A new update for the Sony DPP-FP95 and DPP-FP75 models, which are apparently virtually identical except for color and screen size, with the former boasting a 3.6-inch LCD and the latter packing a slightly smaller 3.2-inch display is adding HDMI out. But thats not all these models boast as they also support wireless transfers to PC’s and Mac with Bluetooth. Prices are yet to be announced.
Japan? High Tech. Sony? Japanese. Blu-ray? High Tech and Japanese so it only makes sense for Tsutaya, Japans largest rental chain to begin offering Blu-ray in stores and online. This will expand immediately at their top 10 stores and roll out to all stores by summers end.
[Kotaku]
First reported on Gizmodo, then reported on HD Digest…. 3rds the charm so remember, you read it first here. It seems that Circuit Cit is ever so quietly allowing their customers to trade in their paperweights HD DVD for a Blu-ray player.
The offer only applies to players sold in the last 90 days, but that should give those who received HD DVD players for the holidays enough time to trade in their gifts for the winning next generation format. You must return the player in the original box with all of its accessories in order to qualify.
That first of all comes off as a smart move for Circuit City to show their customers that they indeed are loyal to keeping them happy and offering them the best experience. Now, indeed this can be a very expensive taking on the BDA group but I feel like they need to offer a similar nation wide plan to let the healing begin. The fact that HD DVD was going to lose always lurked, long before either format lost but that dosent make it any better for those who invested in them. With a move like this being offered nation wide, it can help with the sour grapes first. But more so, it can help those HD DVD owners who might go back to DVD for now into supporters and nothing is better then a grass root praise and movement for a product. So hopefully, we can see more retailers offer a similar deal or something more official from the BDA.
This just in. Read all about it! It seems like there is some murmur going around that Apple is shopping around for Blu-ray drives and were looking to release them with their latest MacBook/MacBook Pro update. Now as far as all things go, the update for Apple has come and gone and there is no Blu-ray drive to speak of in any of Apple’s lineup. Now, the rumor further goes that this was due to quality control of the Blu-ray drives.
Now, this is all currently rumors and if not, its not too clear as what its meant by “quality control” but if this indeed is true, its a big misstep for Sony. Granted, this is not as important as it would have been a few months ago, with the death of HD DVD now. But that would only be short sightedness. HD DVD was only a test for Blu-ray. The real enemy is still DVD and the public awareness of Blu-ray. Does Apple sell as many laptops as Dell or HP? No, but Apple makes news. Apple is trendy and Apple is almost in sync as a “next gen” company. Having Apple launch and offer Blu-ray in their ever popular retail stores can only help the Blu-ray cause and I cannot helpt but think this as a huge fumble on Sony’s side if this indeed is true.
Updated: We have heard so far, 2 versions. One due to the power consumption of the drives and the other, they were only able to produce a Blu-ray / DVD +-RW Combo Drive.
Many people might know Sony for their electronics (PS3, Laptops, LCD’s) but fewer might actually know that Sony is also a Film, TV and Music production company. But even less people know that Sony owns and operates some of the worlds most ultra-modern building centers. The Sony Berlin Center boasts an 3D IMAX, a SonyStyle Store that more then 8 million people visit a year and hosts some ultra luxurious apartments. If thats not enough, lets add bars, restaurants and oh yea, its 8 buildings. The initial cost of this infrastructure is priced at somewhere around $1.13 Billion.
It now seems that Sony has agreed to sell this amazing center for somewhere around $1.1 Billion. Although selling it, Sony will still remain and operate there. This comes off on a series of investments being sold from Sony as of late. Time to start R&D for PS4?
I myself have mixed feelings about this. In some ways, its nice to see Sony sell off components of the business as it needs to stay competetive with the likes of Samsung, Apple and Microsoft because it seems as if Sony is fending off competitors in all different mediums. On the other end, its always saddening to see a company have to kill off innovative lines and sell of its divisions or enforce layoffs as there is more to a company then just products. Its always to see the Jolly side of a company and this seems like one less chapter in that.
Hit the magic button for more pictures.
Toshiba Loves Blu-ray… PS3..Cell!
Toshiba is in the process of using the heart of the PS3, The cell processor that it created with Sony and IBM to power its next generation of TV’s. The Cell processor not only will allow the streaming of 6 HD sources on one screen at once, but will also replace the idea of having a costly upscaling DVD player. Oh Toshiba, we are so sorry. Side note, there is no irony or pun here for Toshiba at all.
It’s official: Warner has announced that it will drop its support of the HD DVD format, and will begin releasing its next-generation titles on Blu-ray exclusively.
The complete press release from Warner follows below. Watch for more developments in this breaking story soon.
