Earlier this week the Blu-ray camp held a ‘Blu-ray Festival’ press event, and Blu-ray.com was in attendance. They’ve started posting their write-ups of the events.
An Introduction, the BDA Breakfast, Fox Studios, and an exclusive interview with Pixar’s Brad Bird (Director of The Incredibles and Ratatouille.) It sounds like there is more to come.
After a number of reports appeared in the press over the past couple of days that Kmart would be selling Toshiba HD DVD players exclusively, and not carrying any Blu-ray players - aside from the PS3 - Kmart was moved to respond. They’ve issued a terse press release refuting these reports and stating that they intend to support both platforms. It sounds like they may be a big miffed with Toshiba, whom they name as the source of the earlier reports.
The release:
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Yesterday I reported that PodShow had finally landed on TiVoCast after weeks of rumors. Today they made it official with a press release announcing the feature and confirming what was previously reported. They also imply that there will be more content to follow as the currently available channels are referred to as the “first wave of hit shows”, and that implies there are more waves yet to come.
The full press release:
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Is this meta-marketing? Sony dropped a press release today to announce their new marketing effort for the PS3. Unsurprisingly the campaign is based on the triad of the new $400 40GB PS3, Blu-ray support, and the new PS3 game titles hitting stores for the holidays. Somewhat surprising though is an added focus on PlayStation Network and the forthcoming PlayStation Home functionality.
The press release:
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A thank you to both Stephen and William for their donations of TiVo Reward Referral points.
This week Amazon Unbox
There are also Sony Family Film Specials
Home Media Magazine reports that Kmart is going HD DVD exclusive - kind of. Kmart stores are only stocking Toshiba HD DVD players and are not selling standalone Blu-ray players, but they are selling the PS3 - which plays Blu-ray, of course. This is basically a mirror image of the previous Target announcement that they’d only sell standalone Blu-ray players, but would keep selling the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on. (Via Gizmodo)
CNET News.com has a good article that explains Blu-ray Profile 1.0 vs. Profile 1.1 vs. Profile 2.0, and what it means to consumers. If you have any confusion over the differences in the Blu-ray profiles, check it out.
Speaking of Profile 1.1… I mean Final Standard Profile… I mean Full Profile… no, I guess I mean ‘Bonus View’. Huh? Yeah, me too. The Blu-ray Disc Association has decided to use ‘Bonus View’ as the marketing name for Profile 1.1. As in ‘a Bonus View Blu-ray Disc’ or ‘with Bonus View’. Yeah, I love Blu-ray, but I think that’s lame. (Via Blu-ray.com)
And while we’re on the subject of things that are lame, the BDA is on a roll. The new Blu-ray advertising campaign is based on the slogan “I Do Blu”. It rhymes. I get it. Droll. (Via Blu-ray.com)
On a better note, Rogers Video has announced they will be adding Blu-ray rentals at 250 stores across Canada. (Via Blu-ray.com)
And, finally, Blu-ray.com has a transcript of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment worldwide President Bob Chapek’s keynote speech from Tuesday night’s release party for Cars and Ratatouille. It is a strong endorsement of Blu-ray, unsurprisingly.