Long gone are the days of walking into a video store to rent movies, mostly due in part to services like Netflix, who put the likes of Hollywood Video out of business and even heavily bruised Blockbuster’s net income. But Blockbuster wasn’t going to go down without a fight, and even though they’ve cut back on the number of stores, they’ve introduced their own Internet streaming/rental service similar to Netflix’s. So which of the two provides you more entertainment bang for your buck? Read on to see how each  of the streaming/rental disc services measure up!

Background

Blockbuster became the mega giant of video rentals and immediately stomped out mom & pop video stores everywhere. Funny that Netflix sort of did the same to them. But instead of totally taking it up the a**, they decided to fight back and launched their own rental service very similar to how Netflix does things (but only after they filed for Chapter 11 and were sold to satellite provider Dish Network). Basically, both require a monthly membership fee where you can automatically stream a selection of movies, documentaries and TV shows from your computer and/or any compatible devices or place an order for a mail-in movies.

User Friendly

Once you become a member for Netflix, all you have to do is go online to watch unlimited movies or shows. You simply type in a password and volia! You’re able to watch favorites or new titles instantly on your computer or any of the compatible devices like Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, etc. Fairly simple, right? Users also have the option to request an actual DVD of their choice from their “wish list” via mail. With no mail-back deadlines or due dates, you can keep the movie for as long as you want. When you finally send it back, you can then order another one.

The reinvigorated Blockbuster first crept up on Netflix when it decided to deliver DVDs by mail with its Total Access program. But now their program also includes instant streaming movies, as well as the ability to exchange a mailed disc in an actual Blockbuster store if they don’t want to wait on the mailman. For its online streaming service, you simply log into your account and choose the movie or show you want…but, it’s a pay-per-view on-demand service (more on this later).

Winner: Tie since all you have to do is log in to your account to get full access.

Compatible Devices

Netflix allows you to stream movies on your computer and a bunch of other devices like: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, iOS devices, select Android-based phones and tablets, the Windows Phone, some Internet-connected Blu-ray players and some Internet –connected HDTVs, TiVo or Roku, D-Link, home theater systems from LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and Insignia. You can also connect multiple devices to one account and even jump from device to device, resuming exactly where you left off on the last device.

Blockbuster’s On Demand streaming plan is supported by far fewer devices than Netflix. In addition to the traditional computer, Blockbuster’s online program is available to many TiVo DVRs and some Blu-ray players, some connected TVS, and WD TV set-top boxes. It also streams on some Android mobile phones and tablets, BUT isn’t available on any Apple devices so that eliminates the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Yeah, a total setback here!

Winner: Netflix takes the cake here. Really, Blockbuster…no Apple-compatible devices other than a computer?

Titles

Netflix has more than 100,000 movies and TV shows on DVD and Blu-ray, including unrated and NC-17 movies. Their streaming title selection is quoted as having “tens of thousands” of titles available on demand (both movies and TV episodes) with HD options. Blockbuster also boasts more than 100,000 movies and TV shows on DVD and Blu-ray, including unrated movies plus 3,000 video games. But some exclusive titles are actually available 28 days before Netflix on Blockbuster’s disc rental program.

Winner: Blockbuster’s ability to offer some exclusive titles almost a month before Netflix and provide video games wins here!

Membership Perks

Blockbuster allows for in-store disc exchange for its Total Access program, so that you don’t have to mail in discs if you don’t want and can simply do a rental exchange in a participating store near you. And for gamers out there, Blockbuster includes game titles, which is a huge plus!

Winner: Blockbuster’s in-store disc exchange offers instant gratification since you can walk into a store to get new rentals AND it offers game rentals, so Blockbuster has the edge on this one. 

Content

Netflix has lined up some pretty good content deals as of lately, so you’ll find a good selection of shows from CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX and BBC libraries. They also have deals with Sony, NBC Universal and DreamWorks Animation, which is totally exclusive (but it won’t kick in until 2013). For Blockbuster’s pay-per-rental catalog, expect all the new titles, movies and shows on the market, given you still have to pay for each movie you want to watch for a 24-hour viewing period.

Winner: Blockbuster may offer more content options for its On Demand program, but it comes at a price. Netflix’s “all you can watch” streaming option offers thousands of movies and TV shows for a flat monthly rate, making it the winner.

Speed of Service

According to Netflix, their movies and shows start playing within seconds. However, the speed of service will really depend on your Internet speed and connection. Movies & TV episodes are streaming over the Internet, so you don’t have to wait for them to download. Watching for 1 hour will use approximately 1GB of bandwidth or about 2GB if you are watching in HD (you have the option to opt out of this if you). Netflix recommends that users have a minimum speed of 500kbps (0.5MB). Blockbuster’s streaming movies are about the same.

Winner: Tie…but honestly, Netflix will probably be more reliable and faster given it’s been around longer. Again, we haven’t tested this and is our opinion.

Quality

Netflix is capable of streaming 1080p video, but that’s if your device supports it and your Internet is fast enough to deliver this. Blockbuster also has 1080p and both have HD options, as well as Blu-ray disc options.

Winner: Tie again!

Limitations

Netflix was going to separate its streaming program with its disc rental one, but after a huge outcry from members, decided to keep its membership fee to include both (but they did raise the price). Blockbuster’s perk of having in-store exchanges for its disc program has some limitations since not all stores allow in-store exchanges and discs from a certain store must be returned to that same store later. But that’s not all. Their streaming content is totally separate (which is part of their Total Access plan) from their On Demand program. You have to pay $299-$399 per-title rentals, with $10.99 and up on VOD purchases (but you can rent or buy, with rentals having a 24-hour viewing period). Netflix offers unlimited viewing on multiple devices for streaming content BUT most new-to-DVD movies

Winner: Netflix all the way!

