PlayStation 3 System Software Update 2.20 Released

 

Sony Computer Entertainment has released a new MAJOR system software update for the PS3.  Version 2.20 of the PS3 System Software adds BD-Live (Profile 2.0) support for Blu-ray movies, allowing new titles to connect to the internet for advanced interactivity features previously unavailable.

Other exciting media playback enhancements included in the new update include support for BD-R 1.2 discs (LTH, low-to-high recording), resume play support for DVDs and non-BD-J BDs, and Mosquito Reduction for DVDs.  Support for Divx and WMV files has also been improved, allowing for subtitles in Divx files and larger than 2GB files to be played back.

A list of all the improvements brought by the new system software update, including additional networking and remote play improvements, can be found at Sony's website.  To install the latest system software to your PS3, you can  update an internet connected PS3, by going to System Settings -> Software Update and following the instructions.  For those PS3s that lack an internet connection the update can be downloaded to a PC, by following the PC-based update method.

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Blu-ray Disc Sales Spike Following Death of HD DVD

 

Home Media Magazine is reporting that following the death of HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc sales have jumped tremendously compared to same-title DVD sales.

Fourth quarter releases from last year, The Simpsons Movie and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End sold 2.8% and 3.7% of their total unit sales on Blu-ray Disc.  These numbers were about on par with earlier numbers in 2007 which saw 2-3% of total unit sales belonging to the Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD version of a film.

As soon as Toshiba threw in the towel on HD DVD, however, things changed quickly.  Michael Clayton, released on Feb. 19, generated 5.5% of first-week unit sales on Blu-ray Disc.  The latest releases for which first-week data has been released, No Country for Old Men and Hitman, both released ion March 11, generated a very impressive 9.8% and 12.6% of their first-week unit sales on Blu-ray Disc respectively. 

Adams Media Research predicts that the increase in sales will continue steadily through 2008 as more Blu-ray Disc players are sold, and massive new marketing campaigns from the BDA (for the overall format) and SCEA (for the PS3) bring many new consumers into the Blu-ray format.

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Blu-ray Day-and-date Titles Averaging 5-10% of DVD Sales

 

Though the overall market for Blu-ray high definition discs remains relatively small compared to standard DVD discs, Video Business reports that things are improving considerably since the rival HD DVD format threw in the towel last month.

New day and date titles now typically sell at between 5 and 10% of their DVD counterparts, no small feat considering he difference in the size of the installed bases.

The Oscar-winning film No Country for Old Men did even better than that, selling at 10-15% rate on Blu-ray versus standard DVD. 

Spokespersons for Virgin Records and DeepDiscount.com are  quoted in the article as being very optimistic about this new trend and the future of the Blu-ray Disc format.

This is certainly good news for the Blu-ray format, and shows that, at least on new titles, those with Blu-ray players are very ready to pay extra for the high definition version of films.

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Toshiba: If at First You Don't Succeed...

 

Not one to give up (even after giving up), Toshiba is reportedly now preparing to take some of the technology behind the failed HD DVD format and backport it to the existing DVD format.

Content Agenda is reporting that even as the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) gears up to start their long battle to migrate consumers from regular DVD to high-definition Blu-ray, Toshiba is planning to try to get DVD a new lease on life.

At the DVD Forum meeting held last month, Toshiba was re-elected to another two year term as the chair of the format's steering committee.  The steering committee formed a new working group, co-chaired by Microsoft, to study the creation of a "DVD 2.0"-type format, that would include the HDi interactivity layer and networking capability of the former HD DVD format.  Also up for study is a type of "managed copy" system, such as that in the works for the Blu-ray disc format.

The goal, presumably, would be to create a standard that would allow for DVD discs to be created that allow for additional interactivity on special "DVD 2.0" players, while maintaining compatibility with existing DVD players.

Without any support from movie studios to add new features to DVD releases, that would only be compatible with these special players, the format is unlikely to ever be released.  Even if they get an approval from the steering committee and get some movie studios to add the new features to some of their new releases, Toshiba is still left steering a standard-def format in an increasingly high-def world.  Anything they can do to try to keep DVD relevant certainly works to their benefit, but with the rest of the industry pushing Blu-ray they have an even tougher battle ahead if they are going to try to seriously slow Blu-ray adoption.

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Blu-ray Deals of the Week (3/16-3/22)

 

Although we're still stuck in the Q1 retail draught, there are still a number of great offers for Blu-ray discs and players at various retailers.  In-store deals are generally good Sunday - Saturday unless otherwise noted.

