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Sony holding Google TV event on October 12
We'd definitely been hearing that Google TV would be hitting sometime in the next month or so, and here we go: Sony's sending out invites for an October 12 event in New York. We already know we'll be getting both Bravia Internet TVs and Blu-ray players with Google TV integration, so we're not banking on any earth-shattering surprises, but you know we'll be there with bells on, IR blasters set to stun.
PS3 firmware 3.50 is a go, 3D Blu-ray movies suddenly feel more wanted
Right on schedule -- or a day early, depending on your time zone -- Sony has unleashed version 3.50 of its PS3 firmware. And as previously promised, it's got 3D Blu-ray movie playback with it. According to the Official US PlayStation blog, there's also some added Facebook integration and new methods of grief reporting. We're still updating and will let you know what else we might unearth. Update: Surprise, surprise, it works. We were able to test Blu-ray 3D out and got it running without too much hassle, as long as the HDMI setting is on "Auto" it will detect your 3DTV and switch to the correct mode just like it has for gaming since the update that enabled 3D functionality there. We didn't see any differences in the menus with the Disney Blu-ray 3D demo disc we had on hand, but we'll be checking out how BD-Java functions in 3D later on. Update 2: Per Sony's v3.50 support page, and verified by several sources, the PS3 has to choose between Blu-ray 3D playback and lossless audio, whether from DTS-HD MA or Dolby TrueHD, it will fall back to a compressed codec while playing 3D content, while menus, items and BD-Java content "may be different" on the PS3 than on other systems. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Does the Apple TV need 1080p?
Engadget's tasty scoop on Wednesday suggests that the long-rumoured but still-mythical Apple TV hardware refresh would lack 1080p output. As is fairly routine now, weblogs, forums, and Twitter exploded with "ZOMG APPLE #FAIL" and similar thoughtful criticism. But assuming it's true, is this really that surprising? Everyone automatically assumes 1080p is the natural choice but I'm not sure it's that simple. Notwithstanding (slightly dubious) recent rumours of a new video codec capable of pushing out 4096x2160, iTunes today can only offer high definition video in 720p. To move that to 1080p would require 2.25 times more disk space on the iTunes servers and the same increase in data bandwidth between those servers and the paying customers. Those are not cheap investments. In turn, consumers would see a similar increase in streaming requirements. Xbox Live can stream 1080p video, but it requires 8-10meg broadband, which leaves an awful lot of people out in the cold. It has the option of downloading instead, but if you're out in the sticks on a 2meg stream you're looking at more than eight hours to download your film at 1080p. You'd best plan your Friday night viewing before leaving for work on Friday morning.
Sony, Tohoku University develop blue-violet laser with 100 watt output, eyeing 1TB optical disk future?
As much as some would like to envision a world entirely bereft of disk-based media, with Blu-ray being the medium's swan song, that ain't happening. Sony's already looking to the future, and in cahoots with Tohoku University, it has developed a blue-violet laser capable of 100 watt output. That's reportedly more than 100 times the "world's highest output values for conventional blue-violet pulse semiconductor lasers." In the press release, the company said its tested using such technology for next-generation, large-capacity optical disc-storage, and while that doesn't say too much at face value, the Examiner reports (by way of various Japanese news outlets) that it equates to 20 times the storage of current Blu-ray disks, or about 1TB of data. Don't worry, we're sure all those 4K 3D films will still find a way to justify a "barebones" release dearth of features before magically making room for a second (and even third) Special Edition in time for respective holiday seasons.
Rumor: Apple to launch 4k video format?
