December 22, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Many retailers were complaining that last weekend's massive East Coast snow storm would seriously curb their holiday revenues. But consumer electronics sales shouldn't be that negatively impacted, according to NPD in a recent blog post. 
Many people who buy consumer electronics tend to be tech savvy, and likely to use the Web to make their purchases. People can stay nice and warm inside, avoiding a trek to a storm-blasted brick-and-mortar store, while buying products on the Web.
Additionally, NPD's Stephen Baker notes that it appears people are catching up on any missed weekend shopping now. With Christmas falling on a Friday this year, there's practically a whole week's worth left of shopping for people.
So there's really no excuse for not picking up that Blu-ray player!
Industries: High-Def, Software

December 18, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

It was ‘Make It Or Break It’ time for Blu-ray in 2009, or so said many home video observers this year.

Giving Blu-ray such a hard and fast deadline to reach the masses does seem somewhat unfair. To me, it’s like girlfriends giving boyfriends icky marriage ultimatums. With the exception of maybe iPod or Wii, new technology has always been more of a gradual than immediate build.

But for the sake of argument, I say that Blu-ray may not have had the perfect year, but the format did enjoy more ‘Make It’ than ‘Break It’ moments.

In the ‘Make It’ column:

...Read More
Industries: High-Def, Software

December 18, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Warner will roll out The Informant! as a combo DVD/Blu-ray on Feb. 23, marking one of the first examples of the studio's aggressive 2010 commitment to this configuration.
The combo title, featuring a standard-definition DVD, Blu-ray and digital copy in one set, is priced at $35.99 SRP. Blu-ray exclusives include director/screenwriter commentary.
There will also be a single-disc standard DVD version at $28.98.
Orders are due Jan. 19.
The Informant! didn't do huge box office business, generating just about $33 million in the U.S. 
However, I'll bet the DVD/Blu-ray will do relatively stronger as star Matt Damon recently scored a Golden Globe nomination for his acting performance. Of course The Informant! will look even better on shelves if Damon happens to actually win the Globe when the awards are announced on Jan. 17.

December 15, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (9)

Warner Home Video has gone back and forth on the dates with Lord of the Rings. Fourth quarter 2009! No wait, 2010! April 6...nope April 13!...and now finally, April 6. But phew. We know it's definitely coming on Blu-ray.
The studio's LOTR announcement coincides with Gizmodo.com wondering: 'So what else do we want in the format?'
There are some obvious missing ones on Blu-ray: The Big Lebowski, any six of the Star Wars films, Finding Nemo and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
What's funny, wrong or controversial (depending on your point of view) are the films Gizmodo has called out as not being Blu-ray worthy at all. I take extreme objection to ...Read More
Industries: High-Def, Software

December 14, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Starting Tuesday, Best Buy will be exclusively selling Boogie Nights on Blu-ray. 
It's unclear if Best Buy will corner the Blu-ray title for a specific window or if the chain will be exclusively selling it indefinitely.
Best But has offered up a number of high-def exclusives in 2009, including Simon Pegg films Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. 
Catalog movies continue to be a slower go on Blu-ray than new releases. So it makes sense for studios - in Boogie Nights' case Warner/New Line - to offer a retail exclusive to guarantee some promotion. Boogie Nights did show up in Best Buy's weekend circular.
But the biggest Blu-ray promotion continues to be dominated by the new releases...i.e. Warner's Hangover for this coming Tuesday.
I'll be interested in seeing how Lord of the ...Read More
Industries: High-Def, Software