Apple, Dell planning new Blu-ray notebooks?...

Both Apple and Dell are planning to make significant inroads into Blu-ray over the coming months, according to both official and unofficial sources. Citing an unconfirmed so

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Planet Earth on HD DVD $30 Shipped @ Discovery Channel Store

There are some perks for being an early adopter: save $50 off and get the Planet Earth Mini Series on HD DVD for $80 - $50 clearance savings = $30 shipped at the Discovery Channel Store. The full savings only appear once you add the series to your shopping cart. The series includes 11 full high definition episodes and additional bonus material.

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I'm the Idiot Who Bought an HD-DVD Player

Toshiba finally mercy-killed its HD-DVD format last week, ending a drawn-out fight with Sony's Blu-ray for high-definition disc supremacy. The format's demise has brought HD-DVD owners untold humiliation...

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Paramount will street last HD DVD titles next week

The March 4 releases Into the Wild and Things We Lost in the Fire will be Paramount Home Entertainment’s last titles in the HD DVD format, the studio confirmed.

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Today @ PC World Talk Nerdy To Me: At What Price HDTV?

Welcome to the first installment of Talk Nerdy To Me, a bi-monthly feature where we'll talk about major trends and issues related to products and seek your guidance on the things that most matter to you.

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Stop! Why It Still Isn't Safe to Buy Blu-ray

The need to get in on the action might provoke you to spend some extra dimes. All we're saying is DON'T! Not yet. If you don't know why, let us explain....

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Toshiba: Refund HD DVD owners' money

In the wake of Toshiba's decision are hundreds of thousands of consumers who shelled out anywhere from $100 to hundreds of dollars for an HD DVD player. While an HD DVD player is still an upconverting DVD player, and it can play whatever HD DVD movies have already been released, otherwise the boxes have no future.

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Who's the Hottest Female In HDTV?

Reader poll discovers which female star looks best in HD. Jolie, Kidman, Alba and Johansson are the favorites so far...

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Gotta Cut the Cheese

Did DreamWorks not get the memo HD DVD is dead

Everybody knows that HD DVD died when Toshiba discontinued its HD DVD businesses right Well try telling that to DreamWorks the studio that is still planning to release its movies on HD DVD.

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Sony announces BDP-S350, BDP-S550: first new Blu-ray players

Those waiting for the next generation of Blu-ray players, here you go: Sony's got two new ones for you today, the BDP-S350 and BDP-S550. Both feature BD-Live (and thus Ethernet) and USB (for external) storage, while the S550 has PiP (BonusView) and 1GB of onboard storage...

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World's Most Overpriced Blu-ray Player Costs $16,900

Goldmund's new Eidos 20 BD will break the bank - and it is ugly to boot.

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Newbie's Corner - A Compression Primer

If you're fairly new to the world of HDTV, one word you've probably heard a few times is 'compression.' Typically it's used in a very negative way, taking the blame for all sorts of picture quality issues. Unfortunately, compression gets a bad wrap most of the time, in fact, compression itself is really a great thing.

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Apple TV Replacement??

Looks like Apple might have some competition with this new bad boy!

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PlayStation 3 PlayTV Recordings Can Be Copied Anywhere

For the first time in a long time, we want to grab Sony and kiss them square on the lips. Because PlayTV, the PlayStation 3's DVR/PVR (that's not coming to the States yet), will record television to MPEG2 files that can be easily copied off the system to any storage medium you'd like. That's right, no DRM.

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For True High-Def Movies, You Need Discs

Services for downloading or streaming movies sound great--but not if you're looking for 1080p HDTV content.

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Broken Xbox 360s Made My Baby Cry

My kid was just as upset as I was when my 2nd 360 got the RRoD.

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2-Step DVD-to-PC or iPod Video Conversion using Free Tools

I’ve spent a lot of time over the past years figuring out how to get my DVD collection onto my PC so I can use my Home Theater PC (HTPC) to play my library on my TV. The following is the two step process I’ve come up with to do this; all other programs I’ve used either are not free, install spyware, or desync the audio.

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Stage 6 will shut down on Feb 28th 2008

It seems Stage6 will be shut down on Feb 28th 2008. According to the blog post by a DivX employee, it is simply a matter of the site becoming too expensive to maintain. I'm deeply saddened by this: some channels alone have so many documentaries that they've become veritable historical archives.

