Red Cast Really Sucks

[Rosey]

I have a hard time believing in 2013 they could find something worse than Sidearm. So, I'm cautiously optimistic for next season. I'd still prefer Youtube because it plays on every video-capable device I own, but if it supports *something* that can play full-screen over HDMI at 30fps and not look like someone smeared vaseline over the lens, I'll be happy.

[pfibiger]

Single subscription model for all schools is a fine thing (as long as the other concerns are addressed).

This is bad, though:

"It's not just about streaming video," said Chris Wagner, EVP and Co-Founder of NeuLion. "It's about the fan experience, the high quality video on any device, and the interaction with the game or match which includes stats, social media and more.

No, Chris, it is just about streaming video (quality).  Everything else is either provided better elsewhere (stats) or worthless crap (social media, "fan experience", etc).

I'll say it is about streaming quality AND his "high quality on any device." I found myself stuck out at game time more than once, and the big improvement offered by sidearm this year was that I could pretty reliably watch the stream on an iphone, and I could use airplay to sling the iphone video up to my tv without monkeying with cables/etc. If I could get a native roku or boxee app, that would be a big deal.

The rest of what they're talking about is garbage.

[Josh '99]

Single subscription model for all schools is a fine thing (as long as the other concerns are addressed).

This is bad, though:

"It's not just about streaming video," said Chris Wagner, EVP and Co-Founder of NeuLion. "It's about the fan experience, the high quality video on any device, and the interaction with the game or match which includes stats, social media and more.

No, Chris, it is just about streaming video (quality).  Everything else is either provided better elsewhere (stats) or worthless crap (social media, "fan experience", etc).

There's no reason stats must be provided better elsewhere.  Maybe their integrated stats will turn out to be better than what you can find on CHN or USCHO or collegehockeystats.net or wherever, wouldn't that be a value-added feature?  If we're willing to give them a chance to prove that they can do a better job with video, we may as well also give them a chance to prove they can do a better job with stats, no?

More broadly, for you it's just about streaming video, but that doesn't mean there aren't many others who are interested in additional features.  We have an eLynah chat going during games, right?  Isn't that one form of social media integration?

[Chris '03]

Single subscription model for all schools is a fine thing (as long as the other concerns are addressed).

This is bad, though:

"It's not just about streaming video," said Chris Wagner, EVP and Co-Founder of NeuLion. "It's about the fan experience, the high quality video on any device, and the interaction with the game or match which includes stats, social media and more.

No, Chris, it is just about streaming video (quality).  Everything else is either provided better elsewhere (stats) or worthless crap (social media, "fan experience", etc).

There's no reason stats must be provided better elsewhere.  Maybe their integrated stats will turn out to be better than what you can find on CHN or USCHO or collegehockeystats.net or wherever, wouldn't that be a value-added feature?  If we're willing to give them a chance to prove that they can do a better job with video, we may as well also give them a chance to prove they can do a better job with stats, no?

More broadly, for you it's just about streaming video, but that doesn't mean there aren't many others who are interested in additional features.  We have an eLynah chat going during games, right?  Isn't that one form of social media integration?

If I can't read numbers on jerseys, I don't care what else it does or doesn't do. Get video right and then add whatever other features you want as long as those features don't get in the way of the video function. No one is paying a subscription fee for integrated twitter feeds or livestats. The difference is that there are top notch alternatives for stats and social media (CHN, elynah chat, twitter, etc.) but there aren't any alternatives for video (at least as it pertains to Cornell).

[Josh '99]

Single subscription model for all schools is a fine thing (as long as the other concerns are addressed).

This is bad, though:

"It's not just about streaming video," said Chris Wagner, EVP and Co-Founder of NeuLion. "It's about the fan experience, the high quality video on any device, and the interaction with the game or match which includes stats, social media and more.

No, Chris, it is just about streaming video (quality).  Everything else is either provided better elsewhere (stats) or worthless crap (social media, "fan experience", etc).

There's no reason stats must be provided better elsewhere.  Maybe their integrated stats will turn out to be better than what you can find on CHN or USCHO or collegehockeystats.net or wherever, wouldn't that be a value-added feature?  If we're willing to give them a chance to prove that they can do a better job with video, we may as well also give them a chance to prove they can do a better job with stats, no?

