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HBO tries using Blu-ray to hook cord-cutters on new shows
Remember BD-Live? Other than being the reason so many Blu-ray discs take forever to load, it's a way for them to pull in continuously updated content from the internet and HBO's using it to reach people who only watch its shows on disc. The new feature is called "HBO Sampler" and it unlocks full episodes of some of the network's other shows for streaming. Currently that list includes the season one premiere episodes of Girls, Looking, Banshee and Togetherness, while in the future Veep, Silicon Valley, Game of Thrones and True Detective premieres will pop up too. It's only a single episode so it's no HBO Go or even Amazon Prime, but if you already own some of the boxed sets in the last year or so (Game of Thrones S3, True Detective S1, etc.) or will buy any of the ones coming out in 2015 then you can get a peek at what HBO subscribers are watching.
The Big Lebowski comes to Blu-ray in Limited Edition trim August 16th
More than four years after it came out on HD DVD The Big Lebowski is finally going to be released in a newly remastered version on Blu-ray August 16th. Universal's packing plenty of extras into this limited edition release, with its usual slew of BD-Live related enhancements plus at 28-page book full of stills and quotes, a picture-in-picture mode with interviews and behind the scenes footage and an integrated trivia game. Viewers can also create custom playlists of the songs in the movie and buy them from iTunes, or watch featurettes like The Dude's Life, The Dude Abides - The Big Lebowski Ten Years Later and more. There's a full list of all the extras in the press release after the break, but no price tag, yet.
Unstoppable: the first Blu-ray film with Android-compatible Digital Copy
It's a little shocking that it's taken this long to get a Digital Copy that's compatible with Android, but clearly it's the week of shackles being broken. Just yesterday, Qualcomm announced that all future Snapdragon devices would be cleared for Netflix streaming, and now Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is announcing that its impending Unstoppable launch will allow Android users to watch the flick on the go. By enabling the transfer through BD Live, it marks the first time that this has been possible with Google's mobile OS, though it should be noted that consumers will need the disc itself, a WiFi-connected BD player, Android 1.6 or higher and the free PocketBLU app to make the magic happen. Both the movie and app can be downloaded starting today, but here's the real question: are you willing to invest in a movie just to experience Digital Copy... on Android?
Taxi Driver comes to Blu-ray for its 35th Anniversary April 5th
Yet another classic flick finally has a Blu-ray release date now that Sony Pictures has announced Taxi Driver will be released April 5th. There's plenty of extras in store, with the inclusion of a commentary by the director Martin Scorsese and the writer Paul Schrader recorded in 1986 by the Criterion Collection for the Laserdisc, and an exclusive "Script to Screen" feature that scrolls the original script along with stage notes onscreen as the movie plays and points out the differences. Along with a 5.1 audio track, the picture has been remastered in 4K from the original and approved by both the cinematographer and director for this release. It's hard to find anything missing from this release of an iconic film starring Robert DeNiro and Jodie Foster, check the press release after the break for all the details.
Yamaha brings Netflix, Blockbuster and YouTube access to BD-A1000 'universal Blu-ray player'
Calling this thing a "universal Blu-ray player" seems a bit disingenuous (at least compared to models that have used that moniker in the past), but there's no question that Yamaha's latest does a good bit more than simply play back your newest Blu-ray Disc. The BD-A1000 offers 1080p playback via HDMI, component outputs, coaxial / Toslink digital audio ports, an RS-232C control socket and an Ethernet port, but unlike many BD decks, you'll also find a pair of USB ports (one on the front, one on the rear). Moreover, this guy can tune into Netflix, Blockbuster and YouTube without any fancy software hacks, and as expected, it'll handle BD-Live and BonusView content as well. Too bad that $699.95 MSRP is bound to scare just about everyone away. %Gallery-106371%
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Blu-ray arrives November 9, with bonus streaming movie
Michael Cera fans can smile, as Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is coming to Blu-ray November 9, and appears to be getting the premium treatment with plenty of extras. Check the press release after the break for a full list of the special features exclusive to this Blu-ray, but beware as it's long, with plenty of time dedicated to explaining the story's journey from comic book page to screen. Of course, since it's a Universal disc it's also getting the pocket BLU BD-Live integration that allows remote control and content access from computer or mobile device, and viewers choice of either Tremors or Pitch Black as a free streaming movie for a short time. Not that many people checked this one out in theaters, but we imagine its video game-style look will fit very well on the HDTV this winter.
Universal's Charlie St. Cloud Blu-ray is the next to include bonus BD-Live movies
As excited we are that Zac Efron's summertime flick Charlie St. Cloud is coming to Blu-ray November 9 (and we're really excited) the main reason we're mentioning this one is it's the second flick by Universal to offer buyers their choice of bonus movies viewable through internet streaming. Lorenzo's Oil and What Dreams May Come (also like the Get Him to the Greek deal because both films have not yet been released on Blu-ray) can stream to viewers TVs via their BD-Live connected Blu-ray player or to another device on the pocketBLU app for iOS, Blackberry, Android, Windows and Macintosh hardware. We're still not sure what to make of streaming video as the new big thing for BD-Live, but if these implementations work better than the buggy implementation included on the Wolfman Blu-ray, then free extras are always welcome.
