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Biographical Information

Dan Rayburn

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Dan Rayburn is a veteran speaker and writer on streaming media technology and online video business models. Formerly the executive VP of Streaming Media, Rayburn is now chairman of the Streaming Summit, an industry conference he formed with the NAB in 2018, that takes place in Vegas and NYC each year. He is also a principal analyst at Frost & Sullivan.

Articles for Dan Rayburn

Why Haven’t OTT Services Solved the Monetization Problem?

Viewers don't get the same experience across all viewing platforms, and until they do broadcasters will have a tough time making money online.

Fresh Blood: Look Outside the Industry for Marketing Geniuses

Hiring a sales manager? Promote from within. Looking for a marketing pro? Look anywhere else. Here's why video companies should disrupt the hiring process.

Apple HEVC Move Means Higher Encoding Costs

Hardware acceleration and field programmable gate arrays may be the answer to the rising costs of encoding for multiple codecs including H.264, H.265, VP9, and soon AV1

OTT’s Troubling Trend: Is Anyone Actually Making Money?

With premium content licensing costs through the roof, streaming video and audio services are struggling to become profitable. Run the numbers, Wall Street, because they don't add up.

Another Nail in Flash’s Coffin: CDN Support Rapidly Dwindling

By this time next year, Flash support from the major content delivery networks will have virtually ended. Here's where Flash stands today.

Online Video Advertising Is Broken, and It’s Only Getting Worse

What about the current mess of player types, lack of standards, and constant buffering do video publishers and advertisers think is good?

CDNs Phasing Out RTMP Support as Flash Fades Away

Here's a look at all the major content delivery networks' plans for ending support for RTMP and Flash streaming

North American Transit Pricing From Major Providers Down 10%

Based on original research, we find that North American transit pricing is down. AT&T is by far the most expensive, with all others in a similar range.

Microsoft Introduces Stream, New Enterprise Video Platform

Building from Office 365 Video, Stream is Microsoft's attempt at an end-to-end enterprise video platform. Anyone can try it for free now, but the company will start charging later this year.

Beamr Acquires Vanguard Video, Raises $15M In New Funding

The acquisition joins Beamr's video file size reduction abilities with Vanguard's video encoding expertise, strengthening Beamr's place in the ecosystem.

1995: Microsoft and RealNetworks Battle for the Future of Video

In this 20th anniversary retrospective, learn how the battle between Microsoft and RealNetworks set the stage for the streaming video industry's growth.

Ooyala Releases IQ Video Analytics as Standalone Product

Service can be used with JW Player, Brightcove, Kaltura, thePlatform, Flowplayer, and YouTube via API

Bowing to Industry Pressure, HEVC Advance Will Adjust Fees

The new patent pool has come to its senses and will changes fees based on widespread feedback. But the details aren't all in yet.

Apple Leads in Living Room Streaming, But Google Is Catching Up

The set-top box marketing is booming, right? Then why did Sony recently exit the market? And why do TiVo's numbers continue to dwindle?

Cedexis Announces New Video Service For Improving QoS

Cedexis, long known for its multi-CDN/multicloud solutions for general purpose HTTP and HTTPS traffic, announced a product—Cedexis Buffer Killer—that is specifically aimed at the online video space.

With HEVC Royalty Payments Getting Steep, it's Thor to the Rescue

What can battle the two HEVC patent pools and the third one being formed? Cisco's open source video codec Thor is on the horizon.

Cicso Plans an End Run Around Greedy Patent Pools With Thor

There are now two HEVC patent pools with a third one on the way. But with enough industry support Cisco could create a high-quality royalty-free alternative.

Boycott HEVC Advance! Say No to the Patent Pool's Unjust Terms

Columnist Dan Rayburn calls on the online video industry to band together and refuse HEVC Advance's unfair, unreasonable, and greedy charges.

HEVC Advance Announces Royalty Rates, Wants 0.5% of Gross Revenue

Licensing costs for Netflix and Facebook would total over $100 million per year, and terms are retroactive. Group calls terms "fair and reasonable."

