Overcast Media
Encyclopedia
Overcast Media Inc. is a digital media technology company based in Seattle, WA. Overcast Media partners with other media companies to help them add user generated content on top of existing video assets. Their service makes it easy for anyone to add their own commentary to television shows, sporting events and movies, while respecting the intellectual property rights of the underlying television show.
). This process is called Overcasting
. Additionally, their synchronization technology works with many Flash based players currently in use online. Overcasting handles timing variations found across different sources and file formats. Along with audio commentary, Overcasts can contain text, web links, graphics and arbitrary meta-data.
Overcast Media has a stand-alone flash based Overcast player and editor as well as a client side Overcast Player, browser plug-in and separate Overcast Authoring Studio. All of these work in conjunction with the a web based Overcasting service.
. The client side software is now available only to partners. The service may be accessed on the Overcast Media Homepage. At present, the Flash based player is available for Mac, Linux and Windows XP and Vista. The client side components are only available for XP and Vista.
', 'podcasts' and 'overlay'.
Technology
Overcast Media has developed a synchronization technology which allows authors to create commentary over one video source (ex. a digital recording) and allows consumers to view the commentary in sync with a different video source (ex. a show acquired through Amazon UnboxAmazon Unbox
Amazon Instant Video is an Internet video on demand service, only available in the United States, offered by Amazon.com which offers television shows and films for rental and purchase. The service became available on September 7, 2006 as Amazon Unbox...
). This process is called Overcasting
Overcasting
Overcasting is the process of broadcasting content that is meant to be played over and in sync with another piece of content. For example, a forensics expert might create commentary for an episode of CSI and share that commentary independent of the original video...
. Additionally, their synchronization technology works with many Flash based players currently in use online. Overcasting handles timing variations found across different sources and file formats. Along with audio commentary, Overcasts can contain text, web links, graphics and arbitrary meta-data.
Overcast Media has a stand-alone flash based Overcast player and editor as well as a client side Overcast Player, browser plug-in and separate Overcast Authoring Studio. All of these work in conjunction with the a web based Overcasting service.
Availability
Currently, the Flash based player is available on their own site and on partner sites like RiffTrax'sRiffTrax
RiffTrax are downloadable audio commentaries featuring comedians Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett heckling films in the style of Mystery Science Theater 3000, a TV show in which Nelson was the head writer, and later the host. The RiffTrax are sold online and delivered by digital...
. The client side software is now available only to partners. The service may be accessed on the Overcast Media Homepage. At present, the Flash based player is available for Mac, Linux and Windows XP and Vista. The client side components are only available for XP and Vista.
Miscellaneous
Overcasting derives its name from 'broadcastingBroadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
', 'podcasts' and 'overlay'.