Price

For $7.99, you can watch unlimited movies and  TV shows with a Netflix membership OR opt for their unlimited one-disc at a time rental service ($11.99 for 2 unlimited). If you want to opt for unlimited streaming and a one-disc rental, the price is $15.98 a month. You can add access to Blu-ray discs to your account at any time for an additional $2 a month. Blockbuster charges $2.99-$3.99 per-title rentals, $9.99 for their disc rental (one at a time, $14.99 for too discs) and $10.99 and up VOD purchases.

Winner: Netflix since it provides more bang for you buck.

Overall Winner

Sorry Blockbuster, but it seems that Netflix will still kick your ass even though you’ve revamped your services. Blockbuster may offer more titles and a lot more recent ones, its pay-per-title is a total turnoff. Netflix still offers more for less money a month.

Sound bar home theater systems have always intrigued me – I’ve always had systems with the most speakers I could fit in my house, so why would I want to drop down to only one?  Still, I had heard from a number of friends that the technology behind the sound bar system really works, and it can trick you into thinking you’re really listening to a full on surround sound system.  In order to test it, I decided to try out the Sony BDV-F7 model, and while my experience wasn’t enough to make me get rid of what I have now, it definitely made me rethink future purchases.

The BDV-F7 is an extremely sleek and sexy looking system, that would do well with any decor.  The use of right angles makes it just look slick as hell against other audio video components, and if you’re running all Sony products then it will fit right in.  The sub woofer also looks neat, with how it is raised off of the ground slightly, but most everyone I know puts their subs behind the TV or behind the couch for more effect so it won’t be as highlighted as it could be.  One thing I didn’t like, is that I couldn’t use my standard speaker cables with this system.  I’ve seen different systems using proprietary connectors before, and it’s always annoying – especially when you’re used to running very large gauge speaker wire.

Even with using smaller speaker wire than I’m used to, I found the sound that this system produced to be quite pleasing.  The sub has quite a decent punch to it – especially when playing any sort of game (Battlefield 3 sounded amazing on it), and there’s no distortion or rattle at higher levels.  The sound bar itself is also quite impressive, and I’ll have to admit that it did an extremely good job of tricking me into thinking I was listening to a real 5.1 surround system.  Trying movies on my normal surround, and then switching to the same movies on this showed very little difference, and I really had to strain myself to notice anything “off”.  The sound bar also is very thin, and fit undr my TV with no issues, and wasn’t even close to covering up any of the actual screen.

The BDV-F7 system is also loaded with a lot of audio technology – Dolby, DD+, DDTrue HD, DTS, and 3D Pass Through are all included here.  While I did not have a 3D TV or 3D monitor to test it out on during the course of my examination (I’m not super huge into the 3D scene), I have talked to a few other people that have this model and who have used that feature – they all said that it worked as well as you would expect it to, but you need to make sure you have the right HDMI cables for it.  That means running the 1.4 HDMI cables would probably be your best bet with this system (although 1.3 would probably work in a pinch).

The reason this system isn’t for me though doesn’t have to do with what it has, it’s all about what’s missing.  You see, I have a lot of crap hooked up to my system now – Playstation 3, XBOX 360, Wii, and an OnLive Micro Console are all standard components in my living room, with the occasional hook up of my Dreamcast.  The problem here is that three of those things run with HDMI on my system, and the BDV-F7 only has a single HDMI in port.  I don’t want to continually have to reach behind everything just to switch what system is currently being played – likewise I don’t want to spend a boatload on an HDMI switcher (I know there’s cheap ones, but they generally suck and only switch right for video).  Had this system shipped with three HDMI in ports, I would be much more excited about picking one up for keeps.

Another thing with this system that’s a double edged sword, is the ease of set up; let me explain.  The BDV-F7 is pretty much plug and play right out of the box.  There’s no fuss with wires, as everything is clearly color coded, and most people will be happy with how the sound is without messing with the settings.  If you’re into sound though, you’ll want to make the sound as good as you can by tweaking options, and that’s a bit of an issue.  The menus aren’t very easy to navigate, and there were a number of times I changed the wrong option and had to find my way back once I realized that.  Again, this isn’t that big of a deal for a normal user – just for those of us that know exactly how we like our systems to both sound, and “feel”.

Editor’s Rating

4 out of 5 stars

Very Good

The Bottom Line:  The BDV-F7 is a nice entry piece if you’re thinking about getting a sound bar; it’s small and compact, and ridiculously easy to set up – if you have a lot of additional components to hook up though, be warned that this probably isn’t your best option.

Pros:

• Extremely well designed look; the BDV-F7 is refined and elegant no matter the setup it’s paired with
• The sub hits a lot harder than others I’ve tried that were the same size, with no discernible distortion at even the highest levels
• The ease of setup is pretty much out of this world – my father could set this up without issue

Cons:

• Only one HDMI input is a tremendous problem for anyone with more than one add on in their audio video repertoire
• Proprietary speaker connectors are very annoying to work with if you’ve invested a lot in other wires (like Monster cables)
• The menus aren’t the easiest to navigate, but again the normal user won’t feel the need to delve into them

You can pick up the Sony BDV-F7 Home Theater System from Amazon the decent price of $297.98

Call us suckers, but this “Planet Earth: Limited Edition” Blu-ray box set is product packaging at its best.

Planet Earth is a multi-part series that aired on the Discovery channel in full HD a few years ago.  Despite the age of the series it continues to be massively popular thanks in part to the stunning visuals and the ultra high end production quality.

Included in this Box set are 6 Blu-ray discs and 4 exclusive art cards, all of which are stored inside a limited edition numbered globe.  Features on the Blu-ray include a music only view option, 110 minutes of behind the scenes footage and a special sneak peek at Executive Producer Alastair Fothergill’s next blockbuster project: Frozen Planet.

