By keith, on November 11th, 2009%
Two efforts are underway to enable consumers to pay one price for permanent access to a movie or TV show across a wide variety of digital formats, such mobile phones, cable services, PCs, Blu-ray players, networked HDTVs, and other devices capable of playing back digital films. Both schemes could also extend the life of DVD and Blu-ray.
The DECE is working to develop a standard that would be adopted across its 45-member companies, which range from every major studio (except Disney) to Comcast, Intel, Microsoft and Best Buy. Digital movies bought under the DECE standard would be tied to digital content accessible through any other connected device using the DECE standard. A consumer could buy the latest Blu-ray movie at a store, then access that same movie through a set-top box on their TV, at a hotel, through a mobile phone, or any other device that’s part of the content ecosystem. DECE backers are hopeful that the group will approve a standard in 2010.
Walt Disney Studios is expected to unveil more details about its Keychest technology in the coming months. Keychest would allow consumers to buy a movie once and access it digitally through a broad range of connected devices from Disney partners. Rather than download content, it would be stored in the digital cloud.
By keith, on November 10th, 2009%
Accessed through a Blu-ray players’ Internet connection, BD Live extras on Blu-ray discs were first used to show-off the capabilities of Blu-ray technology. Now studios feel that they can best drive Blu-ray adoption by tapping into well-known Internet brands such as Amazon.com, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Warner Home Video started by including Facebook access on major releases. People can update their status while watching the movie, and invite buddies to director-led community film screenings through BD Live. Warner is also doing a new look for its BD Live interface to broaden its appeal. The studio wants to offer more than just movie-based entertainment, such as iPhone apps and videogames.
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is including database IMDb.com to many of its major releases. Viewers can look up cast and crew stats while watching the movie.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is adding its MovieIQ (similar to IMDb.com) to its major releases. With Julie & Julia, people will be able to receive Julia Child recipes in their e-mail inboxes via the MovieIQ feature. Sony Pictures is also among the studios looking at how to incorporate Twitter into its Blu-ray discs. This could enable the ability to read friends’ tweets on the TV while watching the movie and pull in filmmaker and/or actor tweets during community viewings.
Universal also announced two new iPhone and social network applications that will be featured on upcoming Blu-ray releases. Pocket Blu, which is available as a free download on iTunes, gives viewers access to a remote control, keyboard, Video Timeline, and exclusive Mobile-To-Go content right on their iPhone or iPod. Social Blu, the second application, allows users to integrate Twitter and Facebook into their Blu-ray experience. Viewer’s will be able to update their profile status, rate movies, and send messages to friends all through their Blu-ray Disc players.
By keith, on November 10th, 2009%
According to the CEA, Blu-ray players have made the Top Ten list of “devices people want” for the first time this year. 2.7 million stand-alone Blu-ray players were sold in the U.S. last year; 3.7 million have been sold so far this year. Since 40-50% of all sales for the year happen in the 4th quarter, the CEA believes the final total of BD stand-alone players sold in 2009 could hit 6-7 million units, possibly as high as 10 million units depending on supply, bundling deals, and retailer aggressiveness. PS3 sales were also surpassed by stand-alone BD players for the first time in 2009.
In 2002 and 2010, which Futuresource has determined as year five for DVD and Blu-ray, respectively, DVD players (including PS2) reached 32.6% of households and Blu-ray (including PS3) will have reached 34.1%. According to Futuresource, Blu-ray penetration steadily rises through 2013 (year eight) to 67.8%.
According to Best Buy, their research shows that only 32% of its consumers are familiar with Blu-ray this year (up from 29% in 2008 and 19% in 2007) so there is a lot of room for upside. 60% of consumers who are familiar with Blu-ray have at least some intent to purchase the format in the next year, especially if the price is below $150.
By keith, on November 10th, 2009%
A new Blu-ray player software solution from Related Content Database (RCDb) and Videon Central enables Blu-ray players to load applications and connect with third-party services and content. Currently, BD Live material is generally accessed through software embedded into Blu-ray discs. Users must insert BD Live-enabled discs into players to view Web-based bonus features. With design partner Videon Central, RCDb has come up with a disc-free solution that will increase the number of ways studios can offer content to Blu-ray hardware owners. Going forward, studios could offer extra content to Blu-ray households that isn’t tied to a specific Blu-ray disc.
By keith, on November 9th, 2009%
According to Sonic Solutions, 3M Blu-ray players that support CinemaNow streaming will have shipped by June; 300,000 have shipped so far this year.
In related news, Best Buy also will be working with manufacturers of HDTVs, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes and gaming consoles to integrate CinemaNow streaming into their devices.
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