type="html">Here's a nice video intro to MultiBeast: The Ultimate Post-Installation Utility. Produced and narrated by StingRay.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
type="html">Yesterday we were all a bit shocked by Apple's announcement of it's next operating system OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. Everyone's super excited about it, and registered Apple Developers ($99/yr) now have full access to the OS X Mountain Lion Developer Preview 1. Initial reports are that the download and installation procedure is just as easy for Mountain Lion as it was for Lion.Our policy
Five Years with Blu-ray - Part Three
In five years, Blu-ray has certainly broken through and achieved the market penetration and consumer awareness that the format needed to survive. Had the format war with HD-DVD not been rectified and both formats hobbled on, this certainly would not have occurred. A visit to your local video shop or retailer is indicative of the strength of support that exists for the format. Retail stores simply won't invest in floor space when money is not being returned. That the Blu-ray section at my local JB Hi-Fi grows larger and larger every time I visit is evidence that the format is not going anywhere.
Despite this, there exists some media commentators and certain companies with vested interests who downplay the success of Blu-ray and insist that other technologies will soon surpass it. This is grossly exaggerated at best, and woefully misguided at worst. The truth is, Blu-ray is here for the long haul. It will continue chipping away at the market share of DVD until the lustre of the format is well and truly depleted.
Mainstream success is of course, a double edged sword. In the early days of the format, much effort was expended to woo movie buffs with extensive and cutting edge features which offered major points of difference over previous formats. Now that they've latched on, it seems studios are far more reluctant to invest in furthering the technology, and others are rarely used. Take for example some of the earlier Twentieth Century Fox titles, such as Independence Day, Master and Commander and Speed which used all manner of BD Java infused trivia games, meta data tagging and GPS tracking. Whilst none of these features are particularly missed, it is somewhat disappointing that more innovation has not taken place.
Another issue with having the bar pushed so high with spectacular video transfers, is when certain titles (especially of the catalogue variety) receive middling restorations, if any restoration at all. Universal Pictures are a frequent culprit, their transfers for recent releases such as Back To The Future and Jurassic Park were simply not up to scratch. Years ago we would have marvelled at their quality. But when films over double their age can look significantly better than these examples, then you know there are some issues. But as film restoration becomes cheaper, I would certainly hope that this trend reverses. Paramount and CBS' restoration of hundreds of hours of Star Trek: The Next Generation is hopefully the turning point for the industry, as long as it sells in sufficient quantities.
Last year's release of The Star Wars Saga on Blu-ray signalled more than any other the coming of age of the format. Despite this, there are many significant Hollywood titles which have yet to see a release. Disney plans to release their stable of animated classics over the next few years, including titles such as The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. James Cameron's Titanic, True Lies and The Abyss are all still outstanding. Some of Steven Spielbergs biggest hits including E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws The Indiana Jones Trilogy and Schindlers List are due this year, along with the remainder of unreleased James Bond titles, and that's just to name a few. Blu-ray still has a very exciting future. There will be some disappointments and upsets along the way (I guess, thats why we still need reviewers), but I've no doubt the future is very bright indeed.
When you can walk into a department store and pick up a reputable brand name Blu-ray for under $100, not only is the future of Blu-ray secure, but the writing is on the wall for the DVD format. In the same way that you cannot purchase VHS titles and it's nigh impossible to find a standalone VHS player, so too will Blu-ray replace DVD. This might take a number of years, but it will happen.
But what about a future beyond Blu-ray? 4K resolution TV's are on the horizon. There will likely be a format to supersede Blu-ray. The HVD format seems to be the most developed as of now, but experience tells us that anything can happen in the weird and wild world of movie formats. Digital downloads and streaming services will continue to chip away at demand for physical media, but the lack of current infrastructure to facilitate the downloading of high resolution media, along with the hesitance of many to embrace formats they cannot hold or touch has surprised many media pundits.
We've come a long way in just five years. Watching a Blu-ray and finally being able to marvel at the love, care and art that has gone into their craft is an extremely gratifying experience for film buffs everywhere. Long live Blu-ray.
