Streamium
Encyclopedia
Streamium is a line of IP-enabled entertainment products by Dutch electronics multi-national Philips Consumer Electronics
. Streamium products allow users to consume digital entertainment and multimedia content—whether stored on their desktop computer
s or delivered through Internet
-based services—on their home entertainment
and/or audio sets. Using Wi-Fi
music streams wirelessly to almost any type of audio equipment, anywhere in a house. With a Wireless Multimedia Adapter, it is also possible to play downloaded movies directly on an analog television set or to access the internet wirelessly.
Essentially, how it works is that a Streamium device plugged into the local home network will be able to see multimedia files that are in different UPnP-enabled computers, PDAs and other networking devices (loaded with UPnP AV MediaServer software). I.e. NAS that supports UPnP, or even a UPnP enabled phone like the Nokia N93
, Nokia N80
etc.
Moreover, the Streamium family of products, depending on the media capabilities, allows a consumer to connect to internet radio
stations and internet photo sharing
(Yahoo! Photos), movie trailers services directly. Subscriptions to web-based services requiring subscriptions would be managed through the Club Philips portal (see below).
In all cases, using a computer with RSS
receiver together with a UPnP AV MediaServer, it is possible to play back audio/video podcast
. Some of the popular feeds include BBC live, Geekbrief, Reuters, Metacafe, YouTube. Although in most cases this video podcaster uses codec formats not supported by Streamium, it's still possible by using software codec transcoders on the PC to convert them to MPEG format.
Philips Media Manager, is—since SimpleCenter version 4-- a free open source UPnP AV MediaServer for Windows and Macintosh that is bundled with Streamium. Version 3 of SimpleCenter, was initially developed for inclusion with the Streamium line of products. Since Streamium devices also support photos and videos, SimpleCenter ships with video and image support, under the name 'Philips Media Manager' (PMM).
Options:
Streamium uses Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) technology. It works with both Microsoft Windows
-based computers and Macintosh computers.
' audio business group in Sunnyvale (CA, USA) since May 2000. At the January 2001 Consumer Electronics Show
they announced and demonstrated the first integrated audio device connecting to "over a thousand internet radio stations".
The FW-i1000 was rapidly followed by a slew of other IP-enabled devices. The marketing name "Streamium" and the slogan "Don't dream it, stream-it" was coined and globally registered by Ramon de la Fuente (now at Google) who replaced Tony Cher as a product manager in 2001.
January 2001
January 2002
January 2003
Announced at the same event:
Both the Streamium-TV and MX6000i were capable of offering video content hosted by a web-based service, the precursor of net TV.
August 2004
September 2004
September 2005
June 2006
January 2007
June 2007
January 2008
April 2008
June 2008
August 2008
November 2008
This back-end service allowed Streamium devices to connect to "any number" of web based content delivery services. The back-end would thereby function as a "switch-board" connecting the content delivery services with individual boxes. Moreover, the back-end service would allow Philips to build out an "after-sales" relationship with their customers through the web-based [UI]-extension and would stimulate some early form of web-based social networking with the streamium cafe web site that was set up by Mark Tuttle.
A navigation tree would be served to the Streamium-device from the Philips back-end, whereas the content itself would be directly streamed from the service to the Streamium-box subject to the site's policy (subject to the compulsory licences...). By manipulating the navigation tree from the front panel of the Streamium-device users could select desired the service, genre, artist, album, track...
From the start, Streamium-devices contained provisions (i.e. an IEEE EUI-64 containing an OUI
and a MAC-address, encryption
keys, product and software version codes) used to protect streams and support identification mechanisms, as well as allowing downloading of software upgrades (for bug-fixes as well as enabling new features).
In most cases. Streamium functionality was provided by a module (a [PCB]) based on an NXP TriMedia
PNX1300. This module implemented:
1. Connectivity to the home network
as well as to the Internet
(network stack, SAX
as opposed to DOM
XML
-parser, UPnP-stack)
2. Decoding
of compressed
(audio
, image
, video
) content
A user interface
extension was available on the Streamium web-site (my.philips.com) that would allow users to manage their preferences, services and devices.
On the frontpanel or through the on-screen display
(OSD) of the Streamium devices, users could mark their favorites or indicate they wanted to learn more about the song being played. The service would then send either an e-mail with more details, or post this info on my.philips.com with a click-through link (i.e. to Amazon.com for purchasing).
(DLNA) and other industry efforts.
The Streamiums were extensively used to build advanced concepts, even at other divisions of Philips such as Philips Semiconductors (now NXP Semiconductors), Philips Research and Philips Medical.
Philips Semiconductors would pick up on the vision of Philips Consumer Electronics
and task the "advanced system lab" to prototype this vision (first demos end 2004).
Concepts (such as those used in the Connected Home demos) would then be shown by the Streamium team in the "Philips-CE World Tour", an invitation only event at the yearly consumer Consumer Electronics Show
in Las Vegas to a selected audience.
The Philips Streamium MX6000i provided traditional home entertainment alongside access to audio-video content from a PC, UPnP mediaserver or online entertainment service. Services included music videos, Web movies, and cinema trailers.
The Philips Streamium service partners were:
There was no need to first download files to PC, or even to turn the PC on, to stream multimedia Internet content. (A broadband Internet connection is required.)
A wide array of Yahoo! services including on-demand music videos, movie trailers and clips and photo services was launched together with the Streamium range extension in Spring 2004.
Out of the box consumers would have access to free services. Additionally, a number of services would offer premium (subscription-based) online services allowing consumers to broaden and personalize their home entertainment experience.
The PC-based UI extension was part of the lean-forward/lean-backward approach to this potentially complicated product range:
In essence, the Philips service offering was a walled garden; but the fact that consumers could add and access their own favorite streams made it more of an open system.
Although never published, Streamium relied on an XML-based API—not unlike the APIs we see today published by Web-service providers (YouTube, eBay,...) -- and implemented XML-based APIs as offered by its service providers.
technologies which hampered their commercial success.
Philips' legal team had issues with the non-assertion clause that Microsoft required potential licensees to sign without prior opportunity to check the IP involved. Since Philips did and still does own a substantial patent-portfolio, product management was not allowed to risk signing away rights on a substantial number of important patents.
Philips Consumer Electronics
Philips Consumer Lifestyle is a part of Philips ; which is one of the largest electronics companies in the world. In 2005, its sales were € 30.4 billion and it employed 161,500 people in more than 60 countries. Other Philips divisions are: Philips Lighting, Philips Healthcare, Philips Domestic...
. Streamium products allow users to consume digital entertainment and multimedia content—whether stored on their desktop computer
Desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright...
s or delivered through Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
-based services—on their home entertainment
Home cinema
Home cinema, also commonly called home theater, are home entertainment set-ups that seek to reproduce a movie theater experience and mood with the help of video and audio equipment in a private home....
and/or audio sets. Using Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
music streams wirelessly to almost any type of audio equipment, anywhere in a house. With a Wireless Multimedia Adapter, it is also possible to play downloaded movies directly on an analog television set or to access the internet wirelessly.
Essentially, how it works is that a Streamium device plugged into the local home network will be able to see multimedia files that are in different UPnP-enabled computers, PDAs and other networking devices (loaded with UPnP AV MediaServer software). I.e. NAS that supports UPnP, or even a UPnP enabled phone like the Nokia N93
Nokia N93
The Nokia N93 is a smartphone by Nokia especially designed for multimedia use. It was introduced in April 2006 and released in July 2006.The N93 has improved camera capabilities compared with the earlier N90. The phone has a 3.2 megapixel camera, Carl Zeiss optics and 3x optical zoom as well as a...
, Nokia N80
Nokia N80
The Nokia N80 is a multimedia 3G smartphone made by Nokia with support for high-speed UMTS/WCDMA connections. Features include a 3.1 megapixel camera with built-in flash , another camera for videoconferencing, Wi-Fi , Universal Plug and Play , FM radio, Bluetooth 1.2, digital music player...
etc.
Moreover, the Streamium family of products, depending on the media capabilities, allows a consumer to connect to internet radio
Internet radio
Internet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
stations and internet photo sharing
Photo sharing
Photo sharing is the publishing or transfer of a user's digital photos online, thus enabling the user to share them with others . This function is provided through both websites and applications that facilitate the upload and display of images...
(Yahoo! Photos), movie trailers services directly. Subscriptions to web-based services requiring subscriptions would be managed through the Club Philips portal (see below).
In all cases, using a computer with RSS
RSS (file format)
RSS is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format...
receiver together with a UPnP AV MediaServer, it is possible to play back audio/video podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
. Some of the popular feeds include BBC live, Geekbrief, Reuters, Metacafe, YouTube. Although in most cases this video podcaster uses codec formats not supported by Streamium, it's still possible by using software codec transcoders on the PC to convert them to MPEG format.
