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Macworld: Blu-ray disc players and movies will share the same region code, Sony has confirmed.

The practice of using different region codes – initially for DVD discs and players – was designed to allow content producers to better manage release and sale of content around the world.

In practice, the system has proved easy to hack, and multi-region players that accept software from any region are readily available and popular among consumers.

In all, there are six DVD regions but content producers and hardware makers have been discussing changes for the new Blu-ray Disc system. Backers of the competing HD DVD format are waiting on a decision by the Blu-ray Disc Association with the idea of using the same region coding system to avoid confusion among consumers.

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Yahoo News: Neither HD DVD nor Blu-ray will be the victor in the home entertainment battle, predicts a new media research report.

Researchers at The Screen Digest, which projects that both formats will coexist until some form of common ground is established, much like the current situation with recordable DVDs.

Opinions vary among industry watchers, some of whom argue that Blu-ray, backed by Sony and most of the major film studios, is in a better position to dominate.

“The net result of the format war and the publicity it has generated will be to dampen consumer appetite for the whole high definition disc category,” said Ben Keen, Screen Digest chief analyst, in a statement.

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Engadget: Sony will be shipping their 50GB Blu-ray discs – with a whopping $48 pricetag, but probably worth it if you want the latest and greatest.

These discs are just write-once.  Sony are promising rewriteables for later in the year.

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Tony Soprano Sr.:
“I hear there’s not as many titles available as on laser.”
Brendan Filone:
“There’s more coming, though.”
Tony Soprano Sr.:
“My internist told me the picture’s not that different from laser either.”
Brendan Filone:
“But the sound, way improved.”
Tony Soprano Sr.
“Good. ‘Cause nothing beats popping up some Orville Redenbachers and listening to Men in Black.”

Honestly, ‘the Sopranos’ were bound to be the first TV series to appear on HD DVD.

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Gizmodo: Last week, Warner Home Video released several titles on both HD DVD and Blu-ray formats, allowing a direct comparison of the quality of each. According to High Def Digest Review, there were noticeable differences. And HD DVD got the definitive nod.
“In our first head-to-head comparison, we found the HD DVD to be superior. The unfortunate cropping of the Blu-ray image, coupled with more noticeable compression artifacts and an overall darker cast, can’t compete with the more consistently pleasing presentation of the HD DVD … I must say, our first Blu-ray versus HD DVD comparisons continue to yield surprises. I wasn’t expecting to see much difference in video quality between the two formats with ‘Rumor Has It…’, yet the two discs did bear noticeable differences, with the HD DVD boasting better detail and a more film-like look.”
So, round 1 goes to HD DVD.

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AV Zombie: The first simultaneous release on HD DVD and Blu-ray will be of the live jazz concert recording Pat Metheny Group-The Way Up Live, from indie software vendor, Eagle Vision.  The discs will debut on 2 October.

Eagle Vision has been filming all its concerts in HD for several years. As well as enhanced picture quality, the company says it intends to feature DTS-HD, Dolby Digital Plus and PCM Stereo audio on new releases.

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Polaroid is bringing out a camera? Been there, done that. Polaroid is binging out a portable DVD player? Now, that is news. Especially since its swivel screen looks so slick. And as Gizmodo put it so nicely: “no shaking required“. We’d like to tell you if the PDJ-0793 is available in Europe too, but our Japanese has gotten worse. Meanwhile, we’ll check these pages from time to time…
(source: Gizmodo)

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Bill Gates knows what it’s like to have the European Union on his tail. Now Sony and Toshiba may expect some of the same treatment from the European Commission.

The Commission is investigating on HD DVD and Blu-ray. However, no complaints or charges so far. According to a spokesman, the Commission just wants to know more details about the licensing of their products.

So if you’ve ever wondered what Brussels is doing with your tax money, there’s your answer. Once you buy a new player (beit HD DVD or Blu-ray), you’ll know you pay a fair price.

More details on the BBC website.

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Pioneer announces 3 new Hard Disk DVD recorders (each featuring an HDMI output, advanced video processing and entertainment functions) will be available in October.

The new line-up includes:
* The DVR-645H, with integrated analogue TV tuner and 250GB hard disk, capable of storing up to 711 hours of video
* The DVR-545HX, with integrated digital (DVB-T) tuner, with 160GB hard disk (capable of storing up to 455 hours of video)
* The DVR-545H, with integrated analogue TV tuner, also with 160GB hard disk.

A new innovation for this line-up is the ‘Entertainment Engine’, included in the DVR-645H and DVR-545HX. The Engine enables you to upload digital images or compressed audio files at high speed, via the recorder’s front-in USB host.
You can then create a JPEG slideshow, whilst compressed audio is being played, or even print photographs from the hard disk via a PictBridge compatible USB printer. This means that your hard disk DVD recorder now also serves as a convenient central library of video content, audio titles and digital photographs.

For more info, read the full article. For your local office or distributor, click here.

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Magnificent devices often come with an impressive price tag. We’d all like a home cinema system – but giving up this year’s holiday to our favourite Costa? No way.
So we took 200 euro out of our wallet and happily strolled down the internet, doing it the old-fashioned way. By screening retailers only and ignoring online shops.

We’ve already got a TV set, so our goal was simple: a set of speakers and a DVD player. Nothing fancy, as long as it was produced by a leading brand. Our road led to Belgium, since in July it’s end-of-season sales. And did we find anything? We sure did.

Presenting: the Philips HTS3100 for 179,99 euro at Eldi.
Finding a bargain, is good. Finding out it’s a good buy, is even better. But so far we have found very few reviews available. Bummer. Philips home cinema kits however get good reviews in general.

If by any chance you find a cheaper solution (at a retailer in Belgium, that is –we must play it fair) please let us know. For our readers in Belgium, it would mean some extra margheritas at the beach pool.

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Light-years ago – say: the Seventies – people wanting to buy a video recorder were faced with a difficult choice. On the one hand, Sony had its Betamax standard. JVC however promoted the VHS. All other manufacturers were divided into those two camps. In the long run, a practical matter (longer tapes) made most consumers decide in favour of VHS.

Now, in 2006, a similar war seemed to start between Blu-ray and HD-DVD producers, both boasting to be the real successor to DVD.

(more…)

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So far, Sony’s PlayStation 2 was the undisputed market leader in the video game console business. Microsofts Xbox and the GameCube by Nintendo didn’t come even close.

According to a report by DFC Intelligence however, it’s red alert for Sony and its upcoming console. The PlayStation 3 promises to be rather costly for young gamers. The PS3 would sell at 499 euro, whereas the Xbox 360 for instance already sells at 299 euro.

Sony on the other hand claims the price tage is justified, since the PS3 is equipped with a Blu-ray drive. In November 2006 we’ll know who’s right…

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