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Posts with tag universal

The Incredible Hulk Blu-ray brings Green Ray, BD-Live October 21

by Richard Lawler, posted Aug 27th 2008 at 5:41PM

The Incredible Hulk Blu-ray is definitely getting a more thorough treatment than its barebones Hulk HD DVD distant cousin, packing U-control picture-in-picture and interactive features as well as a standard definition digital copy on a second disc. The 50GB Blu-ray disc includes the 1080p MPEG-4 encoded flick, a DTS-HD Master Audio track as well as BD Live chat, and scene sharing. Hopefully there's room for the hour+ additional footage hinted at by the director in previous interviews, but we're sure that won't stop fans from preordering to get the limited edition "Green Ray" 3D packaging.

Blu-ray releases on July 22nd, 2008

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Jul 21st 2008 at 11:03AM

Mummy Returns Blu-rayThis week is finally the week, it's finally the week when Universal Studios releases its first Blu-ray Disc, and by the looks of the reviews, the big U is getting started with a bang. The biggest two titles from the new Blu studio are the first two installments of the Mummy franchise, released in preparation for the third movie due in theaters next week. We've seen over and over again this summer, that there is no better time to release a catalog title then just before the sequel is released on the big screen. But even if you aren't the biggest Brendan Fraser fan, you may want to check this out as the reviews seem to indicate that Universal didn't slouch on its first Blu-ray titles. The specs are a good start with BD-50, VC1, and the best in audio at DTS-HD MA 48kHz/24bit; but Hi-Def Digest review sums up the picture quality with "It's as close to a reference-caliber disc as any catalog title I've seen," while the audio was "absolutely excellent -- this is a demo-worthy presentation." But even if Mummy movies are your thing, you can check out Sony's date-and-date 21, or maybe a few older horror titles like Urban Legend or I know What You Did Last Summer. As big as this week is though, next is even bigger as just about every studio has something on the calendar with a total of 24 new releases in one week.


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Microsoft adds Universal, NBC to Xbox Live Marketplace, calls #1 in HD

by Richard Lawler, posted Jul 14th 2008 at 1:47PM


Microsoft just announced Universal, and NBC Universal programming is coming to Xbox Live, delivering The Office, Monk, Battlestar Galactica, The Mummy, Bourne Supremacy and others to the service. Xbox Live Video Marketplace now claims over 10,000 movies and TV shows on the marketplace, which it says puts it as the number one HD provider. MGM and Constantin are pushing things forward in Europe, adding 700 new titles to the library starting today. Check out more details from the E3 keynote in the live blog.

Universal exec sez Wanted:Blu-ray as The Matrix:DVD

by Richard Lawler, posted Jun 27th 2008 at 8:17AM


Former HD DVD supporter turned Blu-ray fan Craig Kornblau of Universal has jumped wholeheartedly onto the dark side - he couldn't even wait for the new movie Wanted to hit theaters before exclaiming that "What The Matrix did for DVD, this could do for Blu-ray". Assuming he's talking more about an impressive package of never before-seen special features plus a loving audio/video transfer of a groundbreaking action movie and less about U-control zooms on Angelina Jolie's tattoos over a cheesy PG-13 snoozefest, there's a chance that could happen. Please pardon our skepticism, we seem to have spilled it all over this area.

Universal's first Blu-ray Disc cover revealed

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 13th 2008 at 8:55AM


It won't be long now, folks. July 22nd is just around the corner, and now, you won't even have to wonder what The Mummy Returns cover art will look like. This first shot of the box sees Universal's logo shrunk down and slapped on the spine, while "The Perfect Hi-Def Movie Experience" will presumably be pasted on every single BD release from the studio. Riveting, no?

U-control picture-in-picture makes a comeback on The Mummy Returns Blu-ray disc

by Richard Lawler, posted May 22nd 2008 at 3:35PM

When Universal releases The Mummy Returns July 22 on Blu-ray, expect a return of the studio's U-control features with exclusive content not seen on the previous HD DVD release. Accompanying all the previously seen extras, Blu-ray viewers get a special picture-in-picture track with behind the scenes footage and filmmaker interviews.The 50GB disc will also have a DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio track, whether or not any of this makes it a better movie this go-round remains to be seen.

Peerless Slimline HDTV mount is just 0.4-inches thin

by Darren Murph, posted May 3rd 2008 at 6:33PM


Peerless has been known to crank out some fairly svelte wall mounts for flat-panels, but it really outdid itself with this one. Christened the "world's thinnest mounts," the Slimline universal mounting solution comes in at just 0.4-inches thick, which would unquestionably bring your LCD / plasma ridiculously close to the wall. Though even Peerless mentions that Hitachi's 1.5-inch units work marvelously with this, it is designed to handle practically any flat-panel weighing less than 150-pounds and measuring less than 60-inches. Users can even pick up an in-wall AV accessory box to neatly tuck away those cables and connectors, but considering that pricing information is glaringly absent, we're a tad scared to imagine what this thing actually costs.

[Via DailyGame]

Universal's Blu-ray audio plans revealed, DTS-HD Master Audio included

by Darren Murph, posted May 1st 2008 at 8:32AM


Listen up, audiophiles -- we know you've already pored over Universal's Blu-ray plans, but for those thirsting for more details in the world of audio, you've found your oasis. Sitting down with The Man Room, Universal made clear that its first wave of BD releases on July 22nd (all films from The Mummy franchise) would actually include Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio tracks. Yep, that means you'll be getting more than just a lackadaisical port should you snap these up on Blu-ray. The studio also mentioned that it was looking forward to DTS-HD MA becoming "the Blu-ray standard" at its headquarters, so we're hoping to see (er, hear) a lot more lossless from these guys in the near future.