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Digital downloads will be Blu-ray's downfall

With the fall of HD DVD, Blu-ray has assumed the throne as the next format of choice, but its reign will be short-lived.Blu-ray won't enjoy the same decade-long dominance DVD did after it succeeded VHS. But that's not because there will be other challenger physical disc formats.

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Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Officially Discontinued

It was only a matter of time before Microsoft officially discontinued manufacturing the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, but it took them a few days longer than we expected. Their statement is finally out, and it signals Microsoft's official withdraw from HD DVD on the console front. Here's their statement.

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Japanese Store Lets Customers Trade HDDVD players for BluRay

The Japanese electronics retailer Edion is deeply ashamed it sold its customers HD DVD gear. So ashamed they that they're allowing buyers to swap in Toshiba HD DVD boxes for Blu-ray players. A little more investigation reveals that the trade must occur during March, and consumers only need pay the price difference.

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Microsoft Dropping Xbox 360 HD DVD Drive To Under $50

The rush is on for retailers to try and get rid of whatever stock they have left of HD DVD movies and HD DVD players. It looks like retailers are going to really make a push to get rid of the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive as it is expected that Microsoft will cut the price of the drive down to $49.99.

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Universal: HD DVD Plans in Flux

With Universal having thrown its weight behind Blu-ray earlier this week, the studio says the fate of its remaining HD DVD releases is currently TBD.

Though the studio has yet to make any formal announcements, when asked to confirm recent retail reports that it was planning a March 18 HD DVD debut for the Oscar nominee 'Atonement,' a Universal rep told us that the studio's entire HD DVD slate is currently in flux -- leaving open the possibility that it may not issue any more titles in the format.
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As for which titles might be affected by such a move, prior to Tuesday's announcement, Universal had only confirmed two upcoming HD DVD releases: the Chevy Chase comedy 'Fletch' (due March 11), and the Tom Hanks-Julia Roberts starrer, 'Charlie Wilson's War' (which had been planned for sometime in the April-May timeframe).

Microsoft unlikely to release Blu-ray drive

Schappert also hinted strongly that Microsoft would be unlikely to bother with a Blu-ray drive precisely because the HD-DVD add-on sold poorly.

"We have no plans to announce anything like that right now. But I'd also urge you to look at the attach rate for the HD-DVD drive," he said.

When asked what he meant, he clarified: "It was a 3 percent attach rate...you also have to take into account how did the other accessory do when you look at the future."

Toshiba Thinking About Blu-ray for Laptops

While Toshiba said they had no plans to produce a Blu-ray player when they killed HD DVD, it turns they're at least considering Blu drives for their notebooks. (...)

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Latest Xbox 360 Blu-ray Rumor Stinks

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. That’s what Microsoft might be saying after Toshiba sounded the death knell to HD DVD yesterday. Rumors are circulating about a possible Xbox 360 Blu-ray add-on, but don’t get your hopes up too soon. The rumor of a quick Blu-ray player coming from Microsoft has the peculiar odor of link-bait.

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All Hollywood studios now lined up behind Blu-Ray

All six major Hollywood studios are now in the Blu-ray DVD camp, a day after Toshiba pulled the plug on HD DVD and Blu-ray became effectively the only next-generation game in town. Paramount...

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Stringer's Blu-Ray Win May Fail to Spur Sony Growth

Feb. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Sony Corp. Chairman Howard Stringer's triumph over Toshiba Corp. may not be enough to prevent earnings growth from slowing.

Morgan Stanley and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Co. say they don't plan to raise forecasts for Sony after Toshiba, the leading promoter of the HD DVD format, on Feb. 19 said it will shut the business for high-definition video players, surrendering to Sony's Blu-ray. Sony's profit will rise 3.7 percent in the 12 months ending March 2009 after almost tripling this fiscal year, according to the average of 20 estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

While Stringer will try to capitalize on winning the entertainment industry's biggest technology competition in two decades, analysts say a stronger yen and weakening U.S. demand may hinder earnings gains. Blu-ray player makers led by Samsung Electronics Co. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. may challenge Tokyo-based Sony's ability to dominate in the $22 billion market for DVD machines.

Free HD DVD Player With 7 $14 Movies

The sales have begun: HD DVD players are super-cheap and come packed with goodies. They're so cheap, in fact, that they're basically free of charge.

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Ny Times: Blu-ray Won the Battle, but Now Comes the War

With the competing disc format gone, Sony's Blu-ray still has to convince people to pay $350 or more for a player and $25 and up for discs. The latest generation of standard DVD players offers a very good picture on a high-definition set for much less.

