'Volver' DVD Packaging@2007 Sony Pictures. All Right Reserved
'Volver' DVD PackagingIf you think about it, the deaf people wouldn't think a game like "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero" and such types of games would appeal to them. The hearing people would think the same about the deaf people. I know because I have gotten asked questions from some of the hearing people I know.
Well, you may be surprised to find out how wrong you would be. Rock Band is really a game for everybody. It's even more fun when you play it with friends and family. The game itself comes with a guitar, a drum set and a microphone. Ah, now you're going... a microphone? Well, truth be told, I don't really use it. Only a couple times and yes, I got a great ranking every time I tried it out. But that's only because I cheated by controlling the sound level of my humming rather than singing the actual lyrics.
Regardless, the guitar and the drum set are a blast to play with. Especially when you turn up the volume and bass. People can really get into it. I am pretty much deaf and yet I had a blast playing this game. I heartily recommend this to anyone looking for a good time with his or her friends.
It is available on Playstation 2, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. All of the names mentioned are linked to the specific edition for the console you want to buy for.
Enjoy!
Do you own a 1080p HDTV but aren’t really taking the full advantage of it? Well, here's your chance to take advantage of your HDTV. You can enter a contest to win a Blu-ray Disc player and an instant library of 100 movies on Blu-ray Disc! Amazon is having a contest where 30 people will be able to win such a big prize.
Just click here to gain access to the website for more information. You don't have to make any purchases or anything. All you need to do is give them your full name, home address, phone numbers and your e-mail address. It's that simple. This contest is only open to the U.S. residents; nobody outside of the country can enter the contest.
Good luck to all these who enters the contest!
Warner Bros. Entertainment made a major announcement regarding the high definition formats for movies. Starting May 2008, Warner Bros. Entertainment will be releasing movies only on Blu-ray Disc instead of both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. This is a major blow to the HD DVD camp. Warner Bros. Entertainment has a massive library of movies including many classics just waiting to be seen in the full glory of high definition.
Now, this also means they may be increasing the video quality. The problem with Warner Bros. Entertainment being a neutral studio, they decided to use the same video encoding for both formats but they sometimes will add the uncompressed audio track for Blu-ray owners. HD DVD's bandwidth is more limited in comparison to Blu-ray Disc's bandwidth, so they have to cut corners and compromise the video and audio quality of the movies. Some of their titles look great, like "Blade Runner", the Harry Potter movies and more. Though it's obvious they can look even better if they were given higher video bit-rate for the Blu-ray Disc format.
New Line Cinema also confirmed that it has decided to support Blu-ray Disc only after releasing just one movie onto HD DVD. They have not announced any other HD DVD releases. The studio also shares the same parent as Warner Bros. Entertainment’s, which is Time Warner. Though they are two separate studios, but New Line Cinema always appeared to be more supportive of Blu-ray Disc. I always felt that it was Warner Bros. Entertainment that held them back from going Blu-ray exclusive.
Below is the press release issued by Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Warner Bros. Entertainment to Release its High-Definition DVD Titles Exclusively in the Blu-Ray Disc Format Beginning Later This Year
January 04, 2008
In response to consumer demand, Warner Bros. Entertainment will release its high-definition DVD titles exclusively in the Blu-ray disc format beginning later this year, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. and Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group.
"Warner Bros.' move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is a strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want," said Meyer. "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers."
Warner Home Video will continue to release its titles in standard DVD format and Blu-ray. After a short window following their standard DVD and Blu-ray releases, all new titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the end of May 2008.
"Warner Bros. has produced in both high-definition formats in an effort to provide consumer choice, foster mainstream adoption and drive down hardware prices," said Jeff Bewkes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Time Warner Inc., the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment. "Today's decision by Warner Bros. to distribute in a single format comes at the right time and is the best decision both for consumers and Time Warner."
"A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference toward high definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption and becoming the important revenue stream that it can be for the industry," said Tsujihara. "Consumers have clearly chosen Blu-ray, and we believe that recognizing this preference is the right step in making this great home entertainment experience accessible to the widest possible audience. Warner Bros. has worked very closely with the Toshiba Corporation in promoting high definition media and we have enormous respect for their efforts. We look forward to working with them on other projects in the future."
Source: Time Warner
The Future is Blu.
Earlier today, I wrote that Shoshannah Stern would be in the second season of "Jericho." I also posted a link to the video clip at the official website. Though it wasn't captioned.
Now, I want to thank Bill Creswell for captioning the video. A few days ago, I mentioned how he is working to caption as many movie trailers as he can free of charge. We shouldn't take it for granted; it's wonderful how many volunteers there are on the internet who are willing to work for free just to provide access.
Believe it or not, there are thousands and thousands of people on the internet who subtitle video clips on a daily basis and don't get a single penny out of it. It makes me wonder why so many websites like CNN, FOX News, CBS News and many, many more websites are not willing to do anything about it. It's a potential career for many people who are already volunteering their time to subtitle just to provide access to everyone. They even subtitle them in foreign languages. There are many people who deserve to be paid for doing such a thing.
In fact, there is a team of people who are getting serious about it. For instance, Project readOn. They just partnered up with Senator Tom Harkin to caption the video clips on his website, I mentioned it back in December.
Anyway, that's all I have to say. Here's the captioned video and remember to thank Bill Creswell for volunteering his time to caption the "Jericho" preview. Also, click here to access his website.
As some of you know, the show, Jericho will be returning on February 12. The last time I covered the subject, I was unsure if Shoshannah Stern, the deaf actress, would be involved with the second season or not.
Today, I took a look at a video clip promoting the show on the official "Jericho" website. I was able to spot Shoshannah Stern in a few shots meaning she is still a part of the show. Click here to view the video clip. Just wait and then she'll appear. She's carrying a shotgun and shooting at some enemies. Though you will have to watch a 30-second long commercial before you can watch the video clip.
Just thought I'll let you know that her character, Bonnie didn't get the axe.