HEVC Advance Patent Pool Creates Confusion, Lacks Transparency

Details are sparse about HEVC Advance. The industry knew a second HEVC pool might form, but why do patent holders have a problem with MPEG LA?

FCC's "Open Internet" Proposal Fails to Address Real Issues

In the latest salvo in the debate over "net neutrality," the FCC released a fact sheet outlining proposed rules, but they don't address interconnection and ISP competition

Commentary: Stream Optimization Vendors Need to Be More Open

Stream optimization holds great promise, particularly in the OTT space, but vendors need to do a better job of educating the market about what they can accomplish—and what it costs

Ugly Net Neutrality Debate Full of Illogical Ideas and Assumptions

Net neutrality is a an incredibly complex set of problems that politicians and pundits oversimplify

Cogent Says it Slowed Down Netflix Traffic Earlier This Year

ISP admits that it created a "fast lane" for non-Netflix traffic in February and March, right around the time Netflix signed an interconnection deal with Comcast

Don't Blame the ISPs! Netflix's Choices Caused Massive Slowdown

Everyone's favorite SVOD is quick to point the finger and demand greater net neutrality, but new data shows Netflix's choices led to widespread harm.

Apple's $100M Investment Marks a Shift Away From Third-Party CDNs

Apple is known for controlling the customer experience, so creating its own delivery infrastructure was the final piece of the puzzle.

Telstra Pays $270M to Acquire OVP Ooyala, 5x Revenue Valuation

Australian telco Telstra already owned 23% of Ooyala; now, it's putting up another $270M for a 98% ownership of the company.

Apple Goes Live with Own CDN in U.S. and Europe

With a massive amount of capacity ready to go, Apple will bring much of its traffic to its own CDN, giving the company more control over the customer experience.

YouTube Reported to Buy Twitch for $1B; Here's What it Will Gain

Think the video game broadcaster isn't worth that much? Think again: Twitch TV gets over 45 million unique visitors each month averaging 106 minutes per day.

Comcast Quietly Launches New CDN, Focuses on Last Mile Delivery

Targeted to medium- and large-size content owners, Comcast's CDN comes with a strong SLA and reasonable prices for delivering over the last mile

Amazon Fire TV Review: Don't Believe the Hype, it's a Clunky Mess

Viewers who only search for and watch Amazon content will love the Fire TV. But anyone who watches other sources, like Netflix or Hulu, will see this box is a dud.

Netflix Blog Post Muddies the Waters on Net Neutrality

Reed Hastings says he wants stronger rules and will fight for the internet, but really he's only fighting for his own business interests. Where's the detailed alternative?

Netflix and Comcast: Exploring the Numbers Behind the Agreement

It's time to clear away the many myths and misconceptions surrounding the controversial distribution deal between Netflix and Comcast.

Roku: 8 Million Sold and Counting

Number includes both Roku boxes and Roku Streaming Sticks; company also says that average user streams 13 hours per week and that total streaming grew by 70% to 1.7 billion hours in 2013

Transit: What it Is, How it Works

Thanks to the Netflix/Comcast agreement, there's been a lot of discussion about transit in the press. Unfortunately, most of it is uninformed.

Why the Comcast-Netflix Deal Is a Win for Consumers

There's more misinformation being written about this agreement than actual information. Lazy tech sites need to understand: It's not about net neutrality!

Why the Netflix Vs. Verizon Debate Is Completely Off-Base

Listen up, conspiracy theorists: It's not about net neutrality! The complicated reality is that Netflix video quality is due to a variety of business decisions.

Apple Starting to Build Out Its Own CDN

Apple's CDN buildout will deliver content to consumers, though it's not clear if Apple will use it for popular or longtail content, or what the effect will be on the company's relationships with Akamai and Level 3.

4K Reality Check: Content Owners Can't Afford the Bandwidth

Everyone's talking about 4K and HEVC at CES, but nobody's talking about what it costs to deliver. Here's a breakdown of delivery costs, and a look into why we shouldn't look for too much 4K streaming content any time soon.

OVPs Still Rely Too Much on Bandwidth Resale

With bandwidth and storage prices in decline, online video platforms need to look for new revenue models if they want to keep profits hight.