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XNA Game Studio Games Come To Zune

Microsoft announces at GDC that XNA Game Studio Games will now be playable on the Zune.

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IGN: Blu-Ray Disc Association to Microsoft: 'Join us.'

Now that the format war is over, with an official concession from Toshiba delivered earlier this week, the question becomes what comes next for manufacturers formerly amalgamated with HD-DVD? In an interview with TechRadar, Blu-Ray Association spokesman Frank Simonis stated that former HD-DVD rivals should join the Blu-Ray family.

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Universal Officially goes Blu-Ray

"The path for widespread adoption of the next-generation platform has finally become clear. Universal will continue its aggressive efforts to broaden awareness for hi-def´s unparalleled offerings in interactivity and connectivity, at an increasingly affordable price. The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate."

Sour Grapes?: Toshiba: "no plans" to adopt Blu-ray

In the Q&A session following Toshiba's HD DVD dumping event in Japan, Atsutoshi Nishida, President and CEO of Toshiba Corporation made a bit of a surprise announcement.

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Dewey Defeats Truman

Finally an HDTV impervious to the Wii. Do people really need this?

"Panasonic recently showed off the newest feature for its high-definition televisions which is expected to please the majority of gamers around the world. The company debuted their new Wii-proof televisions at their product showcase in Valencia, CA..."

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LG not dumping HD DVD

In a strange move, LG has said it will continue to back, develop and offer HD DVD players.

LG has issued a statement to Pocket-lint following the announcement this morning that Toshiba was stopping support for the HD DVD format.

"LG believes that at this present moment in time, it is necessary to provide a player which supports both formats and therefore create simplicity and convenience for the existing HDDVD consumer."

LG, who currently offer a dual machine capable of playing both HD DVD and Blu-ray discs isn't dumping the format straight away.

Daniel Aziz, marketing manager for LG Electronics told us:

"With the recent announcement from Toshiba, Blu-Ray will now be the format that will pave the way for high definition movies, however this does not rule out HDDVD immediately as there are still a number of consumers who have chosen HDDVD and begun to build a HDDVD collection."

730,000 players,recorders, and drives lost to the format war

HD DVD casualty report

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Paramount and Universal to publish films on Blu-ray

Not a whole lot to go on right now, but German site HDTV Praxis has it that both Paramount and Universal will now make the obvious choice and publish their films on Blu-ray.

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Sony responds to HD-DVD discontinuation

Sony America has responded to the discontinuation of HD-DVD by saying it realised this would happen all along.

Predictably, SCEA bigwig Dave Karraker stood by Blu-ray and leaned on all sorts of arguments we have heard before.

"It's unfortunate that Microsoft's external HD-DVD drive will not enhance the experience at all for the gamer," Karraker told Kotaku, while probably pausing for sips on a celebratory cocktail.

"Sony realizes that to truly take gaming into the next generation requires a larger data format for both games and movies. PS3 uses the Blu-ray format for gaming, giving developers 50 GB of high-definition storage on a single disc, while Microsoft's 9 GB DVD gaming format is an obstacle for storing HD content.

"Furthermore, Microsoft's announced HD games patch is really just a compatibility feature - upscaling lower-resolution content does not make it Full HD (1080p), something that PS3 can do out of the box," he added.

Toshiba officially announced it would discontinue the HD-DVD format this morning, citing "major changes in the market" (studios and retailers choosing Blu-ray) as the reason for its decision.

While it paves the way for the Sony-championed format, many observers feel Microsoft was never that bothered about HD-DVD, but rather supported it to promote consumer indecision. Its real goal, many feel, is digital distribution.

RIP

Toshiba expected to announce death of HD DVD tomorrow

RIP HD DVD..Stop sales by March

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Microsoft's official statement

"We do not believe the recent reports about HD DVD will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. As we've long stated, we believe it is games that sell consoles and Xbox 360 continues to have the largest next-gen games library with the most exclusives and best selling games in the industry. We will wait until we hear from Toshiba before announcing any specific plans around the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room along with playback of the DVD movies they already own."

Xbox 360 Blu-ray player rumor returns right on cue

Two years ago today we saw the kibosh come down on the Xbox 360 Blu-ray player rumor. This morning it returns with the prospect of a Microsoft player as early as May. According to Smarthouse, their "insiders at Microsoft" claim that a standalone Blu-ray player is already working in-house.

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Winning the War

So, what are you HD DVD early adopters going to do?