HardMac is reporting that they've been told by one of their sources that Apple is gearing up to launch a new video format. Apple's supposed new format would be based on the Dirac codec which was developed by BBC Research. The codec is open source and currently supports 1920x1080 resolutions, but Apple plans to up the format to support 4k video – that's a resolution of up to 4096x2160. HardMac points out that many people still do not have 1080p HDTVs at home, much less TVs capable of supporting 4k resolution, but they theorize that Apple would be planning to enter the HDTV market from the high end – at the same time introducing not only stunning hardware, but making Blu-ray discs look archaic with their "low" resolution. Apple has always maintained the Apple TV is a "hobby" and indeed, they haven't done much to promote the device since its launch in 2007. Still many prominent analysts believe that it's not a matter of "if" but "when" Apple will enter the the home television market full-force. The logical step, it would seem, would be to merge the Apple TV digital receiver into a large LED display and offer an iPod touch-like remote control and Bluetooth keyboard support. Throw in a built-in camera with FaceTime and the world of The Jetsons is one step closer to reality.
Denon plans 3D 'universal' Blu-ray players for the UK too
With their U.S. counterparts shipping soon, fashionably late to the A/V party (as per usual), high-end Hi-Fi manufacturer Denon will finally enter the 3D Blu-ray fray in the UK with the release of the DMP-2011UD (£600 in August) and DMP-1611UD (£400 in September) universal disc players. Apparently though, this feature won't be accessible until both players receive a firmware update at the end of 2010. Out of the box, they will be capable however of playing basically anything else including DVDs, CD, Blu-ray, and cherished audiophile formats like SACD and DVD-Audio. So if you opt to pick one up now, just remember to whisper reassuring things to your Blu-ray 3D copy of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs until it can party too.
Sony selling 3D bundle deals for a limited time
In a rare move, Sony has deviated from their pricey reputation to offer two special 3D bundle promotions until July 17th -- or while supplies still last -- with the clear intention of enticing wavering adopters to veer whole-hog into 3D. The options boil down to either a 46-inch or 54.6-inch Bravia HX8000 for $270 / $340 off their retail prices, respectively, and as a bonus, buyers will receive a variety of 3D accessories valued at $899 for free. Rolled into that $899 goody basket are two pairs of 3D glasses, a 3D sync transmitter, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and IMAX Deep Sea 3D, as well as four 3D games for the PS3 (two are demos); and finally the BDV-E570 3D home theater in-a-box. Depending on how you define "savings," this deal amounts to around $1,200 greenbacks you won't have to shell out for a complete 3D-ready package. At $2,429 for the 46-inch and $3,059 for the 54.6-inch package though, you'll still be required to dig deep into your wallet to bring either of these promotions couch-side.
Kaleidescape outs M300 and M500 Blu-ray players, copiers
Kaleidescape's just announced another line of high end home entertainment products -- this time it's the M300 and M500 Blu-ray players. The M500 also boasts Blu-ray copying abilities, too -- allowing you to import Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs onto your server at home. In an interesting decision, Kaleidescape will require that the physical Blu-ray disc be present for playback from the server -- which, you may be thinking, rather defeats the purpose, doesn't it? Pretty much. Thankfully, Kaleidescape's got a disc loader in the works which will allow you to keep a "large number" of discs ready in the system for faster loading. The loader itself isn't expected to be ready for retail until the first half of next year, but you can grab the M300 and the M500 beginning May 18th, with the M300 running $2,495 and the M500 at $3,995. The full press release follows.
PS3's summer 3D firmware is all fun and games... and no Blu-ray movie support?
If you want you and your loved ones looking like the family pictured alongside this text, sitting in front of the TV gazing at 3D dolphins emanating from a PlayStation 3 through your television console, your best bet is to envision Ecco, not Flipper.* According to TechRadar, Sony has clarified that the summer firmware update to enable 3D applies to games only, and that 3D Blu-ray movie support will come with a second update due out later this year. We haven't been able to confirm the announcement ourselves, but suddenly, that freebie copy of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D isn't looking so tantalizing. * Hypothetically speaking, of course. We have no confirmation on a 3D version of Sega's Ecco the Dolphin or Season 3 of Flipper, featuring "The Most Expensive Sardine in the World."
