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Mitsubishi develops corrosion-resistant DVD-Rs for the long haul
Yeah, companies have been trumpeting their ability to crank out discs that will last long after Martians come and evaporate our minds here on Earth for some time, but for archive junkies out there, more is always better. On deck today is Mitsubishi's ARLEDIA DVD-Rs, which reportedly feature corrosion-resistant coatings made from gold and silver. 'Course, you can only write to these at 8x, but they are expected to last about twice as long as traditional recordable discs. Not like you'll be around to prove 'em wrong, though.[Via Impress]
Netflix switching queued HD DVDs to DVDs?
Granted, Netflix did warn us that renting HD DVDs from it would become a lesson in futility in due time, but we're receiving multiple reports that the company has already began switching queued HD DVD titles to vanilla DVDs. If this is going on en masse, that's a pretty quick changeover, to say the least. So, dear readers, have any of your HD DVDs mysteriously morphed into regular DVDs overnight? Sound off below![Thanks, Chris and Aaron]
DivX shutting down Stage6
In a somewhat sudden announcement, DivX has decided to close the door on its Stage6 service. Reportedly, upload functionality has already been halted, but videos will still be available for viewing / downloading until February 28th. According to a DivX employee, the service simply became too unwieldy (and expensive) to manage, and while it did toss out the option of selling the service to someone else, things evidently didn't pan out. Adios, Stage6 -- 'twas a fun ride.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Movies on a flash drive not apt to boom anytime soon
Earlier this month, we disagreed that HD movie downloads would trump HD DVD / Blu-ray disc purchases in the not-too-distant future, and now we've got yet another clever alternative on deck that just doesn't have the makings of a winner. While it seems that consumers still prefer something tangible when purchasing movies, we can't help but agree that flicks on flash drives just wouldn't work. Aside from the prohibitive cost to pop out a standard DVD on a flash chip versus a disc, the idea of having customers flock to some sort of movie download kiosk to refill memory cards with new releases just seems absurd. Sure, we understand how this could sound marginally appealing from the sidelines, but we just can't imagine all those DVD cases at your favorite big box retailer getting swapped out with movie-filled SDHC cards anytime soon.
sofatronic's Kaleidoscope software creates interactive applications for Blu-ray
Now that Blu-ray is the last format left standing, we're definitely hoping that it ups its own game in regard to interactive content. Thankfully, sofatronic is looking to make the development of interactive applications on Blu-ray Discs a good bit easier. Essentially, Kaleidoscope -- not to be confused with Kaleidescape -- enables users to work in a visual authoring environment and create "user interfaces and advanced interactive features without having to write Java code." Additionally, the program's framework "supports all available Blu-ray player models and automatically handles performance differences and compatibility issues," which sounds pretty impressive, we must say. Click on through for the full release. %Gallery-16694%
Avid's DNxHD codec approved for VC-3 standard
Avid has been working with the SMPTE organization for two years, and can finally announce that its DNxHD codec, intended for use in HD postproduction, has been approved as compliant with the newly created VC-3 standard. The upshot of this is a standard that can be used to work with and transfer high quality HD media at lower bitrates and file sizes, without being locked into just one hardware manufacturer. We'll have to wait and see who else adopts this standard, and what cost/time savings are to be had, but things are looking up for our art house production of Format War: The Tale of Two Brothers, Blue and Red.
Kaai and Soraa already working up Blu-ray successor?
Simmer down -- it's not like you haven't seen advancements in blue laser technology before, and even though the current format war may still be raging when either's successor rolls into town, Kaai and Soraa are already looking to the future. Reportedly, Khosla Ventures has invested in both of the aforementioned firms, and while company representatives aren't disclosing much at the moment, we do know that the duo is exploring ways to "exploit gallium nitride, which is also the basis for existing blue LEDs and blue lasers." Apparently, they'd like to concoct suitable replacements for conventional LEDs in the lighting market and make a showing in the optical data storage arena, too. But seriously, with 200GB Blu-ray discs, who needs to worry about the next best thing?[Image courtesy of DigitalHomeMag]
On2 Technologies reveals 1080p hardware video decoder for handsets
On the same day that Texas Instruments chose to showcase a new chip that would enable HD recording capabilities on cellphones, On2 Technologies is taking a moment from its hectic day in Barcelona to trumpet an all new 1080p hardware RTL video decoder. The Hantro 8190 reportedly supports Adobe Flash along with H.263, H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VC-1, Sorenson Spark and VP6 video formats, and it can even handle JPEG images up to 16-megapixels. According to On2, the device was created to be easily integrated with ARM, MIPS and "other embedded CPU and DSP cores," and can supposedly decode 1080p H.264 video at 30 frames-per-second using a clock frequency of just 165MHz. As it stands, the Hantro 8190 is currently available for licensing, but only time will tell who's going to bite.
