At a Blu-ray Disc press demo held on November 29th, Andy Parsons, senior VP advanced product development for Pioneer announced the delayed readiness of the 50GB disc but downplayed it saying that it was something the industry would grow into over time. However, Buena Vista Home Entertainment president Bob Chapek said Disney was expecting the 50GB disc "from the get-go." The 25GB standard single layer Blu-Ray discs will be launched in the first half of 2006.
It is believed however that the 50GB disc will not be available until late in 2006. Chapek's reason for discomfort is understandable; he envisions packing a disc completely with high definition movies and extra features, which would require the bigger 50GB disc. He also envisions releasing Blu-ray/DVD hybrid discs for consumers who want to buy a movie but wont have a Blu-ray player for some time - another possibility that will probably need a lot more time to be available.
Blu-ray Disc currently is ahead in the format war with HD DVD, a rival next generation format developed by Toshiba Corp. Blu-ray has most major Hollywood movie studios on its side. Concerns about production costs of Blu-ray have also been growing however, especially from manufacturers who will require completely new equipment to produce BD discs, whereas HD DVD discs can be produced with tweaks to the existing equipment used for DVDs.
Sources:
Video Business Online
CDFreaks
Blu-ray Disc currently is ahead in the format war with HD DVD, a rival next generation format developed by Toshiba Corp. Blu-ray has most major Hollywood movie studios on its side. Concerns about production costs of Blu-ray have also been growing however, especially from manufacturers who will require completely new equipment to produce BD discs, whereas HD DVD discs can be produced with tweaks to the existing equipment used for DVDs.
Sources:
Video Business Online
CDFreaks
A reader of this website pointed me to the referenced article on Boing Boing. Before I get into a lengthy rant let me say this first and foremost. Any company that stands behind consumer rights and fair use gets my "Attention". Neuros is one of those companies and has produced a device that could very well be one of the hottest tech tickets this Christmas season.
If your a geek and you don't like paying for things two or three times and live a mobile lifestyle you need to check out the Neuros MPEG4 Recorder 2 as important take a few moments and read this editorial from the company and what they stand for. Just reading the editorial alone makes me want to stand up and applaud them.
I sent a e-mail to the company, and for the first time ever asked to do a product review of the Neuros MPEG4 Recorder 2. You can bet when I get my hands on it that the review will be very thorough and if it performs as I expect I'm going to get the companies CEO on the line and talk about their company.
You all know I am very pro Fair Use and I will do everything in my power to give companies that not only publicly say the care about consumers rights but are also creating products that exemplify consumer rights every opportunity to have their message put forth. You will be hearing more about Neuros from me! [BoingBoing] [Neuros