We know there are hordes of folks out there now stuck with an HD DVD player -- not to mention the corresponding media -- that is quickly becoming a tainted collector's item. So, what are you to do? Move on and side with the Blu camp? Revolt and pick up a VUDU? We know it's a touchy subject, so feel free to let loose in comments below.

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HD-DVD Death Made Official

Toshiba put HD-DVD out of its misery today. Reuters confirmed this afternoon that it will cease manufacturing HD-DVD equipment, following earlier reports from Japan's NHK public broadcasting network.

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Toshiba to give up on HD DVD, end format war: source

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toshiba Corp is planning to give up on its HD DVD format for high-definition video, conceding defeat to the competing Blu-Ray technology backed by Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research), a...

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So, Universal: when will we see a Blu-ray title?

Now that NHK have reported Toshiba’s imminent announcement of HD DVD’s death, Universal’s declaration earlier this year, in Australia, of ‘at least’ 20 new titles during 2008, must look very shaky. How long now before they too jump ship and go Blu?

Niveus goes Blu-ray exclusive, ditches HD DVD!

Not like it's any huge surprise or anything -- after all, the HD DVD deathwatch is already in full effect -- but Niveus has just informed us that due to "customer demand and format war influences," it will be adding support for Blu-ray and "ceasing production of HD DVD-based servers."

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It's official

Wal-Mart Goes Blu-ray Exclusive in June

Wal-Mart is going Blu-ray exclusive by June. While Netflix and Best Buy pulling Blu were hard blows to HD DVD, when the world's largest public corporation won't stock your products, you're basically doomed.

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Mad Catz Brings HDMI to All Xbox 360 Owners

Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider announced today the release of the Xbox 360 HDMI Conversion Kit, a revolutionary new accessory designed to allow owners of the Xbox 360 console to connect directly to any standard HDMI input on their TV’s

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December HDTV Sales Jumped 27%

Menlo Park, California, USA - February 14, 2008. Pacific Media Associates, the global market information experts on large-screen displays, reports that unit sales for flat panel HDTV televisions in North America grew by 27% in December over November's sales, marking a seasonal sales surge for the end of the year.

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Toshiba gearing up to drop HD DVD?

We're not exactly sure what's going on in Toshiba land, but shortly after not-exactly-believable whispers made the rounds of the firm suddenly deciding to try its hand at making a Blu-ray player, we're now seeing reports stating that it will pull the plug on its beloved format "in the coming weeks."

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Indiana Jones IV Trailer!

YesYesYesYesYes! YES! Indy says: "It's not as easy as it used to be" Yeah, but damnit it looks good. Specially that scene in the military depot (probably Area 51) from Raiders of the Lost Ark.



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Is this Blu-Ray's answer to the combo HD DVD?

$10 Rebate on Select Disney Blu-ray Discs

If you've been considering upgrading your standard-def DVD editions of select Disney titles to Blu-ray, here's a deal to be on the look out for.

Here's how it works: included in some Blu-ray editions of several titles (including most recently, 'The Rock,' 'Crimson Tide' and 'Con Air') is an insert offering a $10 rebate for consumers who've purchased both the standard-def DVD edition *and* the Blu-ray edition of the same title.

DIRECTV: Two More HDTV Satellites Planned?

DIRECTV last year launched a new satellite for High-Definition programming and it's scheduled to launch another one next month.

However, the satcaster revealed yesterday that a third satellite could be in the works to expand high-def capacity even further.

Chase Carey, DIRECTV's CEO, told Wall Street analysts in an investors call on the company's fourth quarter results that it's now spending money on developing the third satellite, called D12. (Next month's satellite is D11.)

"We do have D11 and D12 spending (in the company's capital expenditures)," he said. "We haven’t really made a final decision on the D12 launch plans so we don’t have those finalized yet."

Harman Kardon shows support for Blu-ray

Harman Kardon today announced its support for the Blu-ray video standard, and confirmed this by hinting at a standalone player, which will cost approximately �500 (~$980). While details were scarce about the Blu-ray player, a spokesman for the company adds that it will release additional players, including all-in-one AV systems.

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Toshiba set to release a Blu-Ray player?

1080living.com has learned through sources in the distribution and retail business that the buzz is Toshiba already has a Blu-Ray player in the works ready for production for a September 08 release but now this has been pushed up to a July 08 release with recent events in the industry. . .