SACD and DVD-A don't deliver "perfect-er sound forever"
The Red Book audio format used by CDs isn't improved upon by either SACD or DVD-A formats, it turns out. Extensive double-blind listening tests conducted by E. Brad Meyer and David R. Moran have shown that the old 16-bit, 44.1-kHz standard does not degrade the sound quality of either of the newer formats. The study, which took over a year to conduct, showed that the stereo analog output from a high-end SACD/DVD-A player showed no audible change when subjected to additional processing down to Red Book format. Now before you have a van Gogh-style freakout and cut off your audiophile-approved golden ears, that isn't to say that the DVD-A and SACD discs didn't sound better than the same title on CD. Give credit to the higher production values given to the SACD and DVD-A releases, though, not the formats themselves. [Via AudioJunkies][Image courtesy PerfectSoundForever]
iTunes Digital Copy from Fox DVD goes under the microscope
Where the failed promise of Managed Copy on Blu-ray and HD DVD left us all hanging, Apple, iTunes, and Fox have oddly picked up the pieces. As paradoxically quietly announced at this week's Jobsnote, the new Family Guy Presents Blue Harvest DVD comes with an included movie file that one can pull off the disc onto their machine -- but only by making use of an included code (and a copy of iTunes with a valid account, of course), which ensures the DRM is still there. What's unclear is whether the movie file is DRMed before being pulled off the disc, or is encrypted specific to one's account during the process of download from the disc. Ultimately these details won't change the fact that iTunes Digital Copy is a ripe target for people who wants to legitimately buy their media, yet doesn't think it should be friggin' rights managed. Crazy, we know.
CES 2008: The best and worst of HD
CES is an epic event, and after walking the show floor, sitting through press conferences and reading enough press releases to last us a lifetime, these are the products that made the most lasting impression, good or bad. Pioneer's extreme contrast concept was without a doubt the most impressive item on display, and left more than one person saying they'd seen their next HDTV. Size still matters, Panasonic had the biggest and Pioneer had the slimmest. XStreamHD was best and worst by making great promises, but failing to deliver when we stopped by for a demo. Finally, HD DVD's pre-CES disappointment -- and subsequent press conference cancellation -- left a pall hanging over the booth, no matter how many people were there.Best:Tru2way TVs at CES 2008Hands-on with Pioneer's extreme contrast concept plasmaHands-on with the Pioneer 9mm-thick Kuro plasmaWarner goes Blu-ray exclusiveDirecTV's PC tuner (HDPC-20) is real!Eyes-on with Samsung's 31-inch and 14-inch OLED TVs -- take that SonyPanasonic's gigantic 150-inch plasma is official!XstreamHD details continue to emergeHands-on with Marantz's first Blu-ray player, the BD8002Hands-on with HD video podcasts on an HD TiVoLogitech launches Harmony OneSharp rolls out SE94U Aquos series w/ Aquos NetMusicGiants launches VideoGiants, with HD movies from ParamountWorst:XStreamHD's CES 2008 booth tourHD DVD's CES 2008 booth tourPhilips' new LCD lineup continues to not impressMustek intros the BD-100, aka Sharp BD-HP20S
HD VMD Day is January 22, celebrate the one true red contender in the HD war
Still not sure if HD VMD is a viable or even notable contestant in the next-gen disc wars? Find out more during "Global VMD Day", January 22nd, hosted at NME's first manufacturing line in The Netherlands. For the price of one transcontinental plane ticket (or intra-continental for our European friends) attendees can enjoy a celebration of all things HD VMD, learn about new supporters of the format and experience tech demos. You're an HD enthusiast right? Be a pal and hop the next Concorde to Europe, then let us know if VMD is a contender or pretender.[Via CNN Money]
Portable Copy makes us wonder why we still have UMD
The Portable Copy feature shown off at the Blu-ray interactivity demo is a nice bit of functionality. Buy a Blu-ray disc and you can easily put an optimized copy of the content onto your PSP. Sounds good to us, but it really makes us wonder what use UMD has anymore. If it ever had any real utility to begin with, that is. Sure, UMD may be useful for those who don't have a PS3 and want to get the portable movie fix, but the format is losing visibility in the retail space and even before that, things weren't so rosy. Only Sony can decide when it's time to let go of UMD, but the first step in solving a problem is identifying that it exists.
HD VMD players officially shipping to customers
In case anyone is still awaiting the entry of a third competitor into the HDM fray, HD VMD announced today at CES that it is finally shipping. At the no longer unprecedented $199 price point, we can order one of PCRush's 10,000 players or from NMEStore.com. All orders in January come with two free movies, Mother Ghost and Cutting Room. With limited retailer and content provider support, we're not sure HD VMD will find a foothold in the HDM market, unless despondent red fans are already looking for a new 30GB flag to march under. The multiple-layered red laser underdog has an ETA of January 15th, who wants to jump in?
