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Monsters vs. Aliens 3D promo gets detailed
For those searching for a few more details on how exactly the Monsters vs. Aliens 3D trailer will be seen on Super Bowl Sunday, you've arrived at the right place. According to a new AP report on the topic, around 150 million 3D glasses will be given away for free at Pepsi / SoBe Life Water displays at 28,000 locations including grocery, drug and electronics stores and big-box retailers -- in other words, you shouldn't have to look hard to find 'em. The three minute promo will utilize Intel's InTru 3D and ColorCode 3-D technologies, which are said to be far superior to the old red-blue Anaglyph system. In fact, those without 3D glasses will still be able to make out what's going on. Oh, and if you were even the slightest bit curious as to how serious DreamWorks Animation is about pulling this off, get a load of this: the outfit's CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg is calling the stunt "perhaps the biggest media-advertising event in history," noting that it will involve "tens of millions of dollars." Gulp.[Image courtesy of AP Photo/Matt Sayles]
Bowers & Wilkins and Peter Gabriel push audiophile B&W Music Club
Tired of buying those overly compressed MP3 files online are ya? If so, have a look at the new music service from Bowers & Wilkins. Said outfit, along with Peter Gabriel, is pushing the B&W Music Club, which is hailed as the subscription service for audiophiles. Essentially, those with incredibly discerning ears can pay an annual / monthly fee to have access to "one specially commissioned album each month, recorded in dedicated live sessions at Real World Studios near Bath in the UK." The albums are available in Apple Lossless or FLAC formats and provided without any DRM baked in. In an interesting twist, B&W is providing free studio time and mixing sessions for artists who'd like to have their tunes offered up, which could open up opportunities for little known musical geniuses to get exposure. Check the read link for all the fine print, but here's the tidbit you're really after: $39.95 for six months, or $59.95 for a year.
Digital Copy becoming more prevalent on Blu-ray Discs
Is it any wonder that Blu-ray Disc buyers are taking advantage of Digital Copy more frequently than ever? According to a recent writeup at TWICE, it's becoming even easier to find 'em. Today, a grand total of 52 BDs, practically all from seven major studios, are available with Digital Copy versions of the movie for playback on portable media players and computers. Unfortunately, the total of Digital Copy-enabled DVDs wasn't available to compare, but we are told that Warner Home Video is leading the charge on the Blu side with 19 Digital Copy-equipped Blu-ray Discs. As for the other guys, Lionsgate and Universal offer eight apiece, while Disney offers up three with a fourth coming in February. So, have you taken advantage of Digital Copy on the BD flicks that you've purchased?
Monsters vs. Aliens trailer, Chuck to air in 3D in February on NBC
This won't come as any surprise to folks watching the absolutely thrilling Chargers vs. Colts matchup on NBC, but 3D has officially hit the mainstream. NBC has been feverishly pushing a 3D airing of a Monsters vs. Aliens trailer on Super Bowl Sunday, and a 3D episode of Chuck will follow later in February. We were even blasted with a shot of Jerome Bettis rockin' some super ugly 3D glasses, of which you'll be able to procure yourself for free in the coming weeks at select Pepsi and Sobe kiosks. Obviously, since the ads were shown to all watching tonight's tilt, no special television will be needed to enjoy the eye-popping content; now, let's just wait and see if any 3D clips are snuck into the actual Super Bowl.[Via TVByTheNumbers]
Redbox CEO talks up DVD rental business, streaming competitors
Redbox -- the outfit that makes its ends by offering consumers $1 DVD / Blu-ray rentals in kiosk stations positioned at grocery stores, Walmarts and other retail outlets -- has let its CEO out of the corner office long enough to speak with VideoBusiness. With B&M rental outlets feeling the pain from by-mail / online alternatives, VB questioned whether Redbox's business model was viable. Gregg Kaplan noted that the model was indeed viable and profitable, harping on the fact that many families are redirecting out-of-home entertainment dollars to at-home entertainment. He's also publicly confident that the business will continue growing "at a brisk pace," and given that its market share currently sits at just 5% to 10%, it definitely has the room to grow. We have to say, Redbox has it pretty good. While many are too lazy to make a trip to the video store, it's actually convenient to grab a flick while you're out grabbing produce; hit the read link for the full interview.
Toshiba introducing SD-friendly players for flash card movies that no one buys
We hate to harsh on Toshiba here, we honestly do, but what in the world is it thinking? As if its clearly unimpressive Super Resolution Technology wasn't embarrassing enough, we're now hearing that the outfit is expected to release a line of prototype players at CES next week that tout SD card slots. Why, you ask? To accept the flash card movies that -- you guessed it -- no one on the entire planet is interested in. Okay, so maybe a handful of people (you know, the same characters who thought slotMusic was a solid idea) will buy in, but seriously, this has failure written all over it. The move comes hot on the heels of a Toshiba / Mod Systems tie-up to establish kiosks that sell films on SD cards, though we're still curious as to whether these SD card players will be of the standalone variety or integrated into upscaling DVD decks. We'll keep an open mind 'til we see the final product(s) at CES, but it'll take a belated Christmas miracle for this to be even halfway awesome.[Via Video Business]
Are alternative renting methods killing mom 'n pop movie stores?