Buffalo teases Dualie dock, LinkStation NAS and MediaStation 6x portable BluRay writer
Dropping by Buffalo's booth at CES today was a surprisingly fruitful affair. The company is keen is to promote its first US-designed product, called the Dualie, which serves as a simultaneous HDD and iPhone/iPod dock. Priced at $250, it'll come with a rather handsome 500GB external drive, and it'll even let your iPod Nano take a ride. Moving to more serious modes of storage, we snapped a couple of pictures of the Linkstation Duo NAS, which comes with two drives and will be priced at $500 for a 3TB set, $340 for 2TB, and $230 for a pair of 500GB drives. Finally, the as yet unannounced MediaStation 6x portable BluRay writer will be making its debut in March at around $250. %Gallery-81877%
Sharp's BD-HP70U Blu-ray player adds a little red with Netflix support
Two new Blu-ray players straight from the brightly-lit, cemented halls of Sharp HQ. The BD-HP70U outputs at 1080p at 24 frames per second and boasts Wireless LAN with Netflix support (always a selling point). The BD-HP24U doesn't boast online love, but both do feature Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio support. The latter is coming first quarter for $280, the former in Q2 for $500. We don't have a picture of the player just yet, but really it's not gonna be the casing that sets your heart aflame here, right? Press release is after the break.
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.
Sony's Blu-ray digital copies tested on PS3, PSP
We've seen digital copies of Blu-ray via separate DVDs before (e.g. Watchmen), and just recently Sony finally cut out of the middle disc and put the transferable video on the high-def disc itself. Joystiq recently showcased how it's done using a copy of Godzilla and a PlayStation 3. For this you'll need a PSN account and the 12-digit code included in the disc case. The standard definition video, here clocking in at 2GB, will copy to the hard drive (not a separate download, thankfully), and then if you want to the PSP. All in all, it's approximately a five-minute process. We can't help but agree, the early batch of supported films -- The Ugly Truth, Angels & Demons, and Godzilla from 1998 -- isn't exactly fine cinema dining, but surely this is just a sign of things to come. Want to see all the nitty-gritty details in action? Check out the video after the break.
Blu-ray releases on November 17th 2009
The biggest blockbuster of the year finally gets to see the light of Blu today and we can all enjoy those weird lighting effects in HD in the comfort of our own home. But also this week, there are a few new shows from Fox and HBO as well as more than one all time classic like Fight Club and The Professional. So in other words, if you don't see something you like this week, you don't like movies or TV shows. Star Trek (Paramount) Bruno (Universal) Chasing Amy (Miramax) Clerks (Miramax) Fight Club (Fox) It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas (Fox) Franklyn (Image) Galaxy Quest (DreamWorks) Gone With The Wind (Warner) Is Anybody There? (Magnolia) Janacek: The Cunning Little Vixen (Ideale) Lords of the Street (Phase 4) Moonshot (A&E) My Sister's Keeper (New Line) National Geographic: Darwin's Darkest Hour (National Geographic) The Open Road (Anchor Bay) The Professional (Sony) Sex, Lies, and Videotape (Sony) Rome: The Complete Series (HBO) Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season (Disney)
Don't miss this video of Martin Scorsese gushing over Blu-ray at Blu-Con
Have you always wanted to go to Blu-con but never made it? Us either, but our friends at HD Nation did and shot some great HD footage which includes some interesting tidbits about transferring movies to Blu-ray. The highlight is listening to Martin Scorsese talk excitedly about transferring classics to Blu-ray, where he discusses things like the factors that influence him to modify audio and video. A great example is where he talks about upgrading the mono audio from Taxi Driver by going back to the original stereo score and mono dialog and remastering for the first time ever. So if you always wondered why some get so excited about seeing classics on Blu-ray, or you just can't get enough Blu-ray, don't hesitate to check it out.
