Telemak Blog - streaming & mobile media

Cost effective traveling?

2009-02-24T16:32:00.008+01:00

We just returned from Barcelona "mobile world". We attended the summit / congress to further increase our knowledge of mobile phone technology and meet our partners.

During the travel I remembered an article about the cost effectiveness during such trips. (uit metro van 26 jan. 2009)

Anima

2009-02-20T16:03:00.000+01:00

uit de krant "Metro" van 20 februari, 2 leuke artikels over het internationaal festival van de animatiefilm "anima".

Telemak is partner voor de website van dit sympathieke Festival.

Why did Fortis fail to sell itself to BNP?

2009-02-12T15:47:00.005+01:00

Yesterday, February 11, the banking world, and certainly the Belgian financial & government institutions, were baffled by the famous no, no, no from the shareholders of Fortis Group. I'm not here to take a position in were they right or wrong. But I want to try to look deeper into the reasons of the no's.

Communications !?!?

What I have seen, or not seen, is a good, basic and to the point communication from either Fortis Group, Fortis Bank, BNP Parisbas or the Belgian Government. How can you expect thousands of shareholders to understand and accept things, after loosing a lot of money, if you can't explain them what is happening and why your plan is a good idea. So far nobody has understood the 'industrial plan' of the Belgian Government, Fortis Bank and BNP. Is it to difficult to understand, or is it because nobody thought about communicating it?

This is a very nice example of how it should not be done. Now with the financial crisis it is capital for companies to communicate well and often to employees, partners, shareholders, investors, customers etc. You can communicate with very expensive events and meetings, or you can communicate with no too much money and probably reach the same goal.

Telemak is in the business of communications, webcasting, webinars, internet and audio video. We do this for a living. We do this for our customers. We do it for you?

Mobile TV to reach 500M subscribers by 2013

2009-02-12T15:09:00.006+01:00

ABI Research predicts that there will be half a billion mobile television viewers and subscribers by 2013.

The approaching switchover to all-digital TV broadcasting in the United States and other major countries will create an opportunity for the mobile TV market, according to a new study from ABI Research. The study also found that mobile TV's revenues will reach $50 billion by 2013.

"I think it may or may not be obvious but mobile TV will become an ad platform as this service becomes more common and more and more consumers start to use mobile TV," said Jeff Orr, senior analyst at ABI, Sacramento, CA.

There's an important distinction to draw between content streamed to mobile handsets over cellular networks, and free-to-air broadcasting to mobile devices equipped with mobile TV tuners.

Mobile TV users do not value the medium properly because it has not been validated as an independent product and service. In fact it has been primarily offered at the end of a long list of more preferred mobile services.

"However, Mobile TV will soon be positioned in a more proper role as an extension of traditional broadcast TV services," Mr. Orr said.

Mr. Orr also said that mobile TV viewing will not solely be on mobile phones but also on mobile Internet devices as well, such as the iPod touch.

"I believe that once the content is available and the services launched, mobile TV will enable more classes of mobile devices that are 'natural fits' for mobile entertainment," Mr. Orr said.

ABI Research believes the timing of the market's emergence is good. As 2009 progresses, signs of economic optimism may emerge, and allow the baby bird industry to establish a foothold before the holiday shopping season of 2009.

"The acceptance of mobile TV relies heavily on time and on cultural shift," Mr. Orr said. "Consumers have to willing to receive and interact with mobile content on their phones."

"Advertising and sponsorship opportunities will arise once the channel is solidified and commercially available," he said.

Associate Editor Giselle Abramovich covers ad networks, advertising, content, email, media, messaging, legal/privacy, search, social networks, television and video. Reach her at giselle@mobilemarketer.com.

Winter BBQ

2009-01-08T15:31:00.003+01:00

Snow doesn't hold us back from having a nice barbecue.
Although our neighbours look made us feel like weirdo's we really enjoyed this little gathering, which made us forget the cold for a while.

Let it snow !

2009-01-07T11:25:00.005+01:00

Every once in a while we are spoiled with a magnificent white snow carpet that covers the whole landscape. This year also our work environment has been transformed into a beautiful snow paradise.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009

2008-12-26T12:14:00.012+01:00

From every one at Telemak we wish you a
Merry Christmas and a
healthy, prosperous and joyful New Year 2009

Christophe, Vanessa, Manu, Olivia, Ian,
Pieter,Nicolas, Sacha and Martin.

