Move Networks, a leading provider of high definition online television services, recently engaged Method to create an interactive experience to illustrate the integration of Move’s HDTV delivery and playback technology with Microsoft’s Silverlight, a browser plug-in that allows web applications to be developed with animation, vector graphics and audio-video playback. The end result was shown at the NAB 2008 as a centerpiece of the Microsoft Silverlight booth and was also used by Move Networks in conversations with broadcast and other potential content partners.

Move Networks and Microsoft targeted the National Association of Broadcasting (NAB) Show as the venue for unveiling a strategic partnership between the two companies. For Move, this was an opportunity to highlight their market leading position as the primary HD internet playback technology for almost all the major networks. For Microsoft, this represented a chance to reinforce the promise of Silverlight for the media and entertainment market.

Move and Microsoft approached Method to develop an interactive demonstration to show how the partnership would deliver compelling and "TV-like" viewing experiences for full-episode TV content over the internet. The demo needed to clearly position the solution as the better alternative to competing products and technologies. It needed to be an effective sales tool for both companies - but needed to run live over the Internet. And finally, it needed to be completed in a severely compressed timeframe.

Method created a clean and cool interface that, at a user experience level, integrated directly within the perceived "canvas" of programming. This gave users the perception that instead of interacting "around" a player, they were interacting "with" the programming itself. Working in tight partnership with the Move and Microsoft technology teams, Method developed a unique interactive experience that successfully demonstrated rich interaction between the two products.

"By overlaying video and Silverlight content on top of Move Network’s streaming HD video, Method created a truly compelling and visually stunning interactive TV experience,” said Greg Smith, CTO Move Networks. “It was the first time anyone has been able to show true DVR capabilities of 2, 4, and 8 X fast forward and rewind, done in overlays, on a PC environment. The fact that this was done within such an aggressive timeline is incredible to me. This project was a success for both Move and Microsoft and should be the beginning of a great partnership between Move and Method."

Move was a huge hit at NAB 2008 according to most commentators, and came away from the event with an enormous amount of media coverage as a result of the demo. Method is proud to have been part of this engagement and continues to work with both Move and Microsoft on emerging solutions and technologies in the iTV space.

Move Networks/Microsoft Silverlight NAB 2008 Coverage:
Contentinople
NAB Anecdotes: What Happens in Vegas by Ryan Lawler

"What company has the biggest buzz at the show? From the people Contentinople has talked to so far, it seems to be Move Networks Inc. Not only did the company capture a pretty giant round of funding, but it has also captured a decent amount of mind share among people at NAB, it seems."

Microsoft Silverlight Blog
Silverlight Momentum Continues

"We demonstrated the best of Move's network delivery with the best of Silverlight's user experience allowing rich interaction between the two and overlay video and Silverlight content on top of HD video. This is the first step in a great partnership between the two companies and important as we continue to extend and enhance our platform to be the best delivery and user experience platform for online content delivery."