Samsung announces slew of upconverting DVD players, recorders
Can't get enough of Samsung's new gear? Good, because there's plenty more where that came from. Next up on the docket is a half dozen DVD players and recorders, so without further ado, let's check out the DVD-F1080 ($99.99). This "ultra-compact" unit provides 1080p upconversion, HDMI-CEC, progressive scan playback and support for multimedia files including DivX, MP3, WMA and MPEG4. The DVD-HD1080P8 ($89.99) serves up the exact same features as the aforementioned F1080, but does so while residing in a slightly larger chassis. Moving on, we've got the über-slim (14.2-inches wide) DVD-P180 ($49.99), which upscales DVDs to 720p / 1080i, rocks an HDMI-CEC port and also plays nice with DivX. For the rest of the gang, we suggest you head on past the break.
Samsung goes wild with bevy of new HTIB systems
It was but a few days ago that Harman Kardon brought a trio of new Home Theater in a Box systems to the table, but Samsung's out to make that offering look like child's play. There's a lot to digest in this one, so we'll wait no more -- first off, let's pore over the April-bound HT-X810 ($699): 2.1-channel self-contained home theater speaker system Wall-mountable home theater sound bar with piano black design Integrated progressive-scan, 1080p upconverting DVD player 280-watt, 2.1-channel simulated surround sound with wireless subwoofer HDMI-CEC USB 2.0 port for connecting cameras, PMPs, etc. Bluetooth 2.1 for wireless integration with BT-enabled devices Trust us, you haven't even seen the half of this one. Click on through for lots, lots more.
Fujitsu, Sigma Designs collaborate on Wireless HDAV
Yeah, we've certainly seen Sigma Designs pick up partners for WiMedia-based UWB HD streaming before, but this go 'round it's managed to solicit the help of Fujitsu. Apparently, the duo is planning to showcase its wireless HDAV technology at CES, which was designed to transport HD content over ultra-wideband and rely on Fujitsu's H.264-compliant codec. The setup can purportedly transmit signals at distances of up to ten meters, and will combine Fujitsu's MB86H51 codec with Sigma Designs' SMP8634 Secure Media Processor decoder and UWB Windeo chipset. Granted, we've witnessed similar songs / dances before, but here's to hoping one of these wireless concoctions actually takes off in 2008.
Hey Warner, where's The Matrix for Blu-ray?
The red camp has been enjoying The Matrix in HD over six months now and all the Blu-ray fans got was a promise of later this year -- at this point, an empty promise at that. Warner started out in the red camp, and although they officially went dual format before the first disc was released, they've always leaned red by only releasing some of their biggest titles on HD DVD; like Batman Begins, The Matrix Collection, and V for Vendetta. According to our poll, most of you believe Warner will go Blu-ray exclusive -- which would be a big change -- but at this point we'd be happy if they'd just catch up and start offering the same movies as they do on HD DVD.
Addonics offers peace with external HD DVD / Blu-ray drive
Combo drives made specifically with computers in mind aren't unheard of or anything, but they're still a long ways from being a dime a dozen, so we figured it was worth the time to check out Addonics' latest. This peace maker plays back HD DVD, Blu-ray, DVD and CD, but it will only burn to the latter two; also, it's available with eSATA or eSATA / USB 2.0 interfaces, and it should play nice with Windows, OS X and Linux-based rigs. If you're wondering about speed, it can reportedly toast CD-Rs at 48x, CD-RWx at 32x, DVD±R at 16x, DVD±RW at 8x and DVD±R DL at 2.4x. Both of these suckas are available now for $409 / $429 depending on your choice of interface, and trust us, you never know when having something like this around will totally save the night.
Video Business breaks down Black Friday sales figures
For the statistics freaks out there, you're sure to love this one. After DisplaySearch churned out a plethora of data surrounding Black Friday sales in the HD realm, Video Business took the liberty of breaking it all down for easier digestion. Interestingly, some 600,000 DVD players were moved while only 57,000 high-definition players were sold during the week ending November 24th, but less shockingly, (cheaper) HD DVD players made up 62-percent of that 57K. Nevertheless, Blu-ray hardware grabbed 52-percent of the revenue, even though it sold substantially less units than HD DVD. On the software side, BD titles made up 72.6-percent of all high-definition movie purchases, while HD DVD claimed the other 27.4-percent. We know, numbers only say so much, but it doesn't really look like any recent trends shifted over the US' biggest shopping holiday of the year.[Image courtesy of SmackShopping]
