Tag: broadcast

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Mobile Syrup

Nvidia’s eye contact feature looks creepy as hell

Earlier this month, Nvidia rolled out an update to its Broadcast software for live streaming and video conferencing. The update brings several new features and enhancements, like Vignette Effects for Virtual Backgrounds, but none of it matches up to the creepy energy of the Eye Contact effect.

Eye Contact is exactly what it sounds like — an effect that makes it look like you’re maintaining eye contact with the camera. Eye Contact uses AI to replace your eyes with simulated eyes that are aligned with the camera. The feature is still in beta, so unsurprisingly, it’s not particularly reliable.

But when it does work, it looks super weird.

Thankfully the other Broadcast features are less horrifying to the human psyche. The Vignette effect mentioned above can be combined with a subtle background blur to give your webcam an AI-simulated bokeh, which actually looks pretty good in Nvidia’s samples.

Nvidia also said it enhanced the Blur, Replacement, and Removal Virtual Background effects with temporal information, which can help achieve better segmentation and stability. That means the AI can make better decisions, and when mistakes do happen, users should see fewer occurrences of the background popping in and out.

Those interested can learn more about the Broadcast 1.4 update here.

Header image credit: Nvidia

Source: Nvidia

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Mobile Syrup

Advocacy groups ask cabinet to rescind CRTC’s approval of Rogers-Shaw merger

Two consumer advocacy groups are asking the federal cabinet to set aside the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) approval of the broadcast aspect of the Rogers-Shaw merger.

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and the National Pensioners Federation (NPF) say Rogers plans on transitioning Shaw’s cable TV and satellite TV customers to IPTV, which means customers will have to pay more for television services.

The petition states doing so “exposes approximately one million Shaw customers to significant price increases for delivery of essentially the same service – paid TV service,” the petition states.

“Consumers shouldn’t pay for these mergers,” John Lawford, executive director of PIAC, said. “This petition is a result of our concern that the CRTC failed to impose enforceable conditions to protect consumer affordability of TV services.”

Their petition further states the CRTC’s decision doesn’t follow the objectives of the Broadcasting Act, specifically when it comes to offering programs at affordable prices.

Shaw’s broadcasting business includes Shaw Direct, delivered through satellite TV, and cable services across Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

The CRTC approved the broadcast aspect of the $26 billion merger last month. While the CRTC did impose several conditions, none of them seem to satisfy the concerns brought on by PIAC and NPF.

Source: PIAC

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Mobile Syrup

BCE launches new complaint against Vidéotron’s Vrai service

New York, USA – 18 March 2021: BCE company logo icon on website, Illustrative Editorial

BCE wants Quebec-based Vidéotron to remove its Vrai service, recently released documents from the Canadian Radio and television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) reveal.

Launched in August 2021, Vrai features original French productions that can be watched on-demand.

BCE claims Vrai isn’t operating in accordance with the CRTC’s hybrid video-on-demand (HVOD) order by offering a internet direct to consumer (DTC) option, according to a part 1 application the organization filed with the CRTC.

An internet DTC allows customers to directly purchase the service online.

According to the order, BCE says the service must also be available over the internet for all Canadians to access. While that can be done, the application states the current DTC option has a number of problems and isn’t compliant with the HVOD order.

The problems, according to BCE

When it was launched in August, Vrai was only available to Vidéotron customers. While that has since changed, and Vrai can be purchased by Canadians, BCE’s application states the offer is “designed not to sell.”

BCE says Vrai’s internet option is “significantly more expensive.” It’ll cost $15 a month to purchase online. If people were to access Vrai by subscribing to Vidéotron’s service, it would cost $7 a month.

Customers who access Vrai online can only get one stream at a time. In comparison, BDU subscribers can get up to five.

Online customers can only access the service through an app or website, and not on a larger screen. In comparison, Vidéotron subscribers can access the platform through multiple forms, including Apple TV or Android TV.

Customers who want to subscribe to the DTC are also automatically redirected to Vidéotron’s websites and TV subscription offers. Customers who refuse these offers, and don’t register with Vidéotron, won’t be able to access Vrai online.

“By providing such an inferior DTC offer for Vrai, Vidéotron is offering Vrai on an exclusive or otherwise preferential basis that is dependent on subscription to its own BDU service,” and is “contrary” to the policy set out by the CRTC, the application states.

The ask to CRTC

BCE says Vrai can’t operate as an HVOD service until it provides a “viable DTC option.” Until then, the CRTC must work quickly to “immediately order” Vidéotron to remove Vrai from its TV subscription offer.

A procedural letter from the CRTC confirms the request has been received. It states Vany interventions and Vidéotron’s answers must be submitted by February 10th. A reply from BCE is due February 15th.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: CRTC