WastedTimes

[hbgator]

Sony Pictures on Tuesday said it aims to deliver its new Blu-ray DVD format to U.S. stores on May 23 to coincide with the entry of compatible disc players, a new step in an industry war for control of home movie viewing.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment will first release eight Blu-ray titles, followed by another eight in mid-June. The first movie titles include "50 First Dates," "The Fifth Element," "Hitch" and "House of Flying Daggers."

Blu-ray is locked in a multibillion-dollar standards war against a rival DVD format known as HD DVD. The technology companies supporting HD DVD, championed by Toshiba Corp. plan to start rolling out movie titles and disc players in March.

Each side hopes to reignite a sagging $24 billion home video market with new players and discs that offer greater capacity and interactive features.

Sony Pictures, a division of Japan's Sony Corp., earlier this month disclosed pricing for Blu-ray format discs which amounts to a premium of about 15 percent to 20 percent to the current DVD standard.

The company said on Tuesday that its target delivery date would coincide with the launch that day of the first commercially available Blu-ray disc player by Samsung Electronics Co. Other Blu-ray disc players are scheduled for release to market from Sony and Pioneer.

[Fak3d]

mhh sounds coo, this should be interesting.

[jkf]

From a technology standpoint, it is a nice move to
advance to a format capable of much greater
capacity. But from the economic aspect of the
consumer, we are going to be looking at shelling
out more money for another device. Its only been
a few years since the current DVDs became cheap
enough for the masses to buy. Its going to be
another format war that is similar to what Sony
lost (BetaMax vs. VHS) back in the tape format.
They are looking to get revenge... LOL

[hbgator]

yes and just a new rental market too with higher rental fees

[aiolos]

I for one am going to wait this out. Besides I don't have an HD TV, so what am I going to do with the new formats anyway... I won't be able to play them on my pc either, since neither the card nor the monitor have HDCP. Unless of course DVD-John does what he promised...

[squire]

The irony in the old VHS vs. Betamax war is that the best format lost. Betacam, the professional version of Betamax, is still in use in television today, mostly in news and current affairs, because of the superior picture quality.

And if you want a new audio tape recorder, you could do worse than get hold of an old Betamax machine, as it was recording in glorious hi-fi stereo from the very beginning, unlike VHS....

I too am going to sit this one out until we get a dominant format or (if it's technically feasible) dual-format machines. Besides, I'm waiting to see what reasons the film companies give us for buying our film collections all over again

[lightwave]

The new machines are supposed to be backward compatible with your older movie collection.

[squire]

Oh well, that's a relief. I wonder, though, how they'll use the extra capacity. I've read that the PS3 will use the new format, so presumably all the games will last for ages - and cost a packet too.

[santa]

Headlining Sony's new product debuts are the BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc player and the VAIO RC desktop computer. The player is targeted to ship in July for about $1,000. The VAIO PC with Blu-ray Disc will be available for about $2,300. Both the VAIO RC desktop and notebook with a Blu-ray Disc drive will be available by early summer. In April, Sony plans to begin shipping 25GB BD-R (write once) and BD-RE (rewritable) discs for about $20 and $25 respectively. The 50GB BD-R and BD-RE dual-layer discs will come in subsequent months for about $48 and $60 respectively.

Code:

The new BDP-S1 model is compatible with standard DVDs with the added feature of 1080p upscaling through HDMI, which gives new life to existing DVDs libraries. Enhancing the BD entertainment experience further, BD-Java interactivity has been incorporated, allowing for the design of advanced interactive features. The BDP-S1 player offers uncompressed multi-channel linear PCM digital audio output via HDMI, delivering optimum surround sound to an HDMI- equipped receiver. The player also has optical digital audio out and 5.1 channel decoding capability for backward compatibility with existing receivers. In addition, the unit has a separate audio circuit board, finely tuned audio components, rigid beam chassis construction, drive brackets and off center insulator feet. This robust BD-ROM/R/RE player supports DVD playback from DVD/DVD+R/+RW encoded discs, as well as MP3 audio files and JPEG images stored on DVD+R/+RW discs.

