We Welcome Comcast/thePlatform's OVP Expansion

To contact us Click HERE
Mega-cable/media conglom Comcast acquired online video platform (OVP) grand-daddy thePlatform way back in 2006.  Since that time, thePlatform has primarily counted Comcast and other major MSOs as its customers, leaving the rest of the OVP market to Brightcove, Ooyala and others.  We here at Sorenson Media have our own highly-reviewed OVP service called "Sorenson 360" that has thousands of customers (and is also elegantly tied into our award-winning "Squeeze" encoding products).

Well, that has now changed.  In further recognition of the accelerating importance of video to all businesses (big and small), thePlatform just launched a new service, "mpx Essentials," that targets the mid-market with two different pricing plans.  Ryan Lawler, who covers the online video space for TechCrunch, has this to say about thePlatform's new move: 
"... thePlatform sees a huge opportunity as online video becomes even more ubiquitous than it already is. And it’s betting that there are a ton of big brands, media agencies, and the like who want to control distribution of their videos beyond just uploading them to YouTube." 
We here at Sorenson Media violently agree, of course.  YouTube and other services of that ilk simply don't solve many of the needs of most businesses -- including fundamental ownership and control of your own video content.
So, if thePlatform has now expanded beyond its original focus to address a wider market opportunity that we here at Sorenson Media also service via our Sorenson 360 service, why would I write about a competitor?  It's simple.  It's a big market out there.  There are plenty of customers for those of us who do it right.  We also are confident in the strength of our full eco-system of video workflow solutions and feel like no other OVP can do what we do -- which is to seamlessly integrate a powerful OVP solution with market leading transcoding Squeeze products, including Squeeze 8.5 and Squeeze Server in all of its flavors (Squeeze Cloud, Squeeze On Premise, and Squeeze Hybrid deployments).  That is some powerful stuff.
In other words, we welcome thePlatform's expansion -- and what it represents to overall opportunity and promise in the online video world.Peter Csathy's Digital Media Update

The Power of Video ... And Simplicity -- Harvard Baseball's YouTube Video

To contact us Click HERE
If you haven't received or watched this video, then you apparently are living in a cave -- since this video (of Harvard Baseball team's ode to a current pop song while on a road trip in a van) has been watched 12.5 million times. Yes, 12.5 million times! Why? As someone close to me pointed out, this video demonstrates the power of (1) spontaneity, and (2) simplicity. And, of course, there is the element of youth. It IS amusing. But, still -- 12.5 million views? You be the judge. Watch it. I know -- this isn't one of my deepest posts. But, every now and then you need to give a nod to pop culture. And, it does represent the power of social media/video after all ....Peter Csathy's Digital Media Update

Online Video's Massive Growth -- You Want Data Points? I Got 'Em!

To contact us Click HERE
Online video -- finally -- truly is multi-screen.  Anytime.  Anywhere.  On demand.

Here are some undeniable powerful stats that demonstrate how fast and massively online video growth is happening right now:

-- the number of U.S. households that watch online video on TV sets is now up to 32.1 million -- nearly 50% more than same time last year (when that number was 24.8 million) (SOURCE: Forrester)
-- by 2016, over-the-top (OTT) and streamed video services will be worth $11 billion and will overtake spending for current cable TV subscriptions (SOURCE: PwC)

-- the number of online video consumers worldwide will double by 2016, growing from 792 million last year to 1.5 billion users (SOURCE: Cisco)

-- for the first time ever, long-form video (i.e., over 10 minutes in length) represents the majority of all online videos viewed, meaning that consumers are now certainly very comfortable watching full-length movies, TV shows and sports online (SOURCE: Ooyala)


Is that enough for you?  Want more?  
We got 'em all at (CAUTION BLATANT PLUG ALERT) Sorenson Media.  We are right in the thick of it all -- since every single video you see online must be transformed/optimized for delivery to your relevant screen.  And, due to this massive growth in online video (which is still in its very early innings), we are increasingly seeing these video workflows (in which this transformation occurs) moving to the Cloud.  We have led that charge, and we intend to continue to be leaders in providing leading Cloud-based video workflow/transcoding solutions.