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Wal-Mart trims HD DVD player lineup

Industry sources told TG Daily that Wal-Mart is phasing out the RCA HDV5000 as well as the Venturer SHD7000 models. The RCA player has been offered exclusively in stores for initially $399, was then reduced to $299 and is currently sold on the clearance rack for $148.

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Blu-ray hits two million movies sold milestone (In Europe)

Two months after the million milestone was hit, total Blu-ray disc movie sales across Europe have reached over two million units, it has been announced in a press release issued by the Blu-ray Disc Association European Promotions Committee.

The most recent Gfk figures show Blu-ray disc movie sales totalled 2.37 million, which, the group says, means that 79% of the high definition movie discs bought by consumers year-to-date across Europe were Blu-ray compared with 21% in the HD DVD format.

2008 HDTV Buyers Guide, Part 4

The last in a four-part series of articles on buying an HDTV. The following topics are covered in this segment:HDTV as a System, not Just a TV Set Recording and Digital Connections Analyze the Connectivity Issues HD Integrated Tuners Controls, Cables, Screen Shields, ISF, Stores, etc.

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PSP mockup is far sexier than the real thing will ever be

Good gawd y'all, we don't normally bother with fan renders and mockups, but excepting the awkward placement of the L and R triggers there's almost nothing about this PSP re-visioning that leaves us wanting. Gank that UMD, add some flash memory, and this is our be-all end-all fantasy portable gaming device -- that will likely never ever be made.

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Blu-ray in the PS3 - When Is Sony's Credit Due?

A SarcasticGamer editorial over giving Sony credit for seemingly making a smart move putting Blu-ray in the PS3 and discussing why the gaming public seems reluctant to give them credit for what we've become accustomed to bitching about actually turning out to be beneficial to their brand, products, and bottom line. Take a read and speak your mind!

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Cheapest HDMI Cable We've Seen is $2

Amazon is flogging HDMI super high-resolution cable from DVI Gear for a measly $2. Yep, you heard. Two. Bucks. Our tipster Jon put it thus: "Holy Crap 2 dollar 6 foot HDMI cables," adding that the cheapest he'd ever seen was around seven times that amount.

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Apple Releases Apple TV 'Take 2' Update

Apple has released the Take 2 update for the Apple TV today. The software update is available for download from your Apple TV itself. The free software update allows Apple TV owners to rent movies without the use of a computer in standard and high definition formats. Library titles cost $2.99...

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Michael Bay on Blu-ray: "Told You So"

Never one to hold his tongue, Michael Bay is speaking out again on the high-def format war, reminding that he backed Blu-ray long before the format's most recent wave of victories.

The outspoken 'Transformers' director's latest comments came earlier this week at an award ceremony held by the Visual Effects Society, where he presented the award for animated character in a motion picture."Blu-ray’s better, and I told everyone," said Bay. "I was very vocal about it. I knew HD [DVD] was not going to make it."

As longtime readers of this site will remember, Bay made headlines last August when he threatened to back out of 'Transformers 2' after it was announced that the film's distributor (Paramount/DreamWorks) would drop Blu-ray support in favor of HD DVD.

Although Bay recanted his remarks before 'Transformers' hit HD DVD, he ultimately returned to his pro-Blu-ray stance, stating that the Sony-backed format was "where my money is."

Taking a virtual victory lap Sunday night, Bay issued his first public statement on the format war following Warner's announcement that it would drop HD DVD support, saying: "Am I thrilled? It really wasn’t my fight, but remember what I said in the press? I was kind of saying HD [DVD]’s going to lose... No one believed me."

Xbox 360 & PS3 Getting Netflix Rentals

Great news for both systems.

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HD DVD sad little response to Netflix, Best Buy snubs

..."it's unfortunate to see Netflix make the decision to only stock Blu-ray titles going forward. While the Best Buy announcement says they will recommend Blu-ray, at least they will continue to carry HD DVD and offer consumers a choice at retail."

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Why it's Too Soon for the Next Xbox

Rumors are already starting to go around the Internet that Microsoft is planning for the successor to the Xbox 360. However, releasing a new Xbox system a year or even two years from now is not a good idea for Microsoft or the industry. Here's why.

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Best Buy Tells Customers: Pick Blu-Ray Over HD-DVD

OK, this is starting to get ugly. Earlier today, Netflix (NFLX) said it will phase out rentals of HD-DVD discs in favor of movies in the Blu-Ray format. And now Best Buy (BBY) has weighed in, announcing that it will “recommend Blu-Ray as the preferred format” to customers. In a release, the retailers says […]

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Wal-Mart Now Ready With TV Converter Boxes and Promised Low Price for Digital Transition

Wal-Mart Now Ready With TV Converter Boxes and Promised Low Price for Digital Transition

Netflix Goes Blu-ray

Netflix has just announced that they will exclusively purchase Blu-ray DVDs instead of HD DVDs for their hi def rental option....