... Read the rest in your browser!Next Xbox is codenamed Durango
Note this is a code-name. Like the Katana (Dreamcast), Dolphin (GameCube) and Revolution (Wii) before it, it's not the name that will appear on the finished product when you finally get your hands on one.
It is the name, however, that you'll be hearing during the console's final development phase, that awkward time between it being first shown off and then actually released to the public.
Next Xbox is codenamed Durango - More news at DV Hardware
Apple axes Mac name with OS X Mountain Lion
Apple� today released a developer preview of OS X� Mountain Lion, the ninth major release of the world�s most advanced operating system, which brings popular apps and features from iPad� to the Mac� and accelerates the pace of OS X innovation. Mountain Lion introduces Messages, Notes, Reminders and Game Center to the Mac, as well as Notification Center, Share Sheets, Twitter integration and AirPlay� Mirroring. Mountain Lion is the first OS X release built with iCloud� in mind for easy setup and integration with apps. The developer preview of Mountain Lion also introduces Gatekeeper, a revolutionary security feature that helps keep you safe from malicious software by giving you complete control over what apps are installed on your Mac. The preview release of Mountain Lion is available to Mac Developer Program members starting today. Mac users will be able to upgrade to Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store� in late summer 2012.
�The Mac is on a roll, growing faster than the PC for 23 straight quarters, and with Mountain Lion things get even better,� said Philip Schiller, Apple�s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. �The developer preview of Mountain Lion comes just seven months after the incredibly successful release of Lion and sets a rapid pace of development for the world�s most advanced personal computer operating system.�
The developer preview of Mountain Lion features the all new Messages app which replaces iChat� and allows you to send unlimited messages, high-quality photos and videos directly from your Mac to another Mac or iOS device. Messages will continue to support AIM, Jabber, Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk. Starting today Lion users can download a beta of Messages from www.apple.com, and the final version will be available with Mountain Lion. Reminders and Notes help you create and track your to-dos across all your devices. Game Center lets you personalize your Mac gaming experience, find new games and challenge friends to play live multiplayer games, whether they�re on a Mac, iPhone�, iPad or iPod touch�.
Mountain Lion presents notifications in an elegant new way, and Notification Center provides easy access to alerts from Mail, Calendar, Messages, Reminders, system updates and third party apps. System-wide Share Sheets make it easy to share links, photos and videos directly from Apple and third party apps. Twitter is integrated throughout Mountain Lion so you can sign on once and tweet directly from Safari�, Quick Look, Photo Booth�, Preview and third party apps. Mountain Lion also introduces AirPlay Mirroring, an easy way to wirelessly send a secure 720p video stream of what's on your Mac to an HDTV using Apple TV�.
More than 100 million users have iCloud accounts, and Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to set up iCloud and access documents across your devices. Mountain Lion uses your Apple ID to automatically set up Contacts, Mail, Calendar, Messages, FaceTime� and Find My Mac. The new iCloud Documents pushes any changes to all your devices so documents are always up to date, and a new API helps developers make document-based apps work with iCloud.
Gatekeeper is a revolutionary new security feature that gives you control over which apps can be downloaded and installed on your Mac. You can choose to install apps from any source, just as you do on a Mac today, or you can use the safer default setting to install apps from the Mac App Store, along with apps from developers that have a unique Developer ID from Apple. For maximum security, you can set Gatekeeper to only allow apps from the Mac App Store to be downloaded and installed.
Mountain Lion also has features specifically designed to support Chinese users, including significant enhancements to the Chinese input method and the option to select Baidu search in Safari. Mountain Lion makes it easy to set up Contacts, Mail and Calendar with top email service providers QQ, 126 and 163. Chinese users can also upload video via Share Sheets directly to leading video websites Youku and Tudou, and system-wide support for Sina weibo makes microblogging easy.