Peter Csathy's Digital Media Update

Ooyala's New $35 Million Round Underscores Accelerating International Demand for Video Enabling Solutions

To contact us Click HERE
Ooyala is one of the leading online video platforms (OVPs).  We here at Sorenson Media know them well.  We respect them.  And, we congratulate them in raising an additional $35 million in funding, which brings Ooyala's total financing to date to an incredible $80 million.

That massive sum rivals the total financing "take" of $100 million by OVP grand-daddy Brightcove (which successfully went public earlier this year and still trades at about a 7X multiple of its trailing 2011 revenues).

Ooyala's latest development -- together with Brightcove's recent IPO -- underscores the critical foundational and increasingly strategic role played by video enabling technology, given the massive growth of online video and an increasingly complex multi-screen video delivery world.  After all, Australian telco giant Telstra led the latest financing for Ooyala (and now enjoys a seat on its board).

As I recently wrote, we too at Sorenson Media have operate our own OVP known as "Sorenson 360." And, it is unlike any other, precisely because it has uniquely expanded capabilities -- primarily its seamless integration with our award-winning video transcoding solutions (Sorenson Squeeze, Squeeze Server -- both in the Cloud and on premise -- as well as hybrid implementations).  Our Sorenson Media "quality" story also is an important differentiator.

To fully understand our differentiated story, click here to read this earlier post "All OVPs Are Not Created Equal").Peter Csathy's Digital Media Update

Cloud Video Transcoding -- Ultimately Rendering Legacy Hardware Dinosaurs Extinct

To contact us Click HERE
At the recent GigaOm Structure event, Amazon's CTO Werner Vogels laid out his predictions about where cloud services are going in the next few years.  And, one of his top predictions -- which we absolutely believe here at Sorenson Media -- is that enterprise-focused cloud services will be (and already are) highly disruptive to legacy hardware providers.  Gigaom re-casts this conclusion by writing "old hardware companies will have to fight extinction."

In the words of Vogels, "I do think that unless companies really take a new cloud mindset -- not just a cloud in your offering but really be a partner to your customers instead of a vendor -- and help them drive cost down," enterprise CIOs will look elsewhere.

"Amen" to that as Vogels' conclusion applies to the increasingly important central role played by video transcoding in the accelerating online video ecosystem.  To date, high volume enterprise video transcoding has been dominated by hardware providers who have largely ignored the cloud.  We here at Sorenson Media completely reject this legacy hardware mindset -- and have focused on offering the first real enterprise-grade cloud video transcoding/workflow solutions.  We offer a full portfolio of cloud-based solutions.  And, we absolutely are committed to the "partner"-focused mindset that Vogels emphasizes.

Case in point -- Shutterfly -- the largest memory-sharing service in the U.S.  For over two years now, Sorenson Media has been the full end-to-end video solutions partner for Shutterfly, managing their video service which is seamlessly integrated into the overall Shutterfly customer experience.  Our managed service harnesses the power of the cloud -- has proven to scale -- and delivers optimized video for massive numbers of Shutterfly customers.

We at Sorenson Media believe in continuing to innovate with software-based services, especially cloud-based solutions.  We absolutely believe legacy hardware providers ultimately will be marginalized.  In the words of Vogels, those who ignore the cloud do so at their own peril -- "If dinosaurs aren't changing, well we know what happened to dinosaurs."Peter Csathy's Digital Media Update