The VAIO RC Series computers, Sony's first Blu-ray desktops, combine BD recording technology with high-octane performance, allowing aspiring moviemakers and videographers to capture and burn their high-definition content. Consumers can edit high-definition footage with a comprehensive suite of software applications. They can then archive and share it on Sony high-capacity BD-R and BD-RE Blu-ray Discs or downconverted to standard definition DVD+R/+RW dual layer discs, capitalizing on flexibility in storage, playback and recording.

The VAIO RC Series will be shipped with a 25GB Blank BD-RE (rewritable) blank disc.

The BWU-100A, an aftermarket internal Blu-ray Disc drive for computer use, will support recording of 25GB and 50GB BD-R (write once) or BD-RE (rewritable) discs at 2X max speed. It is capable of burning a full 25GB disc in about 30 minutes. The drive will also support recording of standard single layer 4.7GB DVD+R/+RW, Double/Dual Layer 8.5GB DVD+R, DVD-RAM and CD-R/-RW media, making it a true all-in-one "tri-mode" recorder/reader.

The new drive can be installed in a standard half-height computer bay with a parallel ATAPI (P-ATA) interface. Comprehensive authoring software will be included for capturing, editing, and burning high-definition personal content captured by an HDV format camcorder, keeping the video in native 1080i HD format for playback on a Blu-ray Disc player. Video can also be "down-converted" to standard-definition (SD) resolution for burning onto a DVD disc. The BD drive will be available this year with pricing to be announced prior to product shipments.

Sony's AccuCORE technology, which was integrated into recordable DVD discs more than a year ago, has been re-engineered for Blu-ray Disc media to deliver enhanced accuracy, compatibility and reliability. The BD recordable and rewritable media offer the following:

• Scratch Guard - hard coating that resists scratches, dust and static
• Archival Reliability - special material design that prevents data and image corruption and deterioration to ensure quality playback
• Stable Writing - a uniform and precise cover layer that reduces fluctuation as the disc spins
• Temperature Durability - for the disc structure helps prevent warping during severe changes in temperature and humidity.

Blu-ray Disc is an ideal format for recording and sharing personal content captured by an HDV format camcorder. The original high definition content can be recorded to BD-R or BD-RE discs and played by a compatible Blu-ray Disc player connected to a TV, or a BD-equipped personal computer. Sony Style Stores and SonyStyle.com go "Blu" On the Sonystyle.com web site, Sony Electronics is currently running a pre-launch campaign designed to educate early adopters and enthusiasts about Blu-ray Disc technology.

Throughout the summer months, all 32 Sony Style retail stores across the country will go "Blu" - Blu-ray, that is. With in-store product seminars by trained Blu-ray experts and the opportunity to see BD high-definition content on Sony's high-end HDTVs, the stores will be ideal venues for people to experience the impact of Blu-ray Disc. And because seeing is believing, the stores will prominently display Blu-ray Disc banners, informational materials and even blue-tinted windows in select locations to ensure that even the casual passers-by understand that Blu-ray Disc is the next significant leap in digital entertainment.

Consumers can receive more information about Blu-ray Disc products, technology and related events by signing up at www.sony.com/bd. Additionally, pre-orders for the BDP-S1 player will be available through Sonystyle.com and Sony Style retail stores, beginning on March 17. The player will also be available for pre-order at the same time through authorized internet dealers, which include: Bestbuy.com, Circuitcity.com, Sears.com, Ultimateelectronics.com, Tweeter.com. Amazon.com, Crutchfield.com, Bjorns.com, Abtelectronics.com, Listenup.com, Vac2buy.com, JR.com, and Electronicexpress.com.

[sadsimz]

Well I will sit on this as well .I already got a small fortune in dvd equipment for home and computers .And if santas price range is correct will be long time before I see one in my home. Will sit back and watch this for while

[Grim]

Hmm, 25-50Gbs on 1 DVD sounds real nice, but I bet it would take around 2 f****** hours to burn it all!