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The Popcorn Hour C-300 Allows for Quick Installation and Removal of HDDs and Blu-ray[teaser]This flexibility allows you to have a variety of storage spaces hooked up at once. [/teaser] The latest release from the folks over at Sybas technology is the Popcorn Hour C-300, a networked media player that gives you a great deal of functionality. It streams video and audio from anywhere on your network, but that's not where it ends. The Popcorn Hour C-300 seems to meet Blu-ray players halfway. As BD players are getting more streaming options, the C-300 is a media streamer that's adding more hardware options. Specifically, you can add a Blu-ray drive to the device, allowing you to stream, play back computer files and watch your Blu-rays without having to change the input on your TV. In addition to the Blu-ray player, you can attach a 3.5 hard drive or 2.5 inch SATA drive chock full of your favorite shows and movies. There's also app support for streaming shows and movies, but if you're looking for staples like Netflix you'll have to go somewhere else. Source: EngadgetPosted Fri Dec 16, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Outrage: Way of the Yakuza' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Acclaimed filmmaker Takeshi Kitano's hit gangster flick will have a Blu-ray bow next month! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Magnolia says 'Outrage: Way of the Yakuza' is coming to Blu-ray on January 31. Called the “Scorsese of Japan when it comes to well crafted organized crime flicks” (Movie Buzzers), Kitano wrote, directed and stars in the action-packed gangster film, nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. From the producers of 'Brother' and 'Fireworks,' “the truly iconic international crime film” (Twitch), 'Outrage: Way of the Yakuza' begins when a boss of the notorious Japanese crime syndicate, the “yakuza,” issues an order to his associates to keep a rival gang in line. The task falls on Otomo (Kitano), who soon instigates a play for power that creates an all-out gang war, illustrating the brutal fate that befalls anyone who dares to violate the structured ways of the yakuza. Specs have yet to be detailed, but supplements will include: Cast Interview: Making Outrage: Way of the Yakuza, Outrage: Way of the Yakuza ß Inside Out: Behind The Scenes Documentary, Cast Panel Interview, Premiere Q&A, Cannes “Red Carpet” Premiere With Takeshi Kitano, and U.S. Trailer & International Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Outrage: Way of the Yakuza' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 31.Posted Fri Dec 16, 2011 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
SlingPlayer Launches for Google TV[teaser]Remote TV viewing is now available for both Sony and Logitech Google TV products. [/teaser] Google TV had a rough start, but there's starting to be some real movement thanks to an operating system update and a few new apps. The latest to be introduced to Google TV is the SlingPlayer. They're calling it the SlingPlayer for Logitech Revue - it works on the other platforms so we're not sure why - and it allows you to do the things that you'd expect from a Sling app. You can watch the shows playing or recorded at home from anywhere you have an internet connection. The SlingPlayer is available as a free download on Google TV now. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 04:30 PM PST by: -
Internet Based VOD numbers are Dire, but Streaming on Game Systems on the Rise[teaser]On average, PS3 owners are using a over a third of system time on Blu-rays and streaming. [/teaser] Two studies came out recently with some very interesting information that seems conflicting at first glance. The first is that, according to the NPD, online VOD purchases are incredibly low. The second is that streaming on videogame consoles is on the rise. Internet based VOD numbers account for all devices capable of renting a movie online. According to the NPD report, only five percent of those that can rent VODs are doing so. " It’s understandable that smartphone owners might be hesitant to watch a full-length movie with limited screens and battery life," says NPD's Russ Crupnick, "but few of the other connected devices are showing strong uptake for Internet VOD, either." Game consoles, however, have been seeing increased usage as streaming and entertainment machines. Nilsen says that 15 percent of the time an Xbox user is on the system, they're watching streaming movies. The PS3 accounts for 15 percent as well, while Wii users devote 33 percent of their time to videos. An impressive 22 percent of time using the PS3 is spent watching DVDs or Blu-rays, which brings the total movie watching time to 37 percent. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 04:00 PM PST by: -