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Samsung sued for defective Blu-Ray players

Samsung's slate of Blu-ray players have been plagued with issues essentially from day one, and one particular buyer isn't taking this lying down.

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Flashback: Experts Believe HDTV Will Never Catch On

"High-definition television is clearly irrelevant."

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Universal Pulls Non-combo discs from schedule

Sorry, combo haters: Universal has pulled the previously-announced HD DVD non-combo re-issues of 'Dazed & Confused' and 'Land of the Dead' from its high-def schedule.

As we've previously reported, back in December the studio announced plans to re-issue 'Land of the Dead' and 'Dazed & Confused' as HD DVD-only versions on March 11. Both titles had originally been released in 2006 as HD DVD/DVD combos back in 2006, and those versions were expected to go out of print once current retailer inventories were depleted.

Sharpening Up Your New HDTV - Forbes.com

How to make sure that your new HDTV is giving you the sharpest picture it can.

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HD VMD Takes On Blu-ray, HD DVD

Is there room for a third high-def disc format?

Video Business reports that New Medium Enterprises, the backer of HD VMD, is expanding its campaign to compete with Blu-ray and HD DVD.

Many industry officials have expressed hope that the high-def format war will end soon. But like an insurgent presidential candidate, New Medium vows to stay in the race, promising cheaper players and discs.

Review: Sharp BD-HP20U Blu-ray Disc Player

When you examine the product offerings from the biggest players in the consumer electronics world, most of them have chosen sides in the format war and they’re now marketing second or third generation hi def disc players. Sharp has long been a Blu-ray proponent, but their first Blu-ray Disc player is only just now making its way to market. With the addition of the BD-HP20U, the Blu-ray Disc camp now has a veritable army of high def players arrayed against lone wolf Toshiba and its HD DVD format. With a reasonable price tag (for a Blu-ray player), the question remains: how well does this Sharp stack up against its Blu-ray competition?

HD-DVD players SOLD OUT at Wal-Mart.com

Toshiba’s HD-A3 is sliding into consumer hands en masse...

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Save Some Money By Sticking with a 720p HDTV

When you’re shopping for a new HDTV, there are a lot of numbers and stats that can be overwhelming. One of the most touted figures is 720p vs. 1080p, which refers to the lines of resolution on a particular model. Clearly 1080p, with over 300 more lines of resolution is better, right? Well, yes and no.

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Original Music and the Internet - Free for the Taking

Music lovers willing to do a little digging can find plenty of worthwhile music on the Internet that can be legally downloaded for free. Here are a few suggestions.

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Feedburner RSS feed

So to make it easier for my loyal readers to get the news from me, I've added a feedburner RSS link

Subscribe in a reader

The Evolution of Tech Companies Logos

You’ve seen these tech logos everywhere, but have you ever wondered how they came to be? Did you know that Apple’s original logo was Isaac Newton under an apple tree? Or that Nokia’s original logo was a fish?Let’s take a look at the origin of tech companies’ logos and how they evolved over time

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Xbox 360 HD DVD sales spike 71,900% at Amazon

Sales for Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 HD DVD Player spiked 71,900 percent Amazon.com following a price cut to $79.99 on Wed.

On Wed. evening, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player ranked as the No. 1-selling product in the Video Games division as the discounted peripheral went in and out of stock.

The $79.99 is the lowest price available for the peripheral, which was discounted by Microsoft to $129.99 the same day.

The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player previously sold for $179.99 and $199.99.

Amazon this week is promoting steep discounts on HD DVD products.

Kaleidescape Announces Support for Blu-ray

Popular (and pricy!) entertainment server manufacturer Kaleidescape announced to its dealers this week that the company would be producing a player in 2009 that would play back Blu-ray discs, as well as “regular” DVDs and CDs. The product will work with the company’s existing media servers as well.

Called the Blue-Laser player, the device will support the H.264, VC-1, and MPEG-2 formats. The company is “optimistic that it will be possible to import Blu-ray discs” at the time of the product’s launch next year.

