Relatively unknown software company Applian Technologies announced the release of new software that can record Flash and streaming audio. The software, called Replay Media Catcher, lets anyone capture content from sites like MySpace and YouTube.

What’s the legality of this? It’s pretty sketchy. I think that a content provider or digital media company will try to settle this with an injunction and a lawsuit. But the legislative process can take a while. And Applian seems to have a whole suite of products that do this, and they’re not out of business yet.
I haven’t tried it yet. But I will soon. It’s for Windows only and costs $39.95. And yes, there’s a free demo. If you’ve tried this out, please let me know.

From the press release: “Replay Media Catcher is the first-ever production software to be able to capture RTMP Streaming Flash streams used by many of the top-tier content sites,” said Bill Dettering, CEO of Applian Technologies. “These unprotected, unencrypted files have been previously impossible to record for your personal use, and now Replay Media Catcher makes it possible to archive and enjoy more great online video without having to be connected to the Internet.”

Popularity: 13% [?]

Well ho-hum. News is spreading around the blogosphere that iTunes will surpass RealPlayer in terms of unique users later in 2007. That’s no surprise.

RealPlayer is one of the most hated applications on the Internet. Ever. Many people still believe it’s some sort of spyware.

According to a web market firm (Ok, go here for the link), iTunes grew by 47.5 % last year, while RealPlayer grew only 9.1%, QuickTime by 8.7%, and Windows Media Player grew by just 2%. The company used data from Nielsen/Netratings and extrapolated this analysis.

Unfortunately, comparing iTunes to Real or Windows Media isn’t a good comparison. iTunes is mostly a media player and isn’t really used for streaming audio or video. Sure, iTunes can tune into podcasts and some Internet radio stations, but it’s not made for that.

Windows Media and RealPlayer both are streaming media players. For live and on-demand audio and video. And yes, they also work as jukeboxes or media players.

Nevertheless, it’s somewhat interesting to note Real’s downfall.

Popularity: 26% [?]

Fox said that it will start streaming and selling its TV shows on the websites of its affiliates. Currently Fox has about 200 affiliates and this is the first time that local stations will offer network TV shows for viewing and for sale.

I’ve spent a few hours online watching TV shows on the web.  I watched the first six shows of Lost on ABC.com. Overall, my experience was good, but it wasn’t great. For starters, there were too many commercials–about three commercials every show. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but when you’re watching TV on your computer, 30 seconds is very slow.

I also had problems with streaming the shows a few times. Once, the stream from ABC.com just stopped in the middle of one episode of Lost. (Ugh, when does that ever happen with TVs? How about never.) So I had to re-load the page and fast forward to where I left off.

So this deal by Fox is interesting. It’s great that Fox is helping out its affiliates, but I’d rather go to Fox.com to watch a Fox show. Not my local Fox affiliate, whoever that is.
Apparently, affiliates will stream and sell local ads, as well as selling shows for download. Affiliates will share revenues with the Fox broadcast network.

Shows that will be sold include hits like 24, Prison Break, and Bones. Single episodes will cost $1.99 and full seasons for $30-40.

Previously, Fox sold “24″ on MySpace then switched to iTunes. Fox said it will start streaming to affiliate sites by the end of March.

Popularity: 69% [?]

Anystream, a provider of streaming video technology, announced that it closed $7 million in its third round of financing. The round was led by SoftBank Capital and SCP Partners. and the company will use the money to increase sales in the media and education sectors.

Anystream said it is working with major universities such as the University of Pennsylvania and Temple, to provide online lectures.

In October 2006, Anystream announced its Apreso Coursecaster a hardware appliance that can capture rich media lectures for on-demand viewing.

Popularity: 14% [?]

A 16-year old high school junior was charged with making bombs in a plan to target his school classmates, in a plot uncovered after a video was posted on YouTube.

Frank Fechteler, of Newington, Connecticut, was arraigned on Thursday on two counts of making bombs and ordered held on $500,000 bond. A quote from the story on WNBC in New York:

Police said they seized weapons from his home on Tuesday after receiving a tip from a Canton parent whose son had seen a disturbing video on YouTube that showed acquaintances firing weapons and igniting explosive devices, police said. It was unclear Thursday who had made the video.

Police searched Fechteler’s home and found “explosive devices and weapons, including several rifle.” They also found a hit list of potential victums with at least 20 names. The Hartford Courant writes:

“Investigators were tipped off Monday by parents in Canton whose child saw the student and other teens on a YouTube video that showed the youths firing weapons and igniting explosive devices. The Canton teenager, who had received the video in an Internet message from a second Canton teenager, recognized those in the video as acquaintances and was concerned, authorities said. The teen’s parents were then alerted.”

Apparently, teens seen in the video said that the suspect was plotting to attack classmates with guns and explosives.

There’s no word about the YouTube video, but it is likely down at this point.

Popularity: 26% [?]