Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - (Page 40) NEWS ESCA: U.S. Is Dark Blu, Europe Is Light Blu Continued from page 1 www.homemediamagazine.com RealNetworks Sues Studios Continued from page 1 “It’s fair to say that the United States is ahead of Europe in terms of high-definition adoption, particularly among retailers,” said Jim Bottoms of research firm Futuresource. “People are waiting for the U.S. to develop the market,” added panelist Will Morley of Deluxe Digital Studios in London, who outlined the more complicated learning curve of authoring Blu-ray Disc. Dieter Daum, of Sony DADC, likewise looked to the United States as a leader in adopting Blu-ray, while urging European industry movers to help grow the market. “Please help me to make the future Blu,” he urged. “I think in the United States it’s dark Blu. I think in Europe it’s light Blu.” Bottoms said that there is tremendous potential for Blu-ray in Europe because “approximately one-third of all homes will have HD capability” by the end of the year. Europeans are snapping up HDTVs because the flat-screens fit nicely in small quarters, panelists said. Meanwhile, HD content lags and is of lower quality then Blu-ray, offering packaged media an opportunity. HD content in Europe, via cable and satellite, etc., is “nowhere as good in quality as Blu-ray,” Bottoms said, enjoining the industry to “take on education” of European consumers on the quality of the high-def disc versus other HD options. Philippe Cardon, president, international, for Warner Home Video, said the packaged-media business is extremely important to the studio. DVD is Warner Bros.’ single largest business, helping to finance movie production, he said. Blu-ray is an “enormous opportunity,” Cardon said. Purchase intent more than doubled following the format war, he said. The PlayStation 3 could be promoted more widely as a Blu-ray player worldwide if consumers had a better remote control, he said, adding that Warner was working with Sony to bundle content with the remote. Replicators noted that Blu-ray AACS copy-protection makes their job harder. “It’s expensive,” noted moderator James Steynor, an optical manufacturing consultant. But Deluxe’s Morley noted interactive BD Live is a killer app. “I know there were some skeptics out there; I’m not one of them,” he said. “I think it is absolutely critical.” Cardon said digital copies on DVDs and Blu-ray Discs are enjoying some success with consumers, with 64% judging it a better value than standard DVD, 49% more interested in buying DVD with digital copy and 75% considering it an innovative way to consume. Still, Amy Jo Smith, of DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group, said while “digital copy helps to bridge packaged media into digital,” the industry must “keep its focus on DVD.” Collectors’ editions and complete TV series are doing well on DVD, noted Cardon. “There is real consumer interest in stepping up to those more expensive gift sets,” he said. Steve Dahl, SVP of worldwide operations and IT for Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, said his studio had success with a special The Nightmare Before Christmas item packaged with the video to add value. Aoden Coburn, EVP of worldwide operations with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, noted that his studio was able to design packaging for the complete “Seinfeld” series that satisfied the objectives of all the European markets, but that also satisfied environmental objectives. Sustainability was a key focus of the conference, with Larry Wild, VP of worldwide operations for Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, discussing the many steps the DEG is taking to help the industry become more green. Recycling, new packaging and better supply-chain efficiencies are part of the recommendations from the DEG. Fighting piracy also is a focus internationally, with Cardon noting that legislative efforts have helped the studios partner with government and ISPs to prevent online piracy. “Across Europe the trend is one of ISPs being asked to provide much greater cooperation to attack peer-topeer piracy,” he said. Piracy is also a problem in some of the potential growth areas for DVD and Blu-ray. Eastern and Central European growth is expected to be substantial through 2012, Bottoms said. But a panel on emerging markets pointed out problems in these territories, including piracy, varying languages that don’t support replication volume, and newspaper stand DVD sales for extremely cheap prices of about $2 in the Czech Republic. Christopher Marsh, of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, said the way to combat bargain-basement pricing was to offer “more high-value SKUs.” “You have to differentiate your product,” he said. DVD copy to the user’s PC, disallowing illegal copying and file sharing on the Internet. “We are disappointed that the movie industry is following in the footsteps of the music industry and trying to shut down advances in technology rather than embracing changes that provide consumers with more value and flexibility for their purchases,” said a RealNetworks spokesperson. MPAA reps said RealDVD violates provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by illegally bypassing copyright protections included in movie DVDs to safeguard against illegal copying and file sharing. “RealNetworks’ RealDVD should be called StealDVD,” said Greg Goeckner, EVP and general counsel for the MPAA. Goeckner said RealDVD undermines “hard-won trust” between the studios and technology companies, in addition to studios’ investments in video-on-demand (VOD), downloadto-own and digital copies increasingly featured with DVDs and Blu-ray Disc releases. The studios do not necessarily take issue with consumers making a digital copy so much as where the physical DVD originates. They contend consumers could rent movies from Blockbuster or Netflix and illegally copy them to their computers in a practice called “rent, rip and return.” The MPAA said RealNetworks acknowledges on its own Web site that the software could be used for illegal purposes. “We will vigorously defend our right to stop companies from bringing products to market that mislead consumers and clearly violate the law,” Goeckner said. Rob Enderle, a San Jose, Calif.