Hundreds of new APIs give developers access to new core technologies and enhanced features within OS X. The Game Kit APIs tap into the same services as Game Center on iOS, making it possible to create multiplayer games that work across Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. A new graphics infrastructure underpins OpenGL and OpenCL and implements GLKit, first introduced in iOS 5, to make it easier to create OpenGL apps. Using Core Animation in Cocoa apps is easier than ever, and new video APIs deliver modern 64-bit replacements for low-level QuickTime APIs. Enhanced Multi-Touch� APIs give developers double-tap zoom support and access to the system-wide lookup gesture. Kernel ASLR improves security through enhanced mitigation against buffer overflow attacks.
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.
Apple axes Mac name with OS X Mountain Lion - More news at DV Hardware
AMD creates new role for John Byrne
AMD creates new role for John Byrne - More news at DV Hardware
HTML 5 Gaming: Old Classics and Modern Titles You Can Play for Free Today
TechSpot discusses HTML5 gaming, you can read about it over here.
A lot has changed since the days when web developers relied almost exclusively on Flash for media-rich interactive content. Although the technology is still very much alive and may not see a replacement anytime soon for certain uses, more and more websites are implementing HTML5 for streaming audio and video.
On the gaming side, there are some really impressive examples that could easily rival some of the stuff that has been done on Flash over the past decade. We've compiled a small selection of old classics and modern titles built with HTML5 and other open web standards that will give you a taste of things to come.
HTML 5 Gaming: Old Classics and Modern Titles You Can Play for Free Today - More news at DV Hardware
Roccat Kulo headset gets velvet donut earpads
Roccat announced its Kulo gaming headsets will now ship with a new set of earpads:
We do have news for you: From now on the award-winning Kulo gaming headsets will be shipped with a new set of earpads � the Velvet Donut earpads. Equipped with both the popular Memory+ earpads and this new model ROCCAT� is giving gamers a new option for customization.
The new donut-shaped earpads feature an ultra-soft fabric that provides high comfort even after hours of gaming. Players who like a softer feel will prefer the Velvet Donut model. And because the new earpads don�t fit as snugly, passive ambient noise reduction is less than with the Memory+ model. In addition, the new earpads allow more air to reach the ears, which gamers in warmer countries will appreciate.
What�s more, ROCCAT� will send the new Velvet Donut earpads free of charge to any customer who bought a Kulo headset before their introduction. Customers simply have to register online at roccat.org using their ROCCAT ID number and product serial number to receive the new pads.
The ROCCAT Kulo Virtual 7.1 USB Gaming Headset offers thrilling virtual 7.1 surround sound, providing gamers with incredibly detailed audio that gives them a more immersive experience -- as well as a huge tactical advantage. The ROCCAT Kulo Stereo Gaming Headset features premium stereo sound packed into a lightweight, flexible and robust design. Both headsets deliver a combination of incredible comfort and high-end stereo headset technology.
Roccat Kulo headset gets velvet donut earpads - More news at DV Hardware
Older Macs incapable of running OS X Mountain Lion
And here's a list of Macs incapable of running OS X Mountain Lion:iMac (mid 2007 or later) MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, 2008), (13-inch, Early 2009 or later) MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid-2009 or later), (15-inch, 2.4/2.2 GHz), (17-inch, Late 2007 or later) MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later) Mac Mini (Early 2009 or later) Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later) Xserve (Early 2009)
Source: TUAWLate 2006 iMacs (iMac5,1, iMac5,2, iMac6,1) All plastic MacBooks that pre-date the aluminum unibody redesign (MacBook2,1, MacBook3,1, MacBook4,1) MacBook Pros released prior to June 2007 (MacBookPro2,1, MacBookPro2,2) The original MacBook Air (MacBookAir1,1) The Mid-2007 Mac mini (Macmini2,1) The original Mac Pro and its 8-core 2007 refresh (MacPro1,1, MacPro2,1) Late 2006 and Early 2008 Xserves (Xserve1,1, Xserve2,1)
Older Macs incapable of running OS X Mountain Lion - More news at DV Hardware
Microsoft Windows 8 beta arrives on February 29
The Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview, essentially Microsoft's beta edition, will arriving on February 29, 2012. This is great news for those that have been waiting for a newer consumer ready build. Microsoft released a developer build last year, but it wasn't ideal for consumer use or testing. Unless Microsoft is forced to make major changes based on user feedback or runs into an unforeseen issue it appears that Windows 8 final will be launching in Q4 2012.
