As companies develop or acquire media management software, online and broadcast TV advertising will discover closer ties. In that vein, Google bought the technology from SageTV, a company that makes home theater software for PCs, also known as HTPC.
Jeffrey Kardatzke, chief technology officer and founder of the software company, announced the news over the weekend.
The SageTV software offers full digital video recording capabilities -- the ability to skip commercials and easily browse movies and content. In allows Internet video support by category, and Hulu and Netflix support for the living room, desktop, mobile and cars. Google will no doubt roll in some SageTV technology into Google TV.
Although there has been no word on why Google wants the technology, it is speculated that it will likely create a place-shift-type technology geared toward advertising for live and stored content.
In 2002, SageTV's technology became one of the first to turn computers with TV tuners into DVRs. The technology can support nearly any audio or visual file. The company released version 7.1.9 of the software last week, announcing it via a Twitter post.
The open technology will likely give developers access to more options to develop features and apps. "We've seen how Google's developer efforts are designed to stimulate innovation across the Web, as developers have played a core role in the success of SageTV," Kardatzke wrote. "We think our shared vision for open technology will help us advance the online entertainment experience."
Google had partnered with Netflix, Sony, Logitec and NBC for streaming services and hardware, but since the launch, the first version of the TV had mixed reviews.
This may be an early hint at the future of DVRs. I can foresee their demise as web and TV become integrated and personal storage channels link to the creator's content hosted on their properties perhaps for a micro-fee or subscription.
Perhaps it will be a subscription portal like Netflix. Paying a monthly fee that allows for saving, access and search for various shows on a favorites or recommendation list? We will then have full cloud access to all content and the shape of the portals and gatekeepers has yet to be determined.