You can buy the Planet Earth Blu-ray box set for $69 from Amazon.

You can now consider the weekend of September 16th completely booked?  Why?  That’s when “Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI)” releases on Blu-ray.  To be entirely clear, that’s every Star Wars movie under the sun.

The box set will include “three additional discs and more than 30 hours of extensive special features including never-before-seen deleted and alternate scenes, an exploration of the exclusive Star Wars archives, and much more.”

How much do you think this will set you back? $150, $100?  Try again.  Amazon is selling it for $89.99.  Not bad considering that it comes from the Lucas camp, which has been taking home our cold hard cash for over 30 years now thanks to the 6 part series.  Too bad they don’t have some sort of trade in program for all the DVDs and VHSes we bought over the years.  Though, those VHS tapes are probably worth something now, the DVDs however are probably best served as coasters.

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Today, Sony announced that their network connected 2011 Blu-ray players will now ship with VUDU instant movie streaming service built-in.  The models include BDP-S280, BDP-S380, BDP-S480, BDP-S580, BDP-S780, BDV-E280, BDV-E580 and BDV-E780W.

VUDU is a subscription free service that provides instant streaming of 1080p movies with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.  They claim to have the most extensive library of HD and HDX movies from all major Hollywood studios and offer most titles the same-day as DVD launch.

Does anyone else see the irony in this announcement?  

Sony’s latest connected Blu-ray players just got a nice upgrade in the form of Vudu movies streaming. All eight of the firm’s 2011 Blu-ray players should have access to the service that pushes 1080p movies with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound through the Internet tubes to your HDTV. 3D content are even available on the 3D-capable models. Cord cutting what?

VUDU Goes Live on Sony 2011 Connected Blu-ray Disc Players

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–VUDU, the leader in HD streaming, today announced VUDU streaming movie service began shipping on the 2011 line of Sony connected Blu-ray Disc™ Players, offering instant access to the extensive VUDU library of Hi-Definition movies from all major Hollywood studios and leading independent distributors.

“By adding Sony Blu-ray Disc Players to our roster of top tier connected devices we provide yet another avenue for anybody to enjoy a great movie, with a simple click of a button.”

VUDU, a subscription-free service, provides consumers with the highest quality cinematic experience via instant streaming of 1080p movies with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The VUDU library boasts the most extensive collection of HD and HDX movies from all major Hollywood studios, offering most titles the same-day as DVD release. On Sony’s 3D enabled devices, users can also access 3D content.

All 2011 Sony Blu-ray Disc Players and Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems feature VUDU, including:

BDP-S280

BDP-S380

BDP-S480

BDP-S580

BDP-S780

BDV-E280

BDV-E580

BDV-E780W

“From the newest Hollywood blockbusters to our extensive library of classics, VUDU continues to give people more options to discover and enjoy the highest quality movie experience in their living room,” said Edward Lichty, General Manager of VUDU. “By adding Sony Blu-ray Disc Players to our roster of top tier connected devices we provide yet another avenue for anybody to enjoy a great movie, with a simple click of a button.”

VUDU-enabled 2011 Sony Blu-ray Disc Players are available now in select stores and will be shipping nationally in March. Models include connected and 3D capable devices

Sony’s latest connected Blu-ray players just got a nice upgrade in the form of Vudu movies streaming. All eight of the firm’s 2011 Blu-ray players should have access to the service that pushes 1080p movies with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound through the Internet tubes to your HDTV. 3D content are even available on the 3D-capable models. Cord cutting what?
VUDU Goes Live on Sony 2011 Connected Blu-ray Disc Players
SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–VUDU, the leader in HD streaming, today announced VUDU streaming movie service began shipping on the 2011 line of Sony connected Blu-ray Disc™ Players, offering instant access to the extensive VUDU library of Hi-Definition movies from all major Hollywood studios and leading independent distributors.
“By adding Sony Blu-ray Disc Players to our roster of top tier connected devices we provide yet another avenue for anybody to enjoy a great movie, with a simple click of a button.”VUDU, a subscription-free service, provides consumers with the highest quality cinematic experience via instant streaming of 1080p movies with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The VUDU library boasts the most extensive collection of HD and HDX movies from all major Hollywood studios, offering most titles the same-day as DVD release. On Sony’s 3D enabled devices, users can also access 3D content.
All 2011 Sony Blu-ray Disc Players and Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems feature VUDU, including:
BDP-S280BDP-S380BDP-S480BDP-S580BDP-S780BDV-E280BDV-E580BDV-E780W“From the newest Hollywood blockbusters to our extensive library of classics, VUDU continues to give people more options to discover and enjoy the highest quality movie experience in their living room,” said Edward Lichty, General Manager of VUDU. “By adding Sony Blu-ray Disc Players to our roster of top tier connected devices we provide yet another avenue for anybody to enjoy a great movie, with a simple click of a button.”
VUDU-enabled 2011 Sony Blu-ray Disc Players are available now in select stores and will be shipping nationally in March. Models include connected and 3D capable devices

Inception was one of the best movies of the summer, a total-head trip with amazing special effects. Now it’s getting the deluxe home theater treatment, with a Blu-ray set encased in a replica of the briefcase featured in the movie. You’ll get the Blu-ray and a DVD rife with bonus features and a digital copy, along with art stills and a dream machine pamphlet. Oddly, the only announced edition so far has been for the UK, but expect a similar (or even better) version for us here in the States. It’ll retail for £40 when its released December 6th.

