Comments on: Google to showcase video-on-demand service

It's a burgeoning market, but analysts wonder if people are even interested in swapping their TVs with a PC.

[unknown unknown]

Unfortunitly Google has opted to use DRM

which is bad enough and probably required by content producers, but rather than use a system already out there so as not introduce anymore player incompatabilites they've decided to roll their own. Yet another proprietary DRM scheme that's sure to annoy customers and do nothing to stop pirates. I think Apple is going to eat their lunch on this one.

[Jeff Lebowski 63]

Homegrown DRM?

It wouldn't surprise me if they did their own DRM scheme, but I
don't see that mentioned in the article. Is there some other source
reporting more detail on the file format, DRM, players, etc.?

[dysonl]

I Beg Your Pardon?

Sorry but what "track record"? What do you mean? Are you saying that every (or most) products/services Google has come up with have been generating positive cash flow? Which products/services?

[Jeff Lebowski 63]

Real, Quicktime/iTunes, Windows Media or...

...something completely different?

I think the most interesting question is whose file format and
DRM will be used. Will it one of the established ones or
something unique to Google?

It's very doubtful Apple would license Fairplay since they want
people to use iTunes. Microsoft would definitely license WMP's
DRM, but would Google want their fate to be tied to Microsoft's
technology?

That leaves Real Player or something homegrown. It would be a
huge boon for Real to land Google as a client.

I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

Then again, maybe it doesn't matter. Google has only proven
that they can create a search engine and make money on
advertising. Their other ventures have not made much headway
against the establish leaders in other markets.

[JuggerNaut]

Google, Sun and Project DReaM...

Google could opt for another DRM scheme. Sun has been pushing
for a more multi-platform friendly DRM technology and the start of
Project DReaM is the result of that vision in action.

http://www.openmediacommons.org/

Google just teamed up with Sun Microsystems for various
technology purposes. I figure Project DReaM is one of them.

[nknk417]

why not make content free

and just include ads...and any real content like porn...then charge for. Or charge a monthly fee. Either way, I don't think I would pay for it.

[ahickey]

Free can never work

I love the way a lot of people are saying that content should be free.

A couple of things:

If there is no copy protection and the content is free then I would expect somebody will remove the ads (if they are in there) and re-distribute.

I don't want to be left with home move quality content. I expect like everybody else I want quality entertainment and not songs recorded in a bedroom or movies made with DV camera by a much of friends.

There will always be a requirement to protect content so that the revenue stream can be maintained to allow organisations to make more content.

Do you expect painters to give their art work away, writers to give their books away, musicians to give their music away (oh, wait that's what some people think is the way it should be)

Reality check - this is a commercial world and we all want to be paid a fair price for our work. Businesses will always try to make as much money as is possible. The way I look at it is if I was in their position I would like the same opportunities.

[curioone]

pay video on computer

Forget that,who wants to sit in front of the monitor and watch a full legth movie alone,Maybe a techi just checking it out would use it but over time it would become a bore for anyone.I've tried watching dvd movies on my computer,it works well but I can't sit there while it plays through.I have a nice tv and surround with dvd in my living space which is much more relaxing.

Allright !

I watch a lot of video on my pc. Streaming from newswebsites, even here at news.com.com

I would love to watch longer content streamed from the internet to my pc and then wireless (i.e. usb-dongle) to my tv. That I allready have now. If I would have a remote control (non-directional radio signal - thru walls) with a trackball (mousepointer) and an easy interface I would have the 10-feet experience in my living room.

If I could pay a free day-to-day fee (send an SMS for 2,50 ? - split 0,75 ? to provider, 0,75 ? to Google and 1,00 ? to the contentprovider - receive free SMS with code to unlock the Google Video Service until 00:00 hours the next day) I would like this service a lot. You could offer all the worlds tv channels like this.

Free your mind, break open your paradigms !