More broadly, for you it's just about streaming video, but that doesn't mean there aren't many others who are interested in additional features.  We have an eLynah chat going during games, right?  Isn't that one form of social media integration?

If I can't read numbers on jerseys, I don't care what else it does or doesn't do. Get video right and then add whatever other features you want as long as those features don't get in the way of the video function. No one is paying a subscription fee for integrated twitter feeds or livestats. The difference is that there are top notch alternatives for stats and social media (CHN, elynah chat, twitter, etc.) but there aren't any alternatives for video (at least as it pertains to Cornell).

I agree, but "video is the most important thing" does not equal "anything else they might offer is worthless".

[billhoward]

Single subscription model for all schools is a fine thing (as long as the other concerns are addressed).

This is bad, though:

"It's not just about streaming video," said Chris Wagner, EVP and Co-Founder of NeuLion. "It's about the fan experience, the high quality video on any device, and the interaction with the game or match which includes stats, social media and more.

No, Chris, it is just about streaming video (quality).  Everything else is either provided better elsewhere (stats) or worthless crap (social media, "fan experience", etc).

I read that quote on the release and had the same thoughts as you: The fan experience starts with the video coming through unchallenged. I'm sure they're thinking "fan experience" could mean a chat room and a chance to buy Cornell pennants.

[Trotsky]

Single subscription model for all schools is a fine thing (as long as the other concerns are addressed).

This is bad, though:

"It's not just about streaming video," said Chris Wagner, EVP and Co-Founder of NeuLion. "It's about the fan experience, the high quality video on any device, and the interaction with the game or match which includes stats, social media and more.

No, Chris, it is just about streaming video (quality).  Everything else is either provided better elsewhere (stats) or worthless crap (social media, "fan experience", etc).

There's no reason stats must be provided better elsewhere.  Maybe their integrated stats will turn out to be better than what you can find on CHN or USCHO or collegehockeystats.net or wherever, wouldn't that be a value-added feature?  If we're willing to give them a chance to prove that they can do a better job with video, we may as well also give them a chance to prove they can do a better job with stats, no?

More broadly, for you it's just about streaming video, but that doesn't mean there aren't many others who are interested in additional features.  We have an eLynah chat going during games, right?  Isn't that one form of social media integration?

If I can't read numbers on jerseys, I don't care what else it does or doesn't do. Get video right and then add whatever other features you want as long as those features don't get in the way of the video function. No one is paying a subscription fee for integrated twitter feeds or livestats. The difference is that there are top notch alternatives for stats and social media (CHN, elynah chat, twitter, etc.) but there aren't any alternatives for video (at least as it pertains to Cornell).

I agree, but "video is the most important thing" does not equal "anything else they might offer is worthless".

I'll compromise.  Until they get video perfect any development resources they spend on anything else are wasted.

There may or may not be people who really want to see their Tweets show up alongside the broadcast, or hot links to whatever crossmarketing bullshit the provider hawks.  I suppose there are -- the rot set in long ago and the programming is tough to break.  As long as they do their job first, and we have the option to turn all that stuff off, they can go wild.

[phillysportsfan]

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Pac-12-Enterprises-and-NeuLion-Announce-Multi-Year-Partnership-TSX-NLN-1775610.htm

PAC12 also signs up with Neulion

[Jim Hyla]

I just got an email from Chelsea Nunn at NeuLion. She states that at this time it's not expected to be available on smartphones or settop boxes, but that might change. If you're really interested in that, I'd suggest you email NeuLion +/or the leaque and "nicely" say how happy you are that this is happening, and how much you'd like the other options. NeuLion does have the capacity to do it.

[billhoward]

I think you could fairly translate "has the capacity to do it" to "like we have any competition here."

[munchkin]

I just got an email from Chelsea Nunn at NeuLion. She states that at this time it's not expected to be available on smartphones or settop boxes, but that might change. If you're really interested in that, I'd suggest you email NeuLion +/or the leaque and "nicely" say how happy you are that this is happening, and how much you'd like the other options. NeuLion does have the capacity to do it.