BEST WESTERN FAIRFIELD EXECUTIVE INN - FAIRFIELD, NEW JERSEY

To contact us Click HERE

BEST WESTERN FAIRFIELD EXECUTIVE INN
ON ROUTE 46 IN NEW JERSEY

BEST WESTERN FAIRFIELD EXECUTIVE INN
FAIRFIELD, NEW JERSEY 


Registration for some business training included accommodations at the Best Western in Fairfield, New Jersey.  The hotel was selected because of its close proximity to the training center we were attending.  Turned out to be a great place to stay.  Rooms were good sized and clean.  The front desk staff helped with booking transportation and helping us out with getting to and from New York City.  The hotel has a great complimentary van service that will take you within 5 miles of the hotel.  They will also pick you up.  We needed to get to a golf course beyond the 5 mile limit and the manager accommodated us at no cost.  They also hooked us up with the best way to get to New York City from the hotel.  There is a non stop bus that stops just a about a block from the hotel.  For $10.50 one way they take you right into the center of New York City.  Just a few blocks from 42nd Street and Times Square.  The ride took 30 minutes early one morning and two hours at rush hour.  To book a cab to the city runs around $80 or more plus tip.  This hotel was filled with business people and a lot of school groups.  The restaurant and bar were excellent.  Loved the Italian restaurant within the hotel.  Adjacent to the hotel there is a small strip mall with a bakery, Italian Sub Shop, Cheese Shop and Chinese restaurant.  Not a bad place to stay for around $89 per night.

ROOMS ARE CLEAN, LARGE AND COMFORTABLE.
LOUD AIR CONDITIONER THAT SOAKED THE FLOOR.

SMALL FLAT SCREEN T.V. AND NICE DESK WORK AREA

GOOD SIZE REFRIGERATOR AND MICROWAVE

STANDARD BATHROOM

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - KAHALA MALL

To contact us Click HERE

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN KAHALA MALL.
ALWAYS BUSY AND ALWAYS GOOD

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
KAHALA MALL 


If there is one place my wife and daughter would eat every single day it would be CPK.  They love this place.  My daughter can eat the Pasta with Meat Sauce three times a day and still order it again.  I usually try different pizzas.  Love the BBQ Chicken Pizza but as the years go on I notice there is less ingredients on the pizza and more dough.  This was the case with the Chipotle Chicken Pizza.  Two inches of dough on the outside with no toppings.  Everything was pushed towards the middle of the pie.  You just cannot get the taste of everything while eating 3/4 of the pizza.  I am a big fan of the Miso Shrimp Salad.  This salad is light and fresh.  Great to share while enjoying a pizza half empty of toppings.

PASTA WITH MEAT SAUCE.
MY DAUGHTER WOULD EAT THIS EVERY SINGLE DAY

MISO SHRIMP SALAD
NAPA AND RED CABBAGE, SHRIMP, AVOCADO, CUCUMBER,
DAIKON, EDAMAME, CARROTS, SCALLIONS, CILANTRO,
RICE STICKS AND WONTONS WITH A MISO DRESSING

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN PIZZA
SPICY CHIPOTLE SAUCE, CHICKEN, MILD CHILIES,
MOZZARELLA AND ENCHILADO CHEESE WITH ROASTED
CORN AND BLACK BEAN SALSA WITH CILANTRO AND LIME SAUCE

JAWAIIAN IRIE JERK RESTAURANT

To contact us Click HERE

JAWAIIAN IRIE JERK RESTAURANT
HONOLULU, HAWAII
Literally stumbled into Jawaiian Irie Jerk Restaurant while looking for somewhere to eat lunch in Kaimuki.  I saw the menu on the wall next to Hog Island Smokehouse.  The restaurant is in the same location as the old Mexitlan Kitchen which did not last a year I think.  Great little spot at the entrance to Bella Mia and doorstep of the Himalayan Kitchen.  We entered and were greeted by a nice woman who seated us and brought us menus and water.  I could hear the Jamaican accents in the kitchen so I felt we would get a good taste of the Island.  We started with the Spicy Jerk Wings ($7.95).  These are very dark wings that have been marinated in Jerk spices and then cooked on the grille.  The meat fell off the bone.  Good flavor with not too much heat.  For heat, the waitress brought out a serving
of hot sauce that she said included "Ghost Peppers".  Be careful she said.  I added the hot sauce to the wings and "bam".  Blew my head off in a good way.  Great flavor and huge heat.  While the wings were good, they just did not seem fresh.  Don't know if this is the way they should be as I have never had Jamaican wings before.  The star of our lunch was the Seafood Chowder ($6.95 bowl).  Shrimp, Fish, Scallops, Root Vegetables and other seafood simmered in a non-dairy jamboree.  This was a great soup.  Full of flavor and richness.  Entire family loved it.  My daughter devoured most of it and did not want to share.  The Blackened Chicken Bites ($7.95) was an attractive plate of chicken tenders covered in a pineapple relish.  I liked the sweetness of the pineapple with the spices on the chicken.  The Jamaican Jerk Chicken Plate ($13.95) is filled with marinated chicken that is finished on the grille.  You can taste the spices and the grille.  I added that Ghost Pepper sauce and again hit the roof hot in a good way.  The Jerk Chicken is served with a nice rice and peas plus Ital Stew.  The stew is chucks of cassava with carrots and curry sauce.  You also get a Fritter that had very little taste.
I would and will return to Jawaiian Irie Jerk Restaurant.  Want some more of that hot sauce and a bowl of the Seafood Chowder.