Netgear announces NeoTV 550 & 350 HD Media Players plus other networking goodies
This week Netgear made a battery of new product announcements related to home entertainment and Powerline networking. On the media side, the NeoTV 550 & 350 HD players look a lot like last year's Digital Entertainer Elite, minus the 500GB of internal storage and access to VOD services like CinemaNow. Both are however capable of playing a robust list of codecs in full HD from a variety of attached sources like USB, eSATA (in the case of the 550) or SD storage, as well as streaming content from UPnP, DLNA or WMP11 networks. The 550 adds in support for external Blu-ray drives and BD-Live too, all for $219, which should appeal any of the poor souls with an unused standalone drive. Three new Powerline kits -- AV 200, AV 500, and AV+ 500 -- were also announced to help consumers avoid the pain of stringing Ethernet in every direction. The entry level AV 200 appears to improve on the previous HDXB101 kit by offering the same theoretical 200mbps in addition to push button security enhancements and greener power consumption. The AV 500 kit provides the same and ramps the networking speeds to up to -- you guessed it -- 500mbps, while the "+" version throws in a pass-through filtered AC socket to avoid sacrificing precious outlets. Priced all below $200, every kit will available be by mid November for all the fall home networking your heart could desire. Peep the galleries and PR below for further details. %Gallery-100540% %Gallery-100541%
BD-Live lets The Office Season Six Blu-ray set stream next season's episodes in HD
Universal's list of special features for The Office: Season Six Blu-ray boxed set is pretty standard for its releases -- iPhone remote control, digital shorts, blooper reel etc. -- with the exception of one all-new feature. This time around, when season 7 episodes air on NBC, afterwards users with these discs can stream them, in HD, through their Blu-players via BD-Live. According to the press release users will have access to "the latest five episodes" but no word on exactly how long the window between them airing on TV and showing up online will be. We'll keep our DVR queue, but if these episodes are truly high quality and commercial free, it's at least a convenient bonus. Perhaps if they bumped it up to allow viewing before the episodes air, then Universal could be onto something, press release and trailer follow after the break.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show brings The Midnight Experience to Blu-ray October 19
The official Rocky Horror Picture Show fan site has announced the cult classic is coming to Blu-ray October 19. Fox is pulling out all the stops for this 35th anniversary edition, with a restored picture courtesy of a new master from the original negatives, 7.1 audio and a wealth of special features meant to give "The Midnight Experience." Just to make sure the die-hard fans are in line day 1 to purchase, for a "limited time" it's also tossing in a 24-page book of photos taken by chief photographer Mick Rock. Outside of actually dressing up and hitting a midnight showing, with the preorder price already down to $18.49 on Amazon, we wouldn't suggest enjoying Tim Curry's transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania any other way.
Clips from Kick-Ass Blu-ray show off exclusive special features
Kick-Ass comes to Blu-ray next week, and it seems Lionsgate has been dropping clips of the special features all over the web in preparation for its release. Not surprisingly for a studio with a rep for pushing the technological limits, it has plenty of Blu-ray exclusives planned, including "Ass Kicking Bonus View Mode" to draw together commentary, background footage and graphics along with the movie, and the "A New Kind of Superhero: The Making of Kick-Ass" documentary. Check out the most recent clip from MovieWeb embedded after the break, along with a few others TheHDRoom has found floating around the net, and check out the movie when it's released August 3.
U2 360° Tour Blu-ray actually makes compelling use of BD-Live
Normally, if asked to choose between living with or without gimmicky BD-Live enabled bonus features, we'd pick the latter. Musical preferences aside though, U2's use of the technology on their 360 Tour Blu-ray to share select performances from their 2011 tour is just the kind of cool use case we've been looking for. According to the disc's production company, it was also cheap to implement -- think less than a pair of Bono's sunglasses. That happens to fly directly in the face of arguments made by other studios who cite BD-Live's costs as the main reason for its limited integrations to date. So while we never thought the day would come, it looks like the same minds behind the special edition iPod have set a new precedent -- mainly that studios shouldn't get away with all that they leave behind. That's right you heard us movie companies, we want more free future content on discs -- and while you're up get us some Goobers too.
Repo Men Blu-ray disc gets the premium treatment
With a 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and no Emilio Estevez we're not sure Repo Men deserves a top of the line Blu-ray release, but it appears to be getting one. Universal's stuffed the disc full of extras, including pocket BLU functionality, letting uses control the action from their iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry device or a connected PR or Mac, as well as pull up the video timeline or browse other titles while the movie plays. Of course, its U-Control tech, BD-Live My Scenes bookmarking and social BLU social networking features are also accounted for, plus a wealth of extras in HD and DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack. Even with all those extras... we're thinking rent at best, are any one of you buying up discs just to control them from their phone?