Verizon Will Acquire EdgeCast for $400M, Replacing In-House CDN

EdgeCast will become a part of Verizon Digital Media Services, but its full management team will stay in place. Learn why this is bad news for Akamai.

Why MSOs Should Not Switch Directly From MPEG-2 to HEVC

AVC is a mature and proven choice, while HEVC is still in its infancy. Dan Rayburn challenges the common wisdom on HEVC.

Level 3 On Pace to Overtake Limelight as #2 CDN Based on Revenue

Level 3's CDN revenue has been growing by 30% or more—double the industry average—for the last three years, and the company is poised to take in $130 million in CDN revenue in 2013

Instart Logic Aims to Disrupt Mobile Delivery: Here's How

Instart Logic claims to have developed a new and unique approach to delivering web content faster to end-users. If the technology works as promised, this could signal a shift in the way web applications are delivered and it may change how the industry relies on edge caching, network acceleration, and full page downloads today.

A $405 Million Price Tag for Adap.tv? AOL Paid Way Too Much!

The entire online video ad market is overinflated, and AOL paid several times what unprofitable Adap.tv is worth.

Netflix Delivers SuperHD Video: Offers 6Mbps to the Masses

The leading SVOD service opens up its best video quality, streaming it to more viewers, more ISPs, and more devices.

MSOs Shouldn't Rush to Switch to HEVC

HEVC is no flash in the pan, but until there's a mature ecosystem, MSOs are better off looking at AVC as the next logical step from MPEG-2

Cutting Through the Hype of HEVC (H.265)

Think HEVC will be in place in the near future? Think again. Here are three myths about the emerging standard and the sobering reality for each.

Samsung Acquires Boxee, Reportedly for $30M in Cash

Since Boxee devices were never a hit with buyers, questions remain as to how Samsung will integrate Boxee's technology.

New CDN from Instart Logic Specializes in Delivering Web Apps over Mobile Networks

The CDN market is crowded with vendors focusing on video, but there have been few solutions for delivering web applications, especially over mobile. Instart Logic's new CDN hopes to fill that void.

Amazon Steps Up its Content Delivery Game with Custom SSL Support

Custom SSL domain names and root domain hosting support features now available to content owners who want to deliver static and dynamic content via Amazon's CloudFront delivery service.

Online Streaming Won't Replace Cable TV in the Near Future

Think cable's days are numbered? Think again. Conviva data on stream quality shows that 60 percent of the 22.6 billion streams it monitored in 2012 suffered quality issues.

KIT Digital to File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Three of the company's largest shareholders will buy back the core assets to create a new company called Piksel. Read on for all the details, and to learn why this is a positive step.

Aereo's No Disruptor: Commentary

Despite the lawsuits and the media hype, Aereo can't compete with cable television, and its flawed business model is dead on arrival

Quick and Nimble Thinking Needed for the Online Video Industry

Hardware vendors, delivery networks, advertising firms, and OVPs: it's time to change strategies and adapt to market challenges.

Amazon Launches a Cloud-Based Video Transcoding Service

Amazon has jumped into cloud transcoding with Amazon Elastic. While it could shake up the market, so far it's loaded with limitations (like only supporting H.264/AAC output).

Insiders Detail Accounting Irregularities at KIT Digital

After KIT said it will need to restate 14 quarters' worth of earnings, indications point towards a possible SEC investigation

Google Needs a Strategy for Video on Android Devices

Unlike Apple's iOS platform, Google has yet to provide an easy way to get live video to Android devices. Worse yet, it hasn't offered a strategy for fixing the situation.

DSA? FEO? Transparent Caching? CDN Value-Add Services Demystified

CDNs typically offer helpful services beyond content delivery, but trying to understand those services can be confusing. Here's a cheat sheet to the most common value-add services.

Apple TV vs. Roku 2

The market is full of $99 streaming boxes, but Apple TV and Roku 2 are still the most popular. Here's an in-depth comparison on hardware, features, and content.

