Blu-ray-HD DVD War Will Continue
The Blu-ray-HD DVD high-def DVD format war is
likely to continue for another 18 months. That's the
conclusion of a new report from Forrester Research, as reported by Reuters.
The research firm also urged Blu-ray supporters to cut its player prices
or risk an "upset defeat" by the HD DVD format.
The battle between the Sony-backed Blu-ray high-def format and the
Toshiba-supported HD DVD has now gone on for about 16 months.
The two sides have been fighting to win support in the industry, with
four major studios now backing Blu-ray exclusively while two are backing HD DVD.
The other two major studios are releasing their films in both formats.
Paramount's decision last month to switch from neutral to a HD DVD supporter has
prompted many to say the war will continue for another 18 months. The studio
reportedly agreed to back HD DVD exclusively for at least 18 months.
Forrester notes that while the two warring factions battle for studio and
retailer support, few consumers seem interested in buying either Blu-ray or HD
DVD.
Consumers are confused over the format war and wary of high-def player prices
which exceed the standard-def DVD player. Reuters
reports that Forrester believes that Blu-ray will ultimately win the war, but it
said Blu-ray player prices need to be lowered. The lowest-priced Blu-ray player
is now $499 while Toshiba has a $299 HD DVD player.
"Weakened by these developments (Paramount's endorsement of HD DVD), Blu-ray
needs to offer a viable hardware model at the $250 price point by Christmas
2007," Forrester said in the report. "The Blu-ray camp must also stave off
further studio defections, and employ more aggressive promotional tactics to
counter HD DVD's recent momentum."
The research firm added that high-def owners are unlikely to spend more than
$200 on a high-def DVD player.
"Failure to alter strategy would open up Blu-ray to a possible upset defeat at
the hands of HD DVD," the company said, according to Reuters.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION Complete Series
Embarking on DVD October 2, 2007, 49-Disc Collectors Box Set Includes All
176 Episodes, All-New Special Features, Exclusive Poster and Special Collectors
Packaging
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. Called one of the greatest television shows of all time
(TV Guide), STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION takes it to the next level on DVD,
celebrating its 20th anniversary with an extraordinary DVD collection of all
seven of the series groundbreaking seasons in one collectible box set on
October 2, 2007, from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment.
Featuring one of the most endearing ensemble casts in television history,
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION took fans on the remarkable continuing voyages of
the starship Enterprise with captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart),
Commander William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar
Burton), counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), Lt. Commander Data
(Brent Spiner), Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn), Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates
McFadden) and Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton).
The definitive DVD collection features all 176 classic episodes from the series
1987-1994 run along with all-new special features including The Next
Generations Impact: 20 Years Later, The Next Generations Legacy: 2007 and
Star Trek Visual Effects Magic: A Roundtable Discussion. The collection is
encased in an incredible collectors packaging and includes an exclusive poster.
Each season also includes additional bonus features exploring memorable
missions, crew profiles, behind-the-scenes and much, much more. STAR TREK: THE
NEXT GENERATION Complete Series will be available for the suggested retail price
of $440.00.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION Complete Series is presented in full screen with
English Stereo and English subtitles. The collection includes the following:
Season 1: 7 discs/25 episodes
Special features:
o The Beginning
o Selected Crew Analysis
o The Making of a Legend
o Memorable Missions
Season 2: 6 discs/22 episodes
Special features:
o Mission Overview Year Two
o Selected Crew Analysis
o Starfleet Archives
o Departmental Analysis
o Memorable Missions
o Profile: Penny Juday
Season 3: 7 discs/26 episodes
Special features:
o Mission Overview
o Selected Crew Analysis
o Departmental Briefing: Production
o Departmental Briefing: Memorable Missions
Season 4: 7 discs/26 episodes
Special features:
o Mission Overview
o Selected Crew Analysis
o Departmental Briefing: Production
o New Life and New Civilizations
o Chronicles from the Final Frontier
Season 5: 7 discs/26 episodes
Special features:
o Mission Overview Year Five
o Select Crew Analysis: Year Five
o Departmental Briefing: Production
o Departmental Briefing: Visual Effects
o Departmental Briefing: Set Decoration
o Memorable Missions
o A Tribute to Gene Roddenberry
Season 6: 7 discs/26 episodes
Special features:
o Mission Overview
o Bold New Directions
o Departmental Briefing: Production
o Departmental Briefing Profile: Dan Curry
o Special Crew Profile: Lt. Cmdr. Data
o Star Trek Nemesis trailer
o Star Trek: Deep Space Nine trailer
Season 7: 7 discs/25 episodes
Special features:
o Mission Overview
o A Captains Tribute
o Departmental Briefing: Production
o Starfleet Moments and Memories
o The Making of All Good Things
o Star Trek: Deep Space Nine DVD preview
Special Features Disc:
o The Next Generations Impact: 20 Years Later
o The Next Generations Legacy: 2007
o Star Trek Visual Effects Magic: A Roundtable Discussion
o Select Historical Data 1
o Inside The Star Trek Archive
o Intergalactic Guest Stars
o Alien Speak
o Select Historical Data 2
o Inside Starfleet Academy Archives: Sets and Props
o Special Profiles
o Dressing The Future
Toshiba to replace defective adaptors for DVD players
Japanese electronics giant Toshiba Corp. said Wednesday it will voluntarily
recall AC adaptors for portable DVD players that may overheat and damage the
players themselves.