Amazon.com:

• Up to 50% off MSRP 134 Fox and Sony Blu-ray titles
• Samsung BD-P1400 Blu-ray disc player on sale for $356.98
• Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Disc player on sale for $387.85
• LG BH200 Final Standard Profile Blu-ray Disc / HD DVD combo player on sale for $549.77
• Samsung BD-UP5000 Final Standard Profile Blu-ray Disc / HD DVD combo player on sale for $486.55

Target:

• Buy 1 Get 1 Free on select Blu-ray disc titles (regularly $29.99 each) -- titles available:
  • Casino Royale
  • Spider-man 3
  • Live Free Of Die Hard
  • Ocean’s Thirteen
  • 300
  • SAW IV
  • 3:10 To Yuma
  • Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End
  • The Simpson’s Movie
  • The Game Plan
  • Ratatouille

Circuit City:

• Buy 2 Get 1 Free on select Blu-ray disc titles (regularly $29.99 each) -- titles available:
  • Spider-Man 3
  • Resident Evil: Extinction
  • Casino Royale
  • Ghost Rider
  • Underworld: Evolution
  • Ultraviolet
  • Perfect Stranger
  • Gridiron Gang
  • The Pursuit of Happyness
  • Rocky Balboa
  • Superbad
  • Talladega Nights
  • Surf's Up
  • Open Season

Sony Pictures:

• Buy 2 select Sony Pictures titles at any retailer from 3/16/08 - 4/17/08 and get one title free by mail (plus $2.99 shipping and handling) -- titles available:
  • Daddy Day Camp
  • Surf's Up
  • Across the Universe
  • We Own the Night
  • 30 Days of Night
  • Walk Hard
  • Water Horse: The Legend of the Deep
  • Dragon Wars
  • Gattaca
  • Dogma
  • Superbad
  • Resident Evil: Extinction

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Amazon Offers Up to 50% Off Blu-ray Titles

 

Amazon.com is once again having a sale on Blu-ray disc titles.  Currently, 134 Fox and Sony titles are available for up to 50% off their MSRPs.  The Fox titles even correctly reflect their new lowered MSRP in cases where that applies.

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Fox Lowers MSRP on Catalog Blu-ray Titles

 

In a move that must shock all those predicting the immediate rise of Blu-ray pricing due to the demise of HD DVD, 20th Century Fox has lowered the MSRP of 22 catalog Blu-ray titles effective immediately.

Previously, both new release and catalog Fox titles had an MSRP of $39.98... the highest amongst the major studios.  With the new move, many catalog titles have been reduced to $29.98.  The titles reduced are:

• 28 Days Later
• Behind Enemy Lines
• Broken Arrow
• Cast Away
• Chain Reaction
• The Devil Wears Prada
• Edward Scissorhands
• Flight of the Phoenix
• The Fly (1986)
• From Hell
• Entrapment
• Fantastic Four
• Kiss of the Dragon
• The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
• Men of Honor
• The Omen (2006)
• Planet of the Apes (2001)
• Rising Sun
• The Sentinel
• Speed
• The Transporter
• Transporter 2

Many online stores such as Amazon.com have already lowered their prices to reflect the change, while brick and mortar retailers may take some time to follow suit.

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PlayStation 3 System Software Update 2.17 Available

 

Sony Computer Entertainment has now released System Software 2.17 for the PlayStation 3 game console.  Those expecting exciting new features will be disappointed, however.  The update is a minor update addressing certain system stability issues while playing PS3 format software.

The update is available using the system update feature for online-connected PlayStation 3 systems.  Alternatively, it can be downloaded using a PC directly from Sony's website.

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NPD Group Releases February, 2008, U.S. Console Sales Numbers

 

NPD has released their console sales numbers for the U.S., for February, 2008.  The next-gen console sales for the month were:

XBox 360: 254,600 

PS3: 280,800

Wii: 432,000

Another great month for the PS3, with the system again outselling Microsoft's XBox 360 in the U.S.  While the PS3 has long outsold the XBox 360 in Japan, Europe, and much of the rest of the world, the U.S. is Microsoft's home territory, and certainly their strongest market as well.

The most startling thing in the since release trendline is just how well the Wii has done.  The Wii has managed to sell over 8 million units in the U.S. in just 16 months.  This is twice what the PS3 has sold in the same period and 68% more than the XBox 360 sold in its initial 16 months.