Kaleidescape had originally gained license from the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA) to essentially bypass the encryption technology placed on DVDs that stopped them from being “copied”, so to speak. Using a Kaleidescape server, a customer can store tons of movies to be organized, browsed through, and played back through a home theatre system. The DVD CCA took Kaleidescape to court, claiming that the company had violated the licensing agreement. On March 29, 2007, a Superior Court judge in Santa Clara, CA ruled that Kaleidescape was in fact in “full compliance with the DVD Copy Control Association’s license to the Content Scramble System”. The decision was appealed.

Once the Blue-Laser player is launched, Kaleidescape says that a 750 GB disk cartridge should be able to store approx. 33 Blu-ray movies, which take up about 22 GB of space each (on average).

Kaleidescape went on to say that it has no current plans to support the HD DVD format, but it would “re-evaluate this decision if HD DVD becomes a more successful format.”

A little too late?: Xbox 360 HD DVD Player price drop (now US $129.99)

The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player price has dropped from $179.99 to $129.99 (U.S. MSRP.)

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EPA Adopts New Energy Star Specs

No matter what your view of the global warming situation may be, energy conservation is a good idea for a lot of other reasons. So if for no other reason that keeping your HDTV operating costs lower, you may want to consider whether or ...

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HDTVs: Now Is the Best Time to Buy

Missed a great deal on an HDTV this past week? Don't sweat it. Analysts over at Pacific Media Associates say we can expect a 15.6% drop on flat panel display prices this year. According to the research company, last year they saw a 14.7 percent price drop on HDTVs, which increased sales by 41 percent. If their estimates are correct, over 113 million displays were sold worldwide instead of the 80 million units they had predicted.

There's no question this trend will continue in 2008, especially now that more people will consider buying a high definition TV before the big digital television switchover.

Even the optimistic folks over at NPD Group say manufacturers and retailers will try to entice consumers to upgrade to digital televisions this year, so it's very likely we'll either see tempting price drops or more bundled systems like the ones Consumer Reports noted on this article.

New Gefen Extenders Offer Several Methods of Enabling Remote HDTV Performance

This stuff looks cool:

When high definition video needs to travel beyond a few meters to its remote destination, Gefen offers a wide selection of HDTV extenders. Based on signal distance between the source and display, users have the option of selecting coax, fiber optics or category-5 cables that work with Gefen’s sender/receiver systems to deliver high definition resolutions to 1080p with multi-channel digital audio.

HDMI over Coax Extender

Unique and leading edge, this new system enables standard coax cables to transmit the HDMI signal. Its sender and receiver system delivers high definition resolutions to 1080p (24fps/23fps) with two channels of audio up to 300 meters in distance. Designed to enable a no-new-wires solution for delivering HDTV throughout the home, this extender instantly delivers HD video and audio. Its sender incorporates IR back channel capability for an easy control of sources from any destination.

HDMI CAT-5 MS Extender

This next generation extension system enables a consistent delivery of high definition audio and video up to 50 meters. Category-5 cables connect the sender unit at the local source to the receiver at the remote display. Complete HDMI and HDCP compliance is included along with a robust MS technology that enables HD resolutions up to 1080p with multi-channel digital audio to be delivered with no delay.

HDMI RS-232 Extender

This extension system is unique because it enables both HDMI and RS-232 signals to be extended using the same system up to 50 meters in distance. Two category-5 cables link local and remote locations and deliver high definition video up to 1080p along with RS-232 signals for smart control devices. This extender can also reach up to 100 meters at resolutions of 1080i. The system comes with both HDMI and RS-232 connector cables.

5 reasons you shouldn't buy a Blu-ray player--yet

With HD DVD looking more and more like it's on the ropes, it would seem like the ideal time to commit to Blu-ray--right? Not so fast. There are at least five reasons to stick with your good old-fashioned DVD player--at least for the next few months.

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'Space Ace' Blasting onto Blu-ray, HD DVD

Digital Leisure has finally come around to dating Space Ace for high definition home video following last year's release of Dragon's Lair on Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. The game had been pre-announced for over a year much to the chagrin of PS3 and Xbox 360 HD DVD owners.

Like Dragon's Lair, Space Ace will also be available on HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Unlike Dragon's Lair, both versions of Space Ace will be available day-and-date with one another on April 8 rather than staggered by several months.

Vizio HDTV: Low Price, Mediocre Performance

The Vizio HDTV is attracting more interest amongst prospective buyers mainly because it is a flat panel TV that is affordably priced for both LCD and Plasma versions. This in spite of the fact that most buyers’ are reluctant to buy inexpensive TVs from manufacturers that do not enjoy the best repute, though now that many thousands have tested the Vizio HDTV, there is even some useful feedback available that can shed more light as to its advantages and drawbacks.