See you on www.telemak.com for more...

ho ho ho

2008-12-10T14:39:00.006+01:00

Telemak is getting in the mood. Monday the first christmas tree was installed and decorated.

Olivia and I were touched and went immediately shopping and bought some lighting chains for the office.

We can't wait to open the presents!!

The insight in a FIA WTCC broadcast

2008-10-21T14:48:00.011+02:00

Ever wondered how a TV broadcast of a car race is made behind the scenes? Here is a video made during a FIA WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) to show you what's going on to bring you the best possibile images.

Telemak in the Beijing frenzy

2008-08-08T13:49:00.011+02:00

A few weeks ago I got a call from Mobistar, one of the Belgian mobile operators, for who we deliver a live Mobile TV platform. "We might do the Olympics, could you check out the possibilities?" Sure, no problem. We received the final details this morning, 3 hours before the opening ceremony. And now we are there. While typing this post, I watch the opening ceremony on my N95.

Telemak streams the Olympics live to all Mobistar customers that have Mobile TV possibilites. If you have a Mobistar phone, you can check out if your phone is TV enabled on the Mobistar website. If you have your phone ready, surf to wap.mobistar.be and click on the Olympic logo. It's as easy as that. And new is the higher quality we send out. Up to quarter screen resolution (320 x 240). Woaw, it is looking nice. Yiehaa, we are part of the Olympics!. Duh, everyone is, no? I think every company in the world must be present one way or another in Beijing. But we are proud to do this in such a short time frame. Really exciting. Good I have a great team here doing all the work, while I watch TV...

You also want to stream something to mobile phones? Hey, we can do that for you. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3. Almost. Enjoy the games, and might the sports prevail !

The Telemak Team

2008-06-10T16:51:00.002+02:00

red button

2008-05-05T13:57:00.003+02:00

curious?

Boop-ivia

2008-04-17T22:29:00.005+02:00

Olivia & "her" Telemak team always on time!

Thanks to this simple and nice device ;-)

Becoming a rare object in this fast moving & technical world.

The convergence of the market space: a reality

2008-04-09T10:08:00.003+02:00

I remember going to NAB in Las Vegas, I think in 1998, and seeing the biggest banner ever: Welcome to NAB, the convergent market space. I was really impressed by the idea that television and web would converge. Going inside, it was not really the convergence of TV and web, but analog and digital worlds that were coming together. Humph, bummer.

10 years later, I'm thinking again of this one liner. And actually we have what 10 years ago was predicted by the NAB organisers: a real convergence of the audio-visual content. and market. As a company we have been working now since 1994 with internet and multimedia and images and sound. We were pioneers in the streaming industry (and I hope we still are). And one thing was certain for us, but many people didn't see or agree: TV, internet and Mobile phones would all become delivery devices for the same content. Shoot and edit once, deliver many. When Telecom operators are proud to present quadruple play, actually they speak of the convergence of the media. Use your media to deliver it everywhere.

The next step is of course to make device adapted content. Who will be watching a feature movie on a small mobile screen? But wtaching news and sports in your travel time is something totally different. Think of (business) news, your hobby TV etc. delivered to your mobile device. Think of business related information or youth programs on your PC. Think of your feature movie rented on the internet playing on your plasme TV at home. We are there. Microsoft's Media Center, and Apple with Apple TV, ipod and iphone are the first to offer the convergence of the media on top of the known PC with browser and media player.

Today I see more and more companies using audio-visual material on their website, adding a podcast here, a media library there. I also see companies starting their own "TV channel" online. What is preventing them from taking the same content to TV?

Dreaming of a White Easter

2008-03-25T11:17:00.005+01:00

no comment!

A new Telemak service: Make-up by Olivia

2008-03-07T15:51:00.006+01:00

Today Telemak launches a new service for our customers: Telemak [Make-up]. If you want to enjoy this service, please contact our sales team. In the meantime, enjoy the video of the first tests done today showing how Olivia is pleasing Manu (our dedicated rabbit) with the first make-up given by Telemak :-)

Mobile TV, a hype or a need?

2008-01-31T10:43:00.004+01:00

Is mobile TV a hype, or a real need? The world today runs on mobile applications and devices. Think Blackberry, iPhone, N-series form Nokia etc. You can't imagine living whit-out anymore.