I know this is lazy of me, but do you know to whom I should address an email if I say I want it available on my Roku - because that would be pretty sweet.

[Jim Hyla]

I just got an email from Chelsea Nunn at NeuLion. She states that at this time it's not expected to be available on smartphones or settop boxes, but that might change. If you're really interested in that, I'd suggest you email NeuLion +/or the leaque and "nicely" say how happy you are that this is happening, and how much you'd like the other options. NeuLion does have the capacity to do it.

I know this is lazy of me, but do you know to whom I should address an email if I say I want it available on my Roku - because that would be pretty sweet.

The email addresses are at the end of the Ivy League press release. I sent to Chelsea Nunn at NeuLion, but I think cc to both would be the best, and the more that send in, the better. So if you know other Ivy school grads, encourage them to add to the mix.

Oh hell, here are the email addresses. I felt I might as well make it as easy as possible (for those who are lazy).:-}

MEDIA CONTACTS
Scottie Rodgers
The Ivy League
609-258-2999
scottie@ivyleaguesports.com

Chelsea Nunn
NeuLion
516-622-8381
chelsea.nunn@neulion.com

[Rosey]

Here's what I just sent them:

Chelsea, Scottie:

I'm cautiously optimistic to hear about the new Ivy League streaming video solution that has been announced, but I wanted to add my voice to those who are primarily concerned about video quality.

As a Cornell grad, I've dealt with several poor video solutions in a row for ice hockey for a decade: low bitrate, low resolution, low framerate, poor reliability, camera operator not paying attention to the game, etc. Furthermore, the inability to see away games has limited its appeal and made the value proposition questionable.

Briefly, here's my take on how the features of this service should be prioritized:

1. Video quality: high-definition, 30fps. No more of this fuzzy 240p video at 15fps. I'd like to be able to see the puck and read the numbers on the backs of the jerseys. I'd also like the camera operator to follow the game and not be caught behind the play all the time.

2. Reliability: the video stream should always be available, with updates on the website indicating the cause of the downtime and an ETA for its return in the event of problems.

3. Universality: the video stream must be available on all common platforms, including Mac and Linux. Ideally, however, it should be as universal as Youtube: I would like to be able to watch it on my Roku set top box, or from within XBMC with a plugin, or on my Android tablet/phone. That means video should be encoded in a standard format (e.g., h.264). RedCast (through Sidearm) is an example of how NOT to provide video, being limited to platforms with access to Adobe Flash.

4. Simple interface: one of the really nice things about Yale's use of Youtube has been the simple interface that Youtube provides: even from within a web browser, the interface is fast and simple, and making it full screen is possible with one click of the mouse. RedCast by contrast is an incredibly heavy-weight interface that is slow and clunky.

5. Away games: having access to both home and away Ivy League games without having to pay an additional fee or manage a separate account would be great.

6. Everything else. If you want to incorporate social networking integration or game tracking or whatever, go nuts, but please don't interfere with the video in any way because I don't care about any of this stuff: I just want the video to work.

While I love the price of Yale's solution (free), I would be happy to pay for a high-quality service that provides me with reliable and universal access.

Thanks for your consideration.

[Trotsky]

That's a great letter Kyle.  Thank you for taking the time to compose and send it.

[BMac]

Here's my exchange:


Bernardo:

Thank you for the nice email and words of encouragement. We are hard at work with the Ivy League to make it a success.  Thank you for making us aware the posts.

Thank you,

Greg

Gregory T. Willis
Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing
{telephone, cell, email, and skype info (!) redacted}


 

From: Bernardo {REDACTED}
Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 1:28 PM
To: NeuLion Sales
Subject: Ivy League Hockey



Hi,

I just wanted to write in and tell you how happy I am that you guys will be taking over the Cornell Hockey broadcasts.

There is a huge fanbase that watches games online regularly, and Cornell could easily increase it by offerring good streaming video and publicizing it properly. Although they improved quality this last season, the former vendor's videos were atrocious. To give you an idea, there is a 324 post thread on the Cornell hockey forum entitled "Redcast Really Sucks."

So: thanks! Please do a great job there, a lot of people care and will be watching.

Best,
Bernardo