Philips BDP5010 Blu-ray / Divx player drops below $70 at Target
Believe it: $70 at Target takes home a new Philips (eh hem, Funai) BDP5010 Blu-ray player that once sold for as much as $250. Hell, it's listed for $139.99 right now on Target's online storefront. If you do manage to track one down in a real life Target store then you'll be getting DivX support, a SDHC card reader, BD Live, and HDMI CEC convenience. While a quick search returns a bevy of mixed reviews (image quality is only so-so), really, for $69.98 you really can't complain if you're looking to finally make the jump to 1080p physical media. [Thanks, Keith B.]
Imagion AG hits 500 BD-Live movies authored, plans more U.S. Blu-ray releases
It's been an under the radar race to 500, but that's how many Blu-ray discs Imagion AG has put together using its dynamicHD BD-Live platform. Many of those are international releases, although their work on CSI and Star Trek:TOS hits closer to home, and now the company is partnering with Giant Interactive to work on more BD-Live discs in the U.S under the BD-Connect name. We're still holding out hope BD-Live lives up to its promise and brings many worthwhile new experiences to Blu-ray discs, are we the only ones? Hello? Anyone?
This is It Blu-ray release debuts movieIQ Sync, brings more Michael Jackson info to your iPhone or PC
Unfortunately, the most telling element of this Blu-ray news is that it didn't merit a mention during Sony's CES keynote, but a new BD-Live feature will be included on This is It. movieIQ Sync updates the original by allowing users to pull up additional movie info on a PC or iPhone synchronized with the movie -- we're guessing the recently released FBI files won't be included -- without it popping up on the television. The other new feature is the ability to create & share customized playlists of the songs featured in the flick. We've been waiting for an event that would change both the reality and perception of internet connected features on Blu-ray -- and there's still some hope -- but this probably isn't it.
Blu-TV brings interactive IPTV to disc players, starting with the BDP-83
Dreamer has finally found a partner in its Blu-ray powered IPTV fantasy now that Blu-TV has debuted on the OPPO BDP-83. As the company envisions it, once loaded, it turns your BD-Live capable Blu-ray player into a video and interactive content gateway anyone can develop apps for once the SDK is released. Already powering an IPTV service in Korea, we got a quick demo of the software running on a PS3 in Dreamer's CES booth and flipped through a quick selection of online marketplaces, simple games and video services. We're not sure how many manufacturers will warm to the idea of opening up players currently limited to their choice of streaming services, but if the apps start to flow, having this as an embedded option could be a differentiating feature as player prices dive.
Terminator: Salvation BD-Live director commentary impressions
One of the main problems with initial Blu-ray director's chat sessions was a lack of feeling any life or interactivity, but Warner gave it another shot this weekend by offering audio over BD-Live as a moderator bounced audience provided questions off of director McG while watching Terminator: Salvation. Despite a less than stellar reputation, BD-Live has continued to slowly creep along, adding features and enhancements, so we wanted to if this event bodes well for the future of internet enabled discs. Check after the break for our impressions, plus a few clips of the director talking about what he did and didn't like about the finished product, director's cuts in general, and the possibility of doing another Terminator movie. %Gallery-79793%
Terminator: Salvation's McG hosts the first audio Blu-ray director's chat session tonight
It's been a little over a year since we first checked out a live director's chat session on Blu-ray with Guillermo del Toro and Hellboy II, and now Warner is prepared to take the next step by letting interested fans hear their questions answered rather than simply reading text for the duration of the movie. the first release so honored? Terminator: Salvation and its director McG. Everything's set to go off at 9 p.m. est, with only a copy of the movie, BD-Live connected player, registration on Warner's website and an appetite for yet another sequel in an action movie franchise that topped out two movies and almost as many decades ago. A chance to see if Blu-ray's interactive potential can ever pay off means we're in, interested parties can sign up at the read link below, if you can't make it check back later, we'll try and grab some audio. Update: Well, we're logged in and ready to go, we'll save you our 30 seconds of confusion and remind that you'll need to insert the director's cut disc to access the BD-Live menu. Feel free to add "Rjcc" as a buddy on Warner's BD-Live setup.
Terminator: Salvation Blu-ray review roundup
It didn't crack the podium on our most anticipated Blu-ray poll behind current number one selling Star Trek, but Terminator: Salvation's feature-laden release December 1 has already made the review circuit and come away with some widely varying opinions. The good news is the picture doesn't disappoint, with a clear transfer and elaborate special effects, although BigPictureBigSound's reviewer found a few issues with a bluish matte line appearing at times, plus a few notes about compression and noise in clouds of dust and smoke also noted in other reviews. On the audio front, the DTS-HD MA soundtrack by all accounts is an impressive treatment, with the only "problem" that viewers might want to dial back slightly on the bass to avoid waking the neighbors. Of the extras included in the U.S. release of the film, the only real issue seems to be a lack of seamless branching, requiring viewers to forego the Director's Cut and its extra few minutes of Moon Bloodgood in order to walk through the flick in Maximum Movie mode with director McG and others showing how they pulled off many of the shots. The European edition released by Sony does feature seamless branching, although CNET UK and DVD Times both complained of slow loads and glitches on their players as a result, with the latter also finding some possible compression issues from being squeezed on one disc. Whatever your choice, check the reviews and make it soon as Warner is planning a one time only BD-Live community screening with the director answering questions via audio December 5.