Microsoft Windows 8 beta arrives on February 29 - More news at DV Hardware
Apple sold more iOS devices in 2011 than all Macs in past 28 years
DailyTech came across some interesting statistics from Asymco regarding Apple's product sales. Asymco calculated that Apple iOS sales (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) now total 316 million, over 2.5 times as much as all Mac computers the company sold in the past 28 years!
Asymco has offered a very interesting statistic that looks at the number of iOS devices sold versus the number of Macs sold by Apple. Macs have been on the market in various forms for 28 years. According to Asymco, Apple has sold 122 million Macs over the 28-year time span.
Since the iOS platform launched, 316 million devices running the OS had been sold by Apple. That counts iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch. One thing that isn't clear about these numbers is how exactly Asymco was able to determine the number of iPod Touches sold since that metric is bundled in with all other iPods which don't run iOS.
Asymco claims that in 2011 alone 156 million iOS devices were sold putting the number 34 million above the number of Macs sold.
Apple sold more iOS devices in 2011 than all Macs in past 28 years - More news at DV Hardware
AMD Catalyst 12.2 pre-certified driver hits the web
Feature highlights of the AMD Catalyst 12.2 pre-certified driver:
Windows 7 and Windows� Vista� support for the AMD Radeon� HD 7900 Series and AMD Radeon HD 7700 SeriesEnables support for Windows 7 64-bit/32-bit and Windows Vista 64-bit/32-bit Windows XP support will be made available in AMD Catalyst 12.4
Super Sampling Anti-Aliasing is now available for DirectX� 10 and DirectX 11 applicationsSupported on the AMD Radeon HD 7900 and 7700 Series Users can now enable Super Sample Anti-Aliasing and Adaptive Anti-Aliasing through the AMD Catalyst Control Center for DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 applications Applications must support in game Anti-Aliasing for the feature to work (Forced on Anti-Aliasing through the Catalyst Control Center is not supported for DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 applications)
AMD Eyefinity 2.1 technology enhancementsCustom resolutions � users can now choose from a much larger set of display resolutions for their AMD Eyefinity configurations Dynamic Configuration Changes: Switching between different display configurations (when physically plugging/un-plugging displays) will occur automatically by loading the appropriate profile HydraVision enhancements: The Windows Task bar can now be moved and resized based on users preference Profile Manager improvements: Users can now create multiple Display profiles, enabling users to seamlessly switch between various AMD Eyefinity and Display Configurations
AMD Catalyst 12.2 pre-certified driver hits the web - More news at DV Hardware
Transforming ultrabooks with touchscreens expected by summer
DigiTimes reports notebook makers are expected to introduce transforming ultrabooks with touchscreens in July or August 2012. This includes Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo. Most systems will feature a rotatable screen that turn the ultrabook into a tablet, while some may use sliding screens to achieve the same results.
In order to match Windows 8's touch functions, notebook vendors plan to offer touch ultrabooks, but the addition of touch functions will result in 0.7-1.5cm increase in thickness and higher production cost. To solve the problems, vendors will launch models with transforming designs as early as July-August 2012, according to sources from the notebook supply chain.
Notebook hinge makers pointed out that with the existing clamshell designs of ultrabooks, the panel could easily move around while users are operating through a touchscreen, but if they strengthen the hinge's torque, it could easily flip up the bottom part of the notebook. As a result, the vendors will need to adopt a transforming design to allow touch screen functions to work.
Transforming ultrabooks with touchscreens expected by summer - More news at DV Hardware
Google Android 5.0 to arrive next quarter?
