(Credit:
Nicole Lee/CNET)
SXSW just launched its "panel picker," where the public is invited to vote (yes or no) on different panel ideas, as well as weigh in with comments.
Our Buzz Out Loud podcast is one of the panels up for your consideration. So head to the panel picker at panelpicker.sxsw.com, and search for Buzz Out Loud, or go right to this link to vote.
Of course while you're there, you can vote and comment on tons of other cool ideas for SXSW panels. And you should. There are some great proposals.
Even if you don't think you can make it to Austin in March, we'd still very much appreciate you telling the SXSW organizers you support us. Unless you hate us. In which case there's totally not a panel picker or anything. This was all a ruse.
The full description of the panel is:
Online video is simple to produce, and as a result, the industry has seen explosive growth in recent years. However, there's been a shift in the online video landscape as users demand higher quality video. This panel will discuss audience expectations and the challenges of moving to online HD.On Crossfade TV this week, the Download Music crew checks out a cool new set of previously unreleased recordings and interviews from the late jazz/blues/gospel/soul artist Nina Simone called Protest Anthology; a few new songs from electronic artist UFO! (not to be confused with the Brits who brought you the classic-rock staple "Too Hot Too Handle"); and the brand-new album from Sun Kil Moon, the name Mark Kozelek seems to be sticking with (after long-ago retiring his previous band name, Red House Painters).
Crossfade TV is a collaboration between Download Music and CNET TV.
Michael Stipe of R.E.M.
(Credit: Kurt Wolff)In case you haven't noticed, the Download Music crew is back in San Francisco after a massive week of music at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. We've been posting like crazy to Crossfade about some of our favorite shows; we picked a handful of top artists for our Best of SXSW playlist; and we cut a special SXSW episode of our weekly music show Crossfade TV as well, highlighting great performances by the likes of Duffy, Lou Reed, Ice Cube, Explorer's Club, These Are Powers, Enslaved, and Guilty Simpson.
Slide on over to CNET TV for the latest episode of Crossfade TV.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Toshiba may be considering dropping HD DVD in the next few weeks. The HD DVD deathwatch has been on since they canceled their CES event after Warner announced its switch to Blu-ray exclusively.
This news got me thinking. Consumers have been waiting on the sideline for one format to win. But what if you end a war and nobody cares? I don't expect the coronation of Blu-ray as the high-definition king will cause consumers to stampede to buy Blu-ray players.
Another thing to consider is the "war" has kept folks talking about Blu-ray and HD DVD. But if the war ends, the talk, and the free publicity, ends too. DVD players haven't historically been big headline-grabbers. Blu-ray players will have to do something extra nifty to get people talking again.
Finally, video-on-demand is penetrating the home. Almost all major cable services in the US and Canada offer it. DirecTV just started rolling it out to it's subscribers. Also, Apple fans can snarf up the Apple TV and buy high-definition movies right from the set-top box now. With the ability to get HD movies in your house already, what's it going to take to push someone into buying a Blu-ray player?
The studios could start releasing some movies only in Blu-ray, but that might backfire. It's a delicate balance that the Blu-ray folks should be able to navigate. However, if they get overconfident at their "win" they could easily blow it.
Of course all this requires HD DVD to bow out, but I think at this point it's reasonable to assume it will bow out whether it's the next few weeks or the next few months. But that will only mean Blu-ray has defeated HD DVD. It won't mean Blu-ray won consumer's hearts.
If Hulu.com officially launches from its private-beta state this week, you can say you heard about it from me first. It's only the first day of CES, and I already remember what I love about it: the dish.
Here's what happened. I was in line at Starbucks this morning, bright and early, and this nice man started chatting me up. Turned out he was from NBC Universal, but the actual television side and not the technology side (so while he'd heard of CNET, he probably didn't know I was mentally blogging our whole convo). So, we're talking about the future of television and how grim things are for traditional TV, and he tells me that the folks at NBC got an "internal e-mail" a few days ago about how, probably this week, they'll be releasing "this thing called Hulu." Me: "Oh, really? Interesting!"
So, my apologies to you, anonymous Starbucks line guy, and I hope I don't get you in trouble with any of the folks at NBC, but you made my CES day.
UPDATE: An NBCU representative called to let me know there will be NO Hulu announcements at CES. Bummer. That's the last time I listen to guys in the Starbucks line.
View complete CES 2008 coverage from CNET.
It's a funny thing, television: no matter how many of our friends claim they'd rather read than watch, it turns out that most really do. Watch, I mean. At least, that's how it is with our weekly Download Music video report--the one where we sit in front of the cameras and ramble on about what we've been listening to lately. OK, we don't really ramble too much--the show's pretty short--but it is a chance for us to pass along tips on songs and albums that have been grabbing us lately. Personal favorites, and that's the good stuff, right? This week, Mike, Anngie, and I play songs from and talk about hip-hop star Common, electronic duo the Liars, and country music legend Porter Wagoner. Watch our current show (produced and presented as always by our good friends at CNET TV); browse past episodes; and if you're craving more, check out hundreds more music videos as well.
Consistent CNET look and feel
The first thing you'll probably notice is that CNET TV has lost its black background. This was probably the hardest decision we had to make in the redesign process, but in the end we felt that having a header and navigation consistent with the other CNET sites you're already familiar with would make for an easier user experience.
New channels
In CNET TV 1.0, our channels had catchy names that just never caught on. In CNET TV 2.0, we've renamed our channels with easy-to-understand titles and provided subcategories to allow you to find exactly what you're looking for.
Promotion of hot videos!
When we asked our users what kind of video they want to see, we heard the same answer over and over again. They want to see the "hottest, coolest, latest, and most interesting" videos. Since this is a bit different for everyone, we've carved out a good chunk of space on our home page to display a wide array of the "hottest, coolest, latest, and most interesting" video. These change all the time, so you can come back frequently and never get bored. (I'd suggest 20 times a day, if possible.)
Product metadata
We can only squeeze so much content into a video, but that doesn't mean we don't know a whole bunch more about the products we review. To solve this, we've added metadata tabs. On the video view page (the one you get to by clicking on any promotion on the home page), you'll see a series of tabs directly under the video. These provide a summary of our editor's full review, user opinions, specs, and even the latest prices.
Would you like a wrap-up of the week's hottest CNET TV videos delivered directly to your in-box? Then sign up for the weekly CNET TV newsletter, delivered every Friday.
