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Singulus tests 100GB, 4K-ready Blu-ray discs
The Blu-ray Disc Association has teased that a 4K-friendly disc format is coming, but Singulus isn't willing to wait to make some announcements of its own. The German company just finished production tests of a Blu-ray disc that squeezes 100GB into three layers, making it "ideal" for 4K movies. Sounds good, doesn't it? Unfortunately, the company hasn't said much more about the technology -- we don't know if the discs have the BDA's support, whether they're compatible with existing players, or when they enter mass production. We've reached out for more details; in the meantime, we'd advise saving up for the exotic TV you'll need to watch 4K movies in any format. [Image credit: Diego Correa, Flickr]
128GB BDXL Blu-ray disc specification finalized... and fabulous!
Looks like the Blu-ray Disc Association has published the final specs for the monster BDXL disc, opening the way for manufacturers to start introducing the technology in their optical drives. Not too much here that we don't already know: aimed at institutions and folks who need to archive lots and lots of... stuff, BDXL discs are available in either triple layer 100GB (re-writable or write-once) or 128GB quad layer write-once flavors. Of course, with all these layers (or layuhs in Brooklyn) the laser in the Blu-ray drive you already own won't be able to do the trick, so start saving your change for a hardware upgrade once these things become commercially available. PR after the break.
Blu-ray Discs expand to 128GB under new BDXL spec
This probably isn't a response to the 3D onslaught or even "superbit" releases like the upcoming Avatar 2D disc, but just in case the standard 50GB Blu-ray discs were beginning to feel a bit -- how do you say... cramped? -- the Blu-ray Disc Association's rolling out a new BDXL format capable of holding up to 128GB (write-once) or 100GB (rewriteable). Before you get too excited, you should know that you'll need a new player to access these -- even a firmware update won't save the PS3 this time -- since they go up to three or four layers deep and will likely need a more powerful laser. While our home movies can be compressed just fine, corporations currently still using other mediums for archiving might appreciate the extra space, as well as the new IH-BD discs, designed with one 25GB read-only layer, and one 25GB rewritable layer on the same platter. If you're looking for a place to permanently back up that super high-res "amateur photography," take heart -- a consumer version is in the works, though it will first be aimed at markets where Blu-ray Disc recorders are popular, or available at all (read: maybe Japan, definitely not the US). No word when the new hardware will actually hit the market, but final specs are due "in the next few months." In the meantime, check out the full details after the break.
Blu-ray's 3D spec isn't what it could be
While 3D is all the rage at CES this year, we learned today from the BDA that one of the biggest sources of 3D content isn't what it could be. The first thing that could, should, be better is the limited support for frame rates. Movies have been recorded at 24 frames per second for longer than our parents have been alive, and for about the same amount of time we've had to endure frame rate interpolation to make movies play back on our 30Hz TVs -- you know, like 3:2 pull-down. That changed recently with 120hz LCDs and 72Hz plasmas because those numbers share a common denominator with 24 (so the same frame is just shown three or four times). When choosing an 3D HDTV it is important to understand how the TV displays 24 fps 3D content, don't just asume it does it without 3:2 pull down. But honestly the worst part is that some 3D cameras can capture 3D at higher frame rates and even if the director wanted to, the new 3D Blu-ray spec doesn't support it. The other issue we take with the new spec is that contrary to early reports, it is possible to create a 3D Blu-ray Disc that won't play on 2D only players. This next one isn't a big deal, but still disappointing is that even if the creator goes through the trouble to encode the movie in both formats, depending on the HDTV, you may have no choice but to watch it in 3D -- say if you lost your glasses or whatever. Now don't get us wrong we're pretty excited about the new 3D technology, but the way we see it is that anything worth doing, is worth doing right the first time.
New standard could pave way for higher capacity Blu-ray discs
Already feeling the pinch of a mere 25GB per layer on a Blu-ray disc? Neither are we, but it looks like Sony and Panasonic have been busily working on ways to boost capacity nonetheless, and they've now devised a new method that seems to be on the fast track to becoming a standard. The best news is that it doesn't involve a change in Blu-ray optics, but rather something called the Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation evaluation index (or i-MLSE -- the "i' is just for kicks, it seems), which is a new means of estimating the read error rate of discs on the fly that has apparently be made possible thanks to "recent hardware advancements." According to Sony and Panasonic, that should now allow discs to hold up to 33.4 GB per layer, but it's not exactly clear what that means for existing Blu-ray players (a little firmware assistance seems to at least be a conceivable option, though). There's also no timeline for a rollout just yet, but Sony is reportedly now set to propose widespread adoption of i-MLSE to the Blu-ray Disc Association, of which it just so happens to be the leading member.