The company sold roughly 328,000 of the "SD-P1600" and "SD-P1610"
players around the world, including 73,554 units of "SD-P1600" in Japan.
The company has received four cases of overheating in Japan, though no one was
injured due to the defect, a Toshiba spokesman said.
The company has decided to replace the adaptors in Japan and then take similar
action in foreign markets in accordance with local regulations, the spokesman
said.
The DVD players were produced between February 2005 and January 2006.
Panamax Announces New Line of Floor Models to Improve Quality in Home
Theater Systems
PETALUMA, Calif. Sept. 12, 2007 Panamax, Inc., a world-leading provider
of power management solutions, today announced the release of four new power
products optimized for home theater systems. The PM8-HT, M8-HT, M8-HT-PRO, and
M10-HT-PRO offer increased levels of filtering and advanced noise-reducing
technologies for improved audio and video quality, while patent-pending
circuitry protects components from power irregularities.
Designed to work with high-definition (HD) systems, these new products offer
power cleaning and filtration to eliminate common symptoms of AC line noise,
including loss of detail, pops, hisses, hums, and visual artifacts, and allow
equipment to perform at its full capability for an optimal home theater
experience.
The M8-HT-PRO and M10-HT-PRO offer premium filtration for increased audio and
video clarity, in addition to noise isolation between their isolated outlet
banks, which prevents any noise created by a component plugged into one bank
from contaminating the power to equipment plugged into the other outlet bank.
The M10-HT-PRO also offers Linear Filtering Technology (LiFT), which suppresses
noise dramatically and consistently across the entire dynamic range for stunning
audio and video quality. This product features six linear filtration outlets,
three of which provide sequenced activation. The M10-HT-PRO also offers four
digital ultrasonic-noise-filtered outlets, while three isolated outlet banks
provide further protection against AC noise.
All of the new products feature Panamax's exclusive Protect or Disconnect
circuitry, which completely disconnects AC power to connected equipment in the
event of a catastrophic surge, while integrated coax/sat and telephone/LAN line
protection prevents electrical surges that travel over cable, satellite and
antenna lines.
For the protection and longevity of home theater components, the M8-HT,
M8-HT-PRO, and M10-HT-PRO feature Automatic Voltage Monitoring (AVM), a
patent-pending technology that monitors the incoming AC power and, in the event
of an unsafe voltage, disconnects power to connected components. Once the
voltage returns to safe levels, power is restored to the connected equipment.
Additionally, the M8-HT-PRO and M10-HT-PRO offer a 12-volt trigger that allows
source equipment to activate or deactivate four delayed outlets for high-current
equipment such as power amplifiers and subwoofers.
"The new floor model line offers a wide range of technologies that enable our
customers to receive the best possible performance from their home theater
equipment and, at the same time, ensure component longevity," said Dave Keller,
senior vice president of sales and marketing for Panamax and Furman. "Continuing
our tradition of innovation, the advanced filtering technologies and
patent-pending circuitry of these solutions set them apart from any other
products on the market."
The M8-HT-PRO and M10-HT-PRO will be available in September 2007 at MSRPs of
$149.95 and $199.95, respectively. The PM8-HT and M8-HT will be available in
October 2007 at the MSRPs of $79.95 and 99.95, respectively.
APPLE CORPS LTD PROUDLY ANNOUNCE THE DVD RELEASE OF THE BEATLES FILM
HELP!, OCTOBER 30TH
Apple Corps Ltd have announced the eagerly anticipated DVD release of The
Beatles second feature film Help! on October 30th (October 29th ROW) which
will be marketed and distributed by EMI Music.
Directed by Richard Lester, who also directed the bands debut feature film
A Hard Days Night, Help! made its theatrical debut in 1965. The story
follows The Beatles as they become passive recipients of an outside plot that
revolves around Ringo's possession of a sacrificial ring, which he cannot remove
from his finger. As a result, he and his bandmates John, Paul and George are
chased from London to the Austrian Alps and the Bahamas by religious cult
members, a mad scientist and the London police.