We've already polled the audience this year to see if you all still visited the tried-and-true rental store on any sort of regular basis, and most everyone made clear that the act of driving out to rent a movie was simply old hat. A new writeup over at the Press of Atlantic City takes a look at how close these establishments are to caving to alternate forms of renting. These days, consumers have a copious amount of options: VOD via their pay-TV provider, Netflix (by mail and online streaming), Hulu, VUDU and tons more internet-based alternatives. It doesn't take long to realize that driving out to get a movie isn't required anymore. Interestingly enough, not everyone expects the mom 'n pop rental shops to close up in the coming years, with an increasingly aging population still sticking to their roots and doing things the ways they always have. What say you? How long does the B&M rental outlet model have before it's overtaken by newer methods?
Blu-ray Disc buyers accessing Digital Copy twice as much as DVD buyers
Ever wondered if anyone ever bothered to utilize that Digital Copy that so many films are shipping with these days? Warner Home Video did, so it engaged in a bit of research to find out who exactly was tapping in. In short, BD movie buyers accessed Digital Copy around twice as much as did DVD buyers, and it was found that the uptake rate is "measurably growing among Blu-ray consumers with successive Warner releases." Still, data shows that Digital Copy usage across the industry is still relatively rare, with title uptake across studio titles ranging between 5% and 13%. We found it particularly interesting that adding a copy of the film to a disc carried with it a substantial expense -- around $1.15 per unit -- so we wouldn't be surprised to see studios refine their strategies to ensure that consumers appreciate the addition.
PS Audio debuting world's first HRx disc player at CES
Oh, brother -- yet another high resolution audio format to worry over. Just when you thought you could pick up Denon's forthcoming universal Blu-ray player and be done with it comes HRx. The format, which is hyped up by Reference Recordings and is literally high-res WAV files toasted onto DVD media, cannot be played back in traditional DVD / DVD-Audio decks. Instead, you'll need PS Audio's PerfectWave Transport Memory Player. Until now, folks (all three of them) have simply been ripping the files onto PCs or music servers for playback, but the item you see above will indeed handle CDs and HRx DVDs, the latter of which delivers 24-bit, 176kHz sound. There's no mention of a price or eventual release date, but something this specialized just can't be cheap. We mean, it just can't be.
DDD chip makes all your old 2D video 3D automatically
Add another to the CES must-see list, as DDD TriDef and Altera have teamed up to create automatic 2D-to-3D converting processors. Slated to run demos on a 46-inch Hyundai IT 3D LCD , the opportunity for plug and play 3D could make for an easy transition, just like the jump to HD (ha!) While you collectively shudder from horrible memories of the old days of high definition, we'll ponder whether this is the same sterescopic 3D chip Samsung is testing with an eye towards a late '09 release. Considering their long track record with DDD finding this hardware a home next to your MediaLive Digital Media Adapter doesn't seem to be entirely unreasonable speculation.
Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts SDTV fix released
Still playing your Xbox 360 on a non-HDTV or, like some of us at EHD, sticking out the holidays at a relative's where standard definition is the only option? Good news, the Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts title update went live earlier this week, rendering things readable, even under the most trying of circumstances. Now, getting your console online at your dial-up only, WiFi-less, out of 3G range cousin's house is the only problem left, until that's solved hit up Xbox 360 Fanboy for comparison shots of the original and newer, bigger text.
LG's DVS450H DVD player makes us long for stylish Blu-ray decks
LG's DVS450H may be "just" a DVD player, but it's a fanciful one. Register Hardware was recently able to acquire one of the units, which handles upscaling and DivX playback without a hitch, and they were mighty impressed with both the form and function. To be honest, though, our interest in this player hovers around the design -- why can't Blu-ray players be fashioned after this? Are manufacturers waiting for market proliferation before thinking outside of the proverbial box in terms of design? Practically every Blu-ray deck that has ever been introduced looks completely typical, with no one willing to take a chance and offer up a stylish, if not unorthodox, alternative. We know, there are inherent risks in pulling such a trick, but won't someone gather up the courage and try? People love to buy shiny new toys, you know.[Via Slashgear]
Yamaha's DVX-700 2.1 HTIB promises "fully convincing surround sound"
We're not too sure why you'd pass on the opportunity to pick up one of Yamaha's phenomenal soundbars, but those who just have to have their speakers and upscaling DVD player match should find oodles to appreciate in the DVX-700. The 2.1-channel HTIB system includes a DVD player that upconverts to 1080p via HDMI along with 210-watts of power spread evenly over the subwoofer and two satellites. Each of the front two speakers include a 2.125-inch driver and 1-inch tweeter, while the subbie houses a 6.5-inch bass blaster. The system's claim to fame is its supposed ability to "deliver fully convincing surround sound performance without requiring multiple speakers to be installed throughout the room." Given just how well it has accomplished that in the past with its soundbars, we don't doubt that this bold claim is accurate; it's just that we're a tad hesitant to cough up $1,199.95 (MSRP) in order to find out.
