May 28
Seiko Epson Corp has announced it has developed a new process for ‘printing’ the organic material onto screens using its proprietary Micro Piezo inkjet technology. The new process allows extremely uniform drops and could enable cheaper panels and larger 37” plus display sizes. So far OLED technology has been very expensive to produce and only small screens have been able to be produced. OLED also allows for much thinner screens as they need no back light. and have much better contrast ratios.
May 27
Well yesterday Microsoft confirmed what was all a twitter on the net. Zune will continue and the Zune HD will be out possibly later this year. It will be shown at E3 in LA (I went to the last big E3 a few years with the games company I was working with then, it was HUGE and I didn’t get to see much at the time). I’m actually quite looking forward to Zune HD I really like my Zune 80GB as a media player, I just got drawn into the iPhone 3G when it launched but the Zune has better audio quality. It was also a pity I could not get Zune store access in the UK (picked up my Zune a year ago when in a long weekend in NY). Anyway enough banter, specs look OK though it looks like another device sporting the ‘HD’ moniker with its OLED 480×272 touch screen and HDMI output at 720p. When will companies learn that HD is more than 720p and more than tinny stereo audio? It will also include HD Radio (so I can’t see it launching outside the US again). Wi-Fi is included (as on the original Zune’s for music sharing) and a web browser (hope it’s not some version of Internet Explorer, slow poke). The new Zune will also integrate with XBOX Live but no mention of how, could this be using Live as a music/movie store plus gamer details, we will have to wait and see
No word on a Zune phone though…
May 22
With the release of the BluRay of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Disney will launch their new Diamond line which will be exclusive to BluRay. Snow White will be followed by Beauty and the Beast, Fantasia and Fantasia 2000. It looks like they will be trialling staggered released with this new line and Snow White will release seven weeks before the standard DVD release. Snow White will also come with a standard DVD of the movie but there is no word yet on if this will be a standard feature of the Diamond line.
May 22
More Watchmen news. Warner Home Video will release a combination package for Watchmen containing the movie Watchmen – The Directors Cut plus Watchmen The End is Nigh game for the PS3. The game is in two parts with the first part released in March the second part available in July, the combo package will feature both parts. Price and other features have yet to be announced.
May 21
Wow part of me says I want one, part of me says wait as there are not 400 BluRay movies that are worth it or that I don’t own on DVD but engadget has word that this monster player is not far away and will be priced around $2,300
May 21
At last the BluRay Association has formed a task force to work on creating and defining a standard for 3D on BluRay. BluRay is ideal for delivering 3D into the home, there is an increasing momentum in the movie industry that 3D is the future (OK I know they have been thinking that for almost a hundred years, but where getting there). There has been increasing worry among fans that we could be in for another format war. Several electronics companies have demonstrated different ways of delivering 3D on BluRay. We have been waiting for the BluRay Association to step up and stop such a thing happening. The task force will include representatives from several electronics companies several of which are already selling TV’s badged as 3D ready
May 18
We all know that the movie companies wish the internet had never been invented (well plus VHS, DVD and BluRay for that matter) but this comment from Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton takes the biscuit; “I’m a guy who doesn’t see anything good having come from the Internet, period”. Perhaps if the internet companies embraced the technology sooner (yeah like the music industry) things might be different. The panel discussion in which this comment was made was supposed to be about the future of film making but looks like it went a little off course. They then went on to criticize the US governments policy of equality of internet access saying it was Like building highway systems without speed limits or driver’s licenses.