Obviously, the XBox 360 has been out considerably longer than the other consoles, so in the interests of fairness, here is a chart that shows the total sales of the consoles over their lifetimes (within the U.S.).

With sales of the XBox 360 slowing even in the U.S., the Wii is poised to soon overtake its sales lead in the U.S., just as it already has throughout the rest of the world.

The PS3 has definitely turned the corner in the U.S., and it will hopefully be taking off even further once the slate of AAA titles roll out throughout the rest of this year.

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Sony in Talks with Apple and Microsoft to Offer Blu-ray

 

The Financial Times today confirmed long-standing rumors that Sony has been in discussions with both Microsoft and Apple to bring Blu-ray technology to the XBox 360 and Macintosh computers.

Stan Glasgow, the U.S. President of Sony Electronics, confirmed that Sony has been in talks with the two companies, who, up to now, did not offer Blu-ray enabled products.

Apple, for its part, has been an official supporter of Blu-ray Disc for some time, but has yet to offer any of their computer models with a Blu-ray drive.  Recently, it was reported that Apple had been in talks with Sony (likely Optiarc, Sony's joint ODD venture with NEC) about putting Blu-ray burners in their newly updated MacBook Pro notebooks, but that Sony could only offer them Blu-ray combo drives... which can read Blu-ray discs, but can only write to DVD and CD media.  Apple supposedly passed on the offer, but will likely offer burners once they are more readily available in sufficient quantities.

Microsoft, on the other hand, was one of the biggest supporters of the rival HD DVD format before its demise, and had released an HD DVD peripheral for its XBox 360 videogame system.  Although Blu-ray allows the use of the VC-1 video codec, which was created largely by Microsoft, the BDA opted to use the rival Java language for the interactivity layer on movie discs instead of Microsoft's HDi language.  Given the animosity between Microsoft and Java-creator Sun, some had thought the Microsoft would forever refuse to support the Blu-ray format.  Recent reports, though, have stated that Microsoft engineers have a Blu-ray drive peripheral working on an XBox 360 system.  This latest confirmation certainly indicates that Sony is willing to work with their console competitor to bring the technology to the rival system.  Despite the posturing (and the inherent competition between the two companies) they both stand to gain a lot from offering the drive.  Microsoft doesn't want to be seen as not offering a "must-have" feature that Sony does, and Sony would certainly like to get Blu-ray into as many people's hands as possible.

Interestingly, Apple and Microsoft have the two leading digital download services, which many view to be the biggest threat to the mainstream adoption of Blu-ray.  So far, rentals of downloads have been underwhelming, though, and the quality lags far behind that of Blu-ray.  While downloadable movies will eventually find a place in the market, it looks to still be quite a ways off, and will most likely exist as an alternative delivery method to Blu-ray, rather than a replacement for it.

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Circuit City Offers to Trade-in HD DVD Players

 

Well if you recently purchased an HD DVD player, you probably feel that you got screwed -- both by Toshiba, and by the store that sold it to you.  You would be right, unless, that is, you got it at Circuit City.

Circuit City has sent notice to their stores to accept returns on HD DVD players sold over 30 days ago for an upgrade to a Blu-ray player on in-store credit.  You need your receipt, the original packaging, accessories, etc.  The stores will give you the full value you paid for your player toward either a Blu-ray disc player purchase or on a store gift card.  This promotion is not being advertised by the store chain, and is reportedly limited to those whose players were purchased within the last 90 days.  All returned players are being "returned to vendor," ie. sent back to Toshiba.  There is no similar offers for Blu-ray discs sold by the store.  Circuit City is trying to be out of the HD DVD market by the end of March. 

Best Buy, meanwhile, hasn't announced any plans to take back already sold players, but they are marking all discs down by 30%.  This is to be the only discount taken on the discs before their removal from stores by 4/6/08.  The move to an all-Blu-ray future is certainly happening far quicker than most expected.

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Nine Inch Nails Announce Blu-ray Audio Disc

 

No longer constrained by a record label, Nine Inch Nails have released a new instrumental double album entitled Ghosts I-IV.  The album is available for download in a variety of digital formats including FLAC lossless for only $5 directly from the band's site.  They are also giving away the first 9 songs (in mp3 format) for free via download from the site and on bittorrent!  Both downloads include a 40-page pdf book as well.  A 2-disc CD set costing only $10 is set to ship on April 8.

