Category: Media

Amazon Made Me Do It: HD DVD Wins Over Blu-ray, Player & 10 HD DVDs for $174

November 23, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 19 Comments

HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray A little over a week ago I asked for help in choosing between the two next generation movie formats: HD DVD and Blu-ray. I have had all the necessary equipment for a few months now (meaning, a nice HD home theater system minus a next-gen player) but have stuck with my regular old DVD player. I had hoped that my patience could last me through the ensuing format war. But then Amazon came along with this deal. (Actually, now there’s an even better deal.)

Do-It-Yourself Tech, Media, Sony

Help Me Decide: HD DVD or Blu-ray?

November 13, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 9 Comments

HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray A few months back I purchased a high-definition television (HD-TV) but have yet to experience its true capacity (sharper images, etc.). The apartment complex I live in has me locked into one satellite provider which does not offer any HD broadcasting. And I have been reluctant to purchase a next generation DVD player because of the format wars.

For those not up to speed, Sony’s next generation DVD is called Blu-ray whereas Microsoft and Toshiba have a format called HD DVD. The two are comparable in terms of the higher picture quality they offer (unless you want to nitpick) but are, of course, incompatible with each other. To make matters worse, most movies are only released in one format or the other. For instance, Disney movies are only available in Blu-ray whereas Universal Studios movies are only in HD DVD.

Do-It-Yourself Tech, Media, Microsoft, Sony

Web Video Quality: Companies Are Starting to Care

October 9, 2007 Bob Caswell 3 Comments

BitTorrent YouTube made popular the idea of video on the Internet even if it has always seemed to be pretty low on the list of options in terms of picture quality. But now certain companies have realized that just because computers can be another way to watch video doesn’t mean the general population is content with fuzzy, low quality in a tiny window. Today there’s news of at least two companies focusing on Internet video quality: BitTorrent and Move Networks.

Media, Tech News, Web 2.0

Sony’s Latest Secret Revealed: Focus on TV, Movie Downloads… Good Luck

September 3, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 3 Comments

Sony TV The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) has an article out quoting the usual mix of analysts, speculators, and “people privy to Sony’s plans.” I must say that the article’s title of “Sony to Challenge Apple In TV, Movie Downloads” makes the news sound more exciting than it really is.

Perhaps I should give Sony a chance rather than point out the obvious that the company has a very long way to go. Meaning, it’s a bit of a late comer in an already crowded space (Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Netflix all compete here just to name the big boys). I suppose it’s true that first movers don’t always win, and there isn’t a clear leader yet. But good luck to Sony on this one…

Amazon, Apple, Gaming, Media, Microsoft, Music, Netflix, Sony, Tech News

Amazon to Buy Netflix? Cool. But Then We’d Have to Pay Sales Tax

June 6, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 2 Comments

There are rumors afloat that Amazon may be purchasing Netflix. One source has the purchase price at around $1.5 billion while another pins it at $2.1 billion. As a result, Netflix shares are up 5 percent today. The online video rental/download/purchase market is still in its infancy even if crowded with the likes of Apple, Blockbuster, Netflix, Amazon, and even Wal-Mart. And those are just the big boys playing in that space.

Media, Tech News, Web 2.0

YouTube Filter Will Go Live In Weeks: “Claim Your Content”

April 17, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell No Comments

Google CEO Eric Schmidt had quite a bit to say at the National Association of Broadcasters conference, including some borderline trash talk toward companies like Microsoft and Viacom. But the message that seemed to steal the show was that of YouTube’s filtering system which is almost ready for prime time. Schmidt said the following:

“We are very close to turning it on. We are testing it with two or three partners now … In a few weeks it will be available for all.”

Media, Microsoft, Tech News

DRM-Free Is Here: iTunes Now Sells EMI Non-DRM Music for $1.29 per Song

April 2, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 2 Comments

Apple’s Steve Jobs joined EMI Group CEO Eric Nicoli in London to host a press conference at EMI’s headquarters. The press had already taken rumors and run with them. But now it’s confirmed. The big announcement: EMI Music is launching DRM-free downloads and Apple’s iTunes Store will be the first online music store to sell the new format. Details below along with some slides from the press conference:

Apple, Media, Music, Tech News

Watch out Netflix! Blockbuster In Advanced Talks to Acquire Movielink

March 1, 2007August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell No Comments

If the deal happens, Blockbuster would be the only company able to offer the coveted video triple-play: combining movies offered online, through the mail, and in-store. Could that be enough for even the diehard Netflix fan to switch? Here are details:

Apple, Media, Netflix, Tech News, Web 2.0