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Lionsgate to put two films on a dual-layer Blu-ray disc
Sure, manufacturers have been cramming vanilla DVD content onto high-definition discs for some time, but aside from a few nifty features, they haven't gone out of their way to truly take advantage of all that space. Lionsgate and Marvel Enterprises are looking to change all that, as the duo plans to loose Ultimate Avengers: The Movie and Ultimate Avengers 2 on a single 50GB Blu-ray disc. Each film will reside on its own separate side, but neither will purportedly include DVD versions for use in standard players. Additionally, the flick will contain "two featurettes, a gag reel, a trivia track, and a first look at upcoming movie Dr. Strange," and should hit store shelves on April 24th for $39.99. Now, how long before we start seeing full-fledged trilogies on a single disc?[Via TGDaily]
Wii Warm Up: Do you miss cartridges?
Sure, discs are the complete end-all, be-all in a lot of ways. Games have gotten bigger since graduating from cartridges, and that's all well and fine. But there's just one thing we miss: the freedom to be completely unconcerned about how we treated our games. Don't worry -- most of the time, we're really careful. Games are sacred, after all. But it was nice when, in a moment of frustration, you could pop out a game and literally toss it aside. Also, scratches can cripple a disc, but the worst that ever happened with most of our original NES games was that we had to blow 'em out every now and then. It was a simpler time.Do you ever miss it?
Wii Warm Up: Imports
Recently, a technique was discovered to allow Wii owners to play import Gamecube games. However, a method of playing imported Wii games still eludes us, outside of buying a Wii from another region. We're sure someone will come up with something, but for right now, we're stuck in our own territory. We want to know-- how important is this to you? Are you ready to open up your system as soon as a solution comes along, just so you can play the new Naruto? Will you be the first to place an order for a swap disc, if one comes along? Or are you completely uninterested in, for example, pachinko?(Image is of the train simulator Densha de GO!, specifically the Beginning Densha de GO! Set, which includes a special controller.)
Decrypted Blu-ray & HD-DVD movies on PS3, no disc necessary
This isn't so much a PlayStation 3 hack as it is a Linux operation. The process, as outlined by author "hacked2123," involves decoding and ripping movies from Blu-ray (or HD-DVD) discs onto a Linux-based PC, and then re-encoding the files into an unencrypted MPEG format that could be played on the PC, or further tinkered with and transferred to PS3 -- and with a little more effort, we suppose, also made compatible with Xbox 360 (as a WMV file).Of course it's possible that, as Linux support evolves on PS3, Sony's console could become fully capable of exploiting high-definition movies on its own; and thereby become one of Blu-ray (and HD-DVD) manufacturers' worst enemies. And to think some still accuse PlayStation 3 of being nothing more than the Blu-ray peeps 'Trojan horse'...
Sony sez: The format war is over, really
We already heard the Blu-ray Disc Association's opinion on the status of the format war and now we can look forward to Sony's marketing campaign pounding a single point home: The format war is over, Blu-ray has won, it's safe to get behind one high definition format. Forgetting for a moment that Universal Studios has not switched to supporting Blu-ray and the current availability of a dual-format player, the company is buoyed by the growing installed base of its PlayStation 3 console and a rising tide of Blu-ray disc sales. VideoBusiness reports HD DVD sales remain steady, and among standalone players still holds a slight lead in numbers. Still, there are a lot of buyers unwilling to buy into either camp and risk ending up with the equivalent of a Beta tape player. Is the format war over yet? Not really, but if Sony manages to convince consumers that it is then it becomes -- they hope -- a self fulfilling prophecy.
Wiimote prototypes
A recent scan from the Japanese magazine Nikkei Business shows a few of the very early prototype controllers for the Wii. The far left version is certainly closest to the final product, though perhaps more TV remote-like. The lower-right shows a Gamecube-like controller that doubles as a throwing disc for your dog, and the upper-right shows some sort of twist-mechanism device. But the center? What in the world could that have been used for? Certainly, Nintendo's mantra of simplicity is effective, but a one-button wonder could hardly have managed Twilight Princess, we think.After the hundreds of fan-made controllers that were going around the web pre-TGS '05, it's interesting to see what Nintendo themselves were dreaming up. Anyone think of something similar?
Wii Freeloader is en route
After a bunch of Perrin Kaplan flip-flopping and general mass hysteria, it turned out that the Wii would in fact be region-specific after all. Importing games that the world has deemed too insane for the American public is one of our greatest joys in this world, and lo, Nintendo cut us down without mercy. But in this rare tale of Nintendo playing the role of evil, a shining knight gallops toward us with an interesting coat of arms adorning yon shield ... it's Datel, Advanced Gaming Technology™! Yes!Apparently, Datel has announced plans to bring a Wii version of their popular Freeloader boot disc, allowing a gamer to essentially ignore any and all region-locks. Though the updatable nature of the Wii theoretically might allow Nintendo to block this product in the future, we'd imagine that even evil has unexpected bouts of lenience.
