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November 29, 2004
Interesting Forum Discussion
Goodbye VCR, Hello DVD Recorder, Prices are below $200
Tips for storing and archiving large dvd collections
Category : Discussion & View
Posted by dvd software at 06:56 PM | Comments (0)
November 23, 2004
Titanic Battle Over New DVD Format
It could be VHS v Betamax all over again in the next technology clash.
It is being billed as the next VHS versus Betamax, the seminal TV technology culture clash that left millions of pieces of domestic equipment obsolete almost as soon as they had been built.
This time the battle is over the next generation of DVDs. Manufacturers are preparing a high-stakes fight over high-definition television and DVDs, with much improved picture quality and bigger memories. Image definition becomes particularly important as sets become bigger and better; without better pictures, these super screens are only bigger.
The high-definition DVD rivals are Blu-ray and the imaginatively titled HD-DVD. The former is backed by Sony, JVC and Philips, with NEC and Toshiba behind the rival technology.
The electronics industry is already promoting high-definition television as the next big thing, that picture quality will become a must-have for consumers. BSkyB is planning to start broadcasting some channels in high definition, with next year believed to be the target.
"The technology is too good to ignore," says Hisashi Yamada, Toshiba vice-president and one of the masterminds behind HD-DVD.
Richard Doherty, managing director of Blu-ray, offers further hyperbole: "With the unstoppable adoption of high-definition TV, Blu-ray's high-capacity optical disc technology is essential to delivering the very best quality high-definition movie experience to the consumer. In addition to providing a revolution in video and audio quality, Blu-ray disc similarly provides a revolution in interactivity and internet connectivity, providing entertainment that goes well beyond anything ever delivered to the consumer."
To receive the benefit from high definition broadcasts, consumers will clearly need to buy high-definition TVs, which are not cheap now, but will get less expensive as they become more widespread. The development of new technologies allows the electronics industry to make its money. From radio to television, from black and white to colour, from video to DVD, and now from "ordinary" TV to high definition, constant reinvention means consumers constantly need to buy new equipment. Some people, of course, stick with the same television until it breaks, but they are not going to keep far eastern electronics manufacturers in profits.
Video created a revolution in how people watched TV when it was launched in the late 1970s. For the first time, viewers in their own homes could choose when to watch a programme, rather than what the TV schedulers had chosen for them.
Then came DVD, which grabbed the public imagination (and purse) much more quickly than video. Partially this was due to the lessons learned from video's launch. Most importantly, the electronics companies elected to develop a joint standard to avoid the rivalry created by VHS versus Beta. However, despite the technological advances, those lessons appear to have been forgotten again and the propaganda war has started.
It boils down to a fight between Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Both sides agree that high definition DVD will offer outstanding picture quality through its use of blue laser technology rather than the red lasers currently used in DVDs. More importantly, the new DVD has more memory and can thus store more content. High-definition broadcasts require more storage capacity. As DVD recorders, rather than just players, become common, the ability to store more content will become more important. As a rough guide, one high-definition DVD can hold 24 movies compared with one, as at present. For the consumer, the key will be that HD-DVD discs and Blu-ray discs will be incompatible with the rival format players.
Timing is critical in a format war and the race is on to be the first to launch around the globe. Another key element is signing up key content providers. In the VHS/Beta battle, one deciding factor was which movies were available on which format. Beta lost because the best and newest were available on VHS. Representatives of both high-definition DVD consortia are said to be spending a lot of time in Hollywood wooing the studios.
Twentieth Century Fox, producer of movies such as Star Wars and Titanic, recently agreed to join the board of the Blu-ray Disc Association, although it was careful to leave its options open: Michael O'Neill, special adviser to the Fox Technology Group, said: "We are also exploring the HD format, as we have been for a year, and are going to evaluate both formats in a positive, collaborative fashion."
Sony - which backed Betamax and does not want to be beaten again - has already secured itself a powerful base in the battle for content. Its recent deal to buy Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was about much more than a faded US film studio; it gave the Japanese corporation a huge library of classic movies for its chosen format. Allied to the back catalogue of Columbia Tri-Star, this gives Blu-ray a ready-made 17% share of the movie pie. With it is guaranteed first bite at choice launches through Blockbuster and the other rental outlets.
It is also a game of inches in the launch stakes. Although the prototype Blu-ray machines on view at technology fairs such as Ceatec in Japan appear cumbersome, they aim to be on sale in the US and Europe next year. HD-DVD meanwhile is aiming to launch in Japan next year and the UK in 2006, according to Keisuke Ohmori, media relations manager of Toshiba. He adds: "We do not believe they will launch Blu-ray before HD-DVD."
Both formats claim to be backwards compatible, meaning that the high-definition machines will be able to play current generation DVDs.
While the rival camps jostle for allies, content and shop space, the final result will lie in the hands of the consumer. As with VHS/Beta, the desire not to be left holding a piece of obsolete technology may make many wary of buying into the new technology, particularly as high-definition TV is still not so much a reality as a promise. And viewers are already faced with a multitude of decisions. HD-DVD/Blu-ray may remain a battle for the hearts and minds of early adopters for a while yet.
