Stage6 to shut down on Feb28th
The Stage6 service will shut down on Feb28th. A new version of the DivX Connected server with the service removed will be released as an auto-update a few days after the shut down occurs. The new version was planned in support of our 1.0 release of the Server plug-in SDK.
The current plug-ins hosted on DivX Labs that rely on Stage6 will be not be affected since we were able to find alternative hosting for the content and re-direct the RSS feeds.
We are also continuing to work with our other signed service partners to bring their services to the DivX Connected platform in the future.
A link to the official press release is below:
Addition information about the Stage6 shutdown can be found at http://www.stage6.com
Hey, there is no question it is a disappointing development, and your anger is certainly understandable. And you guys are absolutely right, the onus is on DivX to prove that the Connected platform is rich and compelling enough to withstand the loss of Stage6. But that is in some ways the nature of the internet and platforms built upon internet content.
Online content is dynamic, which is what makes it exciting, but it can also mean it is not permanent. But we are making every effort to build out the Connected platform so that it can access the entire online world, so that if one particular site goes down, there are many other alternatives. Ultimately, that is what the platform will depend on, not a single site from DivX, Inc.
I cannot believe that you openly admit to closing down Stage6 even before the product was launched with the service offered as a part of DivX Connected.
This is a blatent miss-representation of the product, and I will be expecting a replacement remote and some form of compensation for the cost of a product that does not provide the service as described on the box and in the advertising.
The amaising thing is that all I could read about was people that were having problems getting Stage6 to work on the server software, and constant problems. Maybe the easy route was to close it down, rather than solve the problems?
Wow, this has to be one of those rare cases where you buy a product and end up having *less* features over time. Nicely done, DivX :|
And kosmonaut, agreements and announcements are all very nice, but until I see a working Veoh/Vuze/whatever plugin at the tip of that yellow button on my remote, I'll have a hard time not feeling cheated. I mean come on, we don't even have a working Internet radio plugin when every other connected device does, and now this?
There's so much potential in the Connected platform, but the way things are going, I'm more and more worried about its future. Please prove me wrong...
We certainly understand the disappointment that people are feeling, and believe us when we say that we all share that frustration. Nobody was more attached to Stage6 than the people here who built it! But the reality was that it just proved incompatible with the longer term health of the company.
What we can say in regards to content and the Connected platform: We are actively committed to providing as much content as possible for Connected users. Recent announcements with Veoh, Vuze, Jaman, etc. demonstrate that we are working very hard to get content into the Connected system, and they are just the first of many agreements we hope.
Also, through plugins and services, we are expanding the functionality of Connected beyond just the formats it supports out of the box. Ultimately, we think that such a strategy should provide far more content that what Stage6 could have done by itself.
We hope that you give us the time to show that, but we certainly understand if you feel let down right now.
If you ask me, one of the DUMBEST decisions DivX has ever made... The least you guys could have done is sell it on a public auction and hope that someone is going to keep it alive, and that someone probably would.
I can't believe it, less than 2 months after buying a DSM-330 and one of the main services is being closed down. The remote has a button on it to get to this site, the box has an image of a screen with a link to this site. I'm just flabbergasted. I wonder If D-link will be putting stickers on all its boxes saying " Sorry but despite what you see on the front of this box Stage6 is no longer available." I don't imagine they're too impressed. I can only hope that some VERY good plug ins quickly appear from DivX. This is a real shame.
Snowdome
Yes, i also think we all need a new remote control...or we cut the button out of it :)
DivX...what are you doing!?! stage6 was the best video portal I've ever used. And you are going to shutdown it?
Why you don't sell stage6 on ebay :-D
DivX...no no no. Come off it!
What a complete farce...I feel cheated!
Why oh why did they make a remote with a Stage6 button on it if it was never sure it was going to stay?
I feel totally ripped off. With all of the other problems with server software etc, I and am starting to regret ever buying this.
How do we go about getting our money back?
To Whom It May Concern:
It has come to my attention (and other people attention as I can see) that the site stage6 will no longer be available. This shouldn’t be a real problem considering that several sites go up and down everyday, this should be just another one. Even the (in former time) omnipresent search engine yahoo.com is going though a hard time now days however this will have a number of consequences that will affect Divx Connected business.
This will create a chain reaction that I hope the Divx COE (if this role does exits) have token in to account:
The first one to be affected (like always) will be the end user who purchased the product. Suddenly one of the features will no longer be available. Have you ever consider that this particular characteristic was what made the difference between your device and other? Don’t forget there are plenty of choices to stream video, music and photos in the market but only one that allows access to stage6.com contents. No surprise that plenty of customers are and will feel cheated. Have you consider legal action from the customers? Of courser not….why?…Divx has not sold any device to any customer, D-link has. This takes us to the next point.
I believe your revenues came from OEM who purchase the right to incorporate your Divx connected client software in their devices (correct me please if I am wrong figuring out you business model). Not even 120 days and your first partner in this trip is now completely exposed. I will be really surprised if no customer decides to take legal auction again D-link for service not delivered as promised. Which other OEM is going to trust Divx? If there is no OEM requiring your software, what is the future of Divx connected? And this takes me to the third point.
Having an open system where other people or companies can develop third parties software is the first marketing argument for the product and it has been compromise. Which company will develop plug-ins and service for Divx Connected with such uncertain future? And this take us to the final bit
With the fist marketing point of the product gone, how many people will put their money on it?
I am sorry for being so harsh but the fact is I am feeling really frustrated with all this events. This product has an endless potential, probably bigger of what you could ever dream. I can actually name several ideas for this product that will put apple TV, Windows media canter, Popcorn Hour and the rest of media streamer manufactures out of business in this market. But in stead you are giving arguments to people like Bill Gates or Stave Jobs to say things like “See…We told you. …Open system can not be trusted” and then they will turn around and wipe their sweat out of the forehead.
PD: Sorry if my English is not good enough (not a English native speaker)
Sigh... stage6 was/is the best video site I've ever found. High quality videos for use enthusiasts and professionals, along with a great userbase. I sure hope this is a prank; and if it is, I swear to god I am going to kill somebody.