2008 Olympics Embrace Online Video
August 12, 2008 – 3:27 pm by Nick Bodmer
This years Olympic events are, for the first time ever, being provided in full on the internet via NBC’s website. This is truly great for someone like me, who in years past has had a hard time keeping pace with the Olympics.
Every event. In full. High quality, and streamed right to your browser. I stumbled upon this bevy of olympic goodness while searching for the US Mens swimming 400 relay. (If you haven’t watched this, you should, very exciting finish).
NBC is also live streaming events as they happen. This morning I was able to watch the Mens basketball team beat up on Angola, all from the comfort of my desk at work. They also have a daily video recap, which is a great way to see what you may have missed.
Controversy has arisen based on NBC’s choice to use Microsoft Silverlight 2.0 as the technology that drives this web video. Silverlight, a competitor to Adobe Flash, is currently only available for Microsoft Windows. This leaves all Mac and Linux users out in the cold. A mac client is planned, but will not be available until after the Olympics conclude.
The quality that is provided is quite remarkable. The videos are all very crisp and clear, with very little of the artifacting that is so common in web video. The audio is also quite good. So, if you are a windows user, and are in need of some Olympic love, head on over to www.nbcolympics.com and check it out. I know it has made me far more invested in the olympics than I have ever been in the past.