UCF mad scientists squeeze 1TB of data onto single DVD
Sure, we've seen 1TB discs before, but instead of complicating things with holograms and the like, a research team at the University of Central Florida has taken a different tactic and developed some advances in laser technology that could actually make disc drives cheaper and more portable -- along with the obvious benefits of 1TB of storage and speedier read/write times. Unfortunately, we left our PhDs at home today, so we really haven't the foggiest idea how this all works, but the gist of the idea seems to be the fancy dual laser wavelengths being used, allowing for sharper imaging and recording. These lasers can interact with 3D materials -- such as the multiple layers on a disc, or even a storage "cube" -- without interference from the solid material, providing for more durable and more dense storage. To switch between reading and writing is only a matter of applying more power, and the simplicity of the method means that cheaper lasers could possibly be used in the system -- a far cry from the current blue laser manufacturing problems being experienced by Blu-ray and HD DVD formats. We're not exactly sure if the drive will be able to store 1TB to existing DVD discs, or if a new media will need to be produced -- we're guessing the latter -- but while we're sure commercialization of this technology is a ways off, it's nice to see what a few nerds in a college science lab can pull off while waiting around for multi-billion dollar corporations to get a 50GB drive out the door.[Via Slashdot]
Chinese manufacturers prepared to switch from DVD to EVD in '08
Chinese engineers have been working on homegrown disc format EVD since 2003 with little to show for it, but today 20 firms -- representing 97 percent of the DVD manufacturers in the country -- displayed 80 players and announced plans to switch from DVD to the new format exclusively by 2008. EVD joins VMD as a low cost alternative to Blu-ray and HD DVD, using conventional red lasers combined with advanced compression technology to put high definition movies on discs. This "Red-ray" HD approach promises to support resolutions up to 1080p without a need to increase disc capacity significantly, and will allow them to launch with players at the same price as current DVD -only models. EVD is just one of several recent Chinese initiatives to decrease reliance on outside standards and licenses, but is doubtful to catch on elsewhere. That's really too bad, because with players priced at only $87, we're interested in the group's ideas and would like to subscribe to their newsletter. Additionally, the format's backers plan to sell movies at download-and-burn kiosks and allow users to rip movies to their hard drive -- no hacking necessary. Read - China firms unveil new video playersRead - EVD Substituting DVD Basically in 2008
A much better Wii Sports DVD case
Tired of that cardboard Wii Sports sleeve that came with your system? Want to jazz it up to match your other Wii game cases? Remember that Target Wii DVD for a penny? Tired of all these questions?If the answer to all of those is yes, then you've come to the right place. The Cover Project has created a far superior cover for Wii Sports and, if you go into Target and snag one of those white DVD cases, you can be rolling your own custom cases off the presses. The only caveat: PlayWii explains that you'll need to be able to customize your printer margins or use 8.5" x 14" paper to accommodate the custom cover. Pretty swanky.[Thanks, Tim; via PlayWii]
Let the DREs begin!
Kotaku has received a couple of emails from Wii owners reporting of already receiving DRE (disc-read error) messages. Some have even reported that their Wii has become bricked and won't even power on! What horror! Have any of you out there in Wii Fanboy land been the unfortunate recipient of a painful message declaring that your Wii will not read your discs or even turn on anymore?[Thanks Naruhodou!]
Slot-loading a no-go on this Wii
One individual who was able to escape the long lines of fast-food-filled launch campers with his Wii, arrived home and found a short while later that the slot-loading mechanism inside of his unit had ceased to work. Does this mean that he can't play anything on his Wii? Yes, if it is a disc demanding physical loading into the console. Word on the street is Nintendo is replacing his unit, free of charge.As always, video is embedded into the post after the break.[Via Go Nintendo]
Mesmerizing PSP disc tray mod shines light
Psyberjock from DCemu has put together an impressive looking modification for the UMD disc tray. Apparently, this transformation took 30 hours of work and quite possibly a post-graduate degree in mechanics:"I probably won't make a how-to. Considering the difficulty level of this mod, if you can't figure it out yourself, you'll probably just break your PSP or UMD tray."It looks awesome, and I do want to know how to do this. Unfortunately, considering how I have the Brain Age of a 60 year old, it probably won't do me much good.[Via Joystiq]
Xbox 360 backup hack leads to surging dual-layer DVD+/-R sales
Although a lot has been said regarding the hackability of the Xbox 360, there's always a way if there's a will. Sure enough, the clever, engineering minds of the world finally figured out how to flash its firmware, create backup discs, and subsequently destroy any remaining warranty. While Microsoft certainly doesn't appear to be the beneficiary in this here scenario, someone's always there to catch the spoils of such widespread hackeration, and this time it's the dual-layer DVD manufacturers. As the hack has seemingly become quite the rage, companies such as CMC Magnetics and Ritek are seeing demand for their "dual-layer DVD±R discs" creep upward; coming off numerous months of sluggish sales, the outfits are pointing the finger at widespread availability of the Xbox 360 hack to explain the sudden resurgence in popularity. While "global DVD±R DL disc shipments are expected to reach 100 million in 2006," analysts are now expecting that number to "double" in 2007, so hopefully the cost of backin' it up will continue to become more affordable than ever (until Microsoft rolls out another fix, that is).
