In the past year, we’ve cluttered iPads and Smartphones with dozens of TV related apps. Some are still kicking, some barely have a pulse, and some are the former “hot new things” gone cold and dead. What is there to learn from this all? Is there a one-size-fits all answer or approach to TV apps?

At the Streaming Media West show next week, (#smwest) speakers will discuss if there an uber-TV app coming, or are we destined to have a dedicated app for each TV show we like, each network we watch, each movie we see, etc. Lead by smart TV guru Jeremy Toeman, confirmed speakers include:

• Moderator: Jeremy Toeman, CEO, Dijit
• Ole Lutjens, Founding Partner, MX
• Geoff Katz, VP, Business Development, WatchWith
• Colin Decker, VP, Audience Development, Revision3

It’s not too late to get a pass to the show and readers of my blog can register using my own personal discount code of DRF1, which gets you a two-day ticket to the show for only $595. That’s $300 off the regular ticket price and it gets you access to both keynotes, 35 sessions and how-to presentations, 100+ speakers and all the networking events, including the special MPEG-DASH event.

TV Everywhere has changed the model for studios to drive consumers to their content. Join cable, studio and digital distribution executives at the Streaming Media West show next week, (#smwest) as they discuss how Facebook and mobile discovery apps are playing a role in helping movie viewers find what they want, and share what they like; and how satellite and cable providers are driving people to rent and buy movies digitally. Panelists showcase real-life examples and case studies, as well as provide expert guidance in terms of both planning for and implementing successful strategies and tactics to boost exposure and discoverability.

• Moderator: Aaron Henry, Principal, Found Public Relations
• Steve Polsky, GM, Flixster.com
• John Zelenka, EVP, Revenue, Digitalsmiths
• Brian Walsh, Manager, Digital/On-Demand Team, Lionsgate
• Bruce David Eisen, VP, Online Content Development & Strategy, DISH Network

It’s not too late to get a pass to the show and readers of my blog can register using my own personal discount code of DRF1, which gets you a two-day ticket to the show for only $595. That’s $300 off the regular ticket price and it gets you access to both keynotes, 35 sessions and how-to presentations, 100+ speakers and all the networking events, including the special MPEG-DASH event.

The TV industry operates on perpetually shrinking margins, and each year seek out the “hot new thing” that will increase revenue, decrease buying cycles, and otherwise help contribute to the bottom line. In the era of Smart TVs, however, consumers have a challenging value proposition today, with limited features and built-in fear of future obsolescence.

At the Streaming Media West show next week, (#smwest) our group of consumer electronics pros will have a hearty discussion to get to the bottom of what should be done with Smart TVs. Do people want them, or do they just want “feature” TVs? Will fragmentation kill the industry before it even really gets off the ground? Is Smart the new 3D or the new HD? Lead by smart TV guru Jeremy Toeman, confirmed speakers include:

• Moderator: Jeremy Toeman, CEO, Dijit
• Chuck Seiber, VP, Marketing, Roku
• David Schlacht, SR Director, Multimedia, DirecTV
• Kurt Hoppe, Director, Smart TV Innovation, LG
• Zach Weiner, President, Connected TV Marketing Association

It’s not too late to get a pass to the show and readers of my blog can register using my own personal discount code of DRF1, which gets you a two-day ticket to the show for only $595. That’s $300 off the regular ticket price and it gets you access to both keynotes, 35 sessions and how-to presentations, 100+ speakers and all the networking events, including the special MPEG-DASH event.

At the Streaming Media West show next week, (#smwest) we have a full day of pre-conference workshops, with 4 three hour sessions. One of the sessions, being taught by streaming media guru Jan Ozer, will teach you the technological fundamentals behind encoding for both H.264 and WebM formats.

You’ll learn how to encode H.264 for HTML5 distribution and streaming to iOS and other mobile devices, as well as how to encode it for Flash, including live, on-demand, and RTMP, as well as HTTP-based adaptive streaming. For WebM, you’ll learn the basics of on-demand streaming, plus get a look at live WebM encoders. Finally, you’ll get an update on how to stream adaptively to all these targets. Use the discount code below and you can attend both a morning and afternoon workshop for only $265.

It’s not too late to get a pass to the show and readers of my blog can register using my own personal discount code of DRF1, which gets you a two-day ticket to the show for only $595. That’s $300 off the regular ticket price and it gets you access to both keynotes, 35 sessions and how-to presentations, 100+ speakers and all the networking events, including the special MPEG-DASH event.

Some say the future of TV is the TV itself is relegated to just being “an app” that can run on any screen you own. Others believe the TV is king, and we’ll see a deluge of apps on smart TVs and second screens to enhance or even create new experiences. We can already see service providers like Comcast and Time Warner release apps on TVs, and on the flipside YouTube has their own lean back experience.

At the Streaming Media West show next week, (#smwest) come join a discussion that will address content, distribution, and consumer-facing challenges of TV in an app world. Lead by smart TV guru Jeremy Toeman, confirmed speakers include:

• Moderator: Jeremy Toeman, CEO, Dijit
• Michael Fisher, Sr. Director, Business Development, Sling Media
• Eric Elia, President, Cainkade
• David Adams, VP, Corporate Development, Accedo
• Mike Folgner, CEO, SnappyTV

It’s not too late to get a pass to the show and readers of my blog can register using my own personal discount code of DRF1, which gets you a two-day ticket to the show for only $595. That’s $300 off the regular ticket price and it gets you access to both keynotes, 35 sessions and how-to presentations, 100+ speakers and all the networking events, including the special MPEG-DASH event.

At the Streaming Media West show next week, (#smwest) we have a session that will focus on the different methods and approaches to producing a live event, from a production planning perspective. Learn the best practices for interfacing with event video production teams, what streaming infrastructure choices you have, what’s a realistic timeline and budget and what technology you need to know about. Learn the steps and choices you need to make in advance to make your live streaming event a success, from the people who do it for a living. Confirmed speakers include:

• Moderator: Jon Orlin, Executive Producer, TechCrunch
• Alden Fertig, Product Manager, Broadcasting, Ustream
• Ken Schaefer, Sr. Project Manager, Beeby Clark+Meyler
• Howard Kitto, Group CTO, PERFORM
• Adam Drescher, Partner, Suite Spot

It’s not too late to get a pass to the show and readers of my blog can register using my own personal discount code of DRF1, which gets you a two-day ticket to the show for only $595. That’s $300 off the regular ticket price and it gets you access to both keynotes, 35 sessions and how-to presentations, 100+ speakers and all the networking events, including the special MPEG-DASH event.

Formulating the availability of content to consumers is complex when traditional television distribution agreements affect the access rights to content across tablets, mobile phones and other internet connected devices. At the Streaming Media West show next week, (#smwest) content owners and platform providers will discuss how some content owners are navigating a new age of distribution, security and conditional access in a multiscreen world. Confirmed speakers include:

• Moderator: Michael Dube, Manager, Systems Integration and Operations, HBO
• John Oliverius, VP, Distribution Counsel, A&E Networks
• Tony Lapolito, Director Product Management, Videoscape Distribution Suite, Cisco
• Barry Hartman, Senior Product Manager, Adobe
• Mark Taylor, VP, Media and IP Services, Level 3

It’s not too late to get a pass to the show and readers of my blog can register using my own personal discount code of DRF1, which gets you a two-day ticket to the show for only $595. That’s $300 off the regular ticket price and it gets you access to both keynotes, 35 sessions and how-to presentations, 100+ speakers and all the networking events, including the special MPEG-DASH event.