More and more people have access with their mobile device to high-speed data networks. GPRS, Edge, UMTS, HSDPA, ... have been and are being developed at the speed of light. And what is more intensive, and profitable, than video on a data carrier? Sure, high proces for those data packets are still a blocking factor. And maybe the minimum hardware requirements and setup procedures are also part of the problem. But I see a steady increase of the amount of viewers on the platform run by Telemak for Mobistar Mobile TV.

The future commercial launch of broadcast TV on mobile devices will certainly give a big boost to the delivery platform. DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld) doesn't use data carriers but receives the signal from "the air". You don't pay for the packets you receive, but probably will pay a fee for accessing the service like you would cable TV.

I think that in the future, the mobile phone (device) will be the central remote control and distribution device of your media center. Receiving your Electronic Program Guide (EPG) via mobile data tranfert, programming your viewing time, receive the DVB-H channels on your mobile device, send it over bluetooth or WiFi to your TV, and you're all set. And use that same data access to send back your shopping list you just watched on TV. And why should it be your TV? We could imagine renting your TV space in the business lounge at the airport or use your hotel TV. How far is the future?

What is needed to deliver a (good) webcast

2008-01-15T07:41:00.000+01:00

One of the things I strongly believe in in our industry is the need for quality delivery. Many start-ups in the streaming industry do think that just by downloading a free copy of Windows Media Encoder or QuickTime Broadcaster they have the knowledge to produce an entire TV show on the web. Unfortunately for them, and their customers, it isn't that easy.

Many years ago I learned the lessons the hard way. I figured that a good webcast, which should be seen as a TV broadcast using IP delivery, needed good knowledge in 4 areas: IT, audio-visual, networks and telecommunications. Remove one of those and you will see that it gets very complicated to achieve your primary goal: get the image and sound to your audience. And believe me, it isn't that easy. Some people I know well have found out by going face first into the digital wall.

The number of companies that are able to setup and deliver an event webcast to the world wide web are quite low, but increasing. With all the new tools that are available for web 2.0 and television 2.0, on top of the increased expertise of people and companies make it easier than ever to do your thing. But then why are so many web videos of such a low quality or unavailable? The answer is easy: start this article all over again. It needs expertise and a broadcasters mentality to get it done. Not the straight IT talk, but to "go for it" TV walk. You have very strict deadlines, and a large number of points of failure. Keep them under control, and your webcast will succeed.

And above all, work with people that have really delivered in the past. Ask them to show you their achievements and what part of the production they control, and what part is subcontracted. The more is subcontracted, the more that can go out of control. A one stop shop is in our industry the best bet. Then it is just a question of enjoying the show !

Is Apple dropping Akamai in favor of Google?

2008-01-15T07:20:00.000+01:00

Rumors lately have spread around saying that Apple might switch its content delivery from Akamai to Google. Swiss American Securities, a division of Credit Suisse is saying that it has learned that Apple will no longer use Akamai. They see Apple dumping Akamai for a Google-based content distribution network and expect Apple to announce that next week at Macworld.

No details have been given, but I doubt the news. iTunes for instance relies on Akamai for it's music and video download service. And what can Google offer that Akamai can not? OK, Google is Google and so they can build anything they want, but still. Where is the value of the deal? Google is primarily an advertising company, and I don't see the match with Apple's business. Of course Google and Apple work and will work together on certain business deals such as advertising in iTunes and iPhones; or use Google as the standard search engine.

Anyway, we at Telemak continue to work with Akamai, a 9 year old relationship. We have served hundreds of customers and Petabytes of data using Akamai without a glitch. Why even think to switch when you have a winning team?

Telemak 2008 !

2008-01-08T15:38:00.000+01:00

The Telemak team finished 2007 with a nice team goal: make our own food. The food was good, the champagne and wine too, and the spirit even beter. Have a look for yourself. Interested in joining the team? Send a mail to jobs@telemak.com. Or if you need our team work to get you sorted out with your (web) video, let us know and we'll make sure you feel the Telemak 2008 spirit.

Telemak wishes you a happy New Year

2007-12-30T14:10:00.000+01:00

All of us at Telemak wish you all the best for 2008.

Happy New Year !

IBC MPEGIF Master Class review by Christophe Lenaerts

2007-09-07T10:10:00.000+02:00

At the first day of conferences at IBC 2007 I was invited to attend as a panelist in the third session: New Video Applications & Services.