-based independent media analyst, said the need for such software exists with the proliferation of portable media devices. He said demand, however, could be muted due to an indifferent consumer and legality issues. “Despite concerns surrounding getting sued by the rabid MPAA … indications are that the numbers [of people who would copy a DVD] run into the millions,” Enderle said. Richard Doherty, media analyst with The Envisioneering Group in New York, said he expected the litigation following RealNetworks’ announcement of the software Sept. 8 and subsequent press that characterized it as an illegal ripping program. He said presentations by RealNetworks indicated safeguarding movie DVDs against illegal copying had been addressed. Doherty said the majority of the software’s $30 retail price went toward satisfying the various license agreements with studios. The analyst said he believed the technical sides of the studios understand the merits of RealDVD, unlike the legal departments. “This is a 100% legal product,” Doherty said. “It’s the lawyers who started [the litigation].” ‘Bryan’ DVD Signing LAT E F L ASHE S I SONY INVITES CONSUMERS TO JOIN BLU-RAY CLUB Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Oct. 7 launches the Sony Pictures Blu-ray Club, a rewards program for BD Liveenabled Sony Blu-ray Discs. The program lets members accumulate points and earn Sony products, other prizes and entry into sweepstakes. It will first be featured on the Oct. 7 Blu-ray release You Don’t Mess With the Zohan. Participants in the Blu-ray Club create a user profile and manage points through their BD Live-enabled Blu-ray Disc players or at www.sonyrewards.com/bluray. Points are earned by registering Sony Blu-ray Discs through the site or through BD Live. — Billy Gil Johnson, a member of SAG’s negotiating committee, told the Los Angeles Times. A strike — the first by actors since 1980 — requires 75% approval of the guild’s 120,000 members. A poll last month found that 87% of voters supported SAG leadership in the negotiations. However, just 10% of the guild’s entire membership actually voted in the poll. The producers say it is unrealistic for SAG to expect more than the $250 million in increased benefits they are offering. — Erik Gruenwedel I SAG INCHES TOWARD STRIKE The negotiating committee of the Screen Actors Guild Oct. 1 passed an advisory motion seeking authorization of a strike. “We’ve done all we can do to compromise and work with our employers and they’ve refused to budge,” Anne-Marie Anchor Bay Entertainment hosted a DVD signing for Seth Landau’s Bryan Loves You at Dark Delicacies bookstore in Burbank, Calif. (L-R): Producer, writer and director Landau; and actors Tony Todd and Lloyd Kaufman. 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 and Mexico; all other countries $99.99 for one year (by surface mail). Add $75 annually for air-expedited service. Single copies (prepaid only): $6.99 in the United States, $8.99 in Canada and Mexico, $13.99 all other countries. Back issues, if available: $9.99 in the U.S.; $15.99 in Canada and Mexico; $26.99 for all other countries. Include $6.50 per order plus $2 per additional copy for U.S. postage and handling. Periodicals postage paid at Duluth MN 55806 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to HOME MEDIA MAGAZINE, P.O. Box 1270, Skokie, IL 60076-8270. Canadian G.S.T. number: 840033278RT0001, Publications Mail Agreement Number 40017597. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright, 2008 Questex Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of thi http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.sonyrewards.com/bluray
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 Contents News TV DVD Gay/Lesbian Reviews Pipeline Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 (Page Cover1) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 (Page Cover2) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 (Page 1) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 (Page 2) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 (Page 3) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 (Page 4) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 (Page 5) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 (Page 6) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - News (Page 8) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - News (Page 9) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - News (Page 10) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - News (Page 11) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - News (Page 12) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - News (Page 13) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - News (Page 14) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - News (Page 15) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - News (Page 16) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - News (Page 17) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - TV DVD (Page 18) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - TV DVD (Page 19) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Gay/Lesbian (Page 20) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Gay/Lesbian (Page 21) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Gay/Lesbian (Page 22) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Gay/Lesbian (Page 23) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Reviews (Page 24) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Reviews (Page 25) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Reviews (Page 26) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Reviews (Page 27) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Reviews (Page 28) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Reviews (Page 29) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 30) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 31) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 32) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 33) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 34) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 35) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 36) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 37) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 38) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 39) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 40) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover3) Home Media Magazine - October 5 - 11, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover4)
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