Adobe Flash Coming to Blu-Ray

[Y3k Bug]

Very interesting news about Adobe Flash and Blu-ray. I wonder what, if any, effect it might have on BD Java...

Adobe Flash Coming to Blu-ray

From Tom's Hardware:

Ready for a richer user experience in your living-room? It looks like Intel and Adobe are going to be working together to bring consumers Flash based interfaces coupled with the Intel CE 3100 Media Processor.

This effort proposes the porting of Flash technologies to devices with the Intel CE 3100 media processor, which includes devices such as (but not limited to), Intel-based set-top boxes (DVR/PVR), Blu-ray Disc players, Digital Televisions and many other retail connected AV devices.

So what exactly does this mean for the end-user? Since Adobe Flash has high-definition capabilities, we could start seeing the beginning of the end to boring user interfaces on media devices. Guides and user interfaces will be very rich in media, very attractive and more intuitive--faster/more responsive. Another good possibility is the ability to have access to downloadable content or more customized user interfaces that feed the needs of specific users. The list goes on.

Intel and Adobe share a long history of co-operation. One notable movement recently is the Open Screen Project announced back in May of 2008. Although it may not have interested everyone, it was a proposal to enable consistent runtimes across multiple screens. This is something that could very well play a role in the new Flash proposal.

Quoting William O. Leszinske Jr. – General manager of Intel’s Digital Home Group:

"The Intel® Media Processor CE 3100 is a highly integrated solution that provides a powerful, yet flexible technology foundation that will bring to life the high-definition capabilities of Adobe Flash. Our effort with Adobe is poised to accelerate a rich, yet relevant Internet experience on the TV that will provide consumers with access to a growing number of Flash based applications that will ultimately be enjoyed across a number of screens seamlessly, from the laptop to a MID and now the TV."

Quoting David Wadhwani – General manager and Vice president of Platform Business at Adobe:

"The Open Screen Project is striving to remove barriers for developers and designers as they look to publish content and applications across desktops and devices. The Intel® Media Processor CE 3100 provides a powerful platform capable of delivering outstanding Flash experiences to millions of homes as a new generation of televisions and set-top boxes makes its way into the living room."

According to press release information, Intel and Adobe are also working together to optimize the Adobe AIR technology for implementation into Intel’s digital home platform in the future.

[Bobby Henderson]

One obvious plus about Flash technology is the possibility of incorporating scalable vector-based graphics into interface designs. Unfortunately, this sort of thing may not be backward compatible with a lot of existing Blu-ray players. We'll have to see what happens.

[kjack]

We've also announced our flash solution today, so there's a trend here...

Flash is being targeted for implementing the user interface of the player/STB/HDTV, and for streaming on-line content. Has nothing to do with Blu-ray itself...

[Y3k Bug]

Originally Posted by kjack

Flash is being targeted for implementing the user interface of the player/STB/HDTV, and for streaming on-line content.

Ahhhh, that makes sense.


As to the other part of your statement, did you just admit to making plans to start flashing people?!

[ObiTrentKenobi]

what's "STB"?

[DrinkMore]

Mmm.. flash ads on blu-rays. Sounds delicious!

[Marquoz]

Okay, maybe I am missing something here, but what is the point of having this on a Blu-ray player? The time spent on the actual player menu once it's set up seems to be pretty minimal. You put the disk in and play it, and then do most of the interaction via the BD menu versus the player menu.

I can see how this would be useful on say a cable box where you spend a lot more time on the menu on On-Demand and channel surfing.

[kjack]

Originally Posted by ObiTrentKenobi

what's "STB"?

set-top box...

[kjack]

Originally Posted by Marquoz

Okay, maybe I am missing something here, but what is the point of having this on a Blu-ray player? The time spent on the actual player menu once it's set up seems to be pretty minimal. You put the disk in and play it, and then do most of the interaction via the BD menu versus the player menu. I can see how this would be useful on say a cable box where you spend a lot more time on the menu on On-Demand and channel surfing.

First, it is useful to make designing and modifying the user interface of the box (not the BD movies) easier. Many companies do not have the resources or expertise to design/modify these menus. Second, there is a lot of content on the Internet that uses flash, so this allows a BD player (or any other CE device) to more easily implement it and ensure a consistent user experience.

[4K2K]

So what exactly does this mean for the end-user? Since Adobe Flash has high-definition capabilities, we could start seeing the beginning of the end to boring user interfaces on media devices. Guides and user interfaces will be very rich in media, very attractive and more intuitive--faster/more responsive. Another good possibility is the ability to have access to downloadable content or more customized user interfaces that feed the needs of specific users. The list goes on.

Aren't flash-based sites actually less intuitive and slower/less responsive than an equivalent site written in pure HTML? For a flash based site first you have to wait while all pages load. To scroll down some text you have to scroll down a pixel at a time instead of a line at a time like with HTML sites. I don't think page up/down work like they do on normal sites, and everything seems less consistent than a normal website. I'd much prefer a normal website (like this site) than one written in Flash (flash sites seem all flash with no substance - just something a graphic designer thought looks good for a company but which isn't actually very useful or intuitive for consumers). I don't see how this can improve response times and give a more consistent, easy-to-use interface for Blu-ray or similar devices if that's what it's aimed at.

[kjack]

Originally Posted by 4K2K

Aren't flash-based sites actually less intuitive and slower/less responsive than an equivalent site written in pure HTML? For a flash based site first you have to wait while all pages load. To scroll down some text you have to scroll down a pixel at a time instead of a line at a time like with HTML sites. I don't think page up/down work like they do on normal sites, and everything seems less consistent than a normal website. I'd much prefer a normal website (like this site) than one written in Flash (flash sites seem all flash with no substance - just something a graphic designer thought looks good for a company but which isn't actually very useful or intuitive for consumers). I don't see how this can improve response times and give a more consistent, easy-to-use interface for Blu-ray or similar devices if that's what it's aimed at.

The Internet focus is being able to play flash-based content that may be present on a normal web page. That's why everyone is showing both flash players and web browsers...