Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - (Page 48) NEWS Replicators Ready to Bump Up Blu-ray Discs Continued from page 1 www.homemediamagazine.com Media. “I’ve heard that BD 50 is in particularly high demand because the studios want to do all the bells and whistles on their discs.” At Sony DADC, Twiggs said 45% of the Blu-ray Discs rolling off the lines — for both movies and video games — are BD 50. Tait said clients her company services are being very selective about what they put out on Blu-ray. “People are starting to get into Bluray cautiously in the fourth quarter, but they know the studios have priority,” Tait said. “Everyone will have product ready for the holidays, and as soon as the Blu-ray players come down in price, more [independents] will join.” expecting a year-over-year increase of more than 30 million units. “In the past year, Sony DADC has more than doubled our global Blu-ray Disc capacity,” said Jim Twiggs, Sony DADC’s VP of strategic development. “Based on our … forecasts, we believe the supply of BDs globally will be adequate to cover the total needs of the market in the fall fourth quarter. “Fluidity of title workability dates and street date schedule compression may cause daily capacities to be tight, but we do not foresee an overall shortage of product in the market.” Technicolor has added lines not only here, but in Europe as well. The company declined to offer specifics on its capacity and expansion, but a company spokeswoman said, “Obviously, we’re doing very well.” Cinram CEO Dave Rubenstein said this summer that his company was adding new lines to meet fourth-quarter demand and would add more as more consumers adopt the format. “As the attach rate grows … we expect [our Blu-ray demand] to get bigger,” he said. While the Blu-ray Disc Association did not have a formal comment on fourth-quarter replication, one member said, “Everything is going great.” According to The DVD Release Report, 292 total Blu-ray titles were released in 2007. As of Sept. 19 the number for 2008 is at 347. The major studios are releasing more titles, and more independents are trying Blu-ray, adding to replication demands. Ed Virgie, president of Media Services Group, which services replicators with equipment and plant set-up, said it’s hard for medium- and small-sized replicators to get into Blu-ray, mostly due to the costs. “There are a couple of new ones on the West Coast, but it’s going so slow,” he said. “The studios are using only two, three companies. Technicolor is concentrating very hard on Blu-ray, almost exclusively. Cinram, not so much, since they put out so many DVDs.” Just during the second quarter of this year, Cinram replicated nearly 250 million DVDs, according to CEO Rubenstein. “Sony [DADC] has also been very busy, but Cinram is being more cautious about it, not jumping off the pier like these other guys,” Virgie added. The new, medium-sized Blu-ray Disc replicators include two in California: Expedia Media in Anaheim and L & M Optical Disc West in Valencia, which are both doing replication and mastering. Neither returned calls for comment by press time. Virgie said eventually more traditional DVD replicators will make the plunge into Blu-ray, as the costs for the equipment start to fall. However, they’ll likely have to invest in both the 25GB and 50GB lines to meet everyone’s needs, he said. “BD 25 is already passé,” said Paula Tait, EVP of sales and marketing for replicator Precise/Full Service ‘Godfather’ Touted in NY Blu-ray Player Prices Dipping to New Lows Continued from page 1 player with picture-in-picture capability (but no Web connectivity) for $269 — the lowest opening retail price for a Blu-ray player on the market. It is slated to street online and at retail in November. WalMart in July bowed a Magnavox Profile 1.1 player for $298 (now $278), at the time the least-expensive standalone Blu-ray player (without discounts) available. “We introduced a Blu-ray Disc player that offers consumers the full high-definition viewing experience, but at a price almost anyone can afford,” said Carla Pihowich, Memorex brand director, Imation Corp. Citing higher hardware and software pricing and margins associated with Bluray, analysts had projected median retail prices for Blu-ray players would hover around $300 this holiday season and only fall to $200 a year from now. Retailers and manufacturers appear to be expediting that timeline, especially with Samsung product. Circuit City, in its weekly circular, offered the BD Live-compatible BDP-1500 for $299 Memorex Profile 1.1 MVBD-2510 player after an instant $100 discount. Last week the chain featured a home theater system with an HDTV and Blu-ray player for $799. Spokesperson Jim Babb said the No. 2 consumer electronics retailer has increased store space demonstrating Blu-ray and bundling players with HDTV. He said the demos play an educational role to consumers and give them an idea how an HD home theater system looks and sounds. “Incorporating Blu-ray into bundles with home theater and HDTV is consistent with our effort to offer consumers great values on systems that will give them the best home viewing experience,” Babb said. “We’re glad to offer packages that simplify the shopping process and maximize value.” Best Buy, which earlier this month cut $10 (to $249.99) from the price of its proprietary Insignia brand Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player, now offers the unit online for $229. The Profile 1.1 player, which originally bowed for $349.99, is available with an additional $100 discount when co-purchased with an Insignia 1080p high-definition television. Other Blu-ray player deals include the Video & Audio Center chain in Southern California selling Sony’s Profile 1.1 BDPS300 for $287. Ken Crane’s Big Screen Headquarters is selling Samsung’s BDP1500 for $298. Amazon lowered the bar further, offering previously owned Sony BDP-S300 models for $199, and $229 new. Independent analyst Rob Enderle said the declining prices underscore consumers’ tepid response to Blu-ray, a frame of mind he said won’t improve with the bleak economic headlines. “There are increasing concerns that this holiday season will be [retail’s] last real shot with Blu-ray,” Enderle said. “No one wants to be stuck with inventory. We are likely to see several vendors purge inventory before the quarter is done.” Paramount Home Entertainment sponsored the Feast of San Gennaro in New York City, where it celebrated the release of its 35th anniversary The Godfather DVD boxed set and the debut of the films on Blu-ray. During the Feast, promotions included a performance from Gianni Russo (Carlo Rizzi). Photo by: Lawrence Lucier Toshiba Cards Continued from page 1 L ATE FL ASHES I DISH, SONY OFFER VOD Dish Network Corp. has inked a license agreement with Sony Pictures Television to distribute movies