Philips Media Manager, is—since SimpleCenter version 4-- a free open source UPnP AV MediaServer for Windows and Macintosh that is bundled with Streamium. Version 3 of SimpleCenter, was initially developed for inclusion with the Streamium line of products. Since Streamium devices also support photos and videos, SimpleCenter ships with video and image support, under the name 'Philips Media Manager' (PMM).
Options:
- Digital music streaming systems
- MultimediaMultimediaMultimedia is media and content that uses a combination of different content forms. The term can be used as a noun or as an adjective describing a medium as having multiple content forms. The term is used in contrast to media which use only rudimentary computer display such as text-only, or...
Links to add to your existing LCD TV and StereoStereophonic soundThe term Stereophonic, commonly called stereo, sound refers to any method of sound reproduction in which an attempt is made to create an illusion of directionality and audible perspective...
system. - Access all types of files and InternetInternetThe Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
with Streamium
Streamium uses Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) technology. It works with both Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
-based computers and Macintosh computers.
History
In 2000 Philips' consumer electronics division (business unit Audio) outlined an ambitious Internet strategy that was remarkably well executed initially: The Streamium brand was invented as well as a "Connected Home" vision. A sizeable number of products was announced, demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show (in Las Vegas, USA) and brought to market in the period between January 2000 and June 2003. In 2003 the "Connected Home" vision would be broadened to embrace the planet in the "Connected Planet" effort. This latest move was accompanied by an attempt to steer product development and industrialization from Eindhoven and to include other business units. Unfortunately, the "Connected Planet" withered, leaving a limited product portfolio of Streamiums.Products
The FW-i1000, an audio mini-system including a CD-changer and AM/FM radio, and considered to be the precursor to the Streamium product line, first shipped in June 2001. It had been in development by PhilipsPhilips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
' audio business group in Sunnyvale (CA, USA) since May 2000. At the January 2001 Consumer Electronics Show
Consumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
they announced and demonstrated the first integrated audio device connecting to "over a thousand internet radio stations".
The FW-i1000 was rapidly followed by a slew of other IP-enabled devices. The marketing name "Streamium" and the slogan "Don't dream it, stream-it" was coined and globally registered by Ramon de la Fuente (now at Google) who replaced Tony Cher as a product manager in 2001.
January 2001
- FW-i1000, with iM-networks service offered by Sonicbox, an aggregator of Internet radioInternet radioInternet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
service. A limited number of UPnP compliant prototypes where also made for use in the testing of the UPnP AV specifications.
January 2002
- The MCi200, with Philips back-end, several internet based services (and my.philips.com user interface extension protected by a number of patents)
- The iPronto, with WiFi/UPnP, links to security camera and offering a web-based electronic program guide a.k.a. EPG.
January 2003
- The MCi250, an upgrade to the MCi200 with WiFi and UPnP-compliant
Announced at the same event:
- The SL300i and SL400i wireless multi-media adapters
- The MX6000i, with WiFi/UPnP, video, pictures and photo service, music services, 5 DVD changer
- The Streamium-TV, a 32" LCD TV offering similar web-based services as the MX6000i
Both the Streamium-TV and MX6000i were capable of offering video content hosted by a web-based service, the precursor of net TV.
August 2004
- The SL50i wireless PC audio receiver.
September 2004
- The SLA5500 wireless multi-media adapter, to connect to both a PC and an audio system.
September 2005
- The SLA5520 wireless music receiver, the successor of the SLA5500 with access to free Internet radio stations.
June 2006
- WAK700 wireless multiroom music system, with a 40GB hard disk drive to store up to 750 CDs and 3 different ways to listen to music (Listen to different song in each room, take the music from room to room, Simultaneous playback on all stations)
- The WAK3300 wireless music station, with 3 ways to listen to music and 3 different alarm modes.
January 2007
- The WACS7000 wireless multiroom music system, the successor of the WACS700, with a 80GB hard disk drive to store up to 1500 CDs.
June 2007
- The SLM5500 and SLM5520 wireless multimedia adapters, to stream music from PC as the other Streamium devices but also to view pictures and movies stored on your computer on your TV.
January 2008
- The WACS7500 mutliroom music system, the successor of the WACS7500 with color display and access to free Internet radioInternet radioInternet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
stations.
April 2008
- The WAS6050 wireless music station, with 4 built-in speakers, and access to free Internet Radio stations.
