Archive for September, 2008

PC giant Dell has announced that it will begin pre-loading movies on some of its new PCs.

Beginning with the blockbuster hit Iron Man, Inspiron 1525 notebooks and XPS 420/630 can optionally have a digital copy already installed on the PC when you purchase it. The digital copy will also come with bonus special features.

The company says you cannot burn the copies to DVD but you can share them around a network using a Windows Media Extender such as the Xbox 360.

Dell says it will have titles from all studios but will focus only on blockbusters or classic movies rather than offer an entire catalog. The optional digital copy will be priced at $20 USD like its DVD counterpart but there was no word on whether that is standard pricing.

There was no technical details available about the digital copy but it will most likely have over 4000Kbs video bitrate and at least 192Kbs audio bitrate, just as most digital copies have now.

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Earlier this month we reported that a legal DVD ripping application was coming from RealNetworks by the end of the month.

The software, RealDVD, has now successfully launched today and with the launch RealNetworks has also announced they have filed a lawsuit against the major Hollywood studios hoping to have the court rule that the program “fully complies with the DVD Copy Control Association’s license agreement.”

The suit names the DVD Copy Control Association, Inc., Disney, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, and Twentieth Century Fox among others.

RealNetworks claims that the software “allows consumers to securely store, manage and play their DVDs on their computers” and “does not enable users to distribute copies of their DVDs.” It also mentions that RealDVD adds another layer of DRM to the ripped movies which makes it much harder to move to films off the computer that has the program installed.

“We are disappointed that the movie industry is following in the footsteps of the music industry and trying to shut down advances in technology rather than embracing changes that provide consumers with more value and flexibility for their purchases,” RealNetworks said in a statement. “For nearly 15 years RealNetworks has created innovative products that are fully legal, great for consumers, and respectful of the legitimate interests of content creators and rights holders. RealDVD follows in that tradition. We expect to successfully defend our right to make RealDVD available to consumers and consumers’ rights to use it.”

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Microsoft has made a statement saying that since they cut the price across the board for their Xbox 360 console, the system has been outselling its rival, the Sony PlayStation 3, by a two-to-one ratio.

Figures from Chart Track seem to back up that statement, saying sale are up 215 percent since the price cut was announced in Europe.

“This data shows that the Xbox 360 trajectory continues upwards, and not just in the UK,” added Chris Lewis, VP of Xbox in Europe.

“We’ve seen uplift in all countries in Europe and are confident that even at this rate of growth we can keep retail satisfied with a steady supply of consoles throughout the Christmas season.”

The company did not however, go into detailed units sales for the last month.

“Our commitment to continuously improving and innovating new content, our new high-profile marketing campaign and the fact that we’re now the best-value next-gen console on the market with an entry-level ERP of GBP 129.99 combine to make Xbox 360 the right blend of gaming and wider experiences at the right price to offer unparalleled entertainment for everyone. And these figures prove it,” finsished Lewis.

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Dell today rolled out their new entry level LCD screens in the form of the 19-inch S1909WX and the 17-inch S1709W. Both LCDs provide 16:10 ratio, 1440×900 resolution and a detachable stand that allows users to use a VESA mount for display arms or walls. The Dell S1909WX boasts a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 300cd/m2 brightness, with an HDCP-supporting DVI input providing video. Meanwhile the Dell S1709W features a VGA connector, a 600:1 contrast ratio and 250cd/m2 brightness for its smaller panel. The S1909WX retails for $199 and the S1709W is priced at only $179. [Electronista]

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