MLB Understands Digital Media

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1857330,00.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1857330,00.asp</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The concept behind this is simple enough: mlb.com provides a third-party feed (or sometimes its own), digitizes it, throws a DRM wrapper around it, and either archives it or streams it to a subscriber. The power and convenience that this affords a consumer is stunning. I can watch any game played at any time during this entire season. I can order up a condensed game, where only the significant pitches are shown, or a highlight reel. If I tire of the television announcers, I can select either the home or away radio broadcasts. I pay a little more for the recorded archive by which I can skip commercials, but that's fine by me. This is exactly what I want. I'm willing to pay for it. I am paying for it. So why can't NBC give this to me? Fox? Heck, the Discovery Channel?"</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/mlb_logo.jpg" /> <br /><br />MLB was a pioneer in <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/video/dds_sell.jsp">digital transmission of games</a>. They used to be hooked up with Real, but since going it on their own we no longer have to deal with RealPlayer. There is room for improvement because the current DRM isn't supported on Mac or Linux. Tell me though, wouldn't you want the ability to view Sandy Koufax in the 1965 World Series whenever you want?

[Vincent Ferrari]

The first season they had the deal with Real, I tried for two hours on opening day to sign up. It didn't work, and on that day I decided I would NEVER use Real Player again, and have avoided it as much as possible ever since.

The last time I set up my computer, I didn't even install it. If a site only works in Real, it doesn't work for me.

I'm happy to see they've moved away from it, and I'm really glad they offer so much value for the money. They may end up being a shining example of how to offer protected content AND make it desirable.

[cameron]

The first season they had the deal with Real, I tried for two hours on opening day to sign up. It didn't work, and on that day I decided I would NEVER use Real Player again, and have avoided it as much as possible ever since.


IIRC, the problem that first year wasn't Real, it was that MLB didn't properly anticipate the demand. They first required you to have an mlb.com account, which you couldn't get because the servers were overloaded. That being said, MLB is truly a pioneer in transmitting both audio, video, clips, highlights, condensed games, etc.

My only issue is that they use a reverse DNS lookup to determine what market you are in and therefore if you are able to watch a particular game or not (due to blackout restrictions). If you're DNS shows you in NY, no Mets or Yankees for you at that particular time. This is a problem for people like myself who travel, as Marriott's high-speed provider is based in the NY market - so I have to call MLB every night so they can call me back and verify that I am not in NY. They really need to figure out an easier solution. I know that this problem probably effects less than 1% of their user base, but its still a PITA.

[Vincent Ferrari]

I actually had problems with RealPlayer on top of the demand so it was doubly frustrating :-)

[Shaun Stuart]

This is great - are there any other companies doing this - can I download other content (TV shows / Movies ) without subscription ??

[BabyJ2590]

I love MLB gameday audio, which I have had since the being of the season. I have wanted for a few years, and the $10 was a great investment. I wanted this mainly so I could watch/listen to the Sox games at night, on my computer in my room, which is in a part of the house the does not have cable. I opted for gameday audio, and I'll admit that I don't use it that often (10-15 times), but the fact that I know I can is worth the ten dollars. And its great that gameday audio and video supports local broadcasters so I can listen as I do to the Sox game on my bathroom radio, on the computer w/o the radio static.m Finally, I was nice to have when spending two weeks in Florida in the summer, and I could still listen to the Red Sox whenever I wished. Great Service, Reasonable Price!

-Jordan