Android 5.0 will be further optimized for tablet PCs, while Google will also integrate its Chrome system functions to push dual-operating system designs. Brand vendors can either choose to adopt only Android 5.0 or add Android 5.0 to Windows 8 devices with the ability to switch between the two OSes without the need to shut down the computer.Source: DigiTimes
Through Android 5.0, Google also wishes to earn another chance to enter the notebook and netbook markets.
Google Android 5.0 to arrive next quarter? - More news at DV Hardware
AMD Catalyst 12.1 CAP 3 is out
New profiles added to this release:
- Alan Wake - Improves CrossFire performance
- Syndicate � Improves both single GPU and CrossFire performance
- Darkness 2 � Improves CrossFire performance
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning � Improves CrossFire performance for the AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series to avoid negative scaling at low resolutions
- Natural Selection 2 � Fixes shadow map flickering issue seen with CrossFire enabled
AMD Catalyst 12.1 CAP 3 is out - More news at DV Hardware
ASRock Game Blaster audio card unveiled
ASRock cooperated with Creative to introduce the Game Blaster, a new audio card with Broadcom Gigabit LAN. It's a proprietary product though, it's only supported by ASRock's X79 based motherboards. Pricing and availability is unknown.
World's top 3 motherboard manufacturer, ASRock Inc., specially partners with Creative Technology Ltd, the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for the personal computer, to introduce the most trusted sound card in mobo industry - Game Blaster!
Gamers need so much more from their rigs. ASRock Game Blaster was designed to exceed the expectations of even the most dedicated gamer. It is the first sound card coming with both Creative 7.1 CH HD Sound Core3D Audio and Broadcom Gigabit LAN in the world.
Creative Sound Core3D 7.1 CH HD Audio
Powered by Sound Core3D� quad-core audio and voice processor, the revolutionary Game Blaster delivers the first-class sound experience to extreme gamers! This breakthrough audio chip even brings some exciting features, allowing gamers to enjoy pure gaming audio, such as THX TruStudio PRO� sound technologies, CrystalVoice� and EAX 1.0 to 5.0 solid sound technologies.
Scout Mode�
Designed for performance gaming, ASRock Game Blaster also supports the state-of-the-art Scout Mode� technology. It is a proprietary technology that allows you to hear your enemies from further away, giving you a distinct tactical advantage in combat. With Scout Mode�, ASRock Game Blaster facilitates faster access in the heart of battle and allows gamers to get precise control to elevate their games. Can't wait to enjoy this exciting technology? Simply download the latest driver from ASRock website, and experience this amazing tool right now.(http://asrock.com/mb/spec/card.asp?Model=Game Blaster&cat=Beta)
Broadcom Gigabit LAN
ASRock Game Blaster was unprecedentedly equipped with a Broadcom Gigabit LAN. Broadcom Gigabit LAN not only focuses on high performance, but also ensures extremely low power consumption to enhance eco-friendly environment. Coupled with Game Blaster and ASRock motherboard, serious gamers will get benefits of 2 LAN supports. Connected 2 LANs together, users can enjoy Dual PCIE Gigabit LAN feature with teaming function effortlessly.
ASRock Game Blaster is setting a whole new standard for gaming audio. It's been designed for incredible sound experience and precise accuracy. The ASRock Game Blaster has lots intelligent features including Creative Sound Core3D single audio chip with Scout Mode� and Broadcom Gigabit LAN. It's aimed to unleash the maximum gaming performance.
For more product information, please visit: http://www.asrock.com/mb/spec/Card.asp?Model=Game%20Blaster
ASRock Game Blaster audio card unveiled - More news at DV Hardware
AMD preps three 95W FX processors
TPU reports AMD will introduce three 95W TDP FX-series processors in March.
The FX-4150 features a base clock of 3.9 GHz (4.1 GHz Turbo) and 12 MB of cache (4 MB L2 + 8 MB L3) while the FX-6120 has its cores set to 3.5 GHz (4.1 GHz Turbo) and packs 14 MB of cache. As for the FX-8140, it's clocked at 3.2 GHz (4.1 GHz) and has 16 MB of cache. All three models have an AM3+ package and are made using 32 nm process technology. No word on pricing yet.
