Blu-Ray not strong enough to survive?

Blu-Ray not strong enough to survive?

New stats shows that set-top player Blu-ray player sales was unaffected in the months following HD DVDs demise.
“That standalone Blu-ray players haven’t picked up significantly from HD DVDs loss shows that few consumers were dissuaded primarily by the “format war,” said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis, NPD Group.
The sales of Blu players dropped 40% […]

Universal likes DTS-HD Master Audio for their Blu-Rays




Universal likes DTS-HD Master Audio for their Blu-Rays

With details on their first Blu-ray release ticking in it seems that Universal will use DTS-HD Master audio for their titles with HD audio.
One of the first “new title” Blu-ray releases from the studio will be Doomsday which shows up on July 29th. It will feature English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and also picture-in-picture features.
Good […]

Universal Announces their Blu-Ray Plans




Universal Announces their Blu-Ray Plans

Universal will announce plans to release about 40 movies on the blu-ray format in the second half of the year, including the box office bomb 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 […]

10,000 BC on Blu-Ray, June 24th




10,000 BC on Blu-Ray, June 24th

Warner Home Video will release “10,000 B.C.” on DVD and Blu-ray this June 24th. The film, directed by Roland Emmerich, stars Camilla Belle, Steven Strait, and Cliff Curtis.
Extras will include: an “Exciting Alternate Ending,” and “Deleted Scenes.”
The Blu-ray edition will include 2 exclusive featurettes (A Wild and Wooly Ride, Inspiring an Epic) in addition to […]

Blockbuster goes full force with Blu-ray in U.S. and Canada




Blockbuster Video, recently announced that beginning this week all of their locations in the US and Canada will promote Blu-ray rentals as well as sales. Until now, only approximately one-third of their stores carried the high-definition format. It seems to me that it would be in any rental chain’s best interest to push the […]

Comcast: “Download a high-definition movie in 10 minutes.”




Comcast Corp. the largest U.S. cable television operator, said on Wednesday it has started offering a super-fast Internet service that allows customers to download a high-definition movie in 10 minutes. The new premium service was launched in the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and marks a leap in connection speeds for Comcast. The […]

Xbox 360 + Blu-ray player = Profit




Xbox 360 + Blu-ray player = Profit

despite Microsoft’s attempt to stomp 360-bluray marriage rumors, arrangements are being made. According to “industry sources” speaking to DigiTimes, Lite-On is developing built-in Blu-ray Disc drives for the 360. Lite-On is expected to begin shipping the new BD players for assembly in the second half of 2008. No comment from microsoft as of yet.
i know […]

Ninja Gaiden 2 Demo, available in May




Ninja Gaiden 2 Demo, available in May

The Ninja Gaiden 2  page on Xbox.com has been updated with news of an upcoming playable demo for the game in May, prior to its June 3rd release date.  The website also promises “exclusive Ninja Gaiden 2 content” on April 15th, though they don’t specify whether it will be on XBL or Xbox.com

HD DVD Promotional Group Dissolves March 28th, 2008




HD DVD Promotional Group Dissolves March 28th, 2008

Taking a page from Toshiba’s book, the HD DVD Promotional Group has pulled the plug as well and stopped all of it’s activities.  This really doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone, it was only a matter of time.  HD DVD was a great format, but unfortunately somebody had to lose.
In a letter to their […]

Gangs of New York on Blu-Ray, July 1st




Gangs of New York on Blu-Ray, July 1st

Disney has confirmed that “Gangs of New York” will be released on Blu-ray this July 1st.  The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, and Daniel Day Lewis in what is probably one of the highest points of his career. I cannot think of another performance by an actor that I enjoyed more than this one. […]

US Trade Commission investigates Blu-ray Patent




It seems the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to investigate certain short-wavelength light emitting diodes, laser diodes, and products containing these components such as Blu-ray players.
“The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Gertrude Neumark Rothschild of Hartsdale, NY, on February 20, 2008. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the […]

“Signs” on Blu-Ray, June 3rd




“Signs” on Blu-Ray, June 3rd

On June 3, Disney/Buena Vista will release M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs” starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix on Blu-ray. No details on the special features at this time.  M. Night Shyamalan has made a name for himself among scary movie fans, and this is his third feature to hit the big screen.  The first two […]

Semi-Pro on Blu-ray, June 3rd




Semi-Pro on Blu-ray, June 3rd

New Line Home Entertainment will release the Will Ferrell comedy ‘Semi-Pro’ to Blu-ray on June 3rd. No extras have been announced at this time.  The comedy grossed a little over $36 million worldwide, which is sounds like a lot, but for a Will Ferrell comedy is a little on the low side, so purchase at […]

Blu-Ray on the Rise.




