Cisco reveals its plans to combine internet video and conventional TV at its pre-CES 2011 conference with Videoscape.

COmpany CEO John Chambers describes it as an "immersive approach to video content" with a set-top box providing access to all content, including TV, web, social networks and even friends' devices.

A demo shows off a Cisco-filled living room, complete with Scientific Atlanta STB, umi telepresence set and Cisco's new Media Gateway (supports voice, video and data over network while allowing users to upload video from USB devices). From the demo, users access content (live TV, DVRed content and premium subscriber content) via both TV and Cisco iPad app.

Cisco describes the news as "primarily a software announcement", with 5 different product families supporting Videoscape.

Cable operators (in the US, at least) should be able to customize the software interface and decide on pricing models.

One has to keep in mind Cisco owns Scientific Atlanta-- manufacturer of STBs for a number of cable TV providers.

Go Cisco Videoscape

Go Cisco Joins Race to Combine TV, Web, Video

Blu-ray sales continue to move forward, in both consumer and professional applications. There is even a future danger there may be a shortage of available blank discs in sales peaks.

Worldwide pre-recorded Blu-ray video disc production should exceed 400 million units in 2010, an increase of nearly 60% compared with 2009, according to new research from Futuresource Consulting.

Their forecasts predict annual global output will reach two billion discs by 2014. “As a result of this output expansion, BD capacity utilisation will hit nearly 80% in the US during Q4 of this year and 75% in Europe,” says Michael Boreham, Senior Consultant Disc Manufacturing & Storage Media at Futuresource.

“This is about as high as it can comfortably get, and given the continued market expansion expected over the next few years, which is being driven by growing player ownership and falling disc prices, the disc industry will need to invest further in 2011 to prevent disc shortages during sales peaks.

Fiona Hoy, Market Analyst at Futuresource, adds, “...From 2012 we’re going to see very strong demand for 3D content, which will fuel additional growth. A number of bundled exclusives are already boosting demand from this sector, such as ‘Avatar’ with Panasonic displays or ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ with Samsung displays.”

Go Futuresource

Serious gamers demonstrate a natural affinity to buy heavy duty home theatre, home networking installs, unlimited never by desire but usually by personal budgets.

While Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStation 3 battle for dominance of the video game console market, Steve Perlman (Silicon Valley inventor who was the head of the Apple group that created QuickTime and the developer of what would become Microsoft’s WebTV product) believes he can be the Great Disruptor of the Gaming Market. 

Starting in USA this month, gamers will be able to stream Perlman's OnLive games-from-the-cloud to their televisions-- using a $99 box about the size of a cigarette package.

OnLive faces obstacles but many analysts are betting that the internet delivery will rule over traditional PC/console gaming...and once again allow IP to re-shape yet another creative industry (think of the disruption in newspapers, travel, software, books, video and others...)

Go OnLive

The Aspire RevoView is Acer's entry into the network media streamer market.

Connection is through HDMI port, and it integrates with surround speaker systems.

It plays content from either USB HDDs, an internal 3.5" HDD, memory card slot or the internet (YouTube, Picasa and Flickr only).

The HDD tray is shareable with Acer's Aspire M Series desktop PCs, and the device also acts as a USB external HDD.

Included is a 26-key remote control.

Go Acer Aspire RevoView

Universal Media's pocket BLU is a free App store download that turns the iPhone into a remote for enabled Blu-ray discs on a wifi connected player.

The app not only acts as a remote, but also allows downloading of movie clips on iPhone to be watched later. Features will differ between movies. Digital copy support is also promised, offering users mobile device versions of the movie purchased.

Blackberry, Android and Nokia versions of the app are also available.

Go Pocket BLU

CEA/CEDIA-CEB23: Home Theatre Video Design provides guidelines to accurately calculate screen size and design systems for video devices. This industry bulletin will allow OEMs and ESCs to measure screen and design systems precisely, ensuring the home theatre experience.

CEA research and standards VP Brain Markwalter says with 31 million HDTV sales projected for 2010, accurate home theatre designs parameters are essential.

The bulletin also provides information for ESCs preparing for certification exams.

Go CEA and CEDIA Standards Committee Creates Home Theatre Design Bulletin