Sony Pictures to smarten up Blu-ray with MovieIQ, the "killer app for BD-Live"
by Richard Lawler 
posted Jun 18th 2009 at 7:22PM
Update: Official press release is included after the break
Gallery: BD-Live MovieIQ
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Partners with Gracenote To Deliver First Live, In-Movie Film Information with movieIQ
BD-Live™ Enabled Technology to be Featured on Upcoming Blu-ray Disc™ Titles Including Angels & Demons and Easy Rider
San Francisco, CA (June 18, 2009) - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment today announced the launch of MovieIQ, a new Blu-ray Disc feature powered by Gracenote® that offers viewers access to a real-time movie database. With a movieIQ-enabled Blu-ray Disc and an internet-connected Blu-ray™ player, movie fans can immediately access continuously-updated information on cast and crew and explore relevant trivia such as production facts, music and soundtrack information all tied to scenes within the movie. SPHE will feature movieIQ on upcoming Blu-ray Disc titles starting in September and will offer it on all major catalog titles and new releases including Angels & Demons, Easy Rider, Punch Drunk Love, The Quick and the Dead, Silverado and sex, lies, and videotape.
"It has always been our goal at Sony Pictures to offer fans the ability to truly connect with their favorite movies using BD-Live," said Lexine Wong, Senior Executive Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. "We know many people interrupt their movie-watching experience to look up the filmography of an actor or to find out more about a song playing in the background. Now through movieIQ, movie lovers can dive into constantly-updated information about the movie they are watching without leaving their sofa, further enhancing the experience of watching movies in this always-connected age."
movieIQ takes advantage of Gracenote's Video Explore solution, which brings powerful search and navigation capabilities to connected consumer electronic devices. Video Explore allows users to search the online Gracenote video database, linking together related cast, crew, movies, TV episodes, franchises, seasons, DVDs, and Blu-rays. Gracenote's global Video database contains rich video information for North America, Europe, and Japan, including factual metadata, synopses, credits, and detailed descriptive elements.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Sony Pictures to deliver movieIQ, a feature that takes full advantage of the Blu-ray format's internet connectivity and truly demonstrates that Blu-ray is the future of home entertainment," said Ross Blanchard, VP of Business Development at Gracenote. "Now, movie lovers will have access to an incredible new service where they can explore and discover all the rich details on their favorite actors, directors and movies."
The movieIQ feature is the latest addition to SPHE's BD-Live portfolio, which also includes social networking through cinechat, multiplayer games, and a customizable music video editor, as well as soundtrack playlists, e-movie cash, downloadable featurettes, and more, available on over 100 Sony Pictures Blu-ray titles worldwide since the technology launched in spring of 2008.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Flicky @ Jun 18th 2009 7:25PM
PS3 browser with IMDB as a favorite. Same thing, no ?
Ken @ Jun 18th 2009 9:38PM
My favorite DVD movies were always the one where you hit 'CLOSE' on the tray, and the intro credits were playing before you got back to the couch. Other distractions and features are not something I want. I want the best audio and video quality, and that is it.
Only 'extras' I have EVER watched are Pixar things.
NorthCranky @ Jun 18th 2009 10:16PM
I agree. Its better with only the movie and nothing else.
Michael @ Jun 18th 2009 10:44PM
Somebody wake me up I'm falling asleep
WebDev511 @ Jun 19th 2009 12:30AM
Wow, this really IS the killer app for BD-Live. I mean there is no way they could fit all that information, the movie, sound tracks and all the other BD-Java bloat on to a BD-50.
BD-Java is the epic fail that makes BD-Live, BD startup times and BD interactivitiy SUCK so much.
I agree with Ken. WB is top of the pile for BD and Universal a close second if for no other reason than they have little if any CRAP front loaded. The only annoying thing about WB is the fact that not all discs default to TrueHD.
Richard Lawler @ Jun 19th 2009 12:45AM
Tell me more about this world view where a static database that can't be updated is better than one that can. Who needs last week's, or last year's info? Yeah, burn the info on the disc. And then by the time the movie comes out and its outdated, you can go on about how useless it is.
nick @ Jun 19th 2009 2:03AM
I have to admit, I'm not entirely impressed. First of all, you're only offered information that the provideder THINKS you want. I mean, when this is done on the web, I never use it. And don't even get me started on sites that contain tags that direct you back to the site, instead of information you're seeking. It's beyond useless, because I know what I want, and I know how to find the information and dig for alternate sources of information if I'm truly interested in something.
I'm not sure interrupting a movie to look at database information is really a killer app. I don't know about everyone else, but once I commit to the movie, it's usually rare that I want to look up information while it's playing. Perhaps when the movie is not playing, but then again, why would I want to research something from my player? And even if I did try this, would it be something I want to do all the time?
The source is the old CDDB, which I seriously hope they're improving, because it's a resource with a lot of overlap and garbage based on the contributions by anyone.
Anyway, I still kinda think that BD Live is a solution in search of a need.
monte @ Jun 19th 2009 8:43AM
Drop BD-L. Lower Blu-Ray prices. Oh......And put the movie Tombstone out, I've waited long enough.
Metkis @ Jun 19th 2009 8:49PM
I'm your Huckleberry.
Jon @ Jun 19th 2009 8:42AM
Attn Sony .. BD Live sucks .. Bye
Eric D. @ Jun 19th 2009 10:21AM
BD-Live itself is a good idea... it's just so slow most of the time and makes the PS3 always start from the beginning of the disc. God forbid you have to stop and restart a movie... it takes 5-10 mins just to get back to the place where you left off. I'd rather have a DVD and IMDB.
hey hey @ Jun 19th 2009 10:24AM
I don't blame BD-J so much for BD-Live (Profile 2.0) for being so unexciting, but I blame content creators more then anything. Even when HD-DVD used there online services it was not that exciting. The most exciting thing that came out of online services with HD-DVD was with Harry Potter and the ability to Chat with others while viewing the movie at the same time. Even that was pushing it since almost every person purchases a Blu Ray disc for its quality not features.
Studios should focus on Quality, amount of titles released, and most importantly, PRICE!!!!
BD's are WAY to expensive right now and need to drop fast.
shig @ Jun 19th 2009 10:54AM
You know these money-hungry funts only want to get more advertising on the disc.
daveofferson @ Jun 19th 2009 1:15PM
Calm down, little one.
Compelling extras are cool. It's just too bad that about 1% of extras are compelling.
Rob @ Jun 19th 2009 2:14PM
wow. I'm surprised I'm alone in thinking that this is awesome. I have had ZERO interest in any BD-Live or even special features on DVDs, usually. But if I can pull that up quickly, while the movie is playing I'd be down. The wife and I often will pull out a laptop while watching a movie to know who a certain actor is or look up something specific about the movie. I would definitely welcome discs with this.
adam @ Jun 19th 2009 5:39PM
BD Live is one of the dumbest inventions of all time. I have never spoken to a single person that had any interest in it whatsoever....
Heavytoka @ Jun 19th 2009 10:16PM
Sounds like a sweet idea
DanielMobile @ Jun 20th 2009 12:14AM
Hello Everyone, Long time reader. First time posting.
When watching a movie I'm only interested in the Movie and any video extras they might include, but for any other information all I need is my laptop and google.
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
Sony you need to do better.
Frankie @ Jul 8th 2009 11:46PM
The only thing good about BD-Live capabilities is being able to download more extras than the BD disc can hold. But I thought the BD-50 storage ability was the big reason BD was deemed better than HD-DVD? Now they want us to fill up our BD player's hard drives and SD storage cards. HD-DVD had it right when they offered Combo HD and SD discs for the same price as a BD only disc. Not everyone has an HDTV or HD player in every room.
lbchs22 @ Jul 28th 2009 3:23PM
The most impressive thing I've seen with BD-Live is with Disney movies just go to the movie couch or whatever they call it. Just put that thing on so I don't have to keep starting Bug's Life all the damn time.
bluray_schmooray @ Aug 3rd 2009 11:50AM
*Yawn* - Another niche application for the novelty called BD Live. I have a better feature to add. How about disk load times that match conventional DVD? Unbloated disc menu systems that favor snappy access over frivilous eye candy? Or, discs that just work, without continual release of firmware updates from player manufacturers to try and address compatibility issues. Good job, Sony. YOU won 'the war'. The consumers, as predicted, are the casualties. This is what money (from Sony) can buy. Eliminate HD-DVD and deliver a self-centered, bloated solution looking for problems to solve. Welcome to Blu-Ray. The land where few home setups can TRULY take advantage of the format (with no inherent pic quality advantage of HD-DVD), content costs more to the consumer, players cost more, and in the end people are still snatching up SD DVDs at a clip that should make Sony ashamed.
titolajko @ Aug 17th 2009 1:33PM
I don't mind the bd live option and extras, but I do mind the sign up first crap. I do not not want to sign up for Disney, Sony, MGM and who knows who does it anymore. I just want the features I paid for. I do not want to give my email and address so they can send me junk in the mail. Besides, my ps3 controller is not good for typing. This is why I do not use it. Remove the login stuff and I am in.