Couch potatoes rejoice! Loads of new products have hit the shelves recently that are set to revolutionize the way we watch television by integrating the internet. In Australia in recent months, a flurry of  great new set-top gadgets that allow us to watch online video on our regular TV set have been launched, including T-Box, Fetch TV and more (read all about them in the news here) that all look exciting, but in most cases - T-Box especially - the internet reach is limited to a mere handful of sites.

Meanwhile overseas, Internet giant Google is readying for the launch of Google TV. It’s not due in Australia until 2011, but looks set to truly combine the large screen and high resolution of your television set with the complete freedom and instant accessibility of the entire Internet.
So why the big fuss? At the moment, the majority of your favourite shows and movies can be found online, but small screens and poor quality are a problem. And while cable television and different networks offer a huge variety in viewing options, it can mean endless channel surfing to find a program you want to record on your TiVo, or re-arranging your schedule so you can sit down and watch your favourite show at the allotted time.

Google TV will allow viewers to type in what they’re looking for on their TV screen and Google will find it… within seconds. It’s basically like having the entire Internet at your fingertips, but on your TV screen. It also means that your TV can act as a photo slide show viewer, a gaming console, a music player and more.

Some new model televisions will come with Google TV built into them, or you can get a separate box for the one you already own, but whichever way it works it means you can spend a lot less time trying to find what you want, and a lot more time watching what you want.
Here are Soul Arch we’re eager to see the way in which all these devices will change and simplify (or complicate!) viewing habits and how quickly they will catch on. One thing is for certain though - the common path of producing low quality video for the web will need to change, at least for corporate or commercial video. Blown out, pixelated handy cam footage will look like ants in a snowstorm when blown up full- size on the latest plasma screens, so this new wave of internet TV will no doubt be fruitful for professional online video commercial production companies who are shooting affordable high quality footage. Hey…  That’s us!

The crew from Soul Arch Media often donate time and services to local community events, but few are as heartwarming as the ones organized by SAND, and their latest was no exception.

Last Sunday April 18, surfing fundraising group SAND held a Learn to Surf day for Camp Quality, so Caz from Soul Arch went down to lend a hand. Apart from the 44 kids diagnosed with cancer and their families who were treated to a day down a Greenmount learning to surf, making sandcastles, BBQing and generally having a blast, an all-star cast of helpers including Kelly Slater, Steph Gilmore, Rasta, Rabbit, Luke Egan, Luke Munro, standup paddler Jamie Mitchell and ironwoman Hayley Bateup joined the SAND team to push groms into waves and spread the stoke. Some of the kids looked so small and frail on land that they looked like a brisk breeze could snap them, yet when they hit the surf the smiles were blinding and the positive energy was contagious. Not a frown in sight, and while no one pulled off a rodeo-clown you could still tell the kids were benefiting from such first-class coaches - Slater seemed to be taking particular care in making sure each kid under his tutelage got longer rides than anyone else, while Steph seemed to be imparting how to mimic her trademark grin.

The SAND team also used the occasion to hand over to Camp Quality a cheque for $8,500 raised at a recent golf day commemorating late SAND founder and event mastermind Denis Callinan, who was no doubt looking down on the day proud as punch.

A massive shoutout to Walking On Water surf school for donating boards and their full squad of instructors on a SUNDAY! Way to go guys. Also big thumbs up to the cast of local volunteers and supporters who made it all happen. The Camp Quality tagline is Laughter Is the Best Medicine, but I am sure all the kids would agree surfing comes a close second! Warm fuzzies all-round.

Ever wondered what it would be like to win a multi-million dollar prize package?  

While Soul Arch Media often assists the RSL Art Union with the creation of commercial videos to promote their prize lotteries, the most recent video filmed and edited for them was more of a reality-style affair shot as a couple get given the keys to their dream home.

With the RSL Art Union prize package videos already scoring up to 18,000 viewers per month, the RSL Art Union have discovered that their customers clearly enjoy the addition of video footage to their website and asked Soul Arch Media to capture video at the handover of their latest prize draw. The video created for them follows the winning couple as they are being shown around their brand new luxury Gold Coast home, investment unit and stylish new Audi. Check out the video attached to see two of the happiest retirees in Australia right now!

 

 New RSL Art Union prize winners: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Soul Arch Media have just finished creating an entire series of Video Product Tutorials for new Gold Coast-based mineral cosmetics brand Alexami.

The videos include a Company Overview then several product application tutorials for the entire makeup range.

View them in action at the Alexami mineral cosmetics site

 

 Alexami Mineral Makeup Introduction Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Well we here at Soul Arch Media have always loved getting involved in local community projects, but now Soul Arch Media & Marketing will be even more increasingly active in issues that affect the Southern Gold Coast. Soul Arch Media & Marketing Director Carolyn Ridings Emge has just taken on the role of Secretary at Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce, and will now be in charge of marketing the Chamber events and activities.  So if you are in the Palm Beach, Elanora, Currumbin, Tallebudgera or Tugun areas get set to be hearing a lot more about the Creek to Creek Chamber in coming weeks!

Up for a bit of business networking and local community news? Come along to the next Creek to Creek breakfast meeting, 7 am until 8.30 am August 6th 2009 at the Currumbin RSL. Cant make it? Then nominate yourself for the 2009 Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. Nominations close August 14,  visit www.creektocreekchamber.org.au for more details.