THE DOWN LOW

August 29, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

So, this is my final post for the Down Low blog. After six years (almost exactly, I started the day after 9/11 ominously) at Video Business, I'm leaving to try some new things. I'll be taking a break for a few months and heading over to Paris and then who knows.

Thanks for all the comments and stay tuned here for more on downloads and stuff in the coming weeks from others.

Jen

August 28, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Microsoft's Kevin Collins went on Home Theater Forum last week to say his company didn't pay Paramount any money or financial incentives to take HD DVD's side in the format war. Though he kind of says that Toshiba did by quoting an article he points to as accurate about the studio's decision.

Collins said Microsoft is siding with HD DVD because of mandatory managed copy, guaranteed hardware features on all players such as networking, and cheaper production of players with higher yields.



Industries: Technology

August 22, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Blockbuster has started promoting downloads from recent acquisition Movielink to its DVD-by-mail customers. Mike at Hacking Netflix notes that the site had a banner ad running on top of his queue. Wonder if they'll start including downloads in subscription plans to compete with Netflix, which includes streaming movies in its subscription plans.

Meanwhile,  Google, which angered some last week when it said it was closing its paid video download service and those who purchased videos from the site would no longer be able to watch those downloads. The company also said it would give a $2 credit to users, rather than refunds for purchases.
But ...Read More

August 15, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Disney, Sony and some other entertainment companies have been caught altering Wikipedia entries about DRM and other criticism.

In the most entertaining thing to happen on the net in some time, a CalTech grad created a database that takes the IP addresses edits on Wikipedia pages were made from and connects those IP addresses to the companies they came from.  Some of them are totally amusing and immature. For example, someone from the New York Times modified a comment to his entry of "jerk jerk jerk jerk" to "jerk jerk jerk jerk jerk" and more jerks. Oh, and apparently Republicans hate children, as someone from a GOP IP address deleted the entire entry to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and r...Read More
Industries: Retail, Studios/Suppliers, Technology

August 13, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Fox still isn't talking about its Blu-ray plans since pulling back planned releases this summer. For now it's looking like there may not be a Blu-ray release this year for Fantastic Four- Rise of the Silver Surfer. The studio hasn't announced a release date for it yet, but in an ad in DVD distributor WaxWorks/VideoWorks promo mag Hot Sheet, the studio is promoting the DVD, which it has begun taking retail pre-orders on, without any mention of a Blu-ray release.

Also, it's looking like DreamWorks' Shrek the Third won't get a high def release. The studio confirmed the Nov. 13 release date, without any mention of a high def release.
Industries: Retail, Studios/Suppliers, Technology