June 2008
- The NP1100 network music player, to connect to both a PC and an audio system, with wireless access to Internet radio and online music services such as Rhapsody (online music service)Rhapsody (online music service)Rhapsody is an online music store subscription service, launched in December 2001, and available in the United States only. On April 6, 2010, Rhapsody officially declared its independence from RealNetworks. Downloaded files come with restrictions on their use, enforced by Helix, Rhapsody's version...
or NapsterNapsterNapster is an online music store and a Best Buy company. It was originally founded as a pioneering peer-to-peer file sharing Internet service that emphasized sharing audio files that were typically digitally encoded music as MP3 format files...
.
August 2008
- The MCI300 wireless micro hifi system
- The MCI500H wireless micro hifi system, with a 160GB hard disk drive to store up to 2000 CDs.
November 2008
- The NP2500 network music player, following the same principles as the NP1100 but with color display, the FullSound technology to restore the details in compressed music, and picture streaming
- The NP2900 network music player, with 4 built-in speakers (no need to connect to an audio system), the LivingSound technology to enjoy immersive music over a wider area and picture streaming.
Architecture
Whereas the FW-i1000 used the iM-networks service (then known as "SonicBox"), the end-to-end "Streamium" system designed by Daniel Meirsman, included a Philips owned back-end service (the "ECD-interface").This back-end service allowed Streamium devices to connect to "any number" of web based content delivery services. The back-end would thereby function as a "switch-board" connecting the content delivery services with individual boxes. Moreover, the back-end service would allow Philips to build out an "after-sales" relationship with their customers through the web-based [UI]-extension and would stimulate some early form of web-based social networking with the streamium cafe web site that was set up by Mark Tuttle.
A navigation tree would be served to the Streamium-device from the Philips back-end, whereas the content itself would be directly streamed from the service to the Streamium-box subject to the site's policy (subject to the compulsory licences...). By manipulating the navigation tree from the front panel of the Streamium-device users could select desired the service, genre, artist, album, track...
From the start, Streamium-devices contained provisions (i.e. an IEEE EUI-64 containing an OUI
OUI
OUI can refer to:* Organizationally Unique Identifier, a unique 24-bit string assigned to computer hardware manufacturers* Oracle Universal Installer, a Java-based graphical installation program introduced in Oracle 8i...
and a MAC-address, encryption
Encryption
In cryptography, encryption is the process of transforming information using an algorithm to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key. The result of the process is encrypted information...
keys, product and software version codes) used to protect streams and support identification mechanisms, as well as allowing downloading of software upgrades (for bug-fixes as well as enabling new features).
In most cases. Streamium functionality was provided by a module (a [PCB]) based on an NXP TriMedia
TriMedia (Mediaprocessor)
TriMedia is a family of very long instruction word media processors from NXP Semiconductors . TriMedia is a Harvard architecture CPU that features many DSP and SIMD operations to efficiently process audio and video data streams...
PNX1300. This module implemented:
1. Connectivity to the home network
Home network
A home network or home area network is a residential local area network . It is used for communication between digital devices typically deployed in the home, usually a small number of personal computers and accessories, such as printers and mobile computing devices...
as well as to the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
(network stack, SAX
Sax
-Places:* Sax, Alicante, a municipality in Spain* Saxmundham, UK - a colloquial short form used in East Suffolk* Sax, a village in the Sennwald municipality in Switzerland-People:* Sax, later "Sax-Hohensax", name a house of barons originally at Hohensax castle...
as opposed to DOM
DOM
DOM may refer to:*D.O.M. , a restaurant in São Paulo, Brazil*Days on market, how many days since a piece of real estate was listed for sale*Deo optimo maximo, Latin for "to the Greatest and Best God", originally Jove, later the Christian God...
XML
XML
Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....
-parser, UPnP-stack)
2. Decoding
Decoding
Decoding is the reverse of encoding, which is the process of transforming information from one format into another. Information about decoding can be found in the following:* Digital-to-analog converter, the use of analog circuit for decoding operations...
of compressed
Data compression
In computer science and information theory, data compression, source coding or bit-rate reduction is the process of encoding information using fewer bits than the original representation would use....
(audio
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
, image
Image
An image is an artifact, for example a two-dimensional picture, that has a similar appearance to some subject—usually a physical object or a person.-Characteristics:...
, video
Video
Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.- History :...
) content
A user interface
User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
extension was available on the Streamium web-site (my.philips.com) that would allow users to manage their preferences, services and devices.
On the frontpanel or through the on-screen display
On-screen display
An on-screen display is an image superimposed on a screen picture, commonly used by modern television sets, VCRs, and DVD players to display information such as volume, channel, and time.-History:...