After a nice keynote of Thomas Staneker - Senior Executive VP IPTV, T-Com talking about T-Com's new IDTV and web streaming services (no sales pitches please) we all could have a few minutes to tell what we thought about the subject. Unfortunately some panelists didn't get the "no sales pitches please" email from the organisers. But all in all we had a very clear view of how the world of video should run and how it isn't running regardless of what the industry promised in the early years 2000.

The panel:

Moderator Sebastian Moeritz - Pesident, MPEGIF/CEO dicas

Speakers Thomas Staneker - Senior Executive VP IPTV, T-Com
Christopher Lenaerts - CEO, Telemak
Bob Giddy - CEO, Amino
Ivan Verbesselt - Senior VP, Head of Strategic Marketing, Nagravision
Tassilo Raesig - Head Content Navigation Services, Business Development, Sony
Gianpaolo Balboni - Senior Program Manager TV and Multimedia, Telecom Italia
David Trescot - Vice President Rhozet Business Unit Harmonic Inc

Web 2.0 vs Television 2.0

What I heard from the panel where all on how to get the ISP's and mobile operators a critical mass to launch IDTV, IPTV, Mobile TV etc. What I didn't hear enough is how the industry thinks to do that. From the ISP and Telco you hear how they will launch another nice channel to keep their customers at hand. And from the content owners (Hollywood) you hear that they will launch an independent platform because they don't want to get linked to the telco.

A question from the public asked to the telcos on how to reach the critical mass to pay for those services was answered that it didn't matter if there was demand, but only that the technology was there and needed to be put to market. I think that is wrong. If you look at the success of Google and Yahoo and Amazon en Ebay it is not because they maunched a dedicated closed service on a telco's network, but because their critical market is the entire world connected the the world wide web. They reach millions of customers every day across the telcos and ISPs and mobile operators. And I'm sure of one thing, the CEO's and CFO's of those telcos are jealous of the success of Google and co. They are looking to ways to join the hype. Even Apple understood that they needed too keep away from building their own network, but to use the largest communication channel ever: the web. Using content from all the majors in the US and Europe and Asia, they offer through iTunes a single platform where people can listen, buy, subscribe, watch download and aggregate content. The next phase should be to make a platform, OS, browser, software, hardware, IPS, telco and mobile independent content delivery tool. The company that succeeds in doing that and launch it cross border will be the next Google. Or is Google already doing that?

Conclusions:

My perspective is that Web 2.0 and Television 2.0 will be the catch line of IBC 2008. Next year I suspect to see companies such as Google, Youtube, Daily Motion and Yahoo be present at IBC. And actually, Google already is present with Adsense audio. Or maybe will they be at NAB 2008?

Free video hosting service at Telemak

2007-08-29T14:15:00.000+02:00

The success of free video sites such as YouTube (Google), Yahoo! Video, DailyMotion (France) or GarageTV (Belgium) has led Telemak to provide a new service offering the best quality online videos via a single distribution service to a variety of popular video sites. Contact us to see how our streaming engineers can help you optimizing the distribution of your professional videos.

Broadcasters and not operators should finance Mobile TV

2007-08-29T13:28:00.000+02:00

Ingrid Lunden reports after her interview with a Vivendi executive that the battleground between telcos and broadcasters for Mobile TV domination is emerging. According to Vivendi, the broadcasters, and not the mobile operators, should be financing and distributing Mobile TV.

Most of the mobile TV initiatives that have been launched so far in Europe have been spearheaded by mobile operators. Telemak has built and still operates the very first Mobile TV platform in Belgium. Mobistar (France Telecom) currently has over a dozen of Mobile TV channels in the mobile air.

Although Mobile TV services have not made a lot of profit to the operators, it is in the hands of the broadcasters to work closely with the operators on mobile advertising models in support of a free service and new television formats which appeal to a generation of urban and mobile users.

Telemak is an official Apple QuickTime Service Provider

2007-08-22T23:44:00.000+02:00

Telemak is mentioned on Apple's website as one of their QuickTime Service Providers. Telemak is one of the only companies listed in all 3 categories: Content Delivery; Production and Encoding. What Apple says about there service providers:

A host of QuickTime service providers can assist you with any QuickTime task, from content creation to delivery. Whether you need to create a multimedia CD or webcast a corporate speech, these companies can provide valuable expertise.