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The Complete Star Wars Saga is coming to Blu-ray, announced George Lucas at this year’s Star Wars Celebration V. Notice I didn’t say Star Wars Trilogy — no folks, you’ll be getting all six films in this set (even the ones you don’t really want, since no plans for individual films or the original trilogy by itself have been released as now). New bonus features are planned for the set, including deleted scenes like one shown at the announcement, from Return Of The Jedi , that depicts Luke building his green lightsaber. Prepare to give George Lucas more of your money in Fall 2011.

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Samsung also unveiled another first today, with the first portable 3D Blu-ray Player — though there’s a catch. The BD-C8000 delivers 1080p video on the go, but you need to hook it up to a 3D set and wear the glasses for the 3D to work. It’s other specs include a 10.3-inch screen, HDMI output, built-in WiFi, Samsung Apps like Hulu. Sadly, it only has a three hour battery life, which will get you through most movies but not

The Samsung BD-C8000 is available now for $5000.

SAMSUNG UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST PORTABLE BLU-RAY PLAYER WITH 3D CAPABILITY; FURTHER EXPANDS 3D PRODUCT LINE-UP

New Blu-Ray Players and Home Theater Systems Offer Immersive 3D Experience At Home
RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ, August 11, 2010 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market
leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the U.S.
availability of the world’s first portable Blu-ray player with 3D capability. The Samsung BD-
C8000 delivers true 1080p HD video, enables 3D playback when connected to a 3D-capable
TV and used with 3D glasses, and features a brilliant 10.3-inch screen. It includes built-in Wi-
Fi for easy access to advanced connectivity features, including an expanding library of content
and applications via Samsung Apps and HDMI 1.4a support. With three hours of battery life,
the Samsung BD-C8000 is the perfect travel companion for anyone who wants an outstanding
entertainment experience while on the go.

Samsung also introduced three additional standalone Blu-ray players and three new Blu-ray
Home Theater Systems that deliver crystal-clear picture and sound quality with new features
that will excite both the first-time owner and the audiophile.

“Blu-ray has raised the bar for video and audio quality that consumers expect to see at home.
We led the way in 3D TVs and are excited to do the same for 3D Blu-ray playersand Home
Theater Systems. With the industry’s broadest line-up of 3D capable home entertainment
products, there is a product to suit every home and wallet,” said John Revie, senior vice
president of Home Entertainment at Samsung Electronics America Inc.

Expanded Range of 3D-Capable Blu-ray Players Helps Future-Proof Entertainment Options
Samsung’s latest Blu-ray players bring the wonder of 3D entertainment into the home. The
Samsung BD-C7900 Blu-ray player is designed for the HD guru. With two HDMI outputs, the
BD-C7900 makes it easy to connect multiple HD sources to experience a full 1080p picture
and digital surround sound. The two HDMI outputs also allow for support of legacy receivers
so there is no need to upgrade to a new HDMI 1.4 receiver; the user can simply connect
their receiver to the HDMI 1.3 output for rich, lifelike surround sound audio. This sleek and
stylish device offers built-in WiFi for seamless connectivity to Samsung Apps. It also features
Samsung’s proprietary AllShare™, which allows people to wirelessly sync digital devices so
that they can enjoy music, movies and photos directly from their DLNA certified PC, camera and
mobile devices to their Samsung TV screen.

For those looking for a versatile home entertainment experience, Samsung’s BD-C6800 Blu-ray
player includes built-in WiFi enabling it to wirelessly receive web-based content via Samsung
Apps and playback media files from DLNA certified devices via Samsung’s AllShare™. The
entry-level BD-C5900 is designed for those looking for a high-performing yet affordable 3D Blu-
ray player.

All Samsung Blu-ray players support a wide range of media formats and access to an
expanding library of applications through Samsung Apps, the first HDTV-based applications
store. These new 3D Blu-ray players deliver a premium experience with both 2D and 3D
content and allow consumers to future-proof their living rooms for when they are ready to
purchase a 3D HDTV.

Powerful New Blu-ray Home Theater Systems Deliver Immersive 3D Experience

The Samsung HT-C9950W is the ultimate combination of beauty, design and performance. It
features a modern metallic finish and is the perfect complement to Samsung’s award-winning
9000 series LED TV. It delivers jaw-dropping home theater picture quality, and engaging, life-
like and immersive entertainment experience that will please anyone looking for the best in
home cinema. The HT-C9950W is as feature-rich as it is stylish – with slot-in disc loading,
organic touch control buttons and a premium volume wheel. The 7.1 channel 3D surround
sound system consists of four floor-standing speakers, two satellite speakers, one center
channel unit, an anti-vibration subwoofer, iPod/iPhone dock, two HDMI inputs, and it comes with
a dongle for wireless Internet connectivity so that you can easily access new content everyday
via Samsung Apps, or use Samsung’s AllShare™ to watch content from your DLNA certified
devices on the TV.

With the introduction of the HT-C6900W and HT-C6600, Samsung brings together the
unsurpassed picture quality of 3D Blu-ray players with vibrant surround-sound audio, all in the
perfect home theater package for small spaces.

The Samsung HT-C6600 offers an impressive slate of features – a Blu-ray player with built-in
3D, support for HDMI 1.4, access to Samsung Apps and WiFi dongle for wireless connectivity.
In addition, the HT-C6600′s patented, high-performance Crystal Amp Pro technology
dramatically enhances sound quality through its multi-variable feedback technology to deliver a
complete immersive audio experience. The Samsung HT-C6900W offers all the features of the
HT-C6600, plus wireless rear speakers, built-in WiFi, and a two-way center channel speaker for
enhanced sound quality.

Ooh, this is exciting. Redbox, everyone’s favorite supermarket rental service, is going to have Blu-ray rentals. They’ve already rolled out the service at 13,300 of their rental locations, and they expect all 26,000 to have it by this fall. Choice titles include The Book Of Eli & The Bounty Hunter – I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that popular major studio fare will be the norm. No word yet on the Blu-ray/DVD ratio, but expect the high-def format to me in the minority for now. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see which titles are available at a given kiosk, but that’s just the luck of the draw with these things.

Redbox Launches Blu-ray Rentals

DVD Rental Kiosk Leader Now Offering Popular Blu-ray Titles at an Affordable Price

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., July 29 /PRNewswire/ — Redbox, the popular DVD rental kiosk provider, and wholly-owned subsidiary of Coinstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTR), today announced it has started rolling out Blu-ray™ titles with availability at approximately 13,300 kiosks nationwide. Redbox will rent Blu-ray Discs® at $1.50 per night plus tax and the company expects to have availability across its network of approximately 23,000 kiosk locations by the fall.

“Offering Blu-ray rentals is an exciting opportunity for redbox to expand our product offerings and build on the relationships that we’ve established with millions of consumers nationwide,” said Mitch Lowe, president, redbox. “Redbox is a convenient, affordable home entertainment provider and we’re delighted to offer consumers their favorite movies on the increasingly popular Blu-ray Disc format.”

According to a recent report by the Digital Entertainment Group, sales of Blu-ray players increased 103 percent in the first half of this year. The sale of almost two million set-top players during this time has increased the total number of Blu-ray players sold to an estimated 19.4 million, resulting in more consumers entering the Blu-ray rental market.

“The Book of Eli,” “Bounty Hunter,” “Brooklyn’s Finest” and “Green Zone” are among the Blu-ray titles currently available at redbox® kiosks. The number of Blu-ray titles and copies will vary by kiosk and location with new titles being added each week. Consumers can visit www.redbox.com/bluray to find a nearby redbox location and to check Blu-ray availability in their area. Consumers can return their Blu-ray rentals to any redbox location as part of the company’s rent-and-return anywhere® policy.

Each fully automated redbox kiosk holds 630 discs, representing up to 200 titles, including standard definition DVDs and Blu-ray Discs at select locations. Consumers simply use a touch screen to select their favorite movies, swipe a valid credit or debit card and go. For added convenience, customers can visit www.redbox.com to select their movie online or via the iPhone® app from redbox and pick it up immediately at the redbox location of their choice.

About Redbox

Redbox Automated Retail, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coinstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSTR), offers new release DVD rentals through its network of conveniently located, self-service kiosks. Redbox has rented more than 880 million DVDs and is available at approximately 23,000 kiosk locations nationwide, including select McDonald’s restaurants, leading grocery, drug and convenience stores, and Walmart locations in select markets. For more information, visit www.redbox.com.

Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including phrases conveying expectation or intent and other expressions identifying future performance. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance which may vary materially from performance expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Differences may result from actions taken by Coinstar, Inc or. redbox as well as those of third parties and from risks and uncertainties beyond our control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changes in the number and timing of anticipated installations and the termination, non-renewal or renegotiation on materially adverse terms of contract terms with our significant retailers. The foregoing risks and uncertainties are illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. For more information on factors that may affect future performance, please review “Risk Factors” described in our most recent Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements reflect Coinstar, Inc.’s expectations as of the date of this release. Coinstar, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update the information provided herein.

SOURCE Redbox Automated Retail, LLC

Plextor’s new PX-B120U seems like your standard BD-ROM drive, with Blu-ray playback and CD/DVD burning, though it’s got a nice blue color scheme. But the real draw here is USB power, which gives it a certain portability that elevates the drive up a few notches. Plextor’s also coming out with a Home Media Center called the PlexMedia, and you can hook it up to that too. You can even use it on your MacBook, — you’ll just need to use Boot Camp, because Blu-ray is still a “bag of hurt” according to old Steve Jobs.

The PX-B120U is available now for $99.99 MSRP.

Plextor Announces the New PX-B120U USB-Powered External BD ROM

PX-B120U lets users enjoy high-definition and 3D movies on the go

(Fremont, CA – July 20, 2010) – Plextor (www.plextor.com), a leading brand of high-performance digital media solutions, announces the new PX-B120U external BD-ROM. The PX-B120U was first introduced at Computex in Taipei, Taiwan in June and is now available for purchase in the U.S.

The PX-B120U is a USB-powered external Blu-ray Disc playback device that allows users to watch high-definition movies on any Blu-ray capable PC or notebook*. The device comes bundled with Cyberlink –high-quality Blu-ray and DVD playback software that provides a full Blu-ray experience in 3D, including the ability to upscale standard videos to HD-like and 3D-like visual quality.

“Blu-ray has become the media player of choice for consumers and we wanted to provide a versatile solution to our customers,” said Christine Hsing, Marketing Manager at Plextor. “The PX-B120U is great for on-the-go viewing and can also serve as the Blu-ray player at home. It’s a great all around solution for anyone’s Blu-ray needs.”

Its compact, slender design makes the PX-B120U easy to transport in existing cases or bags without adding extra bulk. There’s no need to carry an additional AC adapter or other cables. Also, the top-load design makes it easy to open from any angle even with minimal space. The drive’s external design features a unique ripple pattern and a smooth, gloss texture finish.

When connected via USB cable, the four-speed mechanism provides smooth Blu-ray playback. It also provides extensive support to multiple media formats; including DVD+ /- R, DVD +/-RW, DVD +/- R DL, DVD-RAM and CD-R.

Additionally, when the PX-B120U is connected to Plextor’s soon-to-be-released media player, PlexMedia, it can also function as a living room Blu-ray player. The ability to use it permanently at home, or take it with you, makes it a truly versatile drive.

