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The Wii U Will Not Play Blu-rays or DVDs
Fri Jun 17, 2011 at 01:00 PM ETTags: Wii U, DVDs, Blu-rays (all tags)
Nintendo says there are enough devices that serve that purpose already.
Microsoft and Sony have some big plans for their systems. Sony packed Blu-ray capabilities into the PS3 and added 3D support, while Microsoft was the first to add Netflix streaming and may even allow customers to watch TV on their systems. Both companies see their consoles as all-in-one devices that you can use for all of your entertainment needs.
Nintendo is different. They were the last to add Netflix, and though you can hack your Wii to play DVDs, it doesn't do so out of the box. The Wii U will be no different - Nintendo's new high-def system won't play Blu-rays or DVDs.
"The reason for that is that we feel that enough people already have devices that are capable of playing DVDs and Blu-ray," says Nintendo. "It didn't warrant the cost involved to build that functionality into the Wii U console because of the patents related to those technologies."
Source: Nintendo
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Blu-ray Player Sales Still on the Rise
Fri Jun 10, 2011 at 01:30 PM ETTags: Blu-ray Players, DVDs, Industry Trends (all tags)
Sales are up, but 57 percent of people say they're still using a standard DVD player.
Unlike LCD and plasma televisions, players have increased in growth during the first quarter of 2011. Displays may be in a slump, but Blu-ray players went from a nine percent sales increase in the first quarter of 2010 to a 16 percent increase in the first quarter of 2011.
Blu-ray still isn't making up for all the lost sales from the decline of DVD, but it's certainly helping slow the effect. The NPD group estimates that the number of physical disc buyers has decreased by 22 million since 2009, but 26 million Blu-ray players have been sold.
"While Blu-ray may not be the replacement for DVD that many once hoped for," says NPD analyst Russ Crupnick, "it is certainly adding strength to the physical video-disc market. This added stability is helping to extend the life of discs, even as digital options gain in popularity."
Source: NPD
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Sony Titles Now Available as DVD Made On Demand
Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:00 PM ETTags: Sony, DVDs (all tags)
You can find over 150 classic Sony titles on WarnerArchive.com and Columbia-Classics.com
It can be incredibly difficult to track down lesser-known films on DVD because great though they may be, the studios need to be able to make money. That results in quite a few movies being overlooked when it comes to placement on store shelves.
Warner's solution is a pair of sites - WarnerArchive.com and Columbia-Classics.com - which allow users to order these DVDs online. Both of which have just had an infusion of new movies thanks to a partnership with Sony.
"This is another step in the execution of our multi-platform distribution strategy to cultivate the market for the remarkable films in our vault," says Sony Pictures VP John Calkins. "Warner has long been a pioneer in the deep catalog business, and we’re thrilled to partner and extend the reach of our extensive catalog to consumers."
Source: Home Media Magazine
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Discs Will Dominate Until At Least 2015, Says Study
Fri Apr 08, 2011 at 10:00 AM ETTags: Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, Streaming, Digital Distribution, Industry Trends (all tags)
The lowering price point of rentals and lack of broadband across the country means physical media is sticking around for a while.
Digital distribution gets a lot of love, and though Netflix has gained quite a bit of popularity, a recent study by the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) says that digital distribution isn't taking over any time soon.
Part of the reason is that there's no clear point of transition. When DVDs came out, you only really had one choice - get a DVD player. With digital distribution, you have a number of choices in both hardware and sources. It's a much more complex environment.
The study also cited Redbox as a big help in keeping discs alive. Though studios don't always see eye to eye with the rental company, it's the low prices from Redbox that are driving disc rentals.
Another concern, of course, is 3D. "3D content requires about twice the bandwidth as conventional 2D," says the study, adding that most homes won't have access to that kind of bandwidth in the near future.
Source: Home Media Magazine
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