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VUDU Claims the Biggest HD Library In Existence

Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 02:15 PM ET
Tags: Downloadable Media, Industry Trends (all tags)

VUDU issued a press release today claiming that the company now offers its customers the largest HD library out there.

The company says they reached this milestone by adding approximately 150 HD titles a week throughout the month of October. The titles were added in the service's two high definition formats, instant-start HD and its top tier HDX format. Altogether, the company now offers a total library of more than 10,000 titles, with over 1,100 of those available in high definition.

"This is only the beginning of our effort," said Edward Lichty, Executive Vice President of Content at VUDU. "We plan to maintain a leadership position in offering the best picture quality experience and the deepest library anywhere when it comes to HD."

VUDU is one of several players in the HD streaming marketplace that includes AppleTV, XBox (soon Netflix via XBox live), and Playstation, among others.

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Related links:
VUDU Soars to Over 1,100 HD Titles, Offering Viewers Largest HD Library in Existence [Marketwatch.com]
VUDU HD [VUDU]

Of Wanted Lists and Foreign Imports

Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, Kenneth Brown (all tags)

Our own Ken Brown has been keeping busy with a series of articles on the state of Blu-ray. He's just posted a couple of stories relating to issues all too familiar to home theater enthusiasts: Wanted Lists and Import Titles.

Long time High-Def Digest readers are more than familiar with discussions along the lines of "When will 'such-and-such title' finally be out on Blu-ray?!!" Only to get a response that goes something like, "It's out in France, you can import it." In his latest piece for Sound & Vision, Ken explores both these subjects, first with his list of the 'The Ten Most Wanted Blu-ray Flicks,' and then with his examination of that most troubling example of failing to keep up with the home video Joneses: 'Five Reasons Foreign Home Video Kicks U.S. Butt.'

For more information on importing BD discs, visit the BD imports thread in our forums area. To read more of Ken's thoughts on the Blu-ray market, check out his list of the horror movies that MUST be released on Blu-ray NOW!

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Blu-ray 2008: The Studio Report Card

Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 05:25 PM ET
Tags: Industry Trends (all tags)

High-Def Digest's own Kenneth S. Brown has just written an article for Sound & Vision Magazine, in which he holds the studios accountable for their performance in the Blu-ray arena.

Regular readers are more than familiar with Kenneth's insightful movie reviews and analysis. Anyone who has read his reviews also knows that Ken isn't shy when it comes to taking the studios to task for skimping on sound, over-processing their video, or charging an arm and a leg for a title that offers little to no extras or high-def exclusives. Now Ken has written a piece for Sound & Vision, in which he lines the studios up in a row and points out who is doing what well, and who is taking the shortcuts. Check out the article on Sound & Vision's website.

If you like what you read, check out Kenneth's recent reviews for 'Standard Operating Procedure,' 'Eastern Promises,' 'Daredevil: Director's Cut,' 'Run Fatboy Run,' and 'Madagascar,' among hundred of others. His rundown of the Best (and Worst) High-Def Discs of 2007 is also a fun read.

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Related links:
Blu-ray 2008: The Studio Report Card [Sound & Vision Magazine]

Warner to Offer Discounted Blu-rays Beginning this Fall

Mon Jul 14, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: High-Def Disc Marketing, Industry Trends, Warner (all tags)

Starting in September Warner Home Video will begin offering retailers a new series of multi-tier discounts on select Blu-ray catalog titles.

According to Video Business, WHV will begin to sell retailers specific Blu-ray catalog releases for as low as $11 each (after rebate), allowing them to discount the titles for consumers at a few dollars off their current suggested list price.

Warner has not issued a complete list of the titles to be made available for discounting, but some of the "deep" catalog offerings will include: 'The Shining,' 'A Clockwork Orange,' 'The Aviator,' 'The Road Warrior,' 'Enter the Dragon,' 'The Fugitive' and 'Swordfish.'