Sensio delivers live 3D broadcasting technology to 50 more US theaters
Sensio already partnered with JVC in the consumer 3D projection realm, and now it's looking to bring live 3D broadcasting capabilities to 50 more cinemas in the United States. The 3D cinema decoding technology will be used by Cinedigm Digital Cinema -- the same folks responsible for bringing the BCS National Championship to a slew of theaters in 3D. We're actually quite curious to see how all of this pans out; will 3D fanatics (like this guy above, obviously) rush out to view every big sporting event on the silver screen, or will HD feeds on their own big screen be good enough?
Night of the Living Dead (1968) returning in 3D to theaters, DVD & downloads next year
Not satisfied with simply colorizing and restoring old black & white films, Legend Films is making the jump to 3D, teaming up with PassmoreLab to bring Night of the Living Dead (the original 1968 flick, now colorized, not the 2006 3D remake) to 3D screens near you. By that we mean, really near you, after a limited run in theaters starting April 1, 2009 the new version is coming to DVD and downloads (including allegedly hilarious commentary from former MST3K talent, if that's what you're into.) Legend Films prez Barry Sandrew is calling it the first full-live action feature film to be converted from 2D to 3D, now that a film most have already seen making the jump, is this enough for you to buy into the 3D hype?
China's Blu-ray rival lacks key manufacturer support
HD DVD's strike from beyond the grave may be falling short before it even gets started, as Digitimes reports no Taiwan drive manufacturers have joined the China Blue HD team so far -- and according to the always talkative anonymous sources, there's little optimism they will. Unfortunately the manufacturer support stage is where VMD, EVD and FVD failed before it and with no Hollywood support and cheaper Blu-ray hardware on the way, it's hard to see how CBHD will ever have much impact.
Funai to acquire Philips' North American Blu-ray / DVD operations
We already saw the writing on the wall, but now the deed is purportedly done -- or close enough, anyway. Reuters has it that Japan's Funai Electric will take over Philips' North American DVD, Blu-ray and other audiovisual operations starting next month. It's anticipated that the deal will boost Funai's North American sales by around $332 million, and of course, maintaining that well-known Philips badge is sure to be of assistance in that department. The agreement lays out that Funai will make periodic royalty payments to use the Philips brand rather than just buying up the whole thing outrightly. First the TV division, now this -- is there anything left of Philips worth caring about in the US?
Niveus and HDGiants link up on movie distribution deal
We haven't really heard much from the single entity that emerged after VideoGiants and MusicGiants ran full force into one another, but Niveus Media is keeping said outfit relevant by bringing its movie collections to the Media Server and Storage Server – Cargo Edition. Films will be made available to dealers and consumers in packages of 50 ($1,099) or 100 ($2,099) titles, and of course, each title will come with all of the snazzy cover art and metadata to make searching a breeze. At least for now, the flicks are delivered to dealers on hard drives (50+ movies is a lot to download, holmes), but at least you know you'll be getting the best quality material. Full release is after the break.
VHS distribution grinds to a halt
We already gave VHS a proper burial after JVC became the last firm to shut the door on VHS player production, but there was still one nail in the coffin that wasn't quite hammered shut. Today, it all ends. The last notable distributor of VHS films -- Distribution Video Audio out of Palm Harbor, Florida -- has shipped its final truckload of tapes, probably to a small town library or a mom 'n pop shop in a place you'll never hear of. According to co-owner Ryan J. Kugler: "It's dead, this is it, this is the last Christmas, without a doubt." An unceremonious way to exit, sure, but we have a sneaking suspicion that it'll one day be able to say it made it longer than practically every other physical film format that succeeded it. Here's one last tear for the format that was -- now, time to plan a trip to the local flea market.[Via CNET]
DLNA gives thumbs-up to MoCA standard for new guidelines
You know that DLNA support that your media streamer has, which currently only supports WiFi and Ethernet as approved LAN standards? Yeah? Well MoCA is about to join in. Yep, the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) has given the green light to the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) technology standard for "incorporation into the next version of its Networked Interoperability Guidelines," which should be out in early 2009. The guidelines will aim to "unite various consumer electronics, personal computer and mobile device technologies into a cohesive home networking environment," and being that MoCA is an open initiative intended to distribute multimedia over a home's existing coaxial network, it's a wonder the two haven't linked up earlier. Who says coax is dying?