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Studios say 'screw it', release both Blu-Ray and HD DVD

Tired of the constant tug-of-war, many publishers are staying neutral for now in the HD disc "war."

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Vudu Test Confirms HD Download Worries

Over the weekend, I checked out three versions of the Transformers movie: standard-def and high-def instantaneous downloads to the Vudu box with 4-Mbps net connection, as well as the HD DVD of the movie, playing through the Xbox 360.

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The HD DVD Super Bowl Commercial

Introduction to PSP Homebrew

The PSP is a pocket powerhouse, capable of much more than just gaming and multimedia. This is where the homebrew community comes in. With some modifications to its system software, the PSP can run 3rd party software, just like an ordinary computer. A massive community has sprung up online that is dedicated to these modifications.

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HD DVD: The Missing Super Bowl Ad

Toshiba's much-anticipated HD DVD Super Bowl commercial apparently did not air last night in several markets.

The spot, which highlighted Toshiba's new lower-priced HD DVD players, was regarded by some as the high-def disc format's 'Hail Mary' pass in its battle against rival Blu-ray.

Toshiba reportedly spent $2.7 million to secure the Super Bowl commercial time. However, with the ad apparently appearing in select markets, it's possible that Toshiba opted to buy a targeted, regional ad instead of a national spot.

David Cohen, a spokesman for the Brodeur public relations agency, which handles the HD DVD account for Toshiba, told TVPredictions.com this afternoon that Toshiba would not be able to comment on the commercial until Tuesday.

Clearing Up Some of the Confusion Over HDTV

David Pogue goes to a Best Buy to answer the common questions over HDTV. Does 1080p matter? Plasma or LCD? Is bigger better?

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Toshiba to Keep Aloof from Chinese HD-DVD Player Sector

Toshiba Corporation, a backer of HD-DVD, will keep aloof from the Chinese HD-DVD player market when Sony-branded Blu-ray DVD players are in hot sales in the Chinese market, said Toshiba China Co., Ltd. on January 31, 2008.

By doing so, it is intended to give its rival - the Blu-ray DVD group - a blow by encouraging more companies to produce HD- DVD players in the nation, said sources.

Is 20 Films From Universal Enough To Save HD DVD? Ahh, No...

Not with Universal announcing its undying love for the format with a paltry 20 movies over 2008. Sure, the release said a minimum of 20 movies, so there could be more thrown in there with classics like Atonement, The Kingdom, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, American Gangster, and Charlie Wilson’s War.

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Call of Duty 4

if you own a Xbox 360 or PS3, you owe it to yourself to buy this game

HD DVD HD-A3 player price cut to $124.00

Amazon.com this week is offering Toshiba Corp.'s entry level HD DVD player for $124.00, the lowest price available for the high-definition product.

The retailer this week price cut the HD-A3 HD DVD Player to $124.00 from an MSRP of $149.99. The player includes two HD DVD titles and is eligible for an additional five free HD DVD discs via mail-in rebate.

Amazon discounted the product to $121.48 briefly on Saturday.

HDTVs to watch in 2008

As the countdown continues to all-digital airwaves, here are a few HDTVs to watch in 2008: Philips Eco TV: A green HDTV? Philips' 42PFL5603D, available in...

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Blu-ray: resistance is 'futile'

Toshiba's discounting strategy on its HD-DVD players is a futile gesture in a battle with Blu-ray that is "all but over", according to analysts. Toshiba cut pricing on its HD-DVD players in US retail outlets last month, but Gartner reckons that the game is already up.

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JVC and Funai join for LCD TV development

Japanese electronics manufacturers, JVC and Funai Electric Co Ltd, are teaming up to develop and supply LCD televisions.

The move follows the current trend for consolidation in the LCD TV sector, as companies search for economies of scale to offset pricing pressures.

Starting this month, JVC (Victor Co of Japan Ltd), will supply Funai with LCD TVs made at a JVC plant in Mexico. Funai will then sell the sets under its own brand in the North American market.

Funai will supply JVC with LCD TVs produced by a Funai plant in Poland, and JVC will market them in Europe. This part of the agreement is expected to start between April and September.

In the year commencing April 2008, the two companies will jointly develop LCD TVs. They will combine the purchasing of raw materials and parts, and could consolidate their logistics networks and maintenance services.