From cathode rays to DVDs
1900 The Russian Constantin Perskyi makes first known use of the word "television" at the 1st Congress of Electricity at Paris World's Fair.
1925 The Scottish inventor John Logie Baird holds first public display of television at Selfridges in London.
1930 The BBC begins regular television transmissions.
1934 Legal battle over patent for television between RCA and Philo Farnsworth, one of the men who could claim to be television's inventor. Farnsworth lost and, in later life, became disillusioned with TV. His wife, Elma, recalled: "One day, Phil was at home, and he noticed that Kent [their son] had been watching television for a couple of hours. He turned it off and said, 'There is not going to be any TV-itis in our house.' That was the word he used for couch potato."
1940 Peter Goldmark invents a 343-line resolution colour television.
1948 Cable television introduced in Pennsylvania to bring television to rural areas in the US.
1956 Robert Adler invents the first practical remote control - the Zenith Space Commander.
1962 AT&T launches Telstar, the first satellite to carry television broadcasts.
1976 Sony introduces Betamax, the first home video cassette recorder.
1977 JVC releases the VHS format.
1982 Sony and Philips throw in the Betamax towel.
1984 LaserDisc launched, but stumbles on high cost of films on disc and players.
1994 Sony and Philips announce plan to develop successor to the VHS tape. Time-Warner and Toshiba say they too are working on a follow-up. Computer manufacturers, including Apple and IBM, say they don't want to adapt their computers for two different formats. All four developers decide on a uniform standard.
1998 Launch of DVD player.
2002 Sales of DVD players overtake those of VHS recorders. Some 100m video recorders have been sold in Britain while 3m DVD players have been sold.
2004 Dixons announces it will no longer sell video recorders.
From The Guardian
Category : Industry News
Posted by dvd software at 08:39 PM | Comments (0)
November 22, 2004
DVD Fast Forwarding to Be Banned
TiVo will add banner advertising when users do fast forwarding, this has brought lots of dispute recently, since it's one of main features of TiVo - users can skip any commercials when recording TV shows, just like what TiVo's slogan said: "TV your way."
But this news could change the situation.
The US Congress is considering making fast forwarding through video advertisements a crime. Lawmakers in the land of the free have decided that it is costing their chums in the movie industry far too much money and want video fast-forwarders placed in the same league as pirates.
Forum post about TiVo popup ads.
Category : Industry News
Posted by dvd software at 11:02 PM | Comments (0)
November 21, 2004
TV Shows on DVD
This past year, TV shows on DVD made approximately $2.3 billion of the $16.5 billion Americans spent on DVDs, and a quick glance at Amazon.com's top sellers list in this vital preholiday season reveals nearly half of the top 20 selling DVDs are TV show sets.
Here is a report about TV shows on DVD at Mercury News - DVDs are profitable sequel even for obscure TV shows.
Category : Entertainment
Posted by dvd software at 04:57 PM | Comments (0)
November 19, 2004
Disposable DVDs
The Christmas-themed movie Noel most likely won't be coming to a theater near you — but if you miss it on cable, there's always the self-destructing DVD.
Disposable DVDs look and play like normal DVDs, except that their playable surface is dark red.
Each disc contains a chemical time-bomb that begins ticking once it's exposed to air. Typically, after 48 hours, the disc turns darker, becoming so opaque that a DVD player's laser can no longer can read it. (Discs can live as little as one hour or as long as 60 hours.)
- From Disposable DVDs: Watch, then throw away
A forum discussion about disposable DVDs
Category : Industry News
Posted by dvd software at 01:50 PM | Comments (0)
November 18, 2004
Funny Stuff
Welcome to the real world!
Have you heard of the Meatrix? Do you want to know what it is? Take the red pill and I'll show your the truth.
Themeatrix.com
Link: Medical Science Forums
Category : Fun
Posted by dvd software at 06:06 PM
HP Joined Blu-ray
As a major player, HP's decision would be a big hit on the hard format war.
- news.com reports
Intersil has achieved its first design wins for the new generation of optical storage devices which will be based on the DVD successor technology BluRay.
- Intersil gains BluRay design wins
Category : Industry News
Posted by dvd software at 05:54 PM | Comments (0)
Gmail Adds POP3
Gmail adds POP3 and SMTP support
With the new feature, you can read and write emails with your favorite email client, such as Outlook Express. Read the help for detailed configuration guide.
Important Note
Keep your emails on the server
The most important features of Gmail are large capacity and search function. Thinking about when you have 200MB emails on Yahoo or Hotmail, but without a powerful search, it would be horrible to locate certain email, also, it's safer to keep the emails on Gmail than your local computer.
I use "Outlook Express" as my email client, Gmail help has detailed guide for it, also has an auto configuration program, but you must modify the configuration if you want to keep your emails on the server (see the image below). I suggest you config it manually by following the online help.
I don't need pop3 so much like the beginning, after used Gmail for several months, I'm very satisfied with it, especially I lost some emails on my computer when Windows XP crashed :-).
