Category: Blu-ray
PS3 launch helps Sony Pictures sell over 180,000 Blu-ray Discs in Europe
More figures in the great Blu-ray v HD DVD war. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced that it’s sold more than 180,000 Blu-ray Discs in Europe, with sales having increased more than 1,000% since the launch of PS3 in March.
This week's hottest high definition stories: Blockbuster support Blu-ray, but do the discs rot?, SIM2 projector, new TVs from Sharp and Pioneer, reviews of JVC and Toshiba, Arcam, Texas Instruments, BrilliantColor
The biggest news this week, though the HD DVD Promotions Group deny it, is that Blockbuster has chosen Blu-ray over HD DVD. Not surprisingly, Sony is very happy about that, and a Panasonic executive thinks it’s game over for HD DVD.
However, the fly in the ointment could be rotting Blu-ray discs. Not good.
SIM2 has rolled out its HT3000E 1080p projector, while Sharp reveal their latest RD2E 100Hz TVs, and Pioneer release their new plasma TV range with 80% deeper blacks.
2007 Tech Trends No. 3: Blu-ray and HD DVD convergance
Third in a series of posts highlighting Tech Digest’s pick of big technology trends for the second half of 2007…
Will the rival Blu-ray and HD DVD camps make peace this side of Christmas (or even emerge from their trenches for a festive football match emulating the British and German troops in World War I? Not likely. Their battle will continue at full pelt until someone loses – mainly all the poor punters who plumped for the wrong format.
Blu-ray loses less momentum than HD-DVD
The so-called “format war” between HD-DVD and Blu-ray* looks one small step nearer its conclusion today, as Blockbuster announces it will only stock Blu-ray discs in the majority of its US branches.
Sony slash $100 off their BDP-S300 Blu-Ray player…trouble in Sony-land?
It was only four days ago that Tech Digest’s Andy Merrett was discussing Sony’s uphill struggle with Blu-Ray…and whoops, today’s news has brought with it a disturbing piece about their new BDP-S300 Blu-Ray player.
According to the BBC, the player now costs $499, $100 less than when it was first announced in February. The 1080p compatible player supports various video formats including MPEG2, MPEG4-AVC, and VC1, and as well as HDMI…
High definition is great, but do you really want Sony in your "Whole House"?
Andy Merrett writes…
Sony has been showing off its latest integrated solutions at PCBC (Pacific Coast Builders Conference) 2007.
It has three updated solutions for ensuring that new houses are totally kitted out with Sony equipment.
Their reasoning is that it’s easier and more cost-effective to plan and install a complete audio-visual system when a house is being built, rather than after all the walls are nicely plastered and you’re left scratching your head wondering how to keep that pristine look, while trying to separate and hide all that cabling.
Their top-of-the-range NHS-3040 rack system allows for 13 zones of HD video distribution, incorporating a 7.1 surround sound home theatre with LCD touch-panel remote control, a 400-disc DVD/CD changer with management system, an 80GB music server, radio tuner, HD cable/satellite support, three auxiliary inputs, and a Blu-ray player. Each separate zone has in-wall keypads for controlling it all.
Is Sony facing an uphill struggle with Blu-ray?
Andy Merrett writes…
Yes, it’s another instalment of the HD DVD versus Blu-ray debate / war, but this time things are a little different.
Instead of a war of words between various equipment manufacturers and official associations on both sides, this is to do with lawsuits.
We’ve spent a lot of time reporting on lawsuits – a lot of them come from Apple – but Sony has been hit with two in a single week. They both affect Blu-ray.
PS3 Firmware 1.80 – upscaling now available on your Sony console
Sony has announced details of its latest Firmware upgrade for the PlayStation 3 – the highlight of which is upscaling for your standard definition discs.
Microsoft, Blu-ray, and the back-up plan?
Andy Merrett writes…
Last week we reported that, based on an iTmedia interview with Peter Moore, there was the possibility that Microsoft would support Blu-ray via the Xbox 360 console if that format became dominant over HD DVD at some time in the future.
Apparently, we were wrong.
On the Gamerscoreblog, a Microsoft representative “cleared the air” by stating that those reports were based on taking Moore’s words out of context, and are simply incorrect.
We firmly stand behind the HD DVD format as the best choice for consumers. Current reports indicating that Microsoft has a back-up plan, which includes Blu-ray support are incorrect. We’re fully committed to HD DVD and have absolutely no plans to support other optical formats.
Now I’m left wondering if Microsoft is arrogant, or stupid, or both.
Sony VAIO FZ-Series laptops – Blu-ray and HDMI output
Sony has launched the VAIO FZ-Series of laptops, packing a Blu-ray drive, HDMI output and the latest Intel Centrino platform.
