I am still surprised that Hollywood is divided with the HD format for DVD. Come on it is 2007. It truly feels like a flash back the beta against VHS wars of years past. This recent decision by Paramount was a bit shocking or was it? Months ago, I was invited to attend a VIP event at Paramount lot that was being put on by the HD DVD folks. A beautiful trailer and a screening area demonstration the beauty, cost efficiency and flexibility of HD DVD. Well, it looks as if Paramount has made up their minds.

In my many years of visiting technology companies, there are always a few that I get excited about. The cool and groovy companies that have their hands in all aspects of technology; entertainment (all the versions of this), consumer, and are always pushing their message in an exciting way. I got to actually visit three are on the top of my cool list - Apple, Adobe and AutoDesk (Discreet logic). They are all in Northern California and yes they are all the coolest.

I had one hour with a powerful Apple audience to pitch HD EXPO and a partnership that we have created and will grow together. It was a bit overwhelming not because of the pitch or the audience but because I was at Apple – not just Apple but the Mothership – no kidding.

We entered the lobby, which is exactly how one would expect, white, clean lots of windows looking our into park areas and yes the largest IPhone banner you have ever seen. Everyone is friendly and casual. I also heard that Steve Jobs just announced to his thousands of staff that they will each get an IPhone FREE. Great way to thank the troops.

We were escorted into a conference room with all the newest toys (projectors, decks etc) but my personal favorite were the wall to wall of dry erase board with a choice of any color pen. I will leave the details of the meeting out with respect to all in attendance and in case any of the other competing tradeshows might read this. The meeting went GREAT!

All I could think about in reflection of my Apple experience was that there was a vibe and pulse running through the building /campus that was filled with innovation and bold excitement because their vision of world domination. It was truly a fun experience.

Look for details about my visit to AutoDesk and Adobe in my next post...

DirecTV launched the DirecTV 10 satellite July 6th!

How patriotic to launch their new satellite on July 6th ( I know not the 4th BUT close) to bring us more HD channels. Actually more HD channels than anyone in North America. The biggest complaint I hear in our HD FUNdementals workshop is ”there is not enough HD to watch.” Well, gotta love DirecTV for taking this commitment.

The TV Technology article:

DirecTV successfully launched its new HD-dedicated satellite (DirecTV 10) into the heavens last weekend, which the DBS company said marks the first big step in its quest to eventually provide the most HD channels of any TV content provider in North America.

The early-evening launch on July 6 from the nation of Kazakhstan propelled a Boeing-built 702 satellite into Earth orbit on a Russian-built Proton Breeze M vehicle. It is now in geosynchronous orbit at variable altitudes averaging about 22,000 miles. Flight controllers in South Africa had quickly made contact with the satellite last weekend and reported all systems were working well, according to DirecTV.

Following a round of testing, the satellite is set to begin operating by early September--when it will start to deliver the first of no less than several dozen national HD channels by the end of 2007. The DirecTV 10 satellite’s spot beam capacity should enable the DBS firm to expand local HD channel services to perhaps more than 70 markets within the next six months, the company said.

The next satellite, DirecTV 11, will be launched early next year to further increase HD capabilities.