Among more recent new releases to be offered at a slimmer discount are: '300,' 'Ocean's 13,' 'The Departed,' 'I Am Legend' and 'We Are Marshall.'

The studio has not specified an exact date when the new retail pricing strategy will go into effect aside from the September window, but as always, we'll keep you posted on this story as it develops. Stay tuned.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Warner Lowers Blu-ray Pricing [Video Business]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
300 (Blu-ray)
Ocean's Thirteen (Blu-ray)
The Departed (Blu-ray)
I Am Legend (Blu-ray)
We Are Marshall (Blu-ray)
The Shining (1980) (Blu-ray)
A Clockwork Orange (Blu-ray)
The Aviator (Blu-ray)
The Road Warrior (Blu-ray)
Enter the Dragon (Blu-ray)
The Fugitive (Blu-ray)

Warner Planning Winter Launch for BD-Live

Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, Warner, BD-Live Titles (all tags)

Warner is preparing to launch its first BD-Live-enabled Blu-ray titles in time for the Winter holidays, the company revealed at a press event held this past Friday.

During the keynote address at the Entertainment Supply Chain Academy conference, president of Warner Bros. Technical Operations Darcy Antonellis confirmed that the studio's first Blu-ray titles to feature web-enabled interactivity are being readied for release as soon as the end of 2008.

Among the cutting-edge BD-Live interactivite features planned for the as-yet-unnamed titles include real-time viewing, a search engine, library access, and a "recommendation tool" for other titles complete with e-mail reminders.

More standard features also planned include real-time and downloadable content such as picture-in-picture, deleted scenes and trailers, as well as ringtones and wallpapers.

Predicting quicker adoption of web-enabled content versus DVD-ROM features on standard DVD, Antonellis cited videogame adoption and the success of personal networking websites as key to mass consumer acceptance.

"I think it [BD-Live] has the ability to compete [with MySpace and YouTube] for a user's time because you are taking them online and you're able to create a community that we have never been able to do before," she said. 'That's huge for us."

Although the studio declined to confirm any specific titles slated to receive the BD-Live treatment, Antonellis pointed to the upcoming 'The Dark Knight' as a likely candidate, hinting that an online chat activity for the release is being considered.

"These are exclusive opportunities that can be offered through this small community that is created with these [Profile 2.0] players," Antonellis said. "We are no longer limited by finite capacity on the disc."

We'll certainly keep you posted on this story as it develops. Stay tuned!

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Warner Eyes Winter Holiday BD Live Launch [Home Media Retailing]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Batman Begins (Blu-ray)

Blu-ray Only Introduces Line of Low-Priced Blu-rays

Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Industry Trends (all tags)

Reaching a new low in Blu-ray pricing, newcomer Blu-ray Only is introducing its first wave of discount next-gen titles this August.

Kicking off the distributor's first Blu-ray slate is the 1953 Elizabeth Taylor-Van Johnson classic 'The Last Time I Saw Paris,' and the Humphrey Bogart drama 'Beat the Devil.'

Priced at a new format-low of $11.98 each, Blu-ray Only will release both titles on August 12.

At press time there were no announced supplemental features, and the company has yet to confirm tech specs. As always, we'll keep you posted.

You'll find the latest specs for 'The Last Time I Saw Paris' and 'Beat the Devil' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under August 12.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Last Time I Saw Paris (Blu-ray)
Beat the Devil (Blu-ray)

Disney to Push BD-Live on All Future Blu-ray Releases

Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, Disney (all tags)

At a press event Monday, Disney unveiled ambitious plans to bring BD-Live to all its future Blu-ray titles, beginning with the October debut of 'Sleeping Beauty.'

During a media kick-off held in Hollywood, California, for the studio's first Platinum Edition Blu-ray release, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment previewed the extensive BD-Live features on 'Sleeping Beauty,' and outlined an initiative to make web-based interactivity a cornerstone of its high-def strategy.

"We are making our entrance grand," said studio president Bob Chapek. "Every subsequent Disney title will have BD Live. [This may] push the studios to reach new heights that have never been before imagined."

