A Collection of Daily Wisdom by Dennis Sylvester Hurd since September 2003.

A week ago I spent over $500 a Sony PS3 essentially for its capability to play Blu-ray high-defintion movies. I also checked what it costs to rent a movie at a Rogers Video store nowadays. I'd not been inside the New Westminster branch for years due to joining zip.ca. It is an online movie rental company similiar to a Canadian version of Netflix. A cheerful, Rogers counter clerk said renting a single movie cost $6 something. Then, he added that all Blu-ray disks are only one-day rentals. "I see. I'll wait to get my Blu-ray movies through Zip," I said. I left.

I was willing to wait as we pay about $2.50 per disc and there's no late fees when renting by post. I will probably never enter that Rogers again. Is there any irony in my spending a half K on a player but then refusing to cough up $7 for a rental? Nah, I didn't think so, either.

If you've ever been involved in online movie rental, you know that one creates a list of movies desired. The company then sends off the next available disc as soon as the previously returned movie has reached them. At any particular moment we may have fifty or sixty movies in the queue. So, last weekend, I modified our existing list so titles available in borth formats would ship on Blu-ray.

Of the dozen or so Blu-ray discs on the Zip list, just one arrived in the mail box today. It's a bit embarrassing to admit that the first-ever Blu-ray title that'll be viewed on our TV is Disney's High School Musical 2 (2007). That certainly doesn't sound very butch. Perhaps it's a good way to break in the PlayStation 3 though. Also, it's okay, as 3:10 to Yuma (2007), Rescue Dawn (2006), Saw IV(2007), and Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) are also on their eventual Blu-ray way.

Labels: HDTV, movies, musical, PS3, zip.ca

I had to record a movie a few nights ago as it contained Lili Von Shtupp, played by Madeline Kahn. Blazing Saddles (1974) was on HDNet and so it was waiting on the hard disk in the PRV. I'd not seen the movie in a couple of years and it wasn't really like fine wine; it'd gotten no better. Yet, I'd never seen a better-looking copy than the high definition version. I do have to admit I am a fan of Mