Roger Kemp's Net » Media

Great CG work is the kind you don’t notice

Roger — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:39:09 +0000

I love the HBO show “Boardwalk Empire” and before the first episode aired, I saw a small documentary on the official site about the sound stage and the fact that they actually built a large part of the boardwalk. I didn’t know what else was thrown into the mix to make it look so authentic. And that’s good CG, the kind of computer generated scenery and effects that you don’t notice but add so much. Below is a reel from Brainstorm Digital, the company responsible for the CG work on Boardwalk Empire, that shows how much was actually bits and bytes.

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Vimeo shorts – awesome animation

Roger — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 22:25:13 +0000

I love these shorts, the animation, attention to detail and script are all amazing. Very very cool! Vimeo rocks.

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Regurgitated features instead of new ideas.

Roger — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:54:29 +0000

Today Facebook will announce its “gMail killer”. At least that’s what the rumor mill is claiming. Or should I call it echo chamber? Seems Silicon Valley is losing sight of the ball and is just lapping up the press releases and events, waiting for Twitter, Facebook or Google (or spin off) to announce “the next big fat feature”. That’s what’s wrong with the picture these days. It’s not about ideas that will change the world anymore, it’s about features added to an existing idea that will hopefully keep the masses happy. Or at least keep the hipster in-crowd happy. Or as with the latest PR blitz (@Path) keep the investors happy (by providing some “used to be part of Facebook” buzz). It’s all so similar to what was happening in the late 90′s. But now it’s not IPO’s, it’s who’s financing who and who will be bought by who. Product and/or idea doesn’t matter all that much, as long as there’s a healthy buzz so money can change hands swiftly and with a healthy profit. Can you say “Bubble”? If you can, say “Pop”. In the mean time, I hope to hear from the real innovators out there, announcing the next big ideas without the big events. Just a good product or service that catches on, fills a real need or solves a real problem.

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Everything is a remix

Roger — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:44:10 +0000

As is this post. Looks like a cool project, below is the first part of this four part documentary series about remixing, copying, stealing, knock offs and covers.

Head on over to the website of Kirby Ferguson, a New York-based filmmaker, who’s behind this project. I’m looking forward to the next part.

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Google TV Microsofts Apple TV

Roger — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:16:51 +0000

Google TV is generating some great embedded CE support with a bunch of CE companies announcing embedding Google TV and android into their TV systems, hot on the heels of the Apple TV announcement of last week. You can see Google taking the role of Microsoft in this case (supplying the “OS” and not worrying about the hardware) and Apple, well, Apple is just Apple, wanting to control the whole aspect, both software and hardware. I wonder if Apple’s attitude will keep it relegated to the “niche high margin Apple cult market”, while Google pulls a Microsoft and takes over the CE market?

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Plex signs deal with LG

Roger — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:42:14 +0000

Right on the heels of the new Apple TV announcement, Plex, the Mac Media Center software of choice, today announced it inked a deal with LG to have their software embedded in future LG HDTV’s and Bluray players. Having it embedded in HDTV’s is what I have been waiting for, no need for another box and just control it through your Plex iPhone app. Wonder if Apple is developing their own line of HDTV’s…

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Thoughts on Ping

Roger — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:00:25 +0000

Why Ping, Apple? Why do you want your own social network on top of your proprietary media distribution platform? Do you really think you can do it all? Why not focus on what you do well and partner with, let’s say, Facebook? Integrate Facebook with iTunes and use the “like” and “follow” functionality, post reviews on Facebook with a link to iTunes and vise versa. Don’t be like Google in this case, trying to do everything yourself, but use the most popular social network out there to grow your own base of iTunes users. Or am I missing something, it isn’t the first time that’s happened.

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Apple Sauce

Roger — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:04:14 +0000

With today’s Apple event, I’d like to come back to some of my older posts about gadget consolidation. It’s interesting to see Apple’s latest update on its hobby; Apple TV. This is a logical next step in gadget consolidation, but we’re not there yet. That will be the day when my iPhone will take care of streaming my content to my stereo and TV, without the need for another box (even if it’s this small and a cheap $99.00). But with Apple TV streaming content from a small, convenient box we’re that much closer to where I’d like media distribution to be. Can’t wait to see what Apple TV II – iOS 5 will be like.

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More developments towards gadget consolidation

Roger — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:48:48 +0000

A new Apple patent points towards using your iPod (and I think iPhone) as recording and playing device for TV media. Basically creating a great portable DVR. This falls nicely in line with my Gadget Consolidation thoughts. Just add streaming to the mix and we’re halfway there.

Apple Patent Shows iPods Capable Of Receiving and Recording Live TV (Gizmodo)

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New Broadcom chip allows for more gadget consolidation

Roger — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:03:36 +0000

More developments in line with my gadget consolidation thought. Broadcom is developing a chip that allows you to record in 1080p HD, and play it, from a phone. It will have HDMI connectivity so you can watch your recordings, or streaming HD on your dedicated screen.

Despite the boost in performance over its 720p-only predecessor, the BCM2763 actually consumes less power due to its 40 nanometer manufacturing process. Broadcom anticipates 20 to 50 percent less power draw overall and long lifetimes specific to 1080p video. It can record 4 to 6 hours of 1080p non-stop and play 8 to 10 hours directly from its own device screen; the number grows to 16 hours when outputting to an HDTV.

Broadcom chip gives phones 1080p recording, 3D (Electronista)

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