In addition to starring the Beatles, Help! has a witty script, a great cast of
British character actors and features 7 classic Beatles tracks, including:
Help!
You're Going To Lose That Girl
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
Ticket To Ride
I Need You
The Night Before
Another Girl
The DVD will be a 2-disc set. Disc 1 will feature the original film digitally
restored with a newly created 5.1 soundtrack, while Disc 2 contains an hour of
extra features, including:
The Beatles in Help! 30 minute documentary about the making of the film with
Richard Lester, the cast and crew. Includes exclusive behind the scenes footage
of The Beatles on set.
A Missing Scene Featuring Wendy Richard
The Restoration of Help! An in depth look at the restoration process.
Memories of Help! The cast and crew reminisce
Theatrical Trailers 2 US trailers and 1 Spanish trailer.
1965 US Radio Spots - Hidden in disc menus.
There will be 2 editions of the DVD - a standard digipack and a deluxe boxed set
that will contain a reproduction of Richard Lesters original annotated script,
8 lobby cards and a poster, plus a 60-page book with rarely seen photographs and
production notes from the movie. Both the deluxe book and the standard booklet
feature an introduction by Richard Lester and an appreciation by Martin
Scorsese.
Watch the Help! DVD trailer here
CAST
The Beatles:
John
..
...John Lennon
Paul
Paul McCartney
George
.
George Harrison
Ringo
.
...Ringo Starr
Clang
.Leo McKern
Ahme
Eleanor Bron
Foot
.........................................................................Victor
Spinetti
Algernon
........................................................................Roy
Kinnear
Superintendent........................................................................Patrick
Cargill
Bhuta
......................................................................John
Bluthal
Jeweller
...Peter Copley
Doorman
Alfie Bass
Abdul
..
Warren Mitchell
Lawnmower
...Bruce Lacey
Cross channel swimmer
...Mal Evans
Women in street
Dandy Nichols and Gretchen Franklin
PRODUCTION
Director
Richard Lester
Producer
...Walter Shenson
Screenplay
..Marc Behm and Charles Wood
Story by
..Marc Behm
Director of Photography
David Watkin
Production Manager
.John Pellatt
Art Director
Raymond Simm
Colour Consultant and Titles
...Robert Freeman
Costume Designer
.Julie Harris
Musical Director
Ken Thorne
Songs composed by
..John Lennon and Paul McCartney
and by George Harrison
Songs performed by
...The Beatles
Songs produced by
..George Martin
Accell Debuts UltraRun HDMI 1.3a Category 2 Cables at Annual CEDIA Expo 2007
The worlds longest HDMI 1.3a Category 2 cables will make their first
appearance at CEDIA during September 5-9, 2007
Denver, CO., Sept. 5, 2007 Accell, a leader of enhanced connectivity,
introduces their UltraRun HDMI 1.3a Category 2 cable product line at the CEDIA
Expo 2007 throughout September 5-9 in Denver, Colorado. CEDIA is widely
recognized for bringing together leaders of consumer electronics and market
providers of the latest technology. Located at booth number 1060, Accell
demonstrates why theyre the leader of enhanced connectivity with the
introduction of the worlds longest HDMI 1.3 Category 2 cables with lengths up
to 131 feet (40m).
Consumers and custom installers alike are continuously looking for new ways to
optimize the performance of their A/V equipment, and Accells UltraRun HDMI 1.3a
Category 2 cables ensure that home theater systems will ensure peak performance
in the home theater today and in the future. The UltraRun cables are CL3 rated
for in-wall installation and perfect for use with projectors or wall mounted HD
TVs.
With the buzz surrounding the abilities of HDMI 1.3, Blu-Ray, and HD DVD, there
is a great amount of interest in HDMI 1.3, especially at CEDIA, stated Tenny
Sin, Accells Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Accell sees a growing need
for enhanced cables for A/V applications, and we will continue to expand and
evolve our product line to anticipate market requirements. Participating at
CEDIA offers a great opportunity to exchange information and feedback with
consumers.
Accells UltraRun HDMI 1.3 cables are unique in that they support the HDMI 1.3a
Category 2 specification. HDMI Category 2, also known as HDMI 1.3 High-Speed, is
a quantum leap over HDMI 1.3a Category 1 and earlier HDMI specifications. The
UltraRun HDMI 1.3 cables support rich 48-bit deep color, 340MHz (10.2Gbps)
high-speed bandwidth, up to 1440p resolution, and Dolby True HD and DTS-HD audio
formats. With rich color, fast speed, and hi-definition sound support, Accell
delivers what CEDIA members seek in their enhanced connectivity products
reliability and high quality, combined with excellent price and performance.
