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Blu-Ray Demo impressions
A few weeks ago I had a chance to check out a demo of the HD-DVD player at Sound Advice and tonight I had a chance to see a Blu-Ray player in action. Warren called me last week to ask me if I was going to go to the demo and I didn't even know about it because I threw away the invitation with the rest of the junk mail. Warren was sick and he didn't make it, so you are stuck with only my impressions.
Panasonic announces release date for Blu-Ray player
Panasonic announced today that their DMP-BD10 Blu-Ray player will be release in September to coincide with the release of their first 1080p Plasma. The price has not been set yet, but I would guess it will be the magic number of $999, Panasonic will only state that it will cost under $1500. Things are really starting to get interesting as HD-DVD's reasoning for not supporting 1080p seem more silly with the timed releases of 1080p displays and Blu-Ray players. I really don't see why any would buy HD-DVD over Blu-Ray, well other than because it is cheap that is.
Universal will not use ICT; only two studios left
BusinessWEEK is reporting that Universal has decided not to take advantage of the image constraint token. While some are still skeptical of the studios and their long term goals, all but Warner and Lions Gate have announced that they will not down-rez analog outputs. This is great news for those of us who either have no choice but to use analog inputs or those of us who choose to use them. The bad news is that it appears Warner is going to down-rez according to the article; "Execs at Warner Brothers declined to comment, but sources with knowledge of the studio's plans say "at least some" of the 20 HD-DVD releases planned through April will use the software." I knew at least one studio would do it, but I wish it wasn't them, I will have a hard time boycotting "The Matrix" because I don't plan to buy any movies that down-rez. We will see how long that lasts. Now we just wait and see what Lions Gate does, but I have a bad feeling that no news is bad news.via [engadget.com]
HDBeat Poll: Planning a next-gen DVD player purchase?
Aside from the setbacks, DRM challenges and lack of titles, we should see a successful launch of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray in the very near future. Ok, maybe "successful" is overly optimistic. "Very near future" leaves some wiggle room too, doesn't it? Maybe we should start over. We should eventually see two new next-generation DVD launches. (That better?) We've seen comments on which format will "win" and we've openly picked sides on the HDBeat Podcast. Now we want to see what you think, since you're the target market for high-definition DVDs. Planning to buy a next-gen DVD player? Planning to buy HD-DVD or Blu-Ray? Blu-Ray for me HD-DVD will be mine Neither, I'm boycotting Undecided on format I need both for my addiction view results
Not everyone believes the studios
Here at HDBeat we may be a little naive, maybe it is because we are so excited about having HD movies we are willing to take it at any cost or maybe it is because all of our TV's have HDCP inputs. Either way we were excited when the studios started to announce that they wouldn't down rez over component, but not everyone is so trusting. Phillip Swann over at TVPredictions.com thinks this is a case of the old bait and switch. He seems to believe they are responding to a possible fall out of all those that would be left in the cold. Personally I think that him and most others remind me of chicken little. I will keep looking up, but I don't believe that the sky is falling.
AACS is better than CSS for consumers
Bashing the latest DRM is all the rage, I hate DRM as much as the next guy, but I supposed I have already dealt with the fact that it is a necessary evil. Part of the reason I don't mind it that much is because most DRM is cracked fast enough that it doesn't bother me too much. CSS is the encryption used to protect DVD content and has been cracked since 99, which is only two years after it was released. The funny thing is that CSS is actually more restrictive than the latest DRM; AACS. Among other features AACS supports managed copy and over 480i output via analog. CSS didn't support either of features and this is a major reason that people were motivated to crack it. It seems that content providers are starting to get the hint when it comes to DRM, they realize that DRM that is too restrictive will not be adopted. With any luck a new bill will be passed that will allow us to bypass DRM when it violates our right for "Fair Use".One of the biggest fallacies about AACS is the requirement to "phone home". This may have been considered early in the AACS development, but it didn't make the final cut. According to a AACS rep an Internet Connection will never be required for normal playback. On the other hand it MAY be required to utilize the "Managed Copy" feature. The Managed copy feature is the part of the AACS that is up in the air until all the details are worked out. In the end managed copy will probably require a connection to the clearing house. This is not cool, but worth the price. We will be able to put a AACS protected disc into our PC and save it to the hard drive to playback later or watch it in another room. If they didn't require a connection to the clearing house, how else could they tell I just didn't rent the movie and copy it to my PC?