AMD preps three 95W FX processors - More news at DV Hardware
Intel Lynx Point chipset details revealed
Tom's Hardware dug up details about Lynx Point, the new chipset that will accompany Intel's Haswell architecture in the first half of 2013, probably around March to June. Full details over here.
First, we see some of the display port features have been transferred over to the CPU under the new architecture for Haswell. As discussed here, the Lynx Point chipset will only handle analog displays, while the CPU will be handling the digital displays. In theory, this makes the Lynx Point not as advanced as Panther Point in that regard but it does still have its advancements.
Lynx Point marks Intel's switch to full SATA 6.0 Gb/s support for all native SATA ports (no more native SATA 3.0 Gb/s SATA ports). Intel has added two additional USB 3.0 ports for a total six ports, which is two more than Panther Point. Intel is introducing I/O port flexibility feature with Lynx Point. As the feature suggests, it should give users the ability to allocate which ports are USB 3.0 and which are USB 2.0. Additional features for Lynx Point include: SSD performance/power optimization, new Rapid Storage Technology driver & Intel vPro Technology enhancements, lower TDP and power usage, a smaller package (22x23mm FCBGA), and support for quad-read SPI devices. Based on the slide, it looks like Intel has still not moved to a faster DMI interface, as the chipset's PCIe ports are still running at PCIe 2.0.
Intel Lynx Point chipset details revealed - More news at DV Hardware
Monday, 6 February 2012
Mac OS X 10.7.3 Update
type="html">Today Apple released Mac OS X 10.7.3 the 3rd major update to Mac OS X Lion. To eliminate any potential issues, we generally recommend to update any supported systems using the standalone Combo installer, and not the built-in Software Update.Download the Mac OS X 10.7.3 Combo UpdateBe sure to back up any important data, and if possible clone your hard drive before applying the update.
Update Your Mac OS X Lion App to 10.7.3 [QuickTip]
type="html">The original installation media for Mac OS X Snow Leopard was a 10.6 DVD. The DVD was only updated once to version 10.6.3. In order to provide more frequent updates to users, Apple is now slipstreaming the latest version of Lion directly into the download. Upon fresh installation, no updating is necessary!If you purchased Lion from the App Store prior to February 1st, 2012, you most likely
rBoot 1.1 Update
type="html">Today rBoot, the boot CD for both Snow Leopard and Lion has been updated to 1.1. The standard version, and a laptop edition (rBoot LE) are now available for download at tonymacx86.com/downloads.Please do not upload or redistribute rBoot to any other sites. Full list of changes:Updated Chimera to v1.7.0USB Fix for 10.7.3If this utility has helped you, please consider a
UniBeast 1.1 Update
type="html">Today UniBeast has been updated to 1.1. After a bit of testing, we've optimized this utility for use with the newly updated 10.7.3 Mac OS X Lion App. The latest version is available for download at tonymacx86.com/downloads.Please do not upload or redistribute UniBeast to any other sites. Full list of changes:Updated Chimera to v1.7.0USB Fix for 10.7.3If this utility
Five Years With Blu-ray - Part Two
2008 bought relative security to the Blu-ray eco system. With Toshiba euthanising the HD-DVD, Sony and its backers had the market to themselves, although Toshiba left with the parting shot that the technology would be quickly superseded by upscaling DVD players and downloadable movies. But at the end of the day it was a decisive victory for Sony and its backers - a win for consumers, a win for retailers and a win for movie lovers. The only losers were Toshiba and the early adopters who bought into the format with significant lashings of finances and emotions.
However, the demise of HD-DVD forced Blu-ray to stand on its own two feet, exacerbating the flaws in the system that had yet to be rectified. For example, the first major revision to the formats specification; Blu-ray Profile 1.1 had only just been mandated by the Blu-ray Disc Association and implemented in a PlayStation 3 system update at the end of 2007.