'The Bodyguard' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]And I...will alwaaaaays love Bluuuuuu... in April.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers has revealed 'The Bodyguard' for a Blu-ray release on April 10. 'The Bodyguard' stars Whitney Houston as a pop-music diva and Kevin Costner as the ultra-serious bodyguard assigned to protect her in the aftermath of several death threats. Initially repelled by each other like water and oil, a passion ignites between them as the danger increases, transforming them as everything around them explodes. The film was nominated for two Oscars, both for Best Original Song ("I Have Nothing" and "Run to You"). Specs and supplements have yet to be determined, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray will likely be $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Bodyguard' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 10.Posted Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Sources Say Verizon Will Make a Serious Bid on Netflix[teaser]If the deal went down, it would certainly put to rest any speculation on competition in the streaming space. [/teaser] Verizon has been fairly vocal about their planned streaming service. They're not aiming to be a Netflix competitor necessarily, but the plan is to start small and work up to something big. At least, that's what they've said publicly. According to sources close to Bloomberg, Verizon is going to be making a serious bid to purchase Netflix outright. Peter Bibb of Mediatech Capital says that we could be looking at an offer in the range of $4.6 billion to go down by April of 2012. There's been a lot of speculation about just what the Verizon streaming service will bring to the table in terms of competition, but that might not be an issue after all. It's also possible that the Verizon bid will start a bidding war between other possible Netflix buyers like Amazon and Google. Source: BloombergPosted Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Don Juan DeMarco' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Love is in the air on Blu-ray this April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, it seems 'Don Juan DeMarco' is coming to Blu-ray on April 10. The drama is about a psychotherapist who examines a patient who believes he's the world's greatest lover stars Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, and Faye Dunaway. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray will likely be $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Don Juan DeMarco' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 10.Posted Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Microsoft is Looking for a Head of Original Programming for Xbox Live[teaser]The latest Xbox update brought a good deal of new content, but it looks like Microsoft isn't satisfied with letting other people make it. [/teaser] When the newest update to the Xbox 360 dropped last week there was a glut of content added. YouTube is now available on the system, as are cable provider specific apps and there are more planned to hit the system in the coming months. That's not enough for Microsoft though. The company is now looking for a head of original programming, targeting two ex NBC executives as possible hires. It looks like we're going to see some new shows developed just for Xbox Live members. This is some potentially big news but there are really two possibilities here. The first is that Microsoft is going to follow the Netflix route and try and get some real content and maybe a cancelled show or two. The other, of course, is that the original programming will be things similar to the already existing content like 'Major's Minute.' With so much focus on getting players using their Xboxes instead of their cable boxes, it seems entirely possible that it's the former. Source: JoystiqPosted Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]Another animated Scooby snack is in the works for home video this March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers has revealed 'Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire' featuring the voices of Frank Welker, Mindy Cohn, Grey Delisle, and Matthew Lillard will hit Blu-ray on March 13. When Daphne becomes the star of a vampire film, the production is thrown into chaos by a real vampire, forcing the Scooby-Doo gang to investigate who's behind this monstrous mayhem. Specs and supplements have yet to be determined, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Digital Copy combo pack will be is $24.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 13.Posted Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
CALM Act Adopted by FCC - Commercials are Getting Quieter[teaser]On the down side, it's not going to take effect until next December.[/teaser] It seems pretty safe to say that nobody likes to have their shows, movies and games interrupted by commercials. As bad as the unwanted break is though, it gets even worse when those commercials are louder than the show you're watching. Thankfully, something has finally been done about it. Cable companies and advertisers didn't do it themselves of course, there had to be a bill sent through congress to make it all happen. The CALM act has finally been passed and enacted by the FCC, forcing broadcasters to keep advertisements at the same maximum volume level as the show you're watching. On the down side, this won't go into effect for a full year. Until December of 2012 you'll be stuck dealing with the same jarringly loud commercials we have now - assuming that you don't record your favorite shows and skip through the commercials or just download them and skip it all together. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by:
