Disney’s ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ gets Digital Copy on Blu-ray

Disney will be releasing Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas on Blu-ray August 26th and will be the first release from the studio to include a digital copy of the film.  Both the DVD and Blu-ray will get a standard definition digital copy of the film called the “Disneyfile,” which suggests that Disney future releases might also include copies of films.

Although tech specs have not yet been released, there are a some extras features to mention.  Exclusive to Blu-ray will be an introduction by Tim Burton.  Other extras include a poem by Burton, narrated by actor Christopher Lee; commentary from Burton, director Henry Selick and composer Danny Elfman; a tour of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion ride featurette; a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Nightmare Before Christmas featurette; and Tim Burton’s short film “Vincent.”

[HighDefDigest]

Nielsen Blu-ray sales and market share for week ending May 25, 2008

It looks like the release of National Treasure 1 and 2, did indeed come out at the top spot last week and helped Blu-ray increase their market share by 7% overall versus DVD. The National Treasure two-pack came in third place, making the National Treasure releases a huge success and leaving all other titles way behind. However, if you throw in DVD sales in the mix, National Treasure 2 on Blu-ray only managed 6.98% of overall title sales. Another downer is that once again 10 of the top 20 best sellers on DVD aren’t available on Blu-ray yet. Overall it was a better week in the increases we saw in market share. We’re not sure if Rambo is going to have enough ammo to give Blu another increase next week.

[HomeMediaMagazine]

Target & Borders pump up their Blu-ray displays

Target and Borders are two major retailers that see to it that Blu-ray gets more floor space in their stores. Before the format war ended, both merchants had featured Blu-ray displays that were relatively small compared to the space that DVDs received. Since last year, Borders has now put Blu-ray titles onto the shelves of their 511 store nationwide. Target too has expanded their in-rack Blu-ray title displays facings from 60 up to 90 in some Los Angeles area locations. This follows the trend we’ve seen from other retailers such as Barnes & Noble. It’s good to see Blu-ray being pushed to the forefront where it’s more visible to consumer eyes.
[Video Business]

Never say die: Toshiba to release ‘high resolution’ DVD player

Looks like Toshiba is rising from the grave and trying to give Blu-ray yet another fight. Toshiba is planning on releasing a DVD player that can produce high-resolution images from a standard DVD, company sources said Thursday. This super HD-DVD player 2.0 (or whatever they’re going to call it) includes Toshiba’s new technology that’s made possible by a large integrated circuit that can instantly convert images produced in DVD format into high-resolution images. The plan is to sell DVD players with this new LSI and give Blu-ray another run for their money.

Ahem, ahem, we’ll see how this rematch goes for Toshiba. Looks like they have a much smaller fighter this time and Blu-ray has only gotten stronger.

[vnunet] via [EngadgetHD]

$100 gift card free with PS3 purchase at Walmart

Looks like Wal-Mart is giving people good reason to take the dive into the Blu by offering a free $100 giftcard with the purchase of a 40GB PS3 system. The gift card can be used to purchase anything which means you can add a few Blu-ray movies or games if you’d like. The deal is currently available online for purchase with a $10 shipping cost or you can opt for in-store pickup to avoid shipping costs. The deal will be available in-store at all Wal-Mart locations from June 1st through the 7th if you prefer to just walk in and pick this up.

Looks like this is a great deal if you want a Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player or next-gen gaming system. Either way it’s $100 for you to spend on whatever you’d like.

[Walmart]

Asustek to launch Essentio CS5110 mini-PC with Blu-ray Disc drive

Asustek plans to launch the Essentio CS5110, part of their Eee Station series, at Computex. The small multimedia desktop PC will have a Blu-ray drive that will read and write high definition digital video as an option. The mini-PCs will come in white or black, which is standard to the series, and feature Intel Core 2 Duo microprocessors with dedicated graphics card. Other specs include a 250GB hard drive, 802.11n Wi-Fi, an NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT and a wireless remote for use with home theaters.

