streaming formats or other elements. This can even be the case between SmartTVs from the same maker but from different years. Most of the major platforms (with a significant market penetration) require commercial arrangements with the platform/hardware providers as well.

We can't give away our timelines about the next range of devices yet, but we're working on it already.

Lightbox - we are online TV.

networkn

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#1101005 3-Aug-2014 10:21

If you supported Plex first, then you would support most of those other devices by extension.

sultanoswing

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Ultimate Geek

#1101009 3-Aug-2014 10:28

BigMal: I really think they should do a dirt cheap box like Sky in the UK does http://www.nowtv.com/box (it's a modded Roku)

Ultimately Telecom must be targeting average Joes not geeks and average Joes won't want to watch on the PC or bother with Airplay.

That would be an option for them - although it's understandably (from Sky's perspective) a *very* locked down version of a Roku 3. No Netflix/Amazon Prime/Vudu/M-Go options for example.

Hopefully Lightbox won't go for locked out proprietary solutions, but rather embrace all comers (they seem to be making the right noises in this regard so far).

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sultanoswing

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Ultimate Geek

#1101010 3-Aug-2014 10:30

networkn: If you supported Plex first, then you would support most of those other devices by extension.

Amen - and good point. I have & love Plex, although Plex servers and interfacing channels are still a bit of a fiddle for Mom & Pop! ;)

freitasm

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#1101011 3-Aug-2014 10:32

Folks, later during the week I will send an email to everyone who replied/watched this thread with some news.

Be prepared to get an email from my personal account...

Lightbox

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Lightbox

#1101012 3-Aug-2014 10:38

networkn: If you supported Plex first, then you would support most of those other devices by extension.

I am no expert on Plex, but AFAIK there's no DRM support (and transcoding content would be a no-no anyway without studio approval and a full security and control around the transcoding). I'd also question the mass market appeal of it anyway...

Lightbox - we are online TV.

sdav

846 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1101023 3-Aug-2014 10:43

freitasm: Folks, later during the week I will send an email to everyone who replied/watched this thread with some news.

Be prepared to get an email from my personal account...

I wish I hadn't read this... So mysterious!

dclegg

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#1101029 3-Aug-2014 10:57

sdav:
freitasm: Folks, later during the week I will send an email to everyone who replied/watched this thread with some news.

Be prepared to get an email from my personal account...

I wish I hadn't read this... So mysterious!

Free smart TVs for EVERYONE!

dclegg

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#1101030 3-Aug-2014 10:58

Lightbox:
networkn: If you supported Plex first, then you would support most of those other devices by extension.

I am no expert on Plex, but AFAIK there's no DRM support (and transcoding content would be a no-no anyway without studio approval and a full security and control around the transcoding). I'd also question the mass market appeal of it anyway...

We tried using Plex to stream our personal video library. We found it to be very hit and miss.

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1101039 3-Aug-2014 11:37

The biggest screen in the house should not be an after-though when it comes to any VOD service.

I'd also like to see source material staying faithful to how it was produced, so 50Hz/60Hz/23.976 and 24.000fps and multi-channel audio should be honoured (if the playback equipment allows it). Homogenizing it to cater to computer/mobile platforms at the outset, would be a disastrous move imho.

lchiu7

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#1101056 3-Aug-2014 12:44

ilovemusic: Aren't PAL/NTSC problems a thing of the past in this digital age ???

Sure it is.

But US sourced content (if not on film) is converted to 1080i/60 (or maybe 720p/60) for broadcast in the US. For international distribution I think it's converted to 1080i/50 with the resulting conversion causing the same speedup for content. So it's no longer a PAL/NTSC issue but a framerate issue.

This is pretty obvious when you watch say a broadcast of US TV show versus the BD of the same show (or a US sourced version).

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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