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Planet Earth HD DVD and Blu-ray sales soaring
You remember Discovery's highly touted show Planet Earth right? This is one nature show that is really worth watching, thanks to stunning camera work. Well, the show was ported over to both of the competing high-def discs - HD DVD and Blu-ray - and according to Warner Home Video, it has pulled in more money than any other title. This $70 box set has generated $3.2 million dollars since April 24, which easily surpasses Scorsese's The Departed (2.8 million). Apparently, consumers want high-def media and are willing to spend good money it; maybe the fact that a BBC-created show is topping Hollywood says something about how important quality is.
Planet Earth HD DVD and Blu-ray review
High-Def Digest just released their review of both the HD DVD and Blu-ray version of Planet Earth. The video quality and audio quality sections of the review for both are identical, because both discs use the same VC1 encode and DD 5.1 audio (488kbps). According to Hi-Def Digest this is a must owned demo disc for both formats and that other than the normal low light artifacts that video is known for, the video quality is some of the best they have seen for either format. The audio on the other hand leaves something to be desired, but isn't bad. The good news is that neither format showed the type of compression artifacts that we have some to live with from sat or cable and that both versions outshine the broadcast version you may have already seen.Read HD DVD reviewRead Blu-ray review
HDTV Listings for March 25, 2007
What we're watching: Discovery's much-anticipated Planet Earth series kicks off tonight, and features some of the best footage your HDTV is likely to see of hard to reach corners of the world. The L Word season finale is also tonight on Showtime.Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
Don't forget Discovery's Planet Earth starts Sunday
Set those DVRs now for Planet Earth, Sunday night on Discovery HD Theater. Seriously, go; we'll wait... We know that you probably won't want to miss Desperate Housewives live and whatever other random stuff comes on Sunday night, but you are not going to want to miss the three hours of Planet Earth. This is a five-week special that is going to attempt to teach you almost everything Terra Firma has to offer. Sunday's first hour is going to take viewers "Pole to Pole" showing almost everything in between. Now like we said, this might be one of those programs that you save for a rainy day, but your HDTV will appreciate the amazing eye candy.
BBC Video releasing Planet Earth to Blu-ray, DVD & HD DVD April 24
Just that fast, BBC Video has followed up on the announcement that its $25 million Planet Earth documentary is coming to the U.S. via Discovery HD Theater in March, by saying that it will also be its first release on Blu-ray, HD DVD and DVD April 24th. The set spans four discs on the HD format of your choice or 5 discs on SD version, and will retail for $99.98 and $79.98, respectively. Those who were disappointed to learn that Sir David Attenborough from the original BBC airing had been replaced by Sigourney Weaver should be thrilled to learn it will contain the original narration and editing. The MSRP is a bit steep, but you'll be able to look at all 11 one hour episodes on the air before deciding to buy, so we'll keep an eye out this spring.
Planet Earth coming to Discovery HD Theater in March
Discovery Channel is bringing its 11-part natural history series, Planet Earth, from the BBC to the U.S. Premiering on March 25, the series promises to bring viewers into some of the hardest to observe regions of our planet using unprecedented high definition production techniques. Hopefully you're not completely tired of checking out animal behaviors and stunning landscapes in high def because when this simulcasts on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD Theater, viewers will be able to observe them via new innovations like the Cineflex heligimble, a powerful camera lens attached to a helicopter observing animals from long range. From the good people who brought you Blue Planet, the series is narrated by Sigourney Weaver and will run from the 25th until April 22.
Discovery HD to kick off the new year with "World of HD Week"
If you're fairly excited about the abundance of HD Bowl games you'll be able to catch starting December 19th on ESPN2 HD, right on into the first of the new year, well, so are we. But for those who aren't exactly keen on America's pigskin pastime just yet, Discovery HD is planning to help you ring in your new year on the HD trail, too. Discovery HD Theater has announced that the first week in January will be dubbed the "World of HD Week -- a special programming event offering high-definition premieres of new series and specials from across Discovery Networks in advance of their standard definition air dates." Being the company's first week of programming dedicated to showing off just how splendid that HD picture looks, it'll kick off with a Discovery Atlas HD marathon as 3:00PM EST on New Year's Day; the following days will host "primetime premieres" at 8:00PM EST until the final night, where the first episode of Planet Earth (dubbed "Pole to Pole") will air its first episode of the season. So if you're not really feeling the football vibe, and you love to view nature from the comforts of your own couch, be sure to hit the read link for the full rundown of upcoming showtimes.
