Inteset Adds Blu-ray to Movie Collection Module

If you've been using Inteset's Movie Collection to rip and organize your movie collection, today's your lucky day.  Well, lucky if you're adding Blu-ray Discs to your collection. Simply insert a Blu-ray (or DVD) and the application will scan the disc and grab information from Inteset's database. Information can also be retrieved by entering UPC code and movie title. How much will the upgrade to Blu-ray cost?

Warner Bros. Celebrates 85th with 85 in HD

What better way to celebrate Warner Bros. 85th anniversary than with the release of 85 of its best flicks on video on-demand?  Many of the movies will be showing in HD, so it's a great opportunity to check out some truly classic movies. How classic? How about Casablanca, Doctor Zhivago, or even recent classics such as Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome or Matrix Revolutions.

How else are they celebrating, and where can you get these movies?

Panasonic's Proclaimed Plasma Power

Trivia question: Where was the plasma display invented? Answer: University of Illinois (1964). Since then, it has grown into a formidable technology, widely used in televisions.  It particularly dominated the 40-inches and bigger market.  But recently LCD has come on strong, even in the big-screen  area.

One reason, according to Robert Perry, senior VP, Panasonic display products, is that, "There has been a lot of misinformation circulating about plasma HDTVs and longevity, and we’re happy to once again set the record straight on the durability of Panasonic plasma." Translation: the rap against plasma is that it doesn't last as long as LCD.

In rebuttal, Panasonic now claims its 2008 lineup of 1080p Viera plasma HDTVs will run 100,000 hours before reaching half the original brightness level. This is based on the U.S. average daily viewing time of 6.5 hours. At that rate, the plasma TVs would take more than 42 years to reach half of their original brightness. According to Robert Perry, "Our plasma TVs are built to last a very long time."

Where does that anti-plasma "misinformation" come from?

Funai's Blu-ray Combo Platter

Remember those funky old cathode-ray TV/VCR combo units?  Thought combo units were a thing of the past? Not so fast, there, Buck Rodgers.

Funai might not be the most popular name you see on the shelf of your local big-box retailer, but you do know its sub-brands Emerson, Symphonic, and Sylvania. Those names were always popular with the crowd who purchased TVs with built-in VCRs.  You know the type.

Currently,  20% of Funai's US TV sales come from TV/DVD combo units. Take a guess at the next possible step for this retailer.

I Want My Palladia — MHD Relaunch

Hopefully more than just a rebranding, MTV's high-def MHD music channel is changing names to Palladia. MTV Networks is promising more premier, HD programming.

The new name kicks in on September 1. The old channel suffered from lack of content and constantly repeating programming. Palladia promises to premiere a different concert event every Saturday evening at 9:00pm and a rock movie every Thursday at 9:00 pm.

According to Viacom (owner of MTV,) the term Palladia conveys a sense of spectacle — a grand stage, a vast arena and the excitement of live musical performances.

Will the new lineup live up to the name?

JBL Coneheads

Our friends at Akihabara News are reporting that Harman International’s web site is featuring an interesting new item.  The JSB-1 speaker/equipment isolation cone kit will be released in September. Audiophiles are no strangers to various cones, spikes and other devices used to stabilize loudspeaker cabinets. The theory is that the cone absorbs resonating energy and this somehow improves sound quality. One thing that solid metal spikes certainly do not do, is to decouple resonating devices from your floor or whatever. You would need a soft pad or spring to do that.

In any case, cones like these are often placed under speakers or racks. The JBL JSB-1 features a wooden block base module, four types of spikes, and a cork pad. The cork pad would provide some decoupling, with some associated filter cutoff frequency.

A close-up picture on the next page shows....

Bluetooth Speakers for MP3

Samsung is showing off their new YA-SBR510 Bluetooth stereo speaker. This little beauty is designed for Samsung's lineup of MP3 players, providing wireless playback from a docked player. The speaker features Bluetooth 2.0, with an advertised range of about 30 feet (10 meters). Interestingly, it also apparently has a motion sensor that switches on the system when you come within a distance of about 15 feet (5 meters). This could be especially useful for startling pets and small children.

The Samsung YA-SBR510 features 30 watts of power over 3 channels. Digital signal processing is used to create a surround-sound effect from the cabinet. Currently, this speaker has only appeared in Samsung's Korean media, but hopefully it will find its way to the U.S.

Of course, a Bluetooth audio product always raises the interesting question....

Do You VUDU?

Set-top-box movies just took a big step forward. You thought it was a good deal to get a song for 99 cents? How about watching a movie for 99 cents? VUDU has announced a summer special (but I wonder if it evolves into a new standard pricing structure) that features 99 movies, for 99 cents apiece.

Here's the deal: A new "99 for 99" movie channel features a rotating list of 99 movies that can be rented for 99 cents each. In addition, you can renew any SD movie rental for 99 cents within seven days of the initial viewing, and you can similarly renew HD movies for $1.99. This generous renewal policy lets you watch movies at your leisure, instead of trying to beat the rental clock.

More details on VUDU..... 

Hitachi's Blu-ray Hybrid Camcorder

Hitachi just introduced a new generation hybrid camcorder with the ability to record internally onto Blu-ray Disc. That might be just what you needed to run out and get a Blu-ray player for your home theater.

The DZ-BD10HA is new and improved from last year's model. It features a 7 mega pixel CMOS sensor, capable of capturing 1920 x 1080 stills in addition to HD video. The DZ-BD10HA can record up to 4 hours and twenty minutes of 1920 x 1080 video, or double that for 1440 x 1080. There's a built-in 30GB HDD. For even more flexibility, there's a built-in SDHC card slot that allows for Full HD video and stills.

However, what makes this an interesting option is the dubbing feature. With the push of a button, video is transfered from the HDD or card to the BD drive. Some basic editing functions, including basic transitions can be done right in the camcorder. Not ready for Blu-ray? You can also transfer to standard-def DVD too.

What other features does the DZ-BD10HA have?

"The Frame" Fine Art Channel

Canada's Shaw Cable just launched a new HD channel that will really show off the true art of HD. "The Frame" is a 24/7 channel that will showcase fine art and photographs from 16 galleries across Canada. The galleries will shift every thirty minutes, and each individual image will be displayed for thirty seconds. Music will accompany, chosen to add to the theme of the images.

The channel debuted in Calgary on July 29 and will roll out to other markets in September. It's included with the basic HD programming package. Thankfully, it is commercial-free.

Cool, right?  What a great way to show off your new HD set. Is there anything like it available in the States?