First Look: New Devices from Belkin, Vizio, Simple.TV, Roku

These four new or soon-to-be-released devices offer living room streaming for low price tags. Find out first what the next generation of connected TV add-ons will bring.

Netflix’s New CDN Is Good News for Everyone

Delivering lower CDN costs, higher quality streaming, and more control for ISPs, Netflix's CDN is a win for all parties involved.

Is Comcast is Prioritizing Their Video Over Competitor Traffic?

Based on a look at Quality of Service tags, Comcast appears to be violating at least the spirit of the Department of Justice terms that require them not to prioritize their own video traffic over other content

Streaming Media East Puts Focus on How-To

From live streaming to closed captioning, from HTML5 to enterprise encoding, and all manner of topics in between, 20 how-to sessions at this year's Streaming Media East will offer practical advice on pressing challenges

Inside the Brightcove IPO: Analyzing the Numbers

Brightcove has a lot going for it as it readies its IPO, including its management team, but some of the numbers it has presented look overinflated. Here are the questions investors need to ask.

CES 2012 News in Perspective

Sifting through the noise to bring you the highlights in streaming devices, smart TVs, and more from the Consumer Electronics Show last week in Las Vegas

CES 2012: Vizio Launches New Streaming Box

Will sell for $99, beats Roku and Apple TV in features, includes Google TV

What's Wrong with Netflix's Business Model?

With increased competition and licensing fees, Netflix's days as the over-the-top leader may be numbered

Akamai Likely to Buy Cotendo

While Juniper Networks and others have been mentioned as possible buyers, Akamai is in the lead for the Israel-based Cotendo

CDN Pricing Down 20% for 2011

The latest CDN pricing data shows a drop of about 20% for 2011, the smallest decline in the last three years

For the Future of Online Video, Look to Amazon's Kindle Fire Tablet

The Kindle Fire is going to sell like crazy, and that's good news for online video creators. Re-tweet this column for a chance to win one of three brand new Kindle Fire tablets.

Mobile Delivery Matters, so Speed Up Your Site

The mobile revolution is taking off: Smart sites are lightening their load times, while CDNs are waking up to the huge opportunity in front of them.

Dish and Blockbuster Announcement All Hot Air and Hype

Blockbuster Movie Pass no threat to Netflix, as the Dish-owned service lacks a streaming-only subscription plan.

Netflix Streaming Puts the Squeeze on ISPs

The rapidly expanding internet traffic from Netflix has ISPs waving the white flag: low-cost movies are busting their budgets.

Netflix Price Change Highlights Company's Revenue Pinch

Customers who want DVDs from Netflix will see their subscription fee rise to $15.98 a month; expect many to convert to the streaming-only plan

Akamai Faces Challenges with Licensed CDN Offering

When it comes to offering a licensed CDN product, Akamai has a lot going for it. But it needs to become more transparent and tailor its platform specifically for telcos to make it work.

Federated CDN Becoming a Reality with Operator Carrier Exchange

Carriers and telcos are coming together to form the Operator Carrier Exchange (OCX). Details are sketchy, but the plan is for telcos and carriers to collaborate on CDN standards and allow for interconnection among member CDNs

Amazon Prime Instant Streaming Service Gains Over 1,000 Titles

Only four months after launch, Amazon's video-on-demand Prime service gains over 1,000 movies and TV shows, showing that the company is serious about catching up with Netflix.

AT&T Enters Cloud CDN Space Using Cotendo and EdgeCast

While AT&T has technically been in the CDN space for years, expect stronger results now that the company is shifting away from home-grown solutions.

Inside Cotendo's Mobile Acceleration Service

Cotendo's new service addresses mobile acceleration at three layers: the network layer, the content layer, and the business logic layer. Here's a detailed look at each one.

Akamai to License CDN Software for Carriers and Telcos

As telcos and carriers look to build out their own content delivery solutions, Akamai is developing a Licensed CDN software product to meet the demand

Will Bandwidth Caps Strangle Netflix? Not Likely

While there's been a lot of worry over the impact of bandwidth caps, it shouldn't have any impact on Netflix since most subscribers stream low-bitrate video.