and TV content via the satellite operator’s video-on-demand, on-demand and pay-per-view services in both standard-definition and highdefinition. Dish Network subscribers must access a digital video recorder option for on-demand programming. HD program packages start at $24.99 per month. — Erik Gruenwedel I ‘SLACKER UPRISING’ GETS TECH ASSIST Hypernia Hosting Corp., an online hosting and solutions service, is partnering with filmmaker Michael Moore and Brave New Films to make Moore’s latest film, Slacker Uprising, more accessible. The film debuted this week at www.slackeruprising.com. Hypernia will provide Internet bandwidth, servers and management to host the film, including HD capacity. “With Hypernia providing HD-capacity and super-flexibility, Brave New Films can now open up Slacker Uprising in all markets,” Moore said. The film follows Moore’s 2004 tour to convince the 18- to 29-year-old demographic to vote. — Billy Gil Sony BMG, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. — Billy Gil I HULU GETS VIZ ANIME Online video service Hulu.com will carry uncut Japanese-language versions of three Viz Media properties: “Naruto,” “Bleach” and “Death Note.” The episodes will be subtitled in English, with “Naruto” and “Death Note” available now, and “Bleach” rolling out later. Hulu offers the videos for free, and has about 200 feature-length feature films and 400 TV series. — Chris Tribbey I MYSPACE MUSIC RELAUNCHES MySpace.com bowed the new MySpace Music feature, including music from EMI Music, Sony ATV/Music Publishing and independent digital music provider The Orchard to previously announced participating labels comfortable with security.” The financing deal gives Toshiba and NCR minority stakes in MOD. NCR would maintain the self-service systems at retail outlets. MOD’s technology would also allow for DVD burning, content would be stored in a hybrid of online and in-store systems, and at launch more than 4,000 titles will be available in standard-definition. The companies aim to add highdef content down the road. “Digital distribution of content to SD cards offers consumers a convenient, faster, more portable way to buy content and access and use their growing entertainment libraries,” said Yoshihide Fujii, corporate SVP for Toshiba and president and CEO of Toshiba’s Digital Media Network Co. “This investment is key to our strategy for migrating consumers to digital.” Other companies, including Blockbuster, have stated their interest in pursuing digital delivery on SD cards. “This technology and initiative have tremendous potential,” said NCR chairman and CEO Bill Nuti. “We continue to see opportunities to extend our experience in self-service to promising new industries like entertainment. Our initiative with MOD Systems is designed to offer consumers one of the fastest, most convenient ways to access high-quality digital entertainment.” HOME MEDIA MAGAZINE (ISSN 1934-9882) is published weekly 51 times per year (weekly except for one week at the end of December) by Questex Media Group, Inc., 306 West Michigan Street, Suite 200, Duluth, MN 55802. Subscription rates: $49.99 for one year in the United States and Possessions; $79.99 for one year in Canada http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.Hulu.com http://www.slackeruprising.com http://www.slackeruprising.com http://www.MySpace.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 Contents News High-Def News Electronic Delivery News TV DVD Best Buy/Hastings Health & Fitness Reviews Pipeline Top 20 DVD Sellers Research Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 (Page Cover1) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 (Page Cover2) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 (Page 1) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 (Page 2) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 (Page 3) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 (Page 4) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 (Page 5) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 (Page 6) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - News (Page 8) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - News (Page 9) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - News (Page 10) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - News (Page 11) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - High-Def News (Page 12) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Electronic Delivery News (Page 13) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - TV DVD (Page 14) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - TV DVD (Page 15) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 16) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 17) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 18) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 19) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 20) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 21) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 22) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 23) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 24) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 25) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 26) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 27) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 28) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 29) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 30) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Best Buy/Hastings (Page 31) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Health & Fitness (Page 32) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Health & Fitness (Page 33) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Reviews (Page 34) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Reviews (Page 35) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Reviews (Page 36) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Reviews (Page 37) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 38) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 39) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Research (Page 40) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Research (Page 41) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 42) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 43) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 44) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 45) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 46) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 47) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 48) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover3) Home Media Magazine - September 28 - October 4, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover4)
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