This update bought interactivity enhancements to the format by mandating a secondary video decoder, which essentially meant the ability to display picture-in-picture dual audio and video streams - a capability that HD-DVD featured from launch and had been used extensively by studios such as Warner Brothers. Unfortunately, almost every standalone Blu-ray player manufactured up to that point lacked the necessary hardware to be upgraded to this revision, necessitating a painful round of forced obsolesce - hurting loyal consumers whom had allowed Blu-ray to prevail over HD-DVD.
Underpowered hardware utilised by most hardware manufacturers led to huge frustrations for consumers. Forums were alight with the complaints of unacceptable load times of up to five minutes for some titles. Other players simply refused to play many discs, especially those released by Twentieth Century Fox which were manufactured with the BD-Java software toolset.
However, many forget that DVD featured similar teething problems. The first million seller disc The Matrix included the branching 'follow the white rabbit' feature, which locked up dozens of models of DVD players, creating huge headaches for manufacturers. The disc was produced within specifications, but its sales success revealed shortcuts in player manufacturing processes.
The early hacking of the 'unhackable' BD+ security system demanded to secure the support of Twentieth Century Fox led to further hurdles. Fox pulled all their releases from the schedule until enhancements could be made, and when they were, caused many discs to refuse to play in many players, necessitating another round of firmware updates in order to simply play the discs.
A further update to the Blu-ray specification; Blu-ray Profile 2.0 came a few months into 2008, as HD-DVD was disappearing from clearance shelves. This update mandated an internet connection via wireless or Ethernet connection, and at least 1GB of persistent storage. Finally, only after the death of HD-DVD had Blu-ray caught up to its capabilities.
2008 also saw the first disc smash through the million seller barrier - Warner Brothers The Dark Knight, an industry milestone which signifies the mainstreaming of a format.
Throughout 2009, Blu-ray continued to make serious leaps and was starting to make serious headway into lounge rooms and home theatres across the world. Although the global financial crisis was causing many households to buckle down their finances, Blu-ray was left relatively unscathed as many families invested more in home entertainment rather than overt leisure activities, such as outings at restaurants and cinemas.
But the year wasn't without its controversies. The much anticipated release of Ridley Scott's epic Gladiator was marred by the overuse of DNR to hide the fact that the transfer was in bad shape. Universal responded by remastering the title the following year.
2010 led to the most recent (and probably final) update to the Blu-ray specification. Blu-ray Profile 5.0 gave the gift (some would say curse) of stereoscopic 3D. Again, this led to many consumers being forced to upgrade their Blu-ray players once more, however those who had invested in the PlayStation 3 as their primary Blu-ray player, were sheltered. The grunt behind the games console had handled all three major updates to the format with ease. The initial release of 3D titles, including Sony Pictures Monster House and Open Season left a little to be desired and cautious consumers reacted far more iciliy to the technology than had been anticipated. This was in stark contrast to theatre owners, who were riding the 3D experience with glee. The smash success of Avatar, and Alice In Wonderland, along with the requisite increase in ticket prices caused much happiness.
The year also saw the release of one of the most anticipated titles - Universals Back To The Future trilogy.
CES 2011 saw hardware manufacturers attempt to counteract consumer complaints regarding 3D technology. Most manufacturers responded with superior and enhanced 3D glasses which allowed more light to pass through the lens and reductions in 3D cross-talk. Twentieth Century Fox and Panasonic also used the show to jointly announce the release of the Star Wars saga for the end of the year.
A steady stream of anticipated releases made their way to the format during the last year, cult classic Tron and its sequel Tron: Legacy and other 3D releases such as Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas and Toy Story. Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park Trilogy also saw light of day and sold in very strong quantities. Disney also unveiled two of the most beloved movies from its collections - The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, in 2D and 3D variants.
So this brings us to today. What will the next five years bring for Blu-ray? That will be discussed in the third and final part of the series shortly...
... Read the rest in your browser!
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