Perhaps more interesting, though, is that a deluxe and ultra-deluxe package are also available for order, and set to ship on May 1.  The Deluxe Edition Package includes the 2-disc CD edition, a data DVD featuring all the music in a number of file formats, and a Blu-ray Disc featuring all the songs in 96/24 stereo audio along with a visual slideshow.  The package will ship in a hardcover slipcase and sells for $75.  The $300 Ultra-Deluxe Limited Edition Package includes all of those items, plus a 4-LP vinyl set, Giclee prints, and is signed by Trent Reznor.

While a number of concerts have gotten Blu-ray disc releases, this will mark the first time a studio album has been released on Blu-ray disc format.

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Universal Cancels Upcoming HD DVDs

 

In case the news that Paramount was canceling it's HD DVD slate following tomorrow's releases wasn't bad enough for fans of the format, High Def Digest has now confirmed that Universal will be following suit shortly.

Only two more Universal HD DVD titles will be released: Fletch on March 11, and Atonement on March 18.  The announcement means upcoming plans for releases such as Charlie Wilson's War are effectively canceled. 

This move will ironically leave Warner Brothers, the studio whose shift to Blu-ray exclusivity is credited with killing the HD DVD format, as the last major studio releasing titles on the format.  Both Universal and Paramount have announced their intention of releasing Blu-ray titles, though no formal title announcements have been made yet by either studio.

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Blu-ray Flexes Its Marketing Muscle

 

Now that the competing HD DVD format has formally called it quits, the BDA and its partners have started rolling out increased marketing efforts aimed to bring in new customers who had been waiting on the sidelines of the format battle until a winner emerged.

Some new plans that have already been implemented include HDTV/PS3 Blu-ray demo displays at over 1,000 Blockbuster stores nationwide, as well as 'package sales' offered by retailers that offer a substantial savings when a new HDTV and Blu-ray player (or PS3) are purchased together.

Panasonic is preparing for an onslaught of Blu-ray campaigning at Nascar events, including outfitting the California Speedway with 500 plasma HDTV displays.  They have also set up a mobile truck display featuring Panasonic HDTVs and Blu-ray disc players.

Sony Pictures, for its part, announced that they will be releasing over 100 titles on Blu-ray disc during this calendar year, a 54% increase from last year.  They are also planning Q&A sessions with A-list film directors, who will talk about the Blu-ray format and their experience working with it.

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Site Updates

 

UPDATE: The new site is now live!  The new domain is www.Blu-rayDiscNews.com .  It will take a couple of days for the new domain to be propagated to all the DNS servers, so the site will load slow in that time.  Also, due to completely ridiculous referral limitations of the BlogSpot/Picassa system, no pictures from previous blog posts currently show up.  I have started updating these posts with the pics, but it will take a couple of days for all posts to be updated.

 

With the end of the format war now officially past, it was time to make some major upgrades to this site moving forward.  Some of these changes have already been made, in the form of enhanced navigation for the site and additional features.  Specifically the theme for the site has been updated to provide a more uniform "Blu" look, while improving the layout on non-Internet Explorer web browsers.

A new navigation menu exists just beneath the page title providing easy access to the various lists of Blu-ray titles, players, drives, games, etc.  The "labels" feature has also been updated with menu buttons.  The title of the site has been changed to "Blu-ray Disc News" and a new domain, www.blu-raydiscnews.com will be active within the next few days.  The existing domain http://jadedraverla.blogspot.com will continue to function, however, for those readers who have the site bookmarked.

For those looking for all the latest Blu-ray news and disc reviews, RSS feeds from the news section of Blu-ray.com and the reviews section of High-Def Digest have also been added to the right-hand side of the page.  Clicking on those links will take you to the respective websites.

I have also reevaluated the advertisers on the site and chosen to partner with a more limited group that I believe provides the greatest possible benefits to my readers.  The result is both less advertising and advertising more directly beneficial to my readers.

More changes will be coming over the upcoming days and weeks, and I hope that everyone will find the updated to be one of the most helpful sites for Blu-ray Disc information on the internet.

I also will not be posting the weekly Nielson Videoscan sales data comparing Blu-ray to HD DVD any longer.  With HD DVD officially deceased there truly is no point of examining the data any further.  Should a publication choose to start publishing the Blu-ray vs. DVD sales comparison I will happily start reporting that information.

If there is anything that you think would help make this site more useful to you, the reader, then please leave a comment below and let me know.  I won't post the comments for others to read, and they will be kept in confidence.

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