HD syndication: Seinfeld and Jeopardy
Starting on March 27th Sony will start to syndicate HD versions of some of the most popular syndicated shows on Television, including Seinfeld, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Syndicated shows are one of the last to go HD mostly because of the challenges involved in distributing the content. Unlike most network content syndicated shows are downloaded to the affiliates via satellite and saved for later when they will be shown and commercials spliced in. This poses all new challenges for networks and content providers. The other problem is that many shows that are syndicated today were originally aired before HD was widespread. Lucky for us most of these shows were originally produced with film, which makes it possible to go back to the source and remaster it in HD, since film has more resolution than HD does. But unfortunately as we have seen with DVD, not all transfers are created equally. No word yet on which networks will take advantage of the new HD programming, stayed tuned for more and please let us know of sightings.Before you ask; Seinfeld was 4x3 and HD isn't going to change that. As a TWIHD reader once pointed out, not all HD is 16x9 and not all 16x9 is HD. via [AVSForum.com]
HD Coverage of CeBIT
Just when you thought there wasn't any real HD via BitTorrent, all the readers of HDBeat come to let you know where to find it. Now I have found another source and even better it is HD coverage of CeBIT. CeBITVideo has a few great HD clips of their coverage of the show. So crank up your favorite BitTorrent cliet and check it out.
EveTV 2.1 Goes Universal
For all the HDTV Mac fans out there, the premier HD playback software is now Universal. This is especially important to all those with the Intel Mac Mini or the MacBook Pro, but there are still lots of great new features for PPC Mac's like EyeConnect which allows the HD content to be played back on any compatible UPnP AV media player. It also includes features like auto convert to iPod. The only feature that I wish they would add is some place shifting software, although I don't know who has enough bandwidth to stream HD.via [eHomeUpgrade]
Sony Blu-Ray available for pre-order
We knew it wouldn't take long for Samsung's Blu-Ray player to have some competition and here it is. The new Sony BDP-S1 is available for pre-order on SonyStyle.com and Amazon and will set you back 1 large. Unfortunately the box isn't set to ship until July, which seems like a long time to wait on a pre-order. The odd thing is that the Samsung player will be out in May, but doesn't seem to be available to pre-order yet.Have any of you pre-ordered a Blu-Ray player yet and if so from where?via [Engadget]
Panasonic: HDMI control interface
Everyone at HDBeat knows that HDMI can carry video, sound and controls, but up until now it has only carried two of the three. Panasonic announced Viera Link, which is a control interface that runs via HDMI to eliminate the need for multiple remotes. The TV will accept the IR signals from the remote and relay them via HDMI to the rest of the HDMI connected devices. Out of the gate it will only work with other Panasonic equipment, but Panasonic welcomes other manufactures to work with them so everyone can get along. Viera Link is built on the HDMI CEC specification so that shouldn't be too difficult to do. Japan should see the new TVs next month, with the rest of the world to follow.
Warner HD-DVD titles: April 18th 2006
We hate to say that we told you so, but...... The good news is that Warner has set a nice hard release date for their 3 HD-DVD movies. On April 18th 2006 we will be able to watch any movie we want as long as we want to watch either Million Dollar Baby, The Last Samurai or The Phantom of the Opera. I don't know about you but I am going to watch the Opera one because I have already seen the other two a few times. Seriously there are 17 more titles to follow in the following weeks, including my personal favorite "The Matrix". I am going to hold out on buying a HD-DVD player until there are at least 10 titles to rent at Netflix, but that's just me.Are you going to wait or have you already re-submitted your pre-order? Will Toshiba still release the players on March 28th without the movies?
Sony's 20" combo
Is it me or is Sony always so close, yet so far away? Today they announce the MFM-HT205, which is a 20" LCD that doubles as a TV. At 1680x1050 the new LCD has more than enough resolution to be considered a HDTV. The far away part is the lack of ATSC tuner and no HDMI input. With less than 3 years left to the analog shutoff and the crazy HDMI requirements of some of todays hardware, it amazes me that they would bother. Plus how good can NTSC look when scaled that much, I supposed it would be fine in some PIP situations. Considering the $900 price and features it is still going to be a great addition to anyones desk.