The studio's BD-Live plans encompass all future Walt Disney and Pixar theatrical and catalog titles, including the likely fourth-quarter blu-ray release of Pixar's 'Wall•E.'

Disney-distributed titles from such content partners as ABC, Touchstone, and Miramax would not be included, though they may also feature BD-Live.

Disney also says it is planning an extensive multimedia marketing program to promote the benefits of BD-Live to the studio's core family demographic, designed to educate families about the value of the technology.

"You will see BD Live demos across the country," added Chapek. "We will talk about [BD Live] benefits. This is not just technology for technology's sake."

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
BD Live Will be Priority for Disney [Video Business]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Sleeping Beauty (Blu-ray)

Kino International to Go Blu this Fall

Fri May 09, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, Disc Announcements, Kino International (all tags)

Top foreign film distributor Kino International has become the latest indie to jump into high-def, announcing that they will begin releasing titles on Blu-ray in 2008.

Although they offered no exact street date, Kino is planning for their first Blu-ray release to be Wong Kar Wai's 'Fallen Angels,' which is due sometime this fall. (No tech specs or supplement details have been announced.)

One of the largest distributors of foreign and indie films on DVD throughout the past decade, Kino says it plans to support the format, with a number of Blu-ray releases in the works. Possessing a diverse library of classic films, documentaries, and rare silent shorts, some of the highly-desirable titles in its catalog include early Laurel & Hardy productions, Harry Houdini films, 'The Wonderful Horrible Life Of Leni Riefenstahl,' and Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis.'

Watch this space for updates on Kino's first Blu-ray announcements as soon as they come to us. Stay tuned!

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Universal Details Plans For Blu-ray

Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Universal, Industry Trends, Release Dates (all tags)

Universal Studios is expected to announce plans today to begin issuing new release titles on Blu-ray starting this summer.

As reported by Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, the studio, which had been one of the staunchest supporters of the HD DVD format, is expected to announce the recent theatrical release 'Doomsday' as their inaugural Blu-ray title, with approximately 40 other films following in the latter half of the year.

Other titles singled out for Blu-ray release include the studio's upcoming films 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army,' 'The Incredible Hulk,' 'Wanted,' 'Mamma Mia,' and 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.' In anticipation of the new 'Mummy' film, Universal's first jump into the Blu-ray pool will come on July 22 with three films from the franchise, including the Brendan Fraser action adventures 'The Mummy,' 'The Mummy Returns,' and the spin-off 'The Scorpion King' starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Other titles mentioned for Blu-ray treatment include 'Land of the Dead, ' 'End of Days,' 'Knocked Up,' 'American Gangster,' 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin,' 'Miami Vice,' and 'U-571.'

Additional news and titles will no doubt be forthcoming, so we'll be sure to keep you posted as we learn more.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Mummy (1999) (Blu-ray)
The Mummy Returns (Blu-ray)
The Scorpion King (Blu-ray)

Amazon Offering $50 Gift Certificate to HD DVD Customers

Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Amazon, Industry Trends, High-Def Retailing (all tags)

In a move reminiscent of last month's Best Buy offer, Amazon has begun contacting customers who qualify for a $50 gift certificate for purchasing HD DVD players.

In a company email that has begun going out to qualifying customers, the company states that players purchased before February 23, 2008, the same date specified in the Best Buy offer, qualify for the gift certificate, which can be used for new purchases on the site.

The email states, "New technologies don't always work out as planned. We at Amazon.com value our customer relationships more than anything and would like to support customers who purchased these players by offering a credit good for $50." The announcement does list some restrictions for the certificate's use.

Unlike the Best Buy offer, the company does not mention trade-in options for HD DVD media, but does state that the "Amazon.com Marketplace is available to sell items you might not want anymore as you upgrade to new ones." Perhaps suggesting that customer's might want to use their certificates to bring down the price of a shiny new Blu-ray player.

The program will run through April 9, 2009, so customers have plenty of time to take advantage of the offer.

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