|  Dec 22, 2005

Computer giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) made good on its <A HREF="http://ultimateavmag.com/news/111705hpbluray">threat</A>, announcing that it will support HD DVD as well as Blu-ray Disc as the next generation optical disc format. HP had previously supported Sony’s Blu-ray Disc format exclusively, but has apparently jumped ship over the Blu-ray Disc Association’s (BDA) refusal to adopt the iHD interactivity layer into Blu-ray’s standards.

 |  Dec 18, 2005

Leading companies across a variety of converging electronics sectors have formed the High-definition Audio-Video Network Alliance (HANA) in an attempt to create “guidelines” that will increase capabilities and ease of use for networked high-definition components throughout the home, and include robust copy protection.

 |  Dec 15, 2005

HD DVD has missed another deadline, this time the end-of-2005 launch date for Japan. HD DVD’s main developer, Toshiba, said the reason for the delay is that the standards for the AACS (Advanced Access Content System) copy protection scheme (used in both HD DVD and Blu-ray) are not finalized yet.

 |  Dec 11, 2005

The next generation disc format probably can't happen soon enough for Hollywood. Worldwide movie sales on DVD are likely to be reaching their peak, according to a recent report by In-Stat. Online rentals, computer downloads, video-on-demand services and even HDTV were cited as factors.

 |  Dec 08, 2005

No, Marantz hasn't gotten a jump on everyone and released the first Blu-ray player. In what is supposed to be the twilight of the DVD format, this latest Marantz flagship offers one of the most complete and compelling arrays of features the format has ever seen. If it won't save your soul it will shine your shoes, folks.

 |  Dec 04, 2005

<B>TiVo Making Headlines: First, The Good News</B>
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Already recognized as a household name, TiVo continues to make news on a practically daily basis, for good and for ill. Starting with the good news, TiVo announced a new spate of Internet powered features for subscribers with a Series 2 DVR connected to a home network, including the ability to share photos, check traffic and weather, listen to podcasts and Internet radio, and even buy movie tickets online right from your television.

 |  Dec 01, 2005

For those of you who have always wanted one of Meridian's highly regarded surround processors, but never thought you could afford it, your time has quite possibly come. The latest addition to Meridian's G Series line of products, the G61 offers much of the technology and pure performance features of Meridian's more expensive processors for just $5495.

 |  Nov 26, 2005

Earlier this month executives from CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, UPN and WB announced jointly that their research efforts have indicated that people who use TiVos and other DVRs not only watch more television, but that some even watch the commercials rather than blasting right past them with the fast-forward button.

 |  Nov 25, 2005

In case we needed further evidence of the market domination of portable electronics devices, TiVo has announced that a future enhancement of its Series 2 DVRs will allow users to sync to home-networked PCs and then download recorded programs to video iPods and PlayStation Portable media players. TiVo subscribers will be required to buy the software required to drive this enhancement. Although the price for the software hasn't been announced yet, it's anticipated to be low enough to drive sales.

 |  Nov 20, 2005

<B>Sony Pictures Goes <I>Full Throttle</I> On Blu-ray</B>
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On Friday Sony Pictures Home Entertainment made a curious announcement that it had authored its first full-length Blu-ray Disc in 1920x1080 high definition, and was shipping the disc to manufacturers of Blu-ray players for testing. Following Holt's Law that the technical quality of a piece of software is inversely proportionate to its artistic merit, this landmark Blu-ray title is none other than the box office disappointment <I>Charlie's Angel's: Full Throttle</I>.

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