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Akamai brings High Definition to the Internet

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akamai1.jpgAkamai, a global service provider for accelerating content and applications online, announced that a consistent, high-definition video experience is now possible online via its global content distribution network. Akamai’s customers are now delivering HD quality content on Akamai’s uniquely distributed edge delivery network that is specifically tuned for optimal delivery of HD files online.

“As broadband connectivity becomes more ubiquitous, users are demanding– and frankly should expect– a high-quality, high-definition video experience on the Internet,” said Mike Afergan, chief technology officer, Akamai. “Delivering premium HD content is a critical way for our customers to attract and delight their audiences in today’s highly competitive media environment. We are just at the beginning of a very exciting market opportunity for delivering premium HD content. Consumer demand exists, broadband is ready, and businesses are looking for ways to maximize the value of their high-production HD content.”

“Akamai’s goal is to be able to support 100 Terabits per second of traffic. Our flexible and distributed architecture uniquely positions us to realize that vision and we are aggressively progressing toward that goal,” said Afergan. “We are also committed to the long-term objective of building an ecosystem linking content owners, network providers and video platform players to ensure a superior HD web experience wherever last-mile infrastructure permits.”

DivX buys Veatros, launches Connected, invests on DeviantArt

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Whew. A lot of things are happening in DivX’s side of the web, so it seems.

First, we hear that this San Diego-based online video technology firm, has bought Veatros, a digital video processing startup whose technology they plan to integrate with their own multimedia project. Consequently, DivX also launches Connected, their very own media box to compete with the Apple TV, a project that was made possible using the Veatros technology.

“DivX is building a better media experience in partnership with the world’s leading consumer electronics companies, and innovative search and discovery technology will be an important piece of that solution,” said Kevin Hell, Acting Chief Executive Officer of DivX. “Veatros’s assets will add powerful capabilities to our Connected platform that will allow consumers to more easily find and enjoy digital media content, and effortlessly add metadata such as cover art, director, and actors to all their video titles.”

But wait, there’s more. Apparently, DivX was also reported to invest a full $3.5 million first round of funding to online art community DeviantArt. There was no disclosure as to where and how DeviantArt is going to use the funds, but one can’t help but wonder if this investment on a leading art community have anything to do with the video tech initiatives (and how?). One thing that’s obvious, DivX has got some surprises up its sleeves.

Akamai study shows crucial link between video quality and audience retention

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akamai.jpgAkamai Technologies, Inc. released a study exploring two fundamental elements related to the future success of online video: consumer preferences around video consumption and consumer reaction to low-quality viewing experiences. The most compelling results reveal that, having experienced poor video performance at an Internet site, more than half of online video users would seek content from a competing website, and a quarter would leave with a more negative brand perception and be less likely to return to the poorly performing site.

According to the study conducted by JupiterResearch, the consequences for a website where video content underperforms are a significant loss in goodwill, return visitors and potential advertising revenues. As content owners and publishers invest seriously in broadband video as a means to increase advertising revenues, develop new revenue streams or create emotional connections with their brands, having a technology partner that can provide stability, reliability and a consistently high quality end-user experience is critical to the success of those initiatives.

According to the study, online video that is interrupted for buffering purposes and playback that is slow to begin are the greatest sources of frustration. Sixty percent of frequent online video users, are less likely to return to a site for video content if the viewing experience is poor, and close to half will seek their video content from a competing website. More than a quarter of those users went so far as to say they would be less likely to visit the poorly-performing Website again for any reason and that they would have a more negative overall perception of a site with poorly performing video content.

Quincy Jones premieres video podcast series

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quincy-jones.jpgLegendary entertainment industry figure Quincy Jones debuted today a new video podcast series through a partnership with podcast distributor Wizzard Media. The video podcast offering is part of a plan by Jones to go more digital as he launches an enhanced personal Web site to host the podcasts and other content.

The new Quincy Jones video podcast series will comprise at least 26 episodes in the first year. It will include “footage of him at work in the studio with some of today’s biggest stars and at exclusive events around the globe. Also featured in upcoming video podcast episodes will be Quincy on film, popular culture, politics and events on the national and international stage.”

The first video podcast shows Jones “in the studio producing Celine Dion’s version of I Knew I Loved You, recorded for the tribute album We All Love Ennio Morricone and slated for inclusion on Dion’s upcoming Greatest Hits album…it allows viewers to experience the recording and production process with Quincy and Celine and hear Quincy sharing candid and personal thoughts on the project.”

GolfLink.com acquires GolfSpan.com

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golfspan.jpgGolfLink.com, the leading online golf information resource, announced its acquisition of GolfSpan.com and its existing video library to build out its site that now includes more than 1,400 exclusive instructional golf tips and videos. The videos feature some of the world’s top 25 instructors, including Jim McLean, Hank Haney, Jimmy Ballard and Chuck Cook. GolfSpan’s featured video instructors have taught hundreds of tour professionals, many who have won on tour, including all four major championships.

“GolfLink’s acquisition of GolfSpan and the newly redesigned site offer the golfing community a uniquely specialized experience with exclusive content, robust information and the specialized tools unlike any other place on the web to serve golf enthusiasts everywhere,” said Doug Colbeck, co-founder and GM of GolfLink’s parent company, Hillclimb Media. “With more than 1,400 tips and videos, GolfLink will continue to be the leading resource on the web for people looking to enhance their skills – from beginners to avid golfers – by continuing to provide the same quality and personalized instruction from the world’s best instructors in a manner that is simple, easy-to-understand and accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

GolfLink currently has more than 100,000 registered members and is the third most popular golf site behind PGAtour.com and Golf.com, respectively, according to comScore’s Media Metrix.