Blu-ray Disc Association (still) working on a 3D standard, promises 1080p & backwards compatible discs
Just in case there was any doubt since the task force was announced in May, the Blu-ray Disc Association is still hard at work on a standard to bring home 3D movies the way they were meant to be seen. Ahead of IFA, the group squeezed off an announcement, mentioning its decision of minimum specs including requiring 1080p resolution to each eye and backwards compatibility for discs and players, so any 3D flick will have to include a 2D version for older Blu-ray players. Of course, we're sure Panasonic has something to do with this push, it's already planning to tour the country with 3D capable Blu-ray players in tow, so it shouldn't be too much longer until final decisions are made.
Toshiba applies for BDA admission, Blu-ray players and laptops coming soon
We'd already heard that Toshiba -- the outfit best known for solidly backing HD DVD during the two-year format war of the early 21st century -- was preparing to swallow its pride and kick out a Blu-ray player by the year's end, but now it's official. The outfit just announced moments ago that it has "applied for membership of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and plans to introduce products that support the Blu-ray format." Sadly, Tosh doesn't bother to mention exactly what kinds of BD-capable wares it hopes to produce, nor is it ready to disclose product launch time frames. We'd tell you exactly how it wants us to just be patient and all, but you're probably better off hearing it directly from the horse's trap:"In light of recent growth in digital devices supporting the Blu-ray format, combined with market demand from consumers and retailers alike, Toshiba has decided to join the BDA. Toshiba aims to introduce digital products that support the Blu-ray format, including BD players and notebook PCs integrating BD drives, in the course of this year. Details of the products, including the timing of regional launches, are now under consideration. We will make announcements in due course."
Blu-ray Disc Association working to create a standard for home 3D
Count the Blu-ray Disc Association as the latest to jump on the 3D standards bandwagon, announcing the formation of a task force to create a universal 3D home entertainment spec. It's already been said that Blu-ray will be a great delivery mechanism for 3D, but without a standard, even incredible productions like Coraline come home in anaglyph 3D instead of the stereoscopic 3D format that more HDTV sets are beginning to support. We won't even begin to wonder who they will back, there's not even a timetable for meetings yet but hopefully all this gets worked out sooner rather than later so we can enjoy our Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience at home, the same way we did in the theater (3 times, it was fantastic.)
Acer and China Huala Group announce Blu-ray allegiance
Amidst the slew of new Blu-ray players showcased at IFA comes word that two new forces are pledging their alligiance to the BD camp. Reportedly, both Acer and China Huala Group have joined on as hardware partners, and the latter is supposedly looking to establish a "Blu-ray Disc authoring center in China." The announcements were purportedly made by the Blu-ray Disc Association while in Berlin, and while we're not exactly sure how long Acer will make us wait for more Blu-ray-equipped lappies, the more intriguing question -- you know, the one regarding concerns over piracy from a newfound authoring center in China -- has yet to be tackled by the BDA.[Thanks, AG23]
Blu-ray Disc Association declares victory over HD DVD
The Blu-ray Disc Association has wasted no time, issuing a statement that it is victorious as the premiere high definition format of choice. With 25 different companies having released Blu-ray related products, over 170 movie and music titles announced so far and of course, more than one million PlayStation 3s shipped to the U.S. Andy Parsons, chair of the U.S. Promotions committee is comfortable citing Blu-ray's industry support as a reason customers have voted with their wallets and will continue to do so. In 2007 the BDA looks forward to second generation PC and and standalone Blu-ray drives, like the BD-P1200, the Sony Vaio XL3 and a strong lineup of movie releases as why its market share will continue to increase this year, all but eliminating any competition by 2010. Check out our live coverage of the BDA press conference going on right now for more propaganda/truth (depending on your viewpoint).
BDA wants you to "Experience Blu" with new ad campaign
Now that the PlayStation 3 has launched in North America several members of the Blu-ray Disc Association (Twentieth Century Fox, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Sony and Warner Bros.) are pushing the "Experience Blu" ad campaign via print, online and television. The TV ads will be in high-def and only on Discovery HD, INHD and HDNet. HD DVD has been pushing "The Look and Sound of Perfect" with a bus tour, but according to Adweek the $150 million campaign is holding off on TV ads until next year when more players and titles are on the market. The HD DVD group recently announced it has shipped more than 1.5 million discs to market, but Blu-ray hopes to take the lead in installed base this holiday season and never look back. The creative director of the Blu-ray campaign thinks right-brain / left-brain attacks will sell the format but we see it as far more simple. While a roving HD DVD mobile experience is great, more HD ads on our TV compell us to watch any and everything (since its HD) without ever leaving the couch. Take a look at the various iterations of the marketing campaign below.Read - TV advertisement (warning: sound)Read - Print adRead - Online advertisementRead - AdweekRead - Blu-ray Disc Gets in Front of Target Market with Launch of High-Definition TV Advertising