Blockbuster trialing HD DVD and Blu-ray rentals at brick & mortar locations
The video rental giant recently revealed it will off about 40 (each) Blu-ray and HD DVD titles for sale or rent at 250 of its locations. They're basing the rollout on customers that were early DVD adopters so good luck if you can find the discs at a store near you. Rental prices will be the same as standard DVDs, so if you're not already renting discs from Blockbuster Online or Netflix this should be a cheap way to check out those movies you've been missing...unless of course you're already downloading them directly to your Xbox 360. According to the article its good for retailers to remind customers that as they upgrade to HDTVs their local store will upgrade also, in the face of so much competition that would seem to be a very good idea. We've got so many options to get movies without leaving our houses or even couches, if a customer makes a trip to the store and they don't have something in stock, that might be the last time they bother going at all.[Via HDBlog]
Criterion won't enter Blu-ray vs. HD DVD battle yet
Unlike many fans of either format Criterion has so far been satisfied to sit on the sidelines and let things transpire as they may, and for the time being they will continue to. On the new Criterion Collection blog executive Peter Becker spelled out the company's view on the ongoing tiff between HD DVD and Blu-ray. Criterion benefited by moving from making well-received laserdiscs to the DVD format early on, but with the lack of a single standard, it is left with the choice of either alienating some customers, or creating two sets of inventory for all of its content. While dual releases might be feasible for larger players like Warner and Paramount, Criterion is going to let things shake themselves out before releasing HD content on disc. Since it has been mastering all of its films in HD for years one can only imagine the stockpile of content and extras waiting to be unleashed...someday.
Free Disco for your friends!
But... only if you took advantage of yesterday's macZOT offer! I see as of this morning Disco is still available for $14.95, so maybe the freebie is still valid. Apparently when you register, the surprize (sic) is revealed: another license to give away to a friend. That's a brilliant way to spread the love. If I buy a copy today, I'll update this post if the freebie is still available. Considering Disco's fantastic UI, cool tricks, and excellent implementation, what's going to happen to venerable (and for a while, pretty much standard) Toast? If they don't at least drop the price I'm not sure what advantages it would offer. I'd like to see El Gato build some support for Disco too, boy that'd be cool.Thanks, Timmay.
RB6 Vegas demo on OXM disc
A playable demo for Rainbow Six: Vegas is packaged with the latest issue of OXM. Can an an appearance on Marketplace be far off?[Thanks Fernando]
Wii box back claims console comes with startup disc
This snapshot of the back of the Wii box, found at an EB Games, has the whole of the Nintendo-lovin' internet collectively stroking their chin and raising a single eyebrow in silent contemplation. Some think this "startup disc" is none other than Wii Sports, while others claim it to be a disc controlling the OS of the system. Some have said it is none other than the Opera browser, however we feel that is likely untrue.What do you guys think?[Via Joystiq]
Three's company: Warner patents all-in-one hybrid disc
Most studios have already picked a side in the HD DVD / Blu-ray war, but for the few still contemplating a near suicidal attempt at a simultaneous DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray release, there's help on the way. A pair of Warner engineers have been working on a way to get all three formats to hold hands on a single disc, and have recently filed a patent to that effect. This is made possible by the fact that Blu-ray uses a 405nm laser to read its 0.1mm deep info layer, while HD DVD uses the same blue laser wavelength at the depth of 0.6mm. The hybrid disc works by making the Blu-ray layer act like a two way mirror, reflecting enough light for Blu-ray playback, but letting enough light through for HD DVD operation. As for DVD, that layer can be found on the flip side of the disc. Of course, the new format will cost more to produce than your standard next-gen disc, and we're not quite sure this isn't all madness to begin with, but we suppose we'll have to play the game if we don't want to end up buying every title in triplicate.[Via New Scientist]
