Microsoft approached me at the AFI enhanced Television Workshop (now called the Digital Content Lab) and asked me to design web-enabled High Definition Video discs that would be used on Windows Media Center computers. I brought the project in-house at Playground Media Group where we developed some cutting edge ideas.
The assignment was not only to create a high-definition experience, but to take full advantage of the powerful PC platform to deliver experiences that reached beyond the disc and out onto the web. The disc for the surf film Step Into Liquid, includes a full version of the video game Kelly Slater, Pro Surfer, an online surfing conditions report, location information for all of the “secret spots” in the movie provided by Google Earth, and a surfboard outfitter to help you pick out the right board. Bill Gates presented the discs at the 2005 CES keynote address.
Keyhole (Google Earth)
WMVHD Splash Screen