CES 2009

Streaming Las Vegas

Shane Buettner  |  Jan 6, 2009

I know what you’re thinking. Is that glass half empty or half full? Is it water or whiskey? Ok, that’s a trick question- the answer is obviously dependent on the answer to the first question. And what has the proverbial glass on my mind is CES 2009. I’m here in Vegas and the mood is indeed as subdued as many expected. So far it’s like low season at the hotels here. So, is our perspective on this glass half full? Or is it now a question empty or emptier? Where’s the news?

Say what you will for the format war of the last few years, but trade shows were fun with the battle royal in full swing. Galas with both sides trying to outdo the other in both event sizes, shapes and volume levels, and announcing more cool titles than the other guy. Now, what have we got?

This year, it’s looking like streaming video and IP widgety things invading our consumer electronics. Many pundits are already declaring Blu-ray stillborn and pronouncing streaming and downloads as the winners of the war, much as MP3 won the “war” between SCAD and DVD-Audio years ago. But I’ve got some questions for those making this prediction.

If Blu-ray has low consumer awareness, has anyone asked Joe and Jane Six Pack if they know Hulu from Vudu? Do they know “streaming” isn’t just what that running river across town does?

The conventional wisdom is drawing parallels to music and saying convenience will trump quality again. Will it? Most people don’t have broadband pipes big enough to get streaming quality that’s equivalent to DVD. Wimpy 2Mbps speeds won’t do it. With large 1080p flat screen prices at $999 and below is that good enough? The non-disc crowd better hope so. Vudu’s HDX titles look great, but those are downloads that take 4-6 hours over my cable connection. And that brings us to a one of many fundamental differences between movies and music.

Movies are not portable. They’re not meant to be. 112kbps music downloads take seconds and then the user owns them and can carry them around on an iPod. High-def movies take several hours and are rentals. And looking at a movie on a portable device screen isn’t nearly as compelling as music over the earbuds can be.

I don’t now yet what we’re going to find here at CES 2009. But I’m optimistic, which tells you how I see that glass.

COMMENTS
FM's picture
Submitted by FM (not verified) on January 7, 2009 - 8:53am

Don't use that glass without washing it first. There's lots of videos and news reports out there showing how cleaning staff in hotels use the same washcloth used on toilets to clean those glasses.

Shane's picture
Submitted by Shane (not verified) on January 7, 2009 - 3:37pm

please don't tell me you're one of those hotel blacklight guys.

Dwayne from Saskatoon's picture
Submitted by Dwayne from Sas... (not verified) on January 9, 2009 - 7:35am

Half-empty/half-full always depends on how good the waitress/bartender is! I always rely on a good bartender and watching a movie on a screen that fits in your hand and earbuds is not watching a movie, it's just cheap, imitation, watered-down whiskey.

JG's picture
Submitted by JG (not verified) on January 13, 2009 - 11:48am

Water or...WHISKEY?! Not a big drinker, I gather! ;)

shane's picture
Submitted by shane (not verified) on January 13, 2009 - 5:56pm

Good point JG. I chose whiskey because it read better than vodka or gin or something clear. you're the first one to note correctly that whiskey ain't clear in a glass.

hgjkkl's picture
Submitted by hgjkkl (not verified) on June 18, 2009 - 9:06am

We are special business partners of many china wholesale. So the wholesale products we make here totally on behalf of middle and small distributors,resellers and buyers who have no chance to visit China, but want to take advantage of made in China. All the products you find in our online store are at wholesale price,and also our products line covers all area. we wholesale Printer Supplies Accessories, wholesale Software, wholesale Consumer Electronics,wholesale Audio Devices,wholesale Car Electronics,ect. And from our New products you can know the latest marketing tradetrends in China as well.

hgfj's picture
Submitted by hgfj (not verified) on June 18, 2009 - 8:55pm

The power supply manufacturer, Best Power Supply Manufacturer,we are a temperature sensor manufacturer. ... capsule filling machine manufacturers, sheet metal fabrication, air compressor, you have come to the right place. To see all the air compressor We can offer a complete program of products,ranging from metallic yarn,metallic yarn Packing.Metlon produces their metallic Zeatin trans-zeatin Zeatin-riboside trans-zeatin-riboside PVC pipe fittings packing machine manufacturer. packing machine manufacturer in china, Auto OEM Manufacturer of switching power supply,Switching Power Supply Design and power inverter provider,buy replica bags come here, our site have good replica handbags and Louis Vuitton replica ,find good replica louis vuitton handbag and replica handbag or replica handbag .please contact us .Replica Jewelry.replica bagReplica Louis Vuitton .Replica Louis Vuitton handbag we are the best choose

betclic casino's picture
Submitted by betclic casino (not verified) on November 8, 2009 - 3:59am

great articleThanksbetclic casino

accessories wholesale's picture
Submitted by accessories who... (not verified) on July 4, 2010 - 9:57pm

You know why I'm always keep in a fashion style? Cause I always wear these Accessories,they give you confidence and I love them so much! Now online shopping makes it more convenient then ever to get my favorite Accessories. I just need to click one button, many cheap but high quality accessories will be deliver to my home.that's cool!

roulette winning strategy's picture
Submitted by roulette winnin... (not verified) on November 23, 2010 - 3:57pm

Sustain this beautiful content, went ahead and added to my safari rss.

X