JAWAIIAN IRIE JERK RESTAURANT
LOCATED BEHIND BIG CITY DINER IN BUILDING WITH HOG ISLAND SMOKEHOUSE,
BELLA MIA AND HIMALAYAN KITCHEN

11TH AVENUE ATRIUM 

OPEN AIR RESTAURANT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF BELLA MIA

INTERIOR WAS CLEAN AND COOL

SAME MENU FOR LUNCH OR DINNER (CLICK TO ENLARGE) 

COMPLIMENTARY BREAD AND BUTTER

BLACKENED CHICKEN BITES WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA

SPICY JERK WINGS

SEAFOOD CHOWDER IS ONE OF THE BEST IN HAWAII

OPTIONAL HOT SAUCE WITH GHOST CHILIES.  VERY HOT BUT ADDICTING

JAMAICAN JERK CHICKEN - SERVED WITH RICE N' PEAS, ITAL STEW AND FRITTER

Start at the IRS to Find a Missing Child

To contact us Click HERE

I've posted stories before about attempts to get the IRS to provide information about child abductors, but did you know there are parental abductors some who blatantly claim their kidnapped children on their federal returns? The hubris here is astonishing.

Washington Examiner reports:

Hardly a week passes without hearing something about missing children in this country. Some are believed stolen for sexual purposes, some are found murdered, and thousands of other children are kidnapped by one of their own parents.

Today, let's focus on parental abductors.

For the parent left behind after a former spouse has kidnapped their child, there is the agony of not knowing when -- or if -- they will ever see their baby again. Even the tiniest clue as to their son's or daughter's whereabouts is vitally important if there is ever to be a reunion.

To those heartsick parents, I say: The IRS may very well know where your missing child is, but the agency won't tell you.

Believe it or not, there are some parental abductors who file tax returns and blatantly claim their kidnapped child as a dependent!

Some of them apparently need the refund money, while others don't want to attract attention for failure to pay. When they file their return, they list their employer and their home address, along with the child's name and Social Security number.

All are major pieces of information the abandoned parent would love to know. But the IRS cloaks itself in Watergate-era privacy laws, shrugs its bureaucratic shoulders and says it just can't help the grieving parent locate the missing child.

Continued here...

Mortgage Denied: Sometimes, for No Good Reason

To contact us Click HERE

Due to tighter standards from Frannie Mae and Freddie Mac, getting approved for a mortgage is getting more and more difficult for average Americans. People are getting denied left and right, sometimes for things beyond their control.

CNN reports:

Banks are reluctant to make loans without the Fannie and Freddie guarantee, and loans backed by them account for just about every mortgage written these days.

In 2009, the agencies lifted the minimum credit score that borrowers must have from 580 to 620. That's probably for the best.

But they've pushed through a host of other requirements as well, and that means real estate deals don't get done, even for some relatively low-risk borrowers.

"You can have one Fannie/Freddie guideline you violate and that gets you rejected," said Alan Rosenbaum of GuardHill Financial.

A quarter of all mortgage loan applicants get denied for loans, according to the Federal Reserve. Many other potential homebuyers never even try to get loans, said Jerry Howard, president of the National Association of Home Builders.

