Recent Comments:
No plans for 120GB PS3 in UK, says Sony {Joystiq}
Jan 29th 2008 10:39AM Translation: Sales are tanking in the US so we have to do something to entice buyers, whereas in the UK they'll buy anything with the Sony name on it.
Netflix to loosen restrictions on internet viewing option {Engadget HD}
Jan 14th 2008 12:43AM I'm not sure I care about HD DVD or Blu-Ray with being able to download whenever I want, as much as I want. Instead, give us more downloadable content!
PSN Thursday: Folklore keeps telling tales, demo Stardust in HD {Joystiq}
Jan 11th 2008 10:02AM Movie/Blu-ray trailer? Is that how movie trailers are being referred to these days?
No it's NOT a movie trailer until it's in Blu-ray
It's downloadable content, what blu-ray?
Or is this an advertisment for the blu-ray disc version of those movies at some long term future date?
Or is it simply an ad for Blu-ray?
Inquiring mind wants to know...
Michael Bay says HD DVD will die a slow death {Engadget HD}
Jan 5th 2008 9:22PM I disagree that bandwidth to allow speedy downloads of HD content on a mass scale will not be available in the next 5 years.
We can already download and stream HD content today. Most people don't realize it's possible or they may not have the equipment that currently offers this functionality. And I agree, not everyone has broadband. Broadband is key, although there has been work done with slow speed connections, involving streaming.
Netflix has already mentioned earlier this week (to the New York Times) they want to offer digital distribution to every internet capable device. This would eventually get rid of those red envelopes.
There are others which are going to offer similiar technologies. Expect Apple, Microsoft, Sony, Universal/NBC, Disney/ABC to be among the players.
New Line confirms it'll follow in Warner's Blu footsteps {Engadget HD}
Jan 5th 2008 8:47PM HD DVD and Blu-Ray offer the same resolution (720p, 1080i, 1080p)
HD DVD's disc capacity is 15GB single layer, 30GB dual layer, or 45GB prototype triple layer
Blu-Ray's disc capacity is 25GB single layer, 50GB dual layer, and 100GB prototype triple layer
HD DVD can store anywhere from 3.3 to 5.1 hours on disc in HD
Blu-Ray can store anywhere from 5.6 to 8.5 hours on disc in HD
Both formats support Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES.
Companies offering HD DVD players are Toshiba, LG, Thomson/RCA, Onkyo, and Samsung
Companies offering Blu-Ray players are Sony, Hitachi, LG, Mitsubihi, Sharp, Panasonic, Samsung, Philips, and Thomson/RCA
Studios supporting HD DVD are Paramount, Studio Canal, Universal, Warner (includes New Line & HBO until May 2008), the Weinstein company, Dreamworks animation
Studios supporting Blu-Ray area Sony (includes MGM/Columia/TriStar), Disney (includes Touchstone, Miramasx), Fox, Warner, Lions Gate
Retail pricing for movies is the same for both, from $20-28 per movie
HD DVD players generally have been cheaper than Blu-Ray players. HD DVD players were sold during holiday promotions at the sub $100 level.
The best selling Blu-Ray player by a huge margin is the Sony PS3, which is currently $399. Most stand alone Blu-Ray players are more expensive. During the holiday there were specials on some stand alone Blu-Ray players which brought them closer to HD DVD pricing.
Both formats have stronger encryption than DVD to prevent piracy. HD DVD uses AACS and ICT. Blu-Ray uses AACS, ICT, BD+, BD-ROM Mark. Both formats have been reported cracked.
HD DVD discs are not region encoded. Any disc you buy anywhere in the world will work on any player anywhere in the world. Blu-Ray discs on the otherhand are locked by region.
All HD DVD players have a network port for firmware updates or additional content. In the case of Transformers on HD DVD, if you plug into the internet you get a wealth of information about each transformer. On Blu-Ray this is not a requirement, and not all players have network ports.
HD DVD has supported advanced features such as picture in picture from day one. This same feature is only now appearing in Blu-Ray, after a firmware update, and only on certain players. Blu-Ray spec is still evolving. We've yet to see certain features announced as part of Blu-Ray.
Both sides have been giving away free movies.
Both sides have seen buy one get one free offers on movies.
HD DVD group cancels CES press conference in wake of Warner announcement: daaamn {Engadget HD}
Jan 5th 2008 12:08AM I did picked up a Toshiba HD DVD player this Christmas, but I hold no ill will against Toshiba. They built a solid unit, made it incredibly afforadble, offered a pretty good line-up, although I would have liked to have had Fox or Disney titles too. And only because Warner is attempting to force us to switch to Blu-Ray am I holding some contempt for them only. I really don't appreciate a company telling me what consumers want, instead of listening to their customers. I could understand if the format was selling less and less, but it has been gaining momentum. There are more stand HD DVD players than stand alone Blu-Ray players out there. And don't get me wrong, I don't want to see either side lose. I want to see both sides succeed. Why is it such a problem to publish titles in both formats? Why can't I choose the HD player that I want to use, and have them support it?
Warner made a shocking move on the eve of CES, and now there's no HD DVD press conference. Seems to me Warner's announcement was not only ill timed, but released just as HD was gaining traction. Maximum damage to Toshiba. Not to mention others. If I'm not mistaken, HP was about to offer a new Windows PC that includes a blu-ray/hd-dvd/dvd combo drive for under $1000.
At least when Betamax died out, or Laser Disc, they were given a full chance. It was consumers that choose their fate, not Warner Bros. Even UMD which, I thought was a misconceived format, is still around.
This move changes my entire impression of Warner. I'm not sure I want to support them if they want to turn their backs on a growing market just so they can force everyone to a single format. Shame on you Warner. Shame on you.
Podcast Rodeo for July 8: Norman Ear {Joystiq}
Jul 8th 2007 5:07PM This picture sucks, and I'm tired of talking about this every time it appears.
But anyone who likes the old man should save it, print it out, and put it under their pillow so they can sleep better at night.
Resistance padding files only 420MB per region [update 2] {Joystiq}
Nov 26th 2006 4:42PM Played both, Gears of Wars is better than Resistance. Keep in mind there was no incentive to compress Resistance, because they had the space available. Would you try hard to compress a game if you didn't have to? If you have the space, you'll use it. Did Resistance REQUIRE the extra space? I'm not so certain. But they did apparently use extra space.
Now, go eat until you pop! {Joystiq Playstation}
Nov 23rd 2006 11:45AM I have a request... could someone post a review on how the Blu-Ray movie playback capability of the PS3 works?
Haven't seen one anywhere.
Sony begrudgingly promises fix for PS3 720p output issues {Engadget HD}
Nov 23rd 2006 11:38AM Hmm... I did a search for "PS3" on Engadget and didn't find any articles talking about how the PS3 handles Blu-Ray movie playback. And now that I think about it, I don't think I've seen anyone cover it. It would be a good article. Sony is positioning it as a cheaper Blu-Ray player. I'd like to know how well it works and how it compares to other Blu-Ray players.
Anyone have one and can offer their opinions on it?