Try Out Apple TV, Google TV, Boxee, More at Streaming Media East

The Broadband Device Pavilion will let attendees get hands-on with the latest devices including Apple, Google, Boxee, and Roku, and check out content from HBO, ESPN, MLB, and others

Netflix Streaming Usage Growth Challenges Last-Mile Operators

The average Netflix subscriber views about 10 hours of content with the "Watch Now" streaming feature, putting a strain on ISPs' bandwidth and costs

Will Kit Digital Buy thePlatform from Comcast?

Sources say that Comcast is ready to sell thePlatform, five years after acquiring it, and that the likely buyer is Kit Digital.

Amazon Streaming Will Disrupt Netflix's Market: Commentary

It won't take long for Amazon Prime Streaming to become a major challenger to Netflix, since the company owns the entire ecosystem for its video distribution

Yahoo! Japan Signs with Ooyala

In a multi-year deal, Yahoo! Japan will rely on Ooyala's platform for video delivery, subscription, and advertising services, and will re-sell it as a white label service.

Global Crossing Says FCC Should Regulate Last-Mile Fees

Telco claims that broadband ISPs are distorting the economics of the historical peering relationships that existed between carriers

Cisco White Paper Studies Adaptive Streaming over HTTP

How well do Microsoft and Adobe's adaptive streaming technologies perform over HTTP? A white paper from Cisco and the Georgia Institute of Technology uncovers surprising answers.

Ignite Buys P2P Assets from Abacast

Ignite has snapped up unused P2P assets from Abacast, as well as two patents.

Cable Still Beats Online Video for Value: Commentary

Sorry, cord-cutters. Cable TV continues to provide an experience that online video will never replace.

Cisco Beefs Up Videoscape with Inlet; Analytics Platform Next?

Cisco's acquistion of Inlet Technologies is valued at $95 million, and is likely not the last one the company makes to round out the Videoscape ecosystem

AT&T Expanding CDN With Edgecast Software

AT&T's partnership with Edgecast, like its partnership with Cotendo, should enable the telco to build out its CDN offering more quickly than if it had attempted to do it all in-house

Amazon Readies Netflix-like Movie Streaming Service

Leaked details show that Amazon will challenge Netflix with its own all-you-can-stream online video service. The offering will be built on Amazon Prime, so subscribers will also gain free two-day shipping on purchases.

Device Comparison: Apple TV vs. Roku vs. WD TV Live Plus vs. Sony SMP-N100

A look at four of the leading connected devices reveals no clear winner, and in fact highlights the fact that this market is nowhere near mature yet

Tata Communications Acquiring BitGravity

After acquiring 15% of CDN BitGravity in 2008, India-based Tata Communications is now expected to acquire the entire company

CDN Pricing Down 20%; Should Remain Stable in Next Year

Though not as steep a decline as the 45% drop we saw in 2009, 2010 brought continued price reductions for third-party CDN customers

Transparent Caching and its Role in the CDN Market

Read this to clear away the confusion about what transparent caching is, how it differs from regular caching, and the role it plays in the CDN industry.

How Dynamic Site Acceleration Works

dynamic site acceleration is a suite of technologies and/or products that make websites reliant on dynamically served content perform better, load faster, and ultimately, make more money. Here's a look at the specifics, and how Akamai and Cotendo are taking slightly different approaches.

Apple TV vs. Roku XDS: The Winner Is...

Dan Rayburn compares the features and functionality of the new Apple TV and the Roku XDS. Read on to find out which one he declares victorious.

Reviewed: ESPN on Xbox 360

In June, Microsoft and ESPN announced a deal to bring over 3,500 live events a year to Xbox LIVE gold members via the Xbox 360 console. Here's a hands-on review of what the service will look like.

Update: Hulu Plus Coming to Roku Boxes

It's official: Hulu's paid service will soon be available to Roku owners, but not Hulu's free service.