HDTV Listings for March 16, 2006
What we're watching: March Madness has begun and it's one of the best displays of high-definition television there is. Tune in for tip-offs tonight at 8 p.m. on CBS in 1080i where you'll see games from Greensboro, Jacksonville, Salt Lake City and San Diego. Since we're so early in the tourney, here's your chance to not only catch the first round in high-def, but to make your Final Four predictions in our comments!Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
Sharp announces ship date for 65" LCD
Warren had better get out his wallet, because his new TV will be available in June. All the old TWIHD listeners know how much Warren loves his 45" Sharp LCD and I am sure he can't wait to get his hands on this one. Sharp is trying to gain back loss ground from Sony and the new PN-655 will certainly help. For now it is only a commercial model, but I am sure the consumer version is soon to follow. Key specs include 6ms response time, 170 degree viewing angle and fan-less design.
MCE and DIRECTV Viiv in the works
I know it isn't news, but it is good to hear someone mention it since CES. Each year at CES there are at least a few items that end up being vapor ware. Here at HDBeat we love to stream HD Content around our house and using XP Media Center Edition with an Xbox360 is always a good option. Of course the biggest problem is that we can only stream OTA content and other HD content from our PC, but not content from Cable or satellite. We are so excited about being able to use either CableCARD or a Viiv powered DIRECTV STB that you can bet we will keep you updated as soon as we find out more. For now all we have is a mention by DIRECTV CEO Chase Carey at the Intel development conference's keynote. He said that the Viiv-certified DIRECTV box was in the works. The real question is if it will be available before the standalone HD TiVo. I probably won't buy both, but I will buy the first to market.
The DTV education continues
It seems that Circuit City was ahead of their time when posting notices to customers concerning the analog shutoff. We applaud them for it and are equally excited that the Consumer electronics Association is increasing efforts to get the word out.They are basically asking for labels on analog TVs and signs posted so that consumers understand that the TV's integrated tuner has a limited life span. The notice is long and I am sure that it will cause some confusion, but just like the Circuit City notice it will help sell some DTVs.Speaking of selling DTVs, the CEA is also predicting that 2006 will be the first year that DTVs outsell analog TVs. They also note that DTV sales are expected to see a 50% increase over 2005. via [Broadcast Newsroom]
HDTV Listings for March 15, 2006
What we're watching: Tonight is sort of up in the air; there's nothing really grabbing our interest. We could really go out on a limb and catch "Tour de Gorge: World Meatball Eating Championship" at 8 p.m. on INHD in 1080i, but that's a bit extreme. "American Idol" loses one of the dozen tonight at 9 p.m. on Fox in 720p, but we're growing weary of the seemingly never ending competition. Several other shows like "Criminal Minds", "CSI: NY", "Lost", and "Law & Order" are repeats. Maybe it's time to pop a DVD into the upconverter?Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
Shopping for $900 LCD's
Robert Heron writes about his adventures shopping for an inexpensive LCD TV. The bottom line is don't go to Wal-Mart (big surprise) and keep track of the sales when bargain hunting. Robert does a good job of getting the word out that LCD TVs are falling in price and provides some good advice, but I think he was a little too kind to these inexpensive LCD TVs. He fails to point out the differences between these and the more expensive options. I understand that some people bargain hunt; my mother is the biggest bargain hunter I know. Sometimes she asks me to go shopping with her for electronics and I would love to reply with, "Why do you want me to go when you are just going to purchase the least expensive model?". What do you think is the biggest difference between the inexpensive and expensive 32" LCDs and is it worth the price?via [abcnews.go.com]
MovieBeam Review
I recently got a chance to test MovieBeam without paying the activation fee. In the end MovieBeam foot the bill for shipping as well.I will admit that my expectations were not very high and I am sorry to say that I am very disappointed. I was very excited when the package arrived and I rushed home to connect it to my HDTV and run it through it's paces. The best news is that the box worked fine with my Vonage VOIP phone. The bad news is that the Picture Quality was the worst HD I have ever seen, well maybe not the worst, but it is in contention.