AMEX DIGITAL's Mac mini Blu-ray drive upgrade kit is not what it seems
A Blu-ray "upgrade kit" for Apple's revamped Mac mini... sounds like the ultimate for home theater buffs right? After all, such a device holds the promise of adding Blu-ray playback to a relatively powerful, off-the-shelf micro computer starting at $599 that'll run any of the amazing media center apps available for either Windows 7 (with some extra legwork) or OS X. Not so fast bub, remember, OS X still doesn't support native playback of Blu-ray discs pressed by Hollywood's media fairies. As such, Blu-ray films purchased on disc can only be played by booting into Windows -- under OS X you are limited to reading and writing data assuming you already have software like Adobe's Premiere Pro CS3 with Encore or Roxio's Toast with Blu-ray plug-in. Unfortunately, AMEX Digital is purposely unclear on this point by suggesting that the kit will simply "play Hollywood Blu-ray Disc movies on a properly configured PC or MAC." For the extra $199 required to take the BD-UG1 home, we'd suggest a native PC solution, cheapo standalone Blu-ray player or PS3 and avoid these headaches altogether. Image of the drive laid bare after the break. [Via I4U]
Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray mini-review
If you're like us and you don't think it's possible to own enough HDTV calibration discs, then you've probably already bought the Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray Disc. Otherwise you might be looking at all the different options and since you only want to buy one, you're trying to figure out which one. Well, we've played with most of them and although we're hard pressed to decide on which is our favorite, we really like this one. To find out why, click through.
HD DVD's Managed Copy was never necessarily free, was always Mandatory
It isn't often that we specifically call out another site for writing things that are just not true, but this one we can't let go. In an article about Blu-ray's Managed Copy, Ars Technica's Nate Anderson posts that Blu-ray's Managed Copy is a "stinker" because you might have to pay to make a copy and claims that the HD DVD version was better because it was free. Other than the fact that this is just not true, the part that really struck out to us was that he linked back to the Ars archive to support his statement, but must've missed the part of the source that states "No, as Jordi Rebbas told me, studios have to offer managed copy, but they have the option of charging for it." Lucky for us, both Intel and Microsoft exposed the real difference in Managed Copy between the two formats, which was that initially on Blu-ray the studios could choose whether or not each title was copyable, so in other words it wasn't mandatory. The BDA eventually caved and as we've said before, Managed Copy on Blu-ray is mandatory. Another related note is that Managed Copy was never implemented on HD DVD either, as it was also dependent on the finalization of AACS, but what was different was that the Discs did contain data that pointed to what was expected to become authentication servers. So in theory, if the format would've survived, even the initial Discs would've been copyable when it was implemented. Of course we'll never get to find out if it would've worked, but at least they did plan ahead a little, which is more than you can say for Blu-ray.
Blu-ray releases on November 10th 2009
Big week for Pixar fans as the latest animated feature, Up, is released, along with the Pixar classic Monster, Inc. Warner continues to release catalogs, but with the size of its catalog, it could probably release four a week every week and still never finish. For the most part this is a good week for Blu-ray but we know you are with us when we say that next week is what we're really waiting for as Star Trek was probably the best movie to hit the theaters this year and it hits Blu-ray next Tuesday. Up (Walt Disney) Monsters, Inc. (Walt Disney) The Ugly Truth (Sony) Godzilla (Sony) Heat (Warner) Logan's Run (Warner) Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut (Warner) The Negotiator (Warner) Mamma Mia! (Gift Set) (Universal) Near Dark (Lionsgate) Red Heat (Lionsgate) Spread (Anchor Bay) World's Most Beautiful Sunrises & Sunsets (Digital Enviroments) Ballast (Kino) The Echo (Image) The General (Kino) Kingdoms Of The Coast (Razor) The Line (Maya)
Sony streaming Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs free to new customers, expensively to existing ones
It wasn't long ago that Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was packing theaters, but given how quickly things hit DVD and Blu-ray these days we're surprised to learn this one won't be flinging vermicelli to disc until just after the holidays. Fear not carb-lovers: similar to the Hancock deal last year, new purchasers of internet-capable Sony TVs and Blu-ray players will be receiving one free stream of the film starting on December 8; that's nearly a full month ahead of the retail release. The stream will be in 720p and will allow full control during 24 hours. What if you've already purchased your Sony setup? The company is happy to extend the streaming offer to you as well -- so long as you don't mind paying a mere $24.95. Yes, a one-time 720p rental that costs as much as a Blu-ray. That's value.