Video Review: The New Roku Box

Roku officially unveils its new set-top boxes tomorrow, but we give you a sneak preview of the new features, which include USB and 1080p HD support

"Commoditization" is Not a Dirty Word

Vendors should embrace the fact that the pieces in the online video ecosystem have become commoditized, as it lets them focus on what's really important to customers

Stream This!: Hulu Plus Is No Threat to Netflix

Telestream Grabs Anystream

Telestream is buying Grab Networks' Anystream business, and will now manage Anystream's line of Agility and Velocity products, which are enterprise-class transcoding and media-management platforms.

Limelight Acquires Delve Networks For Enterprise Video Management

Limelight Networks announced they have acquired online video platform Delve Networks in a mostly cash and small equity transaction.

Highwinds Poised for Strong Growth

Along with the company's strong revenue numbers, Highwind's acquisition of Bandcon puts it in a position to re-launch CDN services

Commentary: TV Everywhere is All Hype

Comcast is raising rates to pay for "free" Xfinity services because users won't willingly pay for TV Everywhere

CEO Q&A: KIT Digital's Kaleil Isaza Tuzman

KIT Digital's CEO discusses the many acquisitions his company has made in the past 18 months, as well as how they position the company in the online video competitive landscape

Hulu Plus Gets an A+

From a technical and ease-of-use perspective, Hulu Plus is top-notch on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Hulu Officially Launches $9.99 Subscription Service, App For iPhone, PS3 Soon

Finally all of the rumors and speculation can be put to rest. Hulu just announced on its blog that starting today, users can sign up for an invite to Hulu Plus for $9.99 a month

Commentary: Hulu Plus is no Threat to Netflix

Despite what pundits are saying, Hulu Plus and Netflix are different services and don't necessarily compete on the same playing field

CDN Pricing Stabilizing, On Pace for 25% Drop in 2010

Data from the first quarter of 2010 shows CDN pricing continues to decline, though not nearly as steeply as it did in 2009

Commentary: Hulu is No Threat to Netflix

Stifel Nicolas analyst George Askew cut his Netflix rating from "buy" to "hold," citing future competition from Hulu. Here's why he's wrong.

ESPN Coming to Xbox 360 Users

Will offer more than 3,500 live events in HD, free for Xbox LIVE gold members

Stream This!: Encoding.com: A Company to Watch

Earlier this year, I finally got around to taking a closer look at Encoding.com's web-based transcoding platform; I've been running some videos through the system and getting some more details on the service, and the more time I spend using the service, talking to its customers, and talking to the company's founder and president, the more I like this company.

Analysis: The Underlying Story Behind Adobe's Failed Mobile Strategy

The past weeks' events surrounding the new language in Apple's iPhone Developer Program License Agreement have exposed the San Jose software giant's shortcomings in the mobile space. Here's what went wrong.

For Adobe, There Is A Lot More At Stake Than Apple Devices

Adobe needs to stop focusing on the iPad and start emphasizing the strengths of its content creation and delivery ecosystem

Brightcove Raises $12M In Funding

Brightcove CEO says latest funding round will be used to expand geographically, add more staff, and look at potential M&A

CDN News Roundup: 2009 Content Delivery Year in Review

Stream This: It’s Time for Tiered Performance and Pricing Plans: CDNs Must Evolve

Stream This: YouTube Myths Far From Busted

Stream This!: Streaming to TV

The Content Is There, but the People Aren’t ... Yet

The Future of the CDN Market

The number of vendors is likely to shrink, while those that remain will provide more services.
Tues., Aug. 11, by Dan Rayburn

Stream This!: Netflix's Streaming Costs

While Netflix doesn't give out much information on its streaming delivery costs, it is possible to estimate those numbers with a little number-crunching.

Stream This!: Video CDN Pricing Stable for Now

CDN pricing remains constant at the moment, so don't expect a big drop in 2009.

Stream This: Netflix Needs a Business Model

Netflix is moving more and more toward streaming, a move that will serve the company well down the road. But how do they plan to make money off of it?

Stream This!: Pulling Back the Curtain on Level 3

Level 3 Communications CEO Jim Crowe sits down to discuss his company's CDN business.

The State of the Content Delivery Market

To those who are new to the online video industry, it may seem like the content delivery market has been around for only a few years. But amazingly, 2008 marks the 13th year since some of the first CDNs began offering streaming media services on the internet.
Tues., Aug. 12, by Dan Rayburn

Stream This: Application Delivery: Akamai's Secret Weapon?