Plextor’s PX-B120U external BD-ROM is available now in the U.S. with an MSRP of $99.99. For more information, please visit www.plextor.com

*Note: System must meet certain requirements for BD playback

Sony’s new 3D Blu-ray Player, the BDP-S1700ES, goes along to make use of its network connectivity in addition to 3D playback. It’s got built-in 802.11n WiFi, with BRAVIA Internet Video and Sony’s new video content system Qriocity. In addition, for a free download, owners can get the “BD Remote” app for their iPhone or iPod Touch (an Android version is coming soon), which works as a remote while displaying movie information about the disc you’re currently watching. Pretty nifty stuff.

The BDP-S1700ES is available in August for $400.

SONY ELEVATES THE STANDARD FOR 3D HOME THEATER WITH NEW ES AV RECEIVERS AND BLU-RAY 3D PLAYER

Company Supports Specialty AV Channel With Focused Distribution Strategy

SAN DIEGO, July 6, 2010 – Driving the innovation of 3D, Sony today took another step to strengthen its industry leading 3D home product line with new Elevated Standard (ES) AV receivers including the STR-DA5600ES, STRA-DA4600ES, and STR-DA 3600ES and a Blu-ray 3D™  player, the BDP-S1700ES.

In addition to Sony’s latest 3D capable BRAVIA® HDTVs, the new ES components represent the best audio and video quality Sony has to offer.  Designed with custom installers in mind, ES models integrate seamlessly with multi-room, third-party control systems.

“By focusing on seamless integration with custom home theater control partners, Sony is working to deliver products that support the custom and specialty retail business like no other manufacturer,” said Brian Siegel, vice president of Sony’s home audio and video business. “Because Sony is involved in every stage of the 3D ecosystem, specialty dealers and installers can rest assured that our AV components leverage that deep expertise to deliver the most technically advanced experience possible.”

Focusing on the needs of custom home theater installers, Sony’s ES line represents an enthusiast-level AV experience featuring some of the company’s most advanced technology.  The value of the products is best demonstrated by dealers and integrators qualified to engage an advanced consumer audience. To that end, the company is focusing its distribution strategy to include only specialty AV retailers and custom installers.  ES products will no longer be offered for sale online or through telesales.

AV Receivers with Custom Control

Sony’s 2010 ES AV receivers feature IR input jacks and two-way serial control.  They also offer control over IP which allows installers to easily integrate the receivers into the leading home automation systems including Control4®, Crestron, AMX®, Savant, Ultimate Remote Control, RTI, and others.  Sony has worked closely with leading control companies and is a Control4 Certified Partner, an AMX Device Discovery Partner, Crestron Integration Partner, and a Savant Excellence in Audio and Video Partner.

The new models offer 3D pass-through and flexible multi-room features.  They can connect to a home broadband network through an Ethernet port offering easy access to digital photos, music and videos from Digital Life Network Alliance (DLNA®) sources.  They also function as an Ethernet hub featuring four ports that connect other network devices.

Additionally, the Ethernet connection provides access to both Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service, and offers easy access to firmware upgrades via the Internet.  The STR-DA5600ES model also functions as a DLNA Live Audio Server that can stream music to other DLNA clients.

Users with an iPhone® or iPod® touch device can control the models using a free app that transforms your mobile device into a full ES receiver remote.  The app features zone control, full GUI menu, and Sony’s Quick Click remote function which allows users to control source components (such as Blu-Ray player, set-top box) in the main home theater room to be controlled from a second zone.

The STR-DA5600ES and the STR-DA4600ES offer the ability to distribute audio and video to multiple rooms via the second HDMI output and video to a second zone via CAT5 output.  They can both also up-scale all sources to 1080p in the main zone and 1080i in a second zone via the Faroudja chip® ensuring a consistent, sharp picture.  The connected video zones feature a high-grade, icon-driven menu system that allows for simple device and content navigation.

All three models feature Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) with Automatic Phase Matching (APM).  Without changing the front reference speakers, APM corrects for phase differentiation between front, center, and surround speakers, ensuring an ideal sound stage regardless of speaker type.  The STR-DA5600ES also offers DCAC EX which includes speaker relocation, not only adjusting for the distance but also the angle of the listening position to create an optimal listening environment.

The receivers also feature Sony’s innovative new HD Digital Cinema Sound® that was developed together with Sony Pictures Entertainment.  Incorporating high-mounted front speaker placement, HD DCS was designed to transform and replicate both the sound quality and acoustics of a movie theater in the home environment creating an unmatched home theater experience.

All of the models support 1080/24p video signals and x.v.Color™ and Deep Color™ video codecs, as well as all advanced audio formats (Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby® TrueHD, dts® Master HD, dts® ES, Dolby® Digital EX, Dolby® Pro Logic IIx and 8 channel Linear PCM). They also feature audio return channel allowing network content originating from the television to be played through the receiver without additional cables.

The models feature Sony’s Digital Media Port™ for simple connection to an iPod and other digital music players, and are both XM® and Sirius® ready.

The 7.1 channel network multi-room STR-DA5600ES AV receiver features a 130-watt power amplifier x7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, .09 percent THD) With six HDMI 1.4 inputs (five rear, one front) and two switched or simultaneous HDMI outputs, the model will be available this September for about $2,000.

The 120-watt x7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, .09 percent THD) STR-DA4600ES features four HDMI outputs and two switched or simultaneous HDMI outputs.  It will be available this August for about $1,500.

The 100-watt x 7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, .09 percent THD) STR-DA3500ES features four HDMI output and will be available in August for about $1,100.

The company also added the 110-watt STR-DN2010 network 3D capable model to its receiver line up.  The model will be available in August for about $800.

ES Blu-ray 3D Player with iPhone/iPod Control

Available next month for about $400, Sony’s BDP-S1700ES Blu-ray 3D player features an IR input on the back panel or easy integration with control systems.  It also offers built in Wi-Fi (802.11n) for easy access to Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video platform and Sony’s new premium video service, Qriocity.

