Blu-ray has succeeded. It delivers the very best quality of high definition video and audio to the home. But is that enough, asks PAULETTE E. PANTOJA, Founder and CEO of BluFocus? Here, she is pushing the BD-Live envelope with innovative solutions.

For all of the technology that Blu-ray incorporates, what else can it do besides look and sound great? BD-Java (the basis for the interactive capabilities in Blu-ray) is a major improvement over DVD – full-color graphics and dynamic, exciting animations can be used for menus and user interfaces. BD-Java also supports the creation of unique enhanced applications – Bonus features such as games, trivia tracks, PiP, etc. But is this really enough to drive new business to this developing format?

And then there is BD-Live. On paper, BD-Live sounds like the next best thing since sliced bread, but what impact has this really made? Unfortunately, not much (so far). BD-Live on titles have consisted of chat functionality, new content downloads and a few other functions that utilise the Internet; but most of these have fallen short of expectations. Download times, quality levels, complicated user input processes, multiple portals have dulled the rave reviews that were received when the concepts were initially put on paper.

The current perception of BD-Live is only a fraction of what it can be. Why are we limiting ourselves to simply downloading new trailers or content from a BD-Live server which has proven to be costly to set up, has recurring costs, continuous ongoing management and requires additional resources? Also, advanced features such as Chat, Buddy Lists, Registration, etc., have given Blu-ray BD-Live users an experience similar to the days of Web 1.0.

These features described above have already been created and perfected on the web, so why are we reinventing the wheel? Shouldn’t we be collaborating with other industries (web, mobile, etc) to implement some of their compelling and innovative advancements?

The position BluFocus has consistently taken in the Blu-ray industry has been to ensure the format’s success by providing advanced quality-assurance services in the areas of certification, project management, tool development and conventional testing. This, along with recognising the pressures on content owners to create innovative Blu-ray discs that push the envelope (while remaining within a set budget and timeline), has inspired us to seek out a “BD-Live solution” that will work as described on paper.

It will be just as exciting, if not more, and will be (a) innovative and pushes the creative envelope, (b) appeals to consumers, (c)is low cost to content owners, (d) has low impact on production schedules and resources, and (e) provides marketing benefits and new commercial opportunities for content owners.

We found the answer with BD Touch. BD Touch is a technology developed and supported by BD Touch LLC, a partnership between NetBlender and BluFocus. This technology allows for two-way communication between a Blu-ray player/disc and a Wi-Fi-enabled smart device such as the iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, Google Android, and others.

There are several aspects to this technology that make it very valuable to all involved. First is the remote control functionality. All basic remote functions (Play, Pause, Rewind, Pop Up Menu and more) are found on the BD Touch application. The user simply launches the application from their device, such as their iPhone, and it will connect with the Blu-ray player through their internal home network and give the user instant control. This alone fulfills the desire of many “techies” to have their iPhone/iPod Touch control their PS3.

Second is the ability to transfer content to the smart device. The possibilities with this capability are endless. Content owners can now offer various files (web links, ringtones, songs, deleted scenes, trailers) that can be transferred to the users’ device while they are watching the movie. This content can come from files that are authored on the Blu-ray disc, stored in the Blu-ray player (internal hard drive, memory card, etc), delivered from a BD-Live server, or hosted on an Internet website.

Content that has been transferred can be saved on the device, making it portable and usable outside the living room. Users can share experiences with friends, re-launch content on the go, access web links and see updated information about products, titles and more.

Next, BD Touch is free to consumers, which makes this more appealing to them, and more viral. This gives content owners visibility and provides new means to push content when users are not in front of a Blu-ray player. Examples include sending an update for a new movie or Blu-ray release, notification of a new video or audio file available for download, providing links to surveys, contests, etc.

Finally, BD Touch is a single application (living on the smart device) that will work across all titles and players that are BD Touch-enabled. Consumers will only need this one application for the remote control, the movie information feature, and to host all their content so it is easy to find at any time. This approach eliminates the confusion and complexity now seen where consumers must face multiple username/ password requirements to access certain content. BD Touch is the ICQ/Meebo/ Adium for Blu-ray. Access to features and functions, through one channel.



While doing all this, BD Touch does not take away content owners’ ‘branding’ ability. It allows the application to be ‘skinned.’ With this feature, a ‘Studio A’ title can have a specially-designed ‘Studio A’ skin that is displayed by the BD Touch application while the movie is playing. The skin can be the same for every disc from ‘Studio A,’ or can be customised for each different title.

Free to the consumer, low-cost for the content owner, easy to integrate for a production facility, makes BD Touch a win-win as it brings forward the capabilities of what BD-Live is and what it can be. It utilises today’s proven technologies (smart devices with internet capability) and combines it with Blu-ray’s BD-Live capabilities.

BD Touch offers an alternative to developing the BD-Live infrastructure that we are all accustomed to today. It is not necessary to build a BD-Live infrastructure (server, resources, etc) in order to utilise the potentials of what BD-Live can be.

So, what is the implementation process? Is it difficult? Does it require extra development time? Well, for those using DoStudio (NetBlender’s Blu-ray authoring system), enabling BD Touch is as simple as clicking on a button. And with the next release (version 1.8) due out in a month, the solution will automatically be set to ON. This means that all Blu-ray titles authored with DoStudio will be BD Touch-enabled and consumers (as well as the marketing folks) will be able to enjoy its benefits instantly. Currently, there are over 200 titles authored with DoStudio. Look out for a UFC 3 disc set from Zuffa due out this summer with BD Touch.

Facilities not using DoStudio can easily integrate BD Touch. This process is non-intrusive to the project itself. And if a template-driven menu system is used, then implementation is only required once, making all future titles virtually free of any additional programming.

BluFocus was founded because many methodologies and ideas used in the Blu-ray industry were being carried over from DVD. But Blu-ray is not DVD; therefore, we must not just think out of the box, we should create an entirely new box for this format. This is a new concept, and it is a step in a different direction. But sometimes change is good especially if it is simple. That’s why we developed BD Touch.

For a consumer, it’s a remote control that allows access to content on the disc, on the player and on the Internet. And it is portable. For a content owner, BD Touch provides direct access to users in a totally new way in order to push new content, news, advertisements, etc, at any time to smart devices which we all know is a market that will not stop growing.

BD Touch’s technology is also available to developers at no charge so more advanced applications can be created such as title-specific games, GPS technology, iPhone’s motion sensing features, Gyroscope, streaming media…but this is just the beginning. For more information, visit BD Touch LLC at www.bdtouch.com


Paulette E. Pantoja is the founder and CEO of BluFocus Inc, the first and only Blu-ray exclusive company focused on the development of advanced testing tools and services for the home entertainment industry. Paulette is also Managing Partner of BD Touch LLC. Contact: paulette@blufocus.com

Story filed 14.07.09