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No slowing down from Sony when it comes to Blu-ray players, with today's announcement of the entry-level BDP-S360 unit. Though not mentioned, this presumably supersedes the BDP-S350 launched in late summer last year, though for real high-end Blu-ray nuts, the BDP-S5000ES is still available.
Naturally, the BDP-S360 offers full 1080p playback, including 24fps true cinema mode, and it also utilises Sony's Precision Cinema HD Upscale that improves the output of standard DVDs.
We'd already heard that Panasonic was to release at least one Blu-ray recorder with built-in Freesat tuner, but now the company has announced three machines on their way to the UK this summer.
In summary, the DMR-BS850 and DMR-BS750 are Blu-ray disc recorders with Freesat+ functionality, while the DMR-XS350 features a standard DVD recorder and high definition recording to the hard drive.
From the Blu-ray perspective, the two models feature BD-Live compatibility. Freesat-wise, they have twin tuners. Audio-wise, they can handle Dolby TrueHD and DTS-Master Audio.
In February we speculated that Pioneer might collaborate with Sharp on its optical disc business. Today, that has been confirmed by the two companies.
Pioneer has been struggling for a little while now. The new partnership, which will see a joint venture set up, seeks to make more effective use of the management resources of the two companies, particularly in the Blu-ray Disc market.
The new company will engage in the development, design, manufacture, and sales of optical disc products, focusing on optical disc drives, recorders, and players.
More details will be made available in June this year, with a target date for start of operations of 1st October 2009.
While Sony has already introduced an 8x Blu-ray disc writer, the media has yet to officially catch up.
The likes of Imation and Panasonic have created 6x speed Blu-ray media, usable in recorders such as the LG GGW-H20LI, and now Sony is to launch two types of 50GB (dual layer) Blu-ray disc in Japan capable of 6x burning.
One disc will target video use, while the other is branded for data.
Available from 20th April in Japan. Worldwide availability not yet known. Pricing at the equivalent of about £11 per disc.
(Via Sony Insider)
Series One of Demons is to be released on Blu-ray on 6th April. Though it's received unfavourable reviews, it still packs in an all-star cast and may well appeal to some.
Demons, which stars Philip Glenister, Christian Cooke, Holliday Grainger, Zoe Tapper and Mackenzie Crook, puts a contemporary spin on Bram Stoker's legendary story, taking place above and beneath the streets of modern-day London.
The Da Vinci Code Extended Cut will be launched on Blu-ray on 4th May this year, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced.
Plenty of features come packed on to this BD-Live compatible disc, including 28 minutes of never-before-seen footage plus a range of interactive options.
There are no less than 17 featurettes plus an exclusive five-minute scene from Angels and Demon introduced by Ron Howard.
The complete contents is listed over the jump. Pricing details are to be confirmed. The pack shot is of the US version.
Anyone searching for a bargain on Blu-ray box sets could do worse than head over to new web site CompareDVDBoxSet.com.
Started by self-confessed TV/film box-set addict Andy Barr, the service is based on partnerships with the likes of HMV, Play.com, Amazon, ASDA and Tesco. It then displays real-time pricing.
Things are seriously starting to ramp up in the UK and hopefully it won't be long before the sort of hardware available in Japan comes over here.
Take Panasonic's announcement that it's to launch a Freesat+ PVR with built-in Blu-ray recorder. That's a pretty meaty piece of kit, ensuring that most of your home entertainment needs are met in just one box.
According to various reports coming out from Panasonic's recent European press conference, it will feature twin tuner and 500GB hard drive (both essential for Freesat+ functionality) plus a Blu-ray writer.
Lionsgate has announced that Saw V will be available on Blu-ray and DVD from Monday 9th March.
This "extreme edition" includes Saw Goreology which includes all the original SAW films as well as the latest.
Special features on the Blu-ray version include commentary from a number of the producers and directors.
Available for £24.45. Saw Goreology is a separate purchase only available on DVD.
OK, OK, you can stop screaming now. Yes, indeed, High School Musical 3 (starring Zac Efron, Monique Coleman, Chris Warren Jr, Bart Johnson, and Corbin Bleu) is coming to Blu-ray (and ordinary DVD) next Monday, 16th February.
Hang on to your hats because three isn't just in the title in the movie. No, the Blu-ray version is a three-disc deluxe extended edition featuring a whole host of bonus features like:
All we find out about the technical details of the disc is that it's in 1080p (of course) in 1.85:1 aspect ratio. No news on the audio quality.
Pick up a copy at Amazon.co.uk for £15.99.
Tougher economic times may have finally hit Pioneer, if reports in Japan's Nikkei newspaper are accurate.
A little over nine months after Pioneer outsourced plasma panel production to Panasonic (try that as a tongue-twister), it seems that tough times may have forced it to throw in the towel.
Not three months ago was Pioneer announcing a new line of KURO plasmas, with KURO LCDs coming earlier in the year. Now both development and production could be shelved due to a 100 billion yen consolidated loss.
Nights in Rodanthe will be released in the UK on Blu-ray on Monday, 9th February 2009 by by Warner Home Video.
The stars of Unfaithful rekindle their screen chemistry in this rich tale of hearts awakenings from the bestseller by Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook, Message in a Bottle). Richard Gere is Paul, a surgeon who long ago unwittingly traded career for family. Diane Lane is Adrienne, a devoted mother trying to move on after her husband's infidelity and struggling with his desire to return to their marriage. At a remote inn on the Outer Banks, both separately expect to do some serious soul-searching. But an approaching storm forces each to turn to the other for strength, setting the stage for a life-resonating romance.
Full feature details aren't yet available.
Order at Amazon.co.uk for £16.98
Other Blu-ray films released today include Pretty Woman, Burn After Reading, Nights in Rodanthe, and Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine is released in the UK on Blu-ray next Monday, 9th February.
It stars Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carell and Alan Arkin and is a hilarious comedy about hitting the road, and driving to the edge of insanity!
Seven-year-old Olive Hoover (Abigail Breslin) wants to compete in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant in far-off California, but it's going to take the combined efforts of her dysfunctional family - and their rusted-out VW bus - to make her dream come true.
The Bu-ray disc offers the following special features:
The certificate 15 film runs for 103 minutes and features various audio formats -- English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 DTS, and Spanish 5.1 DTS. It also has subtitles in Cantonese, French, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, and English for the hearing impaired. It features a 2.40:1 aspect ratio.
Order from Amazon.co.uk for £14.98.
Other Blu-ray films released today include Pretty Woman, Burn After Reading and Nights in Rodanthe
Pretty Woman launches in the UK on Blu-ray next Monday, 9th February 2009:
Pretty Woman is the classic 1990 romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere:
When successful corporate mogul Edward Lewis meets independent and carefree hooker Vivian Ward, their two lives are worlds apart. But Vivian's energetic spirit challenges Edward's no-nonsense, business-minded approach to life, sparking an immediate attraction. He teaches her about the finer things in life; she teaches him that love could be the best investment he ever made.
Capturing the hearts of critics and filmgoers alike, this modern-day rags-to-riches romance entertains with its upbeat blend of humor, passion and unforgettable fun!
Full specs for the title to be confirmed. Order on Amazon.co.uk for £15.99.
Other Blu-ray films released today include Burn After Reading, Nights in Rodanthe, and Little Miss Sunshine
Burn after Reading launches in the UK on Blu-ray next Monday, 9th February 2009.
It stars the likes of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton and John Malkovich:
When a disc filled with some of the CIA's most irrelevant secrets gets in the hands of two determined, but dim-witted, gym employees, the duo are intent on exploiting their find. But since blackmail is a trade better left for the experts, events soon spiral out of everyone's and anyone's control, resulting in a non-stop series of hilarious encounters! From Joel and Ethan Coen, the Academy Award®-winning* directors of No Country For Old Men and The Big Lebowski, comes this brilliantly clever and endlessly entertaining movie that critics are calling smart, funny, and original.
Full specs to be confirmed. Order on Amazon.co.uk for £14.98.
Other Blu-ray films released today include Pretty Woman, Nights in Rodanthe, and Little Miss Sunshine
LaCie has announced that it has upgraded its d2 Blu-ray writer so that it can now burn high definition discs at 8x standard speed.
The whisper-quiet drive allows you to store up to 50GB of media on a single Blu-ray disc, while it can also write to standard DVDs and CDs.
The software being shipped with the drive has also been updated to Easy Media Creator 10 and Toast 9 Titanium.
Available now with a recommended price of £359.
The British Video Association (BVA) has launched the new BlurayRevolution.co.uk web site which "aims to become the online Blu-ray authority".
The new site is a collaborative venture between hardware manufacturers, film studios and distributors supporting the Blu-ray format, and will be used to raise public awareness of the benefits of Blu-ray, plus software and hardware news.
The BVA believes that one of the main factors stopping Blu-ray from going mainstream is a consumer misunderstanding of what hardware is required to view high definition content. The web site will contain interactive guides which explain how consumers can get the best out of their equipment and the importance of having an HD-ready TV, a Blu-ray player and a Blu-ray disc to obtain the highest-quality home entertainment possible. Sounds obvious, but of course to many it's not.
Not content with the Blu-ray players launched at CES this year, Pioneer has announced its latest flagship Blu-ray player, the BDP-LX91.
Offering full BD-Live functionality and full audio/video support, this really is at the top-end of Blu-ray systems.
The player features a newly-developed 16-bit video engine which provides advanced video decoding, scaling and adjustments.
Philips has announced four new Blu-ray players offering a range of advanced functionality wrapped up in stylish casings.
First up is the HTS 5100B, a complete home theatre system combining Blu-ray with a surround sound system. It supports 24p film mode, upscaling of standard definition DVDs, and full HD audio decoding.
Along with this comes the three standalone players -- the BDP 3010, BDP 5010 and BDP 7310.
The BDP 7310 features full BD-Live functionality, while the BDP 5010 can be upgraded to include it. It also offers DivX and WMV playback and Deep Colour technology.
Exact specs, pricing and availability to be confirmed.
In case you'd been waiting for hit '80s movie Ghostbusters to make it in high definition, your wait is almost over. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced that the ghoul-busting film will be released on Blu-ray disc this summer.
Special features found on the Blu-ray disc include:
The Blu-ray disc will be released worldwide on 16th June.
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