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Tag: high-def

  • Blu-ray disc or three hour HD download?


    Much has been made of the role the high cost of Blu-ray Discs has played in hampering the high def format’s uptake.

    Yet if reports from Engadget are borne out, VUDU is shortly to offer HD downloads “equal in quality to Blu-ray movies”.

    The US-based internet video download service is said to be already currently in private beta testing for the new content format, which is dubbed HDX.

    While VUDU has not confirmed the report, the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) would certainly have something to say about such claims if it were to do so.

    Just last month, the BDA reacted swiftly to the DISH Network’s claims that its “full” HDTV 1080p/25Hz image matched Blu-ray quality.

    Whether the BDA has any need to feel threatened remains to be seen.

    This was the view espoused by David Mercer, principal analyst at Strategy Analytics, who suggested satellite providers are competing primarily with cable and IPTV companies, and not with the Blu-ray Disc format itself.

    Yet even if VUDU does start offering HD downloads approaching Blu-ray quality would the prospect of approximately three-hour download times appeal to many people?

    The company currently offers SD as well as HD downloads but it appears it is aiming for the high-end home theater owner with the new HDX codec.

    While streamed SD content can be played immediately, HD downloads require several hours to begin.

    Not surprising since the downloads would be over 6GB, requiring over two hours to download in most cable cases, and over four hours for most DSL users.

    We’d be interested to hear what would you would prefer – a handy, albeit still pricey disc, or a three hour wait to watch HD content on demand?

  • HD coverage lures anglers

    Soaring ratings for high definition fishing programmes leads Outdoor Channel to add to schedule

    To those not converted to fishing, just the prospect of watching the sport on TV – let alone in high def – would be enough to have them rushing for the remote control.

    Yet for converts – and there are millions out there – fishing programmes in HD are a huge draw.
    The Outdoor Channel, which claims to be America’s leader in outdoor TV, has announced that ratings for the network’s Friday night fishing block increased 77 per cent over the first half of 2008.

    The bulk of programming found in this segment is shot and aired in high-def.
    It includes shows such as Ultimate Match Fishing, Legends of Rod and Reel and In-Fisherman Television.

    Spurred on by its angling success, the channel will be adding in The Catch: Costa Rica and Fly Fishing the World – both captured in high definition – in Q3.

  • Movies from every major Hollywood studio now available in HD


    The Weinstein Company became the final major studio in Hollywood to release movies in high def.
    It has announced that its first offering in HD is to be the horror movie The Mist, which will be released in Blu-ray this August 5th.
    The Weinstein company, distributors of Dimension Films, briefly supported HD DVD, but pulled out before releasing a title after the format’s downfall.
    The extensive extras present on the standard DVD are set to be included on the Blu-ray.
    These features include and audio commentary with director Frank Darabont, making-of featurettes, deleted scenes, and theatrical trailers.
    Both the original theatrical version and the stylised black and white version of the movie will each be present and each on their own disc.
    Each will be presented in 1080p with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio track. Price has been listed at US$ 34.98.