Application delivery is perhaps the least-understood of Akamai's offerings, but it just might represent the most growth opportunity for the company in the coming months.

Growth Spurt: CDN Year in Review

Online video continued to grow in 2007, and CDNs were there to reap the benefits.

Choosing a CDN

Despite confusion in the market, simply knowing what questions to ask a CDN and knowing what your specific needs are can make the process of selecting one much easier.

Stream This: Webcasting Large Entertainment Events - Seeing Through the Hype

It's time to face the facts: As good as it is for the enterprise and government verticals, there's still no proof of ROI for webcasting blockbuster events.

A Pricing Guide to Online Video Delivery and Storage

Though price isn’t the only issue you need to take into consideration when choosing a service provider, the bottom line is still the bottom line. Here’s what you should pay for delivery and storage.
Fri., June 14, by Dan Rayburn

Digital Media Patents for Profit

Acacia's not the only company aggressively pursuing these hot patents as potential revenue generators, and target companies need a sound response strategy should Acacia or any other firm come looking for licensing fees.
Thurs., June 7, by Dan Rayburn, Rebecca Kirk, and Almudena Arcelus

Digital Media Patents for Profit

A look at patent trolling as a business strategy

2007 Online Video Delivery and Storage Pricing Guide

A look at real pricing numbers from both large, globally focused content delivery networks and smaller regional service providers

Five Questions: Shopping for Video Hosting

How to discuss and ensure quality with service providers and CDNs

How to Shop for Video Hosting

Since no two providers seem to name and sell their services in the same way, here is a list of the five most important questions you’ll want to ask when evaluating any provider.
Mon., Feb. 12, by Dan Rayburn

Stream This!: Online Video Delivery Pricing Demystified

Let’s examine the two biggest factors that affect the price of service—bandwidth commit and storage—and discuss strategies for getting the best price. I’ll also pin down some real numbers for going pricing rates today.

Stream This!: Online Video Delivery Pricing Demystified

It's not easy to figure out whether you're getting a good deal for bandwidth commit and storage. Here are some tips—and real-world numbers—to help make sure you're not paying too much.
Mon., Oct. 23, by Dan Rayburn

Flash vs. Windows Media: Choosing the Right Format

Video quality shouldn't be the only--or even the most important--factor when it comes to selecting a format. Scalability, rights management, user experience, and other considerations are just as crucial to your decision.
Tues., July 18, by Dan Rayburn

Google Video: Asleep At The Wheel

Google’s new Video Store offers clips from the NBA and CBS—right along with clips containing graphic sexual content and violence that appears to violate the company’s own video program policies. The end result? An embarrassment to the entire industry.
by Dan Rayburn

Commentary: Hell Freezes Over -- Real & Microsoft to Collaborate

A smart business move? Perhaps. But in the long run, it could stifle the very kind of technology innovation that turned the two companies into industry giants.
by Dan Rayburn

Eyes on the Enterprise

It’s no longer a question of whether or not you can afford to add streaming media to your corporate communications toolbox, but whether you can afford not to?

Patently Absurd? Streaming Users Face Acacia Patent Fight

CA-based holding company Acacia Research claims they hold patents on streaming, downloading and just about every form of digital audio and video distribution--including pushing MP3s from P2P groups, streaming newscasts from Internet radio sites and delivering movies through cable networks.

What You Need To Know To Select The Right Service Provider

For all of the advances in the streaming media industry over the years - the most commonly asked and confusing question still facing corporations is how to pick the right service provider.by Dan Rayburn

Broadcasting Live Events: What You Need To Know - Understanding The Basics

Broadcasting a live event on the Internet requires a host of various resources. Outsourcing all or part of the process can leave you with more questions than answers. This two-part tutorial will provide an outline and checklist of what you need to know to stay ahead of the game.

It’s All About Communication

There’s no denying the tremendous utility in streaming media to deliver information faster, more efficiently, and to a global audience. Columnist Dan Rayburn speaks