Blockbuster To Rent Movies Via SD Card

Topic:

An old, lumbering giant takes a shaking step forward into the future today. Blockbuster, king of the VHS and DVD era, is trying to move into the digital age by creating a series of kiosks capable of loading movies onto SD cards. Customers will be able to 'rent' DRM-loaded movies with a set expiration date, claims Fast Company. These kiosks will be marketed for smartphone and laptop viewing, so expect to see a lot of them in airports soon.

So, will this latest move help Blockbuster to compete with the growing success of streaming movies (like Netflix's Watch Instantly option) and services like iTunes? I doubt it. Blockbuster will be charging a lot, in the neighbourhood of $4 a film. That doesn't come close to being a competitive price, yet another sign of Blockbuster's inability to get with the times. They're going to have to get used to lowered profit margins; the business has changed.

Posted on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:49:41 CST | by Robert Evans

Sony Networked TV and Blu-ray Owners Get Exclusive Movie Access Before Release

Topic:

Today Sony announced that owners of Sony networked BRAVIA HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc players will be able to get an exclusive in-home offer to rent the Sony Pictures animated hit, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, four weeks before it is available at retail.
Starting today, customers who purchase a networked BRAVIA HDTV or Blu-ray Disc player and register the device between Nov. 9, 2009 and Jan. 4, 2010, will receive a free 24-hour rental of the movie in high definition (a value of $24.95).
Read more

Posted on Mon, 9 Nov 2009 07:59:29 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Best Buy Launches On Demand Movie Service

Topic:

Best Buy announced an on-demand movie and entertainment service today that will be powered by Sonic's Roxio CinemaNow and will allow consumers to have access to buy or rent a vast library of premium content.
Best Buy has entered into a multi-year agreement in which Best Buy plans to license and deploy Sonic's Roxio CinemaNow technology and services platform to make on-demand digital content delivery a standard feature on connected consumer electronics devices sold by Best Buy.
Read more

Posted on Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:54:59 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Kingston and Paramount Digital Entertainment Team Up for Movies on Flash Memory

Topic:

Kingston and Paramount announced today that the two have teamed up to deliver Paramount movies on Kingston flash memory products. The partnership will deliver full-length movies to consumers as a bundle package sale.

Neither company divulged when the partnership will launch its first products or how the products will be packaged. I bet it will be along the lines of the Godfather flash drives we have seen before with the movie on a drive carrying logos from the film. What movies will be seen first is unknown as well. Read more

Posted on Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Sony PS3 Gets Netflix Movie Streaming

Topic:

Last week we reported that Netflix will be available on a mystery device with material install base. Today Sony announced that the Sony PS3 will get Netflix streaming enabled.
It was clear that the new device had to be a game console. Sony did the right step here and took away a big selling point of the Xbox 360, which has supported Netflix streaming for a while now. Read more

Posted on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:15:40 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

iFrame Video Format Support With iMovie 8.0.5 Update

Topic:

Apple issued an update that brings iFrame video format support to the iMovie application available in the iLife '09 software package.
With the iMovie 8.0.5 update you can use the new iFrame format designed by Apple to speed up importing and editing by keeping the content in its native recorded format while editing. Read more

Posted on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:41:06 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Movie Wedge Phone Stand Review

Topic:

Today I am checking out the cool Movie Wedge. The device is a simply and flexible stand for any mobile phone or PMP like the iPhone or iPod.

The device holds the PMP or phone in an upright position so you can watch movies in comfort. The cover of the Movie Wedge can even be used to clean the screen of your device. Read more

Posted on Fri, 9 Oct 2009 04:32:53 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Zune HD: Apps, Movies, and Games En Route

Topic:

Microsoft doesn't want to be Apple, but they want oh-so-badly to beat them in a few key areas. One of those areas is consumer media player technology. Apple has the edge (and 2/3rds of the market) with the iPod line. While the Zune HD is a solid piece of gadgetry, it doesn't come close to having the name recognition or market share of the iPod.

That's why Microsoft decided to look very closely at the business model for the iPod touch before getting to work on their Zune HD. Boy Genius reports that Redmond has admitted they have a big slew of games and apps on the horizon for the HD. New apps coming down the pipe include Twitter and Facebook for Zune, while new games include Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Vans Sk8: Pool Service, and Audiosurf Tilt.

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:53:54 CDT | by Robert Evans

MovieWedge Holds Phone for Movie Playback

Topic:

If you have ever tried to watch a movie on your iPhone or iPod, the most difficult part can be getting the device into a position where it is comfortable to watch. It can be all the more difficult if you are in a location with uneven surfaces.

A new and very simple stand called the MovieWedge is now available. The stand is a small triangular beanbag that is designed to be flexible and molds to uneven surfaces like cushions, floors, and even your leg to hold your mobile device. Read more

Posted on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

YouTube: Now For Movie Rentals?

Topic:

Google needs to find some way to make YouTube profitable, we've all known this for a while. Even a giant like Google can't afford to subsidize the popular video-sharing site forever. YouTube costs the search engine leader an estimated $1.65 million per day. Hemorrhaging close to a billion dollars a year to keep an unprofitable site up and running is not a sustainable business model. So how is Google going to make YouTube profitable?

Apparently, by taking a leaf out of iTunes' book. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Google is thinking about offering movie rentals through YouTube as a way to start covering their costs. They're talking to Lion's Gate Entertainment, Sony Corp., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., and Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros. about charging for new movies on the YouTube site. If they get their wish, titles could be available for rent the same day they come out on DVD.