(OSD) of the Streamium devices, users could mark their favorites or indicate they wanted to learn more about the song being played. The service would then send either an e-mail with more details, or post this info on my.philips.com with a click-through link (i.e. to Amazon.com for purchasing).
Technology Concepts
Under the direction of the Streamium team, Philips CE contributed significantly to both UPnP and Digital Living Network AllianceDigital Living Network Alliance
The Digital Living Network Alliance is a non-profit collaborative trade organization established by Sony in June 2003, and has more than 250 member companies in the mobile, consumer electronics, PC, and service provider industries...
(DLNA) and other industry efforts.
The Streamiums were extensively used to build advanced concepts, even at other divisions of Philips such as Philips Semiconductors (now NXP Semiconductors), Philips Research and Philips Medical.
Philips Semiconductors would pick up on the vision of Philips Consumer Electronics
Philips Consumer Electronics
Philips Consumer Lifestyle is a part of Philips ; which is one of the largest electronics companies in the world. In 2005, its sales were € 30.4 billion and it employed 161,500 people in more than 60 countries. Other Philips divisions are: Philips Lighting, Philips Healthcare, Philips Domestic...
and task the "advanced system lab" to prototype this vision (first demos end 2004).
Concepts (such as those used in the Connected Home demos) would then be shown by the Streamium team in the "Philips-CE World Tour", an invitation only event at the yearly consumer Consumer Electronics Show
Consumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
in Las Vegas to a selected audience.
- Demonstration of a portable HDD-based and Wi-Fi enabled UPnP renderer (January 2002) for studies of portable entertainment.
- Demonstration of a fully-fledged UPnP enabled network (January 2003) with multiple renderers, servers and control points
- Bridging between UPnP and Zigbee was demonstrated to control lighting from a UPnP control point as well as a GPRS link that bridged to the UPnP network through a web server (January 2003), linking digital entertainment to home automationHome automationHome automation is the residential extension of "building automation". It is automation of the home, housework or household activity. Home automation may include centralized control of lighting, HVAC , appliances, and other systems, to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and...
and "ambiance control". - Use cases illustrating the use of RFID in interactive marketing, identification and personalisation (January 2003).
- Tests with the RhapsodyRhapsody (online music service)Rhapsody is an online music store subscription service, launched in December 2001, and available in the United States only. On April 6, 2010, Rhapsody officially declared its independence from RealNetworks. Downloaded files come with restrictions on their use, enforced by Helix, Rhapsody's version...
as a UPnP AV-server streaming to an MCi200 (a bit what SonosSonosSonos is a consumer electronics company based in Santa Barbara, California. It was founded in 2002 by John MacFarlane, who previously founded Software.com. The company’s main product is the Sonos Multi-Room Music System.-History:...
is currently offering) (2003). - Running tests of Apple's Rendezvous protocol on the MCi200 (2003).
- The first demonstration of the NFCNFCNFC may refer to:* Nagacorp FC, a Cambodian sporting club* National Finance Center, a division of the United States Department of Agriculture* National Football Conference, a constituent conference of the National Football League...
smart poster concept with Visa (January 2004). - Use cases illustrating interoperable DRM (Streamium was one of the devices used to demonstrate the principles underlying the activities of the Coral consortiumCoral ConsortiumThe Coral Consortium was founded in Fall 2004 by Hewlett-Packard Corporation, Intertrust Technologies Corporation, Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd...
(January 2004). - Use cases illustrating the use of recommender technology (January 2004)
- Demonstration (~43 use cases) of a fully connected home including stationary as well as portable devices and mobile phones and executed at the "CES2005 World Tour" by a team of professional actors. (January 2005)
- Use cases in the area of fitness and well-being (January 2005)
- Use cases illustrating uses for UPnP printing (January 2005).
- Experiments with Java-based arcade games
Services
iM-networks was offered on the FW-i1000 from the start.The Philips Streamium MX6000i provided traditional home entertainment alongside access to audio-video content from a PC, UPnP mediaserver or online entertainment service. Services included music videos, Web movies, and cinema trailers.
The Philips Streamium service partners were:
- Yahoo LAUNCHcastLAUNCHcastYahoo! Music Radio is an Internet radio service offered by CBS Radio through Yahoo! Music. The service, formerly offered by LAUNCH Media, and originally developed by Todd Beaupré and Jeff Boulter, debuted on November 11, 1999, and was purchased by Yahoo! in October, 2001...