Blu-Ray on the Rise.

NPD has the latest numbers ready, and they show that the number of DVD owners interested in upgrading to Blu-ray has risen.
DVD owners interested in buying HD-packaged media increased from 9.4% in the week ending February 13th to 10.8% in the week ending February 20th.
Russ Crupnick, senior industry analyst with The NPD Group, said that […]

Sony to invest $110 million in Blu-Ray Production




Now that Blu-ray has taken it’s place as the next generation optical disc, Sony has decided to invest $100M in equipment purchases and additional money in property improvements to their Terre Haute Digital Audio Disc Corp (DADC) production facility. The additional investment also includes the addition of 65 positions to manage the new production increases. […]

“Short Circuit” on Blu-ray, May 20th




“Short Circuit” on Blu-ray, May 20th

Number 5 is alive! Image Entertainment will release the 1986 comedy “Short Circuit” starring Steve Gutenberg, Ally Sheedy, and the robotic Johnny 5 on DVD & Blu-ray, on May 20th ,2008.  Many fans of the cult comedy are more than likely the early adopter tech geeks that own blu-ray, so I would expect healthy sales […]

“Batman Begins” finally on Blu-Ray, July 8th




It has finally happened. “Batman Begins” will be available on Blu-Ray on July 8th, 2008, just in time for the theatrical release of “The Dark Knight” on July 18th. Blu-Ray owners have long wondered where this title has been, especially since HD DVD owners have enjoyed watching this movie, along with the Matrix […]

“Rambo” on Blu-Ray, May 27th




“Rambo” on Blu-Ray, May 27th

Lionsgate will release “Rambo” on Blu-ray, Release Date: May 27th, 2008.  “Rambo” is the latest installment of the action packed franchise.  The DVD and Blu-ray will both contain various featurettes, but unique to the Blu-Ray release will be  an exclusive expanded option that takes the viewer beyond the film with extended and Bonus View ™ […]

Microsoft talks Blu-Ray for the 360




Microsoft talks Blu-Ray for the 360

Stan Glasgow, president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics, spoke with the Financial Times in regards to Microsoft and a possible Blu-ray drive for the XBOX 360.
But after Sony´s victory last month in the high-definition DVD format war, Stan Glasgow, Sony Electronics US president, said the two sides were now talking about Microsoft adopting […]

“Army of Two” out tomorrow, March 4, 2008




You will be able to pick up “Army of Two” tomorrow for your Xbox 360 or Playstation 3.  The game focuses entirely on teamwork and it not yet know whether it will be a great game or not, but I will say this, it certainly has potential.
Description:
You’re not alone soldier, not anymore. Army of Two […]

Blu-Ray to step up marketing.




Blu-Ray to step up marketing.

The Blu-ray Association will increase its marketing to persuade the average consumer of the benefits of the format.
With HD DVD defeated an even bigger challenge lays ahead for the Blu-ray disc supporting companies. They need to make it obvious for the millions of HDTV owners that DVD, HD Cable and downloads will not cut it […]

Sony to release 100+ Blu-Ray titles in 2008




Sony to release 100+ Blu-Ray titles in 2008

Sony is trying to keep their hot streak going with their recent win over HD DVD.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment president David Bishop said that the studio plans to release more than 100 Blu-ray titles in 2008. 54% more than what they did in 2007. Sony has released 93 Blu-ray titles since the formats launch.
2008 Blu-ray […]

Universal lowers prices of HD DVD titles




Universal lowers prices of HD DVD titles

Universal has lowered its suggested retail price on all already released titles.
Their new price will be $19.98 (down from $29.98) on catalog titles.
New releases (Typically DVD Combo) will be priced at $26.98 (down from $39.98.)
The new prices will be effective from tommorow March 4th. So keep the new SRP prices in mind when browsing the […]

“The Orphanage” on Blu-Ray, April 22nd




“The Orphanage” on Blu-Ray, April 22nd

New Line Cinema will release “The Orphanage” on Blu-Ray, April 22nd, 2008.  The film is produced by Guillermo Del Toro, and will be featured in Spanish with English subtitles.  You may remember a film directed by Del Toro called Pan’s Labyrinth, which was presented in the same manner.  If you missed Pan’s Labyrinth, a more […]

American Gangster HD DVD top seller, despite HD DVD death




American Gangster HD DVD top seller, despite HD DVD death

VideoScan has the latest numbers up for the best-selling HD releases on the week ending February 24th.  The results were surprising, as the top selling HD movie just happened to be “American Gangster” on HD DVD.  What exactly happened with blu-ray sales you may be wondering?  Don’t worry, they occupied the other 9 spots in […]