Also, users with an iPhone or iPod touch device can control the player using the free “BD Remote” app available from the Apple App store. The app, which will also be available soon for Android™ devices, allows the hand-held to function as a remote control and displays Blu-ray Disc details such as jacket artwork, actor, and production information as well as search for related video clips online.

ES Quality

All Sony ES products are supported by a five-year limited manufacturer warranty, a ninety-day advanced exchange program (2-3 day expedited replacement unit), and a dedicated installer support line to San Diego-based CEDIA trained product experts.

The models will be available through authorized Sony ES dealers and custom installers across the country. For further information on the products, please visit www.sony.com/es.

Model Specifications:

STR-DA5600ES 7.1 Channel Network Multi-room AV Receiver

Available in September for about $2,000

•           130 watt  x7 @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, .09% THD

•           DCAC EX Speaker Auto-Calibration with Speaker Relocation (distance and degree) and Automatic Phase Matching (APM)

•           3D pass-through

•           Integrated four port Ethernet switch

•           Second zone CAT5e output

•           DLNA Client and Live Audio Server

•           iPhone / iPod Touch remote control application

•           Quick Click feature for multi-room source control (with iPhone/iPod touch app)

•           On-screen graphical user interface with overlay (main and second zones)

•           H.A.T.S. clock synchronization for HDMI and DSD

•           Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI

•           Control system integration via control over IP, RS232 or IR

•           PC set up manager

•           Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable

•           Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service

•           Dolby® TrueHD and dts® HD Enhanced audio codecs

STR-DA4600ES 7.1 Channel Network Multi-room AV Receiver

Available in August for about $1,500

•           120 watt  x7 @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, .09% THD

•           3D pass-through

•           Integrated four port Ethernet switch

•           Second zone CAT5e output

•           DLNA Client

•           iPhone / iPod Touch remote control application

•           Quick Click feature for multi-room source control (with iPhone/iPod touch app)

•           On-screen graphical user interface with overlay (main and second zones)

•           Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI

•           Control system integration via control over IP, RS232 or IR

•           PC set up manager

•           Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable

•           Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service

•           Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Enhanced audio codecs

STR-DA3600ES 7.1 Channel Network Multi-room AV Receiver

Available in August for about $1,100

•           100 watt  x7  @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, .09% THD

•           3D pass-through

•           Integrated four port Ethernet switch

•           DLNA Client

•           iPhone / iPod Touch remote control application

•           Quick Click feature for multi-room source control (with iPhone/iPod touch app)

•           On-screen graphical user interface with overlay (main and second zones)

•           Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices

•           Control system integration via control over IP, RS232 or IR

•           PC set up manager

•           Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable

•           Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service

•           Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Enhanced audio codecs

STR-DN2010 7.1 Channel Network AV Receiver

Available in August for about $800

•           110 watt  x7  @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD

•           3D pass-through

•           Integrated four port Ethernet switch

•           DLNA Client

•           iPhone/iPod touch remote control app

•           On-screen graphical user interface

•           Wireless second zone audio (S-AIR™ multi-room capability)

•           Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices

•           Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable

•           Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service

•           Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Enhanced audio codecs

BDP-S1700ES Blu-ray 3D Player

Available in August for $400

•           Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD player

•           Blu-ray 3D capable

•           BRAVIA Internet Video and Sony’s Qriocity

•           IR input jack on rear panel for easy control system integration

•           Built-in Wi-Fi  Wireless (802.11n) with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

•           Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote™ technology

•           BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch and Android remote control – free app.)

•           Photo/music/video playback via USB and DLNA

•           DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling

•           Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio™ decoding

•           Built-in 1GB Memory

Now here’s a type of drive I can get excited about. At Computex, LG unveiled the HyDrive, a compelling product that combines an SSD and Blu-Ray reader into one combined drive. Connected through SATA II, the SSD features 64GB of NAND flash memory and read/write speeds of 175MB/60MB per second, respectively, while the Blu-ray is, well, a Blu-ray reader.

CultofMac thinks that, given Apple’s minimalist aesthetic, a combined Blu-ray/SSD would finally entice the company to adopt support for the HD format and let them design their notebooks in an even more efficient way. The SSD speeds and Blu-ray support would certainly be a brand new selling point, and the extra space would give Apple excuses to come up with even better upgrades. With the HyDrive hitting stores in August at an undisclosed price, we’ll just have to wait and see.

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Slowly but surely, USB 3.0 is coming to more and more devices and giving us some seriously fast transfer speeds. So it’s nice to see that Buffalo’s latest Blu-ray burner, the BR3D-12U3, features support for USB 3.0 transfers. The BR3D-12U3 offers burn speeds of BD –R LTH discs up to 6x, BD-R Single/Dual Layer & BD-RE single layer at 8x and BD-RE dual layer at 6x. And of course, all USB 3.0 devices are backwards compatible, so if you haven’t upgraded yet, don’t worry.

Pricing for the BR3D-12U3 is currently unavailable.

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3D HDTVs are slowly trickling into stores, and 3D capable Blu-ray players are coming right with them. LG’s first entry into the fold, the BX580, is now available for pre-order at Amazon. According to the site, it’s expected to ship within the next two months.

Specs for the device include HDMI 1.4 support, DLNA, internet connectivity for web content, and support for 3D 1080p, of course. And yes, while Avatar isn’t coming out in 3D anytime soon, you know it will. So, whose ready to wait?

The BX580 is currently available for pre-order for $400.

[via Engadget]

Kaleidescape is in the high-end media server business, and their new M300 and M500 models are no exception (just wait till you see the price.) The M Series backs up your discs and stores their images on a server for easy playback. They’re built on “M-Class architecture,” and that means an easy user interface and 1080p support.

