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More than 10 million US households now have a hi-def disc player, according to a new report from media analysts Interpret. The figure includes both BD and HD DVD players. Blu-ray awareness is also up, with 60 per cent admitting to having heard about the format. When it comes to the early adopter crowd (men [...]

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Signaling the end of an era, the HD DVD Promotion Group, once charged with driving interest in the hi-def format, has officially disbanded. The organisation’s website now redirects visitors inquiries to manufacturers and supporters direct.

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Despite growing interest in downloads and streaming, the number of Blu-ray capable homes worldwide will hit 29 million by the end of 2008. So predicts a report from market researchers Strategy Analytics. The BD player population will rise to 132 million by 2012. It’s expected that the PS3 will remain the dominant BD player until [...]

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Philips will launch its first UK Blu-ray player, but not until October. Despite the delayed introduction, its BDP7200 will not be BD Live compliant. The unit is Profile 1.1 ‘Bonus View’ only. Standard BD features apply, including 1080p video and multi-channel audio output. According to US market research firm ABI Research, it could take as [...]

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A Columbia University professor has filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission, claiming that Sony and other Blu-ray manufacturers are infringing a patent she holds regarding blue-laser diodes. Gertrude Neumark Rothschild says that she is seeking to block imports of BD decks into the US. The ITC says that it is taking the [...]

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Once again, Sony’s PlayStation3 has outmaneuvered its dedicated Blu-ray player rivals. Sony has now confirmed that the next firmware update (version 2.20) due later this month, will make the console compatible with BD Live discs. This will allow owners of upcoming profile 2.0 discs to access online content, including trailers and interactive Java games. Sony [...]

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Leading US retail chain Best Buy has followed the lead set by rival Circuit City, and has begun to compensate its customers who backed HD DVD. It will send owners of players on its database a 50 dollar gift voucher; the giveaway applies to any of its patrons who purchased an HD DVD player prior [...]

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Toshiba has lowered it earning forecast for the year, announcing that it will take a 65 billion yen loss for exiting the HD DVD business. The company lowered its group profit forecast for the financial year ending March 31 to 125 billion yen, down from 137 billion yen last year. In a statement, Toshiba says: [...]

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