The latest home entertainment news from high-definition formats, including HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc, technology, players, VMD, distribution deals, market share, sales updates and product releases.
Blu-ray revs up its marketing By Susanne Ault - 02/29/2008 FEB. 29 | Having knocked down HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc supporters now are positioning their advanced format as the one to beat standard DVD, cable and satellite for high quality video delivery.
More
Abt amends Blu-ray plans By Alan Wolf of TWICE - 02/29/2008 FEB. 29 | FROM TWICE: Abt Electronics said it will increase its Blu-ray inventory in order to meet customer demand following Toshiba’s decision to stop production of HD DVD players, and expects other consumer electronics retailers to make “similar adjustments.”
More
Sony unveils two Blu-ray Disc players By Susanne Ault - 02/26/2008 FEB. 26 | UPDATE: Sony’s debut Web-enabled Blu-ray Disc set-tops will start hitting retail in the next several months. The manufacturer’s first such BD Live player, the BDP-S350, will launch this summer as ‘ready’ to handle Web-enabled features.
More
Paramount done with HD DVD next week By Susanne Ault - 02/28/2008 FEB. 28 | 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. The studio pulled the plug on the HD DVD versions of other titles that had been announced for the format, including DreamWorks Animation’s Bee Movie (pictured), due March 11, and Sweeney Todd, due April 1. Their standard DVD versions will come out as planned.
More
Netflix boosts subscriber estimates By Danny King - 02/27/2008 FEB. 27 | Netflix said today that its subscriber count will be about 3% higher than previously forecast because of price increases from rival Blockbuster and cheaper online advertising rates. The company also said it would quadruple its Blu-ray selection this year and hinted at a possible partnership with Microsoft.
More
Microsoft stops HD DVD player manufacturing By Danny King - 02/26/2008 FEB. 26 | Microsoft said it will stop making HD DVD players for its Xbox 360 consoles a week after Toshiba said it would discontinue the next-generation DVD format. Microsoft also cut the price of the add-on by more than 60%.
More
Onkyo officially drops HD DVD By Greg Tarr of Variety - 02/25/2008 FEB. 25 | FROM TWICE: OSAKA, Japan—Although widely rumored to be in the works prior to Toshiba’s announcement to pull the plug on its HD DVD format, Onkyo officially disclosed late Thursday that it too will discontinue development and production of Onkyo-branded HD DVD players.
More
DISC DISH Samantha Clark, Managing editor and online editor, Video Business March 4, 2008 The Orphanage DVD, Blu-ray
Love Guillermo del Toro. Such beautiful images.
His following to Pan's Labyrinth, Th... More
DISC DISH Samantha Clark, Managing editor and online editor, Video Business March 4, 2008 I Am Legend update
My earlier announcement for I Am Legend said the discs would include a controversial&... More
DISC DISH Samantha Clark, Managing editor and online editor, Video Business March 3, 2008 First Sunday DVD, Blu-ray and PSP
Now, the trailers for this looked hilarious. I missed First Sunday in theaters, ... More
DISC DISH Samantha Clark, Managing editor and online editor, Video Business March 2, 2008 There Will Be Blood update
So, I mentioned last week that there was some question about whether Paramount's Ther... More
101 on the 101 To promote its 101 Dalmatians: Platinum Edition DVD, Disney turned Route 101 in Los Angeles into the ‘101 Dalmations Freeway,’ as 101 spotted cars drove on the highway to spcaLA’s Animal Village in Long Beach, Calif., on March 2.
Ricki visits New Line The Business of Being Born producer Ricki Lake recently visited New Line’s office in Los Angeles. The documentary will be released on DVD May 6.
Lawrence chats about Mrs. Doubtfire Actor Matthew Lawrence spent some time in Los Angeles on March 3 for interviews to promote Fox’s Mrs. Doubtfire: Special Edition DVD.