Interestingly, the M500 model copies Blu-rays onto your home server. There’s just one thing — the Blu-ray disc is required to be in the M500′s disc drive for server playback. Yeah…kinda defeating the whole point. To make things easier, the company is releasing a loader that will keep a large amount of discs in the system at once. But that’s not coming for a few months.

The M300 and M500 are available May 18th for $2495 and $3,995, respectively.

Kaleidescape Introduces Next Generation Movie Players

New Movie Server Architecture, New User Interface, Blu-ray Support

Download image

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 11 /PRNewswire/ — Kaleidescape, Inc., the market leader in movie servers, today announced its new M500 and M300 Players. Built on the company’s proprietary M-Class architecture, this next generation of players delivers a new and improved onscreen user interface and Blu-ray support. The M500 Player copies Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, and CDs onto a server. The imported content can then be played back instantly by M500 and M300 Players, creating the world’s first multi-zone movie server for Blu-ray.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100511/SF02684)

To address the concerns of the studios, Kaleidescape requires the disc to be present when playing Blu-ray content from the server. Today this means the Blu-ray Disc must be in the tray of an M500 Player. To enable the full Kaleidescape experience for Blu-ray, the company is developing a disc loader which will keep a large number of discs present within the Kaleidescape system. It will also provide bulk import, and make it easy to find and retrieve a disc.

“We have invested a great amount of time and resources in developing the M-Class architecture, which is our platform for future innovation,” said Michael Malcolm, Kaleidescape’s founder, chairman and CEO. “We now have the tools to improve our world-renowned user experience and offer an even greater variety of content.”

Further enhancing the Kaleidescape experience, the company’s award-winning onscreen user interface has been substantially improved with M-Class players. The Kaleidescape Movie Guide, the largest and most comprehensive of its type with over 135,000 titles, has been expanded to include over 3,300 Blu-ray Disc titles. Your treasured collection of movies and music is presented in high definition, with eye-popping detail and improved performance. The company’s patent pending video bookmarks enable advanced features, including instantaneous start of a feature or concert, easy access to favorite scenes or songs, and control triggers to automatically adjust screen masking, lighting and curtains during playback.

The Kaleidescape M500 and M300 Players, when coupled with a Kaleidescape server, play back Blu-ray content and include support for 1080p video with 24 frames per second and bitstream pass-through of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Kaleidescape is accepting orders for M500 and M300 Players, and shipments will begin May 18th. U.S. MSRP is $3,995 for the M500 Player and $2,495 for the M300 Player. Both players are compatible with existing Kaleidescape products. The disc loader is expected to be available in the first half of next year. Please visit www.kaleidescape.com for more information.

About Kaleidescape

The Kaleidescape movie server redefines home entertainment by transforming the way movies are enjoyed throughout the home. The Kaleidescape movie server delivers a powerful and entertaining movie-watching experience for the family, and provides peace of mind to the owner. Kaleidescape, Inc. was founded in 2001 and is based in Sunnyvale, California. Kaleidescape products are available through custom-installation dealers and distributors throughout the world. For additional information, please visit www.kaleidescape.com.

Kaleidescape and the Kaleidescape logo are trademarks of Kaleidescape, Inc.; they are registered in the United States and certain other jurisdictions. Other trademarks and trade names are owned by third parties and may be registered in some jurisdictions.

SOURCE Kaleidescape, Inc.
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They’re not the first Blu-ray players on the market to harness the ability to be controlled by the iPhone, but nonetheless Pioneer’s latest players, the BDP-330 and the BDP-LX53 can just do that.  In order for you to dial into either Blu-ray player you’ll need to connect it to your home’s network via Ethernet or purchase Pioneer’s WiFi dongle.  After that, it just as simple as downloading their iControlAV app and punching in your SSID and WPA password.  Convenient if you can’t find your roommate, but my experience tells me to stick with the included physical controller.

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As popular as HDTVs are, Blu-ray seems to be lagging behind. It’s a shame, because the format is excellent for both video quality and storage. Sharp is trying to integrate the Blu-ray experience with their new AQUOS DX3 series that features built-in Blu-Ray recorders and comes in either 26,32,40, and 52-inch sizes. The 26-inch and 32-inch are 720p resolution, while the bigger models are a full 1080p. All feature BD Live support, two Ethernet connections, an LED backlight, DLNA support, a proprietary UV2A photo-alignment system, and web connectivity. All but the smallest feature a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (the 26-inch has a 7,000:1).

The AQUOS DX3 series will be available in Japan May 20 at these prices: 26-inch for $1,500, 32-inch $1,700, 40-inch $2,400, 46-inch $3,400 and 52-inches $4,100.

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Well, sort of.  For the time being, Samsung will give you their 3-D Starter Package for free if you buy a Samsung 3-D HDTV and 3-D Blu-Ray Player.  No telling how much that’ll cost exactly but the Starter Package does seem like a great deal when compared to going the Sony route.

The Samsung 3-D Starter Kit includes 2 pairs of Active Shutter Glasses and a copy of Monters vs. Aliens on Blu-Ray 3-D.  The glasses themselves cost about $150 a piece so it definitely sounds like a bargain.

Are you sold on all this 3-D hoopla??

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I think it’s safe to presume that you’re going to spend a significant amount of loot totally converting to 3-D TV and Blu-Ray.  Word from Sony Japan is that they’ve priced the TDG-BR100 and TDG-BR50 Active Shutter 3-D Glasses at $133 a piece.

You are also going to need the Infrared Emitter to get the glasses to work.  That will cost you $55.  They should be arriving around June in Japan.  This seems a tad late given that the post I did a couple of minutes ago detailing Sony’s new 3-D Blu-Ray Players, which arrive in the US by the end of the month.

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