Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ -
Q: Is "FlixStix" an actual device or a business concept in terms of how such a device gets used?
Ans: FlixStixTM is a business concept that relies on a patented method for content distribution and video rental. This method accommodates many types of memory storage devices, such as USB flash drives, digital camera memory cards, multi media cards, etc. This method also provides for automatically expiring content.
Q: What actually is the patent system that is used by FlixStixTM ?
Ans: The patented system encompasses a content distribution method that utilizes a server system, an access point (such as a kiosk), and transportable media (used as content transfer vehicles) to provide movies & data to consumers efficiently. The patent also addresses the display of content in accordance with DRM (Digital Rights Management) on digital media players, set top boxes, portable media players, TVs and computers. Content can include DRM (e.g. CSS, CPRM, CPPM, AES, AACS etc.) as it would if rented from a video store outlet.
Q: How does a customer acquire compatible media?
Ans: Customers can acquire industry standard media by purchasing from FlixStixTM enabled locations, at other retail locations, by phone or by mail.
Q: Do customers physically need to return to a retail environment each time to re-load the memory stick vs. refreshing it online from a PC, and how do they delete expired content?
Ans: Content on memory sticks and cards can be erased/deleted the same way that one would normally delete data files on a computer. Memory cards can also be returned to FlixStixTM enabled location, and expired content can automatically be deleted before download of the next movie selection.
Downloading movies online can be problematic and can take hours for a single title. The FlixStixTM concept is not bound by broadband/cable bandwidth limitations or throttling. Reliable Downloading onto a memory stick at a FlixStixTM enabled location can take only minutes because content can be resident at FlixStixTM enabled locations.
Q: Are Memory sticks compatible with most digital media players on the market today?
Ans: Streaming content stored on solid state memory will play on a variety of industry standard devices. As industry competition for the best quality playback from the smallest digital file size continues, the FlixStixTM method can offer higher quality playback on a wider range of devices.
Modern PC's provide USB 2.0 ports, so viewing content is only limited by the capacity of the computer and the available media player software installed on the hard drive.
Digital Media Players
(DMPs) connect directly to a television. A DMP is a stand alone receiver/player that is similar to other digital media players (VHS, DVD, etc.) with the addition of multiple input slots for various types of memory cards. DMPs have advanced processing power that allows them to play video content from memory sticks.
The USB 2.0 interface is becoming a standard feature in consumer electronics (DVD players, TVs, game consoles, home media servers etc.). The USB 2.0 interface provides ample bandwidth for playback of standard definition video. The USB 3.0 specification is expected to be 10 times faster than USB 2.0 and will be released soon. Products using the 3.0 specification are likely to arrive in 2010 and many will be capable of high definition video playback from memory sticks.
Q: How much and what type of content can be stored on memory sticks?
Ans: To store a feature length movie with "Extra's" requires 8 Gigabytes of memory when utilizing an industry standard Mpeg-2 CODEC. Many CODECs (H.264, Flash, Divx etc.) can be utilized with the FlixStix method for greater efficiency. Larger memory stick capacities can be used to download multiple selections as long as the capacity is large enough to support selections in their entirety.
Memory sticks can also be used to quickly download various types of large software applications such as video games, program updates, etc (that take hours to download from the internet), because video and data files can be resident at FlixStixTM enabled locations.
Q: What's unique about FlixStixTM vs. other similar methods of video rental? (is it just about doing away with burning DVDs at kiosks as an alternative)?
Ans: The FlixStixTM concept targets consumers who enjoy the simplicity of reliable physical media, and provides them an opportunity to rent videos at the same location where they purchase other goods & services. The FlixStixTM method offers unmatched speed, convenience, low overhead and deep selection of video catalogs.
The difference between The FlixStixTM concept and other similar video rental services is "No waiting for DVDs to be burned, No late fees, and No return trips".
Q: How will FlixStixTM compete in a market where Netflix® and Apple TVTM make it easy for consumers to download and playback movies from their PCs to their TVs?
Ans: The FlixStixTM method complements existing online direct-to-consumer movie rental methods in that consumers without broadband connectivity can have access to a vast selection at FlixStixTM enabled locations.
The FlixStixTM concept provides for easy access and deep selection of movies, video games, and software. The FlixStixTM method does not require the consumer to have special hardware or pay subscription fees, and provides for a standard interface at all FlixStixTM enabled locations. The FlixStixTM method fills a market niche that online content rental services do not.
Q: Is FlixStixTM just about video rental or also about purchase/acquisition of video content as well -- does anything restrict users from doing both?
Ans: That is dependent on agreements with particular content providers or suppliers.
Q: How will FlixStixTM enabled locations provide media/data files and how does it work?
Ans: A FlixStixTM enabled location can be connected to a high speed service provider with a dedicated wide area network server system to provide restocking of media/data files as needed or requested. A device such as a kiosk can include multi media card reader support for download. Video files can be stored on a kiosk or on a caching server as necessary. This allows for quick transfer of files to memory sticks. The flexible FlixStixTM method also provides for dynamic content modification (for localized advertising and opt-in promotions).