Prices will range from $657 to $1,642 and the optional Blu-ray drive will bump it up to at least $1315, an Asustek representative said.

[PC World]

Upcoming Releases Info May 30, 2008

Here are today’s announcements for upcoming Blu-ray releases. Check out the info on Tinker Bell as it makes good use of BD-Live features.

Prison Break – Season 3 (Fox)

Fox has revealed the box art for Prison Break – Season 3 which will be released August 26th. Video: Widescreen 1.78:1 in 1080p Audio: English DTS 5.1 HD Extras: Featurette – Breakout Episode Release date: August 26, 2008 MSRP: $79.98

Tinker Bell (Disney)

Disney is releasing Tinker Bell which is the first confirmed title from the studio that will include access to the upcoming Disney BD Live Network. Viewers will be able to instant message, stream videos, and shop online. Exclusive content available in the BD Live Network includes a Tinker Trainer Game where players accrue Movie Reward Points via their BD Live Network membership, and can collect parts to build a music box. The points can be redeemed for Tinker Bell wallpapers and virtual jewelry. Video: 1.78:1 1080p AVC Audio: 24-bit PCM audio track Release date: October 28, 2008 MSRP: $34.99

Vantage Point (Sony)

Sony has released final tech specs and box art for Vantage Point, coming to Blu-ray July 1st. Video: 1080p Audio: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD Extras: Blu-ray exclusive GPS tracker which allows viewers to pick a ‘witness’ character and follow their vantage point throughout the film. The rest include Coordinating Chaos: Stunts featurette Commentary with Director Pete Travis An Inside Perspective: Interviews with the Cast and Crew Plotting an Assassination featurette Surveillance Tapes: Outtake Release date: July 1, 2008 MSRP: $38.96

(more…)

‘Divertimento’ is world’s first Blu-ray recording

Norwegian orchestra TrondheimSolistene has released Divertimento from Label 2L on Blu-ray making it the first music-only recording to be available on the Blu-ray format. So what does this mean for music fans? It means each instrument is clearly positioned which creates a multidimensional listening experience with the utmost of clarity. 2L has included formats 2.0LPCM, 5.1 LPCM, 5.1 DTS HD HD Master Audio, 5.1 Dolby True HD, 5.1 Dolby Digital at 18KHz. Included is a SACD track for those that don’t have a Blu-ray player.

[akihabara news]

Amazon offers Fox Blu-ray bundles sale

Amazon is offering a sale on three-pack Blu-ray bundles for Fox movies at a savings of up to 45%. The bundles range from $54.95 to $65.95 at savings of about $50 per pack. Bundles include the above as well as Robocop/Predator/Terminator and The Usual Suspects/Speed/Phone Booth.  This is a good way to stock up on Blu-rays. Check out the full list below.

Click here for direct link to sale.

Upcoming Releases Info May 29, 2008

Here are today’s announcements for upcoming Blu-ray releases:

Be Kind Rewind (New Line)

New Line has unveiled the box art and full specs for Be Kind Rewind coming to Blu-ray June 10th. Video: BD-50 1080p/VC-1 Audio: DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 7.1 Extras: Three making of featurettes, a conversation with Gondry and Black, a Musical Tribute to the film’s fictional Fats Waller with Mos Def, Gondry, and Jean Michel-Bernard, the “Jack Black and Mos Def Improvise ‘Sweded’ Theme Songs,” and a “Complete Fats Waller Biopic” short. Release date: June 10, 2008 MSRP: $39.98

Patriot Games & Sum of All Fears (Paramount)

Paramount had originally announce a four-title pack called The Jack Ryan Collection to be released on Blu-ray. Paramount announced they will be releasing Patriot Games and Sum of All Fears separately July 29th. The other two titles, The Hunt for Red October and Clear and Present Danger have not yet been announced. Patriot Games will have a Theatrical Trailer, a featurette and DTS 5.1 sound. Release date: July 29, 2008 MSRP: TBA

[HighDefDigest]
(more…)