Universal details international, new release Blu-ray plans

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 18th 2008 at 5:54PM


As promised, Universal has gone slightly more in-depth about its new plans as a Blu-ray studio. A few titles to expect among the 40 due in the second half of this year that we didn't mention previously are the studio's big summer releases The Incredible Hulk, Hellboy II, Mamma Mia and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Home Entertainment division Craig Kornblau has moved on from his red past and appears set to embrace BD-Live, although there weren't any specific plans announced. Otherwise, The Hollywood Reporter says we can expect 29 international Blu-ray releases from Universal, led by the global debut of Heroes seasons one and two.

NBC Universal brings Heroes to Blu-ray August 26

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 17th 2008 at 4:11PM

Heroes fans can get their full HD fix August 26, when the DVD boxed set of season two is released on DVD, it'll also hit Blu-ray and bring along season one for the ride. No word on price or what extras are in store (or if 1080p will somehow make the whole twins subplot less meaningless, just a thought), although the S1 set on HD DVD last year included HDi internet connectivity, and we don't expect anything less from BD-Live. Universal is going day and date with its movies starting with Doomsday, while NBCU's first dual-format feature film should hit shelves ahead of the holidays.

Universal's Blu-ray release plans uncovered, details later today

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 17th 2008 at 4:17AM Breaking News

We won't have to wait long to find out Universal's plans for Blu-ray, Reuters just noted that later today the studio will announce plans to release about 40 movies on the format in the second half of the year, including Doomsday. The only studio to support solely HD DVD from the beginning will come out with all three of its Mummy films: The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and The Scorpion King July 22 (sounds like someone's bitter about HD DVD and taking it out on Blu-ray owners to us), with catalog releases jumping over from red like Miami Vice, Knocked Up, American Gangster and others before the year is out. Keep an eye out for specifics later on, like whether those U-Control and community features from the HD DVD versions will make the jump intact

Ken Graffeo leaving HD marketing role at Universal, still sticking around the studio

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 29th 2008 at 4:35AM

Ken Graffeo, who formerly served as executive VP of marketing before signing on as executive VP of HD strategic marketing at Universal, has decided to step down from a position that had essentially crumbled since the fall of HD DVD. Curiously enough, the bigwig noted that he wouldn't be taking on a similar role for the Blu-ray side, but did assert that he would be hanging around Universal Studios Home Entertainment. More specifically, he was quoted as saying that he would be "looking at what [his] different options are and what [his] next moves would be," which -- to be fair -- is about as canned of a response as one could hope for. Somehow, we get the feeling Ken will be quite alright, though.

[Via FormatWarCentral, image courtesy of FutureNet]

Will Paramount go Blu in time for There Will Be Blood?

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Mar 20th 2008 at 5:20PM

There Will Be BloodThings have been quiet in the ex-Red camp recently, and James from FWC brings up a good point, what's the deal with Paramount and Universal? Although it's too early to get concerned, it is only three weeks until the Oscar Winning, There Will Be Blood is set to be released on DVD. The Hollywood Reporter did say it expected both studios to release titles by late spring/early summer, but April 8th is more like mid-spring. The other title we'd miss is Cloverfield, which is due to release on April 22nd. We can kinda understand it taking Universal a little while to get up to speed on Blu-ray, but certainly Paramount hasn't forgotten how to make Blu-ray Discs between now and last August.

Oppo's DV-983H upconverting DVD deck marks the end of the line

by Steven Kim, posted Mar 11th 2008 at 3:16PM

Oppo's DV-983H its last DVD playerIf you like to hang on until hardware tech is EOL-ed (End of Life) maximally polished to jump in, now may be the time for you to score a DVD player. The Oppo DV-983H upscaling DVD player announced last week is now officially available. Oppo's going out with a bang, for sure -- the unit has some good looking specs, especially the built in Anchor Bay (a.k.a DVDO) VRS processing. But what's more significant is a bit of info we gleaned from the PR email accompanying the DV-983H release: the unit is the last DVD player that Oppo will be making. The company that made its name in upscaling DVD is moving whole hog into something else, and we're all-in on a Blu-ray spinner. Bring it on, Oppo! Full PR email after the jump.

Continue reading Oppo's DV-983H upconverting DVD deck marks the end of the line

Oppo's upscaling DV-983H universal player up for pre-order

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 3rd 2008 at 1:57PM


Though it's not the elusive Blu-ray player we're anxiously awaiting, Oppo's latest standalone deck is finally up for pre-order. The DV-983H universal player features 1080p upscaling of DVDs, SACD / Redbook CD / HDCD playback (no DVD-A?), optical / coaxial digital audio outputs, a USB 2.0 port, support for DTS, Dolby and Dolby Pro-Logic II, HDMI audio output supporting bit-stream and uncompressed multi-channel high resolution audio and a design that's actually not half bad. You'll also get a one-year warranty and a six-foot HDMI cable for $399, but we've got to say, picking this one up will be hard to do with knowledge of what's on the way.

[Via AudioJunkies]




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