I love the following Gmail features:
1. It's big, I don't have to delete emails.
2. It's safe.
3. It's convenient, the innovative label and star functions.
4. The powerful search.
5. Best spelling check, it's even better than Office, I think Google got the best JavaScript experts to make a online program so powerful.
Category : Google
Posted by dvd software at 01:51 PM | Comments (0)
November 17, 2004
Best Box Office
This is not about a movie, a Microsoft Xbox game "Halo 2" was sold over $100m in it's first day, as Bill Gates said: "an opening day that's greater than any motion picture has ever had in history."
For example, "The Incredibles", the latest blockbuster film from Pixar, took a mere $70.5m in its opening weekend, while the record for an opening day's ticket sales, at $40.4m, is held by "Spider-Man 2". Overall, annual game sales, at around $20 billion, now exceed box-office receipts. - The Halo effect
Category : Entertainment
Posted by dvd software at 04:04 PM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2004
DVD Recorder Tips
Added a DVD recorder article, some tips on choosing and using a DVD recorder.
Category : DVD Articles
Posted by dvd software at 08:48 PM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2004
High-Definition Format War Analysis on CNN
The electronics and entertainment industries are shaping up for the biggest format battle since the "video wars" between VHS and Betamax to decide the future of DVD.
Two rival "next generation" DVD formats look set to be launched onto the marketplace next year.
Both are backed by powerful and well-known Japanese manufacturers, with each staking their claim to an industry worth billions of dollars.
And with the DVD market unlikely to support parallel formats, the loser faces the prospect of squandering millions spent on research, development and marketing costs.
Both "Blu-ray", principally backed by Sony, and "HD DVD", which has been developed by Toshiba, are based on the same basic technology.
- CNN News: DVD developers set for format war
Category : Industry News
Posted by dvd software at 12:15 PM | Comments (0)
November 12, 2004
Firefox 1.0 Released
Firefox was designed to replace the popular browser software "Mozilla", it drew enough attention since the beginning, if you are not satisfied with your current browser, you should give it a try.
Category : Internet
Posted by dvd software at 02:04 PM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2004
A Story About a Simple Website
Tired.com should be one of the simplest websites on the Internet, amazingly it got people's attention, msn has the story.
In case it's inaccessible, here is all the content on tired.com:
Are you tired? Tell us why.
Category : Internet
Posted by dvd software at 10:55 AM | Comments (0)
November 05, 2004
First Blood in the New DVD War
In the next-gen High-Definition DVD format war, what Toshiba needs is support from Hollywood studios, now they seems to get the boost:
First Blood in the New DVD War
- Business Week News
Category : Industry News
Posted by dvd software at 03:48 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2004
High-Def Battle Could Harm Format Future
Studios urged to pick one standard soon
Further tussles between proponents of the competing HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats could damage a market primed for high-definition content, argued Bob Chapek, president of Buena Vista Home Entertainment and the Digital Entertainment Group at last week's North American DVD Forum Conference here.
A total of 30 million homes are expected to be high-def ready by 2006, said Chapek. The figure will rise to more than 55 million homes with high-def TVs by 2008, according to In-Stat/MDR senior analyst Michelle Abraham.
With high-def creeping up at such a rapid pace, the industry must serve a consumer populace that is confused, "information-starved and hungry" to buy high-def DVD players, Chapek said. Only a small portion of these people are tech-savvy early adopters who have the willingness to sift through information on the competing standards, and the rest might become discouraged and turn to other mediums such as cable and satellite for their high-def needs, he said.
"We can't have two groups screaming disparate messages to consumers--this could make for a disappointing launch where neither side dominates," Chapek said. "Maybe we should be asking ourselves not how big our piece of the pie will be, but how big the pie will be."
DVD consultant and former Warner Home Video chief Warren Lieberfarb, a supporter of the arguably more market-ready HD DVD format, stressed the urgency of a quick decision. "Time marches by very fast in the digital world," he said. "Companies are missing opportunities and creating disasters for themselves.
"Waiting to make a decision until 2005 means that product is not in the market at a mass price point until 2007," and by then the industry could be facing flat standard-definition DVD sales, widespread piracy with methods like file-swapping and houses full of big-screen HD TV sets that make standard DVDs look bad, Lieberfarb said. To head off such a scenario, he believes that mass market price points must be achieved by 2006.
He might not have to wait long. Shortly before Halloween, Warner, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment were close to announcing plans to begin releasing movies on HD DVD by the end of 2005, according to sources, although by press time no final agreement had been reached.
Draft press releases have been circulating through Hollywood for weeks, but last minute details or disagreements have kept all but Warner from signing on.
The agreements to release product on HD DVD would not be exclusive, however, leaving the studios free to also release movies on Blu-ray if that format is successful.
Category : Industry News
Posted by dvd software at 08:02 AM | Comments (0)
November 03, 2004
Website Moved
I moved this website to a new server, how do you feel about the speed? Since the new server only hosts 5 websites at the moment, it should be faster, but I haven't done any performance tuning, as a Linux newbie, I have a lot of things to learn :-(.
Category : Miscellaneous
Posted by dvd software at 12:53 PM | Comments (1)