More Articles By Susanne Ault
- High-def sides boast interactivity features
OCT. 12 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.— LG Electronics will launch one of the first Blu-ray Disc players boasting picture-in-picture functionality this month. LG’s second-generation dual-format model will handle HD DVD advanced interactivity, as well as comply with ‘full profile specifications’ for Blu-ray players. More - HD DVD moves forward with recorders, 51GB disc
OCT. 11 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.— The DVD Forum is readying launches of HD DVD recorders that burn to standard-definition media and new higher-capacity 51GB disc configurations. More - High-def adoption 'will roll', albeit slowly, say panelists
OCT. 10 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.— Supporters of the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc high-definition formats locked horns at the HDTV DisplaySearch conference here Wednesday, but all participants ultimately agreed they were heartened by the fact that consumers are adopting high-def discs, even slowly. More - Samsung releases Blu-ray firmware ugrade for BD+
OCT. 10 | Starting this Friday, Samsung owners will be able to upgrade players to increase functionality, including enhanced playability of advanced copyright protection technology BD+. More - Toshiba says HD DVD set-top players are back in front
OCT. 9 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. —HD DVD set-tops have reclaimed their dominance over Blu-ray standalone players, according to weekly NPD Group unit sales figures cited by Toshiba. More - Warner puts downloadable files on Harry Potter DVD
OCT. 9 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.-- Warner Home Video will include two downloadable digital files on its Dec. 11 DVD release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix . The latest Potter installment will allow DVD buyers to download the film to a PC or a portable device, making Warner the first studio to so marry physical media and downloads. More - Harry Potter DVD game bows same day as Phoenix
OCT. 8 | Warner Home Video is bowing its first interactive DVD game, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Challenge , on Dec. 11, the same day as the DVD of the latest film installment in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix . Hogwarts Challenge primarily covers the first three Potter films, but scenes from the fourth and fifth movies are also included. All gameplay revolves around the DVD; there are no supplemental boards or pieces required. More - $399 PlayStation 3 due in November
OCT. 8 | U.S. retailers are excited about a new stripped-down $399 model of the PlayStation 3, but stores are anticipating supply will be tight. Sources say stores are preparing to start selling the new model in early November. Retailers expect the $399 model to have a Blu-ray Disc player but lack other features of the earlier models. Still, sources believe it will make the console finally competitive with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii. More - Indiana town questions Redbox monitoring
OCT. 5 | Legislators in a small Indiana town are taking Redbox to task over the inclusion of R-rated movies in its kiosks, and independent rental retailers are jumping on the opportunity to market themselves as more parent- and community-friendly than their $1-per-night rival. More - Best Buy named leading high-def retailer
OCT. 5 | Best Buy has emerged as the leading retailer of Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD titles by a wide margin, easily topping DVD-dominant Wal-Mart, according to the NPD Group. Wal-Mart carries a third-place share of the high-definition software market, followed by Circuit City and Target. Amazon.com sits in second. More - Giant Eagle switches to Redbox kiosks
OCT. 5 | One of the few grocers to house a relatively large permanent in-store DVD display, Giant Eagle is replacing its rental departments with Redbox kiosks. More - NPD Group: Electronic sell-through has slow growth
OCT. 5 | Despite the hype surrounding digital video, permanent downloads (a.k.a. electronic sell-through) have been slow to catch on—just 1.3 million households, representing 2% of Internet users in the U.S., purchased electronic sell-through products early in 2007, according to NPD Group. More - Fox points to hardware for Silver Surfer Blu-ray problems
OCT. 4 | 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is aware of consumers experiencing playback problems on Oct. 2 Blu-ray Disc release The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer , but the studio believes the issues are confined to a limited number of players. More - DVD Forum closer to approving 51GB HD DVD
OCT. 4 | A working group within the DVD Forum has approved the specification for a triple-layer 51GB HD DVD, confirmed a spokesperson for the North American HD DVD Promotion Group, opening the door for the format to be competitive with Blu-ray Disc’s highest-capacity 50GB disc. More - Studios extend free Blu-ray movies promo thru Q4
OCT. 3 | Blu-ray backing studios and manufacturers are extending their ‘5 free BD movie’ promotion through the holidays. More - Universal builds bridge to Web shop on Evan Almighty
OCT. 3 | Universal Studios Home Entertainment will launch its first e-commerce features tied to a high-def disc with the HD DVD Combo release of Evan Almighty on Oct. 9. Designed to play off the movie’s environmental theme, this Web-enabled interactivity links consumers to a new ‘U-Shop’ feature (pictured) where they can purchase a variety of green-friendly products. More - Sony produces milestone Blu-ray disc
OCT. 2 | Sony DADC has produced its 10 millionth 50 gigabyte Blu-ray disc, and the company says manufacturing yields are approaching that of standard DVD. More - Warner makes a deal for Peanuts
OCT. 2 | Cowabunga! Warner Home Video has signed a multi-year deal to distribute Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang on DVD and digitally. More - Barnes & Noble revamps its Web site
OCT. 1 | Barnes & Noble has launched a re-designed Web site, which includes an online review magazine, weekly podcasts and a live Webcast of its in-store events, among other new features. More - Best Buy reshuffles management
SEPT. 28 | Best Buy has shuffled its management team again.Shari Ballard has been named executive VP retail channel management, just several months after she got new responsibilities, including entertainment oversight, in June (VB 6-7). More
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