- Yahoo! MoviesYahoo! MoviesYahoo! Movies , provided by the Yahoo! network, is home to a large collection of information on movies, past and new releases, trailers and clips, box office information, and showtimes and movie theater information. Yahoo! Movies also includes red carpet photos, actor galleries, and production...
- trailers only - MP3.comMP3.comMP3.com is a web site operated by CNET Networks providing information about digital music and artists, songs, services, community, and technologies. It is probably better known for its original incarnation, as a legal, free music-sharing service, popular with independent musicians for promoting...
- Musicmatch Musicmatch JukeboxMusicmatch JukeboxY!Music Musicmatch Jukebox, a remake of the original Musicmatch Jukebox made by Musicmatch, Inc., is an audio player that manages a digital audio library...
, Radio MX - live365.com
- Radio Free VirginRadio Free VirginRadio Free Virgin was a digital radio broadcaster started in early 1999 and a member company of the Virgin Group. Their programming consisted of over 60 professionally programmed channels playing various genres of music. It quickly gained popularity and its downloadable radio player reached the 1...
- Playhouse Radio
- Andante
- Bluebeat
- iFilmIFilmifilm.com was an online archive of short films, movie trailers, and other video clips of interest. Ifilm.com was originally founded by independent filmmaker Raphael Raphael in 1997 as an independent film and media collective...
- previews and short movies - Launch - music videos
There was no need to first download files to PC, or even to turn the PC on, to stream multimedia Internet content. (A broadband Internet connection is required.)
A wide array of Yahoo! services including on-demand music videos, movie trailers and clips and photo services was launched together with the Streamium range extension in Spring 2004.
Out of the box consumers would have access to free services. Additionally, a number of services would offer premium (subscription-based) online services allowing consumers to broaden and personalize their home entertainment experience.
An early Web2.0 device?
In his press conference during the CES2001, Guy Demuynck (now at TomTom), then CEO of Philips CE, expressed his vision that the Internet would become as ubiquitous and accessible as the electric grid to devices other than the PC, and that people would increasingly rely on the Internet for information and entertainment.
"The Internet has transformed the way we do business," Demuynck stated, referring not only to communications and promotions but to product design as well. "We intend to put Internet capabilities into many products, making Internet content as accessible as pressing a single button on a TV remote. The Internet dominates all our thinking—it will expand from a browsing activity to an always-on, integral part of daily life," he said.
Innovative
What made the early Internet audio and Streamium devices stand apart from the rest was not only the bold choice for broadband Internet connectivity (always on!), but also the fact that Philips provided a back-end service, essentially aggregating an interesting services offering to its users. In addition, a UI extension was offered (my.philips) that allowed consumers to manage their devices, external service subscriptions, favorites, as well as to add their own streams.The PC-based UI extension was part of the lean-forward/lean-backward approach to this potentially complicated product range:
- Lean backward functionality was accessible on the device directly
- Lean forward functionality was relegated to the PC
In essence, the Philips service offering was a walled garden; but the fact that consumers could add and access their own favorite streams made it more of an open system.
Although never published, Streamium relied on an XML-based API—not unlike the APIs we see today published by Web-service providers (YouTube, eBay,...) -- and implemented XML-based APIs as offered by its service providers.
Commercial impact
Unfortunately the first Streamium generations lacked support for a number of important media formats such as those included in the Windows MediaWindows Media
Windows Media is a multimedia framework for media creation and distribution for Microsoft Windows. It consists of a software development kit with several application programming interfaces and a number of prebuilt technologies, and is the replacement of NetShow technologies.The Windows Media SDK...
technologies which hampered their commercial success.
Philips' legal team had issues with the non-assertion clause that Microsoft required potential licensees to sign without prior opportunity to check the IP involved. Since Philips did and still does own a substantial patent-portfolio, product management was not allowed to risk signing away rights on a substantial number of important patents.
Consumer testing
To some extent consumers were involved in some of the design of the Streamiums. Of course, the classical focus test groups were used to find out what features consumers would deem important. But also after the official announcement, a limited number of pre-production versions of the Streamiums would be made available to a limited number of volunteer beta-testers that could sign up via a Philips web-site.See also
- Digital media receiverDigital media receiverA digital media receiver , also commonly referred to as a media extender, media streamer, digital media hub, or digital media adapter , is a home entertainment device that can connect to a home network to retrieve digital media files from a personal computer or other networked media server and...
another name for Wireless Media Adapter - SimpleCenter a UPnP AV MediaServer