Full story on WDDMedia here
May 18
Well I get disapproving looks when I check twitter on my iPhone; just imagine twitter alerts popping up on your TV during a movie. Well Samsung think this is a good idea their latest internet enabled TV’s including the 6, 7, 6000, 7000 and 8000 LED sets have a new widget to allow you to log into your twitter account. Sounds like convergence is going too far…
May 17
Below are this weeks releases for the UK
18th May 2009
B.B. King: Live At Montreux 1993
Bride Wars
Defiance (2008)
Jose Feliciano: The Paris Concert
Frost/Nixon
Larry Carlton / Robben Ford / Autour Du Blues: Paris Concert
Stanley Jordan: The Paris Concert
Tango And Cash
The Grudge 3
Underworld 3: Rise Of The Lycans
Underworld 1-3 Boxset
May 17
Below are the BluRay disks due for release in the UK in June and July from Warner Bros
Nature’s Most Amazing Events June 2nd
The Cell 2 June 16th
Fracture June 16th
Friday 13th – Killer Cut June 16th
Inkheart June 23rd
Mr. Troop Mom June 23rd
Grumpy Old Men July 7th
Third Watch: The Complete Second Season July 7th
May 14
Warner Home Video has announced that Watchmen will be available on BluRay from July 21st. As well as the movie the platter will feature an interactive mode with the Watchmen author Zack Snyder appearing and comparing the movie to his graphic novels in side by side comparisons. Also on the disk will be new integration with Facebook, viewers will be able to share comments while watching with other Facebook users as well as scheduling group viewings with their Facebook friends. The BluRay will retail for $35.99, no word on availability or functionality in other regions.
May 13
Well it finally became available after over a year of speculation and months of disappointment from users over the announcement that older Sling Box’s would not be supported. First of all the good news; the older devices do work but are not officially supported. Just as well I did not rush out and spend another £100 on a new SlingBox Pro. After downloading this morning I gave it a quick test and it worked straight away with full control of my Sky+HD box. Picture quality is good at only 15 frames per second while this sometimes appears slightly jerky it is very watchable. The SlingBox classic includes a UK FreeView tuner what allows you to watch free to air digital TV I was able to switch to this with good picture quality again and change channels in my slightly more intensive testing this evening. The controls work well you will get used to remembering that there is a delay in issuing commands and them happening which can take a few minutes.
OK now for the bad news, thanks to what looks like some objections from the networks there is no 3G support and your limited to streaming TV over Wi-Fi, another reason for stopping at McDonalds other than to use the toilet (I should explain that most McDonalds in the UK have free Wi-Fi for iPhone users).
So all in all a mixed bag, the price from the AppStore in the UK at £17.99 or $29.99 in the US this does make it one of the most expensive iPhone applications available, the fact that it has no 3G support does disappoint and make it feel too expensive but if you have access to Wi-Fi at work that’s open or are in range of a hot spot then it could be worth it.
May 12
NPD reports that people are still choosing physical media over downloads and that BluRay’s share is currently at 7% in the US. Even with the growth on streaming media this is good news for those looking for the best solution for picture and audio quality. DVD and BluRay Disc purchases and rentals combined represent 88% of consumer spending on home entertainment, based on NPD’s results from a March 2009 survey. Breaking down consumer preferences, 63% of spending was on standard-definition DVD purchases; 18% DVD/BluRay rentals; 9% cable/satellite video-on-demand; 7% BluRay purchases and 3% Web-based downloads and online streaming.
Full story on Video Business
May 11
This is an interesting idea. Ezio Nano Corp in Taiwan has developed a couple of screens with an infrared sensor in the front that detects when you move away and turns the display into power save mode. Don’t know about you but I get a little miffed when I walk around the office late at night and see hundreds of screens left on with the PC shut down. There are two models, the FlexScan EV2023W-H and the FlexScan EV2303W-T. The former is a 20-inch model with a resolution of 1,600 x 900, and the latter is a 23-inch model with 1,920 x 1,080 resolution.
Available in Taiwan from 21st of May, no word on international availability. Thinking about it I could do with a couple of these for my kids, fed up with going into their bedrooms when they have either left for school or are out in the garden and finding their PC’s still on.
May 11
At last there may be solution coming for those really small devices that capture HD video to connect to other devices and TV’s. Several manufacturers including US Molex Inc are developing a mini HDMI connector. Most devices such as cameras currently have their HDMI connector on a docking station or use custom connectors due to limited space, all of which are non-standard, so if you lose the cable it’s hard to get replacements, a standard small connector is most welcome. Also in related news Renesas Technology Corp has announced a application processor for mobile phones able to record full 1080P HD video., it also includes twin audio DSP’s to take the load of recording audio off the phones processor.
So looks like mobile phones able to record full HD and connect easily to your TV might not be that far away. Time that BluRay writers got cheaper for archiving and making your own BluRay movies…