More here

SeaWorld's Summer Nights Begin This Saturday

To contact us Click HERE

Just as a reminder, the Summer Nights event at SeaWorld Orlando officially begins this Saturday, June 23 and lasts through August 12! Here you are a few more details, from SeaWorld Orlando's official blog: _________________________________________________________________________
Join SeaWorld Orlando This Weekend to Kick Off Summer Nights!
Get your weekend rolling – and rocking -- with SeaWorld Orlando as Summer Nights kicks off this Saturday! Complete with shows, exciting rides and breathtaking fireworks that light up the sky, there is no better place to be this summer when the sun goes down.

Summer Nights means even more time to play at the park; featuring Sea Lions Tonite, a comical performance featuring the ever-popular Clyde and Seamore, and the astounding Shamu Rocks show, a high-energy show that will keep you rockin’ all through the night. End the night with a bang at our dazzling fireworks and fountains finale, Reflections.

Guests can also experience the all-new TurtleTrek, the world’s first 3D 360 experience that showcases the life of a sea turtle, as well as our thrilling coasters under the stars – an even more incredible sensation.
Head over to SeaWorld for the first weekend of Summer Nights, taking place every night through August 12, for spectacular, family-friendly nighttime entertainment. Looking for the best admission rates? Check us out online to make the most of your SeaWorld experience!
_________________________________________________________________________
It is going to be another great summer at SeaWorld. If you are able to attend the event, be sure not to miss Reflections! Those fireworks are amazing.
Copyright of Orlando Theme Park News.

I-Drive Live Project: Why is Nothing Happening Yet?

To contact us Click HERE

We recently drove by the future site of the great I-Drive Live project, and to our surprise... nothing seemed to have changed. There was nothing going on there, and everything looked the same. No construction, no walls. Nothing at all. Another thing that preoccupied us even more was the fact that the official Merlin Annual Pass Facebook page (LINK) recently removed an image that showed the three new attractions coming to Orlando. This was the former cover photo for their Facebook page:

that map recently changed to this (notice the three stars missing in Florida):

This doesn't sound right, does it? Fortunately, our friends over at Screamscape.com gave us an interesting update that should relieve us all, as it looks like work should be starting soon (finally): _________________________________________________________________________

Orlando Eye / Madame Tussauds / I-Drive Live - (June 21, 2012) According to one source, we should see construction kick off on both I-Drive Live and the I-Shops projects sometime in the next few months.  According to another, construction is said to begin in full force before the end of July. Our sources tell us the latest construction timetables have the opening for the first sections of I-Drive Live between Fall 2013 and Spring 2014, though the planned attractions will not be ready until at least Spring 2014.
_________________________________________________________________________

At this point, we can all just hope that work will begin next month. We will continue to keep you informed on this very interesting subject. Of course, if you have any new information, don't hesitate to share those with us! We would really appreciate your help!
Copyright of Orlando Theme Park News.

Radio Disney "N.B.T." Showcase at Hollywood Studios

To contact us Click HERE

A special event will take place at Disney's Hollywood Studios this weekend, starting from today: _________________________________________________________________________
Radio Disney "N.B.T." Showcase June 22-24, 2012
Radio Disney's "N.B.T." (Next BIG Thing), a musical talent competition for young artists, will introduce its season five artists at a three-night showcase at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Friday, June 22 – Sunday, June 24, from 8 to 10 p.m. Season four "N.B.T." winner Shealeigh and runner-up Zack Montana will also take the stage for headline performances. The showcase will be on the Sorcerer’s Hat Stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and is included with theme park admission. _________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your attention.

Copyright of Orlando Theme Park News.

Safety First! - Tree of Life and Safety Nets (PHOTOS)

To contact us Click HERE

As we reported some time ago, during the past few weeks there have been some changes taking place inside Disney's Animal Kingdom, specifically around the Tree of Life. Indeed, after an accident (in which nobody was hurt), safety nets have been installed all around the paths found below the Tree, including in the queue of It's Though to be a Bug. Here you are some photos of these new nets:





Some areas around the tree are still completely closed to guests:

What do you think? Are these safety nets an eyesore, or do they blend with the rest of the area? Also, do you think Disney will remove them in the near future and find another way to keep guests safe?
Copyright of Orlando Theme Park News.