Posted on Thu, 3 Sep 2009 10:03:27 CDT | by Robert Evans

Tim Burton's new Movie 9 gets D-Box Motion Chair Experience

Topic:

I first experienced the D-Box Motion Chair back in the day at the CES 2005. D-Box Technologies announced today that "9" Tim Burton's new film will have D-Box Motion Theatre seating experience.
There is a lot of action in this animated movie featuring sack puppets. Watching this movie on D-Box seats should be a thrill. Now you just need to find a D-Box enabled cinema near you. Read more

Posted on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:39:04 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

iPhone to get iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Downloads

Topic:

A new rumor sprung up based on some ads that appeared on an iPhone App called Twitterfon. Apparently these mobile ads feature iTunes Movies, iTunes Movie Rentals, and iTunes TV.
This leads to the assumption that Apple will allow over the air downloads of movies and videos to the iPhone. Read more

Posted on Sat, 23 May 2009 13:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Yoostar Puts You In The Movies on August 24th

Topic:

Ever wished you could star opposite of Bogart in Casablanca? Or quiver in Dr. Grant's boots as a mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex bears down upon you? Of course you have. That's why Yoostar's new entertainment system is going to make huge, embarrassingly large buckets of money when it hits stores on August 24th.

If you don't know what Yoostar is don't feel too bad. The technology first saw the light of day in the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show. In essence, what Yoostar does is put you (the player) into the starring roles of your favorite films. The Yoostar company has put together a library of film, TV, and sports moments and scenes, all of which you can put yourself in the middle of.

Posted on Wed, 13 May 2009 11:00:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Star Trek Movie Review

Topic:

If you are on the fence about going to see Star Trek this weekend, here is a review of the new Star Trek movie from OCModShop. What I have heard so far is that the new Star Trek movie is a must see for geeks and "normal people" alike. RottenTomatoes rates the new Star Trek Movie currently at 96%, which is really rare.

Quote from the review: "While many fans were thrilled with the choice of Abrams, some of the casting choices of its beloved characters were met with doubt and skepticism. Read more

Posted on Sat, 9 May 2009 10:07:07 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Software Brings 3D 1080p Movies to PS3 and Mac

Topic:

New software from a company called Next3D promises to bring full HD 1080p resolution 3D movies to the PS3 and Mac computers. The software is available as a free download and can be combined with Next3D's content delivery service allowing consumers to download and play full 1080p theatrical HD movies.

The software was previously available on the Xbox 360. The downloadable content is patent pending and delivers stereoscopic 3D 1080p content to the home over a broadband connection. The films available on the service will be on a pay-per-view basis. Read more

Posted on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Best Buy Getting Into the Movie Download Business

Topic:

Best Buy may soon embrace digital downloads by launching a movie download service similar to Amazon’s as early as this summer, according to a Variety report.

The electronics retailer is looking to strike a deal with CinemaNow. While details remain sketchy, the report indicates that Best Buy hopes to market and sell Web-ready televisions, set-top boxes, and Blu-ray/DVD players with access to CinemaNow’s 3,000 titles.

Could the electronics retailer be scrambling to catch up in the digital realm as they watch DVD sales drop? They would face stiff competition from similar offerings via Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Blockbuster. Walmart’s attempt in the movie-download space crumbled in 2007 when partner Hewlett Packard pulled out of the deal.

Posted on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:00:00 CDT | by James Douglas

DirecTV Offers Largest Selection of 1080p Movies

Topic:

Satellite providers are starting to offer more and more pay-per-view and on demand movies and programs in 1080p HD resolution. It's nice to see that you don’t have to watch Blu-ray to get 1080p resolution.

DirecTV has announced that it now offers the largest selection of 1080p films available on DirecTV Plus HD DVRs. Over 30 films are now offered in 1080p resolution and new films will soon be added to the 1080p line. Read more

Posted on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Watch Movies Effortlessly with iriver P7

Topic:

Today iriver launched its latest portable media player (PMP) offering, the P7, billed as the “ultimate movie viewing handheld device,” according to the release.

In addition to the 4.3” LCD touch screen and award-winning product design, iriver is touting the built-in media converter that allows viewing on the fly, eliminating the lengthy conversion process that marred other PMP movie-playing capabilities.

The P7 offers full CODEC support, including MPEG, DivX, RM, RMVB and H.264, and also manages most music file types, including MP3, WMA, OGG, ASF, FLAC, APE, and WAV. Also included is an FM receiver.

Posted on Wed, 8 Apr 2009 21:15:00 CDT | by James Douglas

MacGyver and A-Team Movies in the Works

Topic:

I was a teenager in the 80s and grew up watching MacGyver and the A-Team. Now because I am old enough to buy movie tickets and because the 80s are so back in style Hollywood brings back the 80s childhood heroes to the big screen.

The geekiest hero of all time MacGyver will be brought to the big screen by producer Raffaella De Laurentiis along with Martha De Laurentiis and series creator Lee Zlotoff according to the Hollywood reporter. It is not clear yet when the MacGyver movie will be released. Read more

Posted on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

iTunes 8.1 Genius Feature for Movies and TV is Live

Topic:

When Apple released iTunes 8.1 the Genius for TV and Movies feature was not switched on yet. Now the recommendation service is enabled according to MacRumor.
Read more

Posted on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

iTunes Genius for TV and Movies just not switched on yet

Topic:

Yesterday Apple launched iTunes 8.1. In the release notes Apple said that the Genius recommendation feature is now also supporting TV shows and movies. Users started to find out soon that the feature was not there.
Now Macworld got an answer from Apple about the mysteriously disappearing feature.
The Genius sidebar for movies and TV shows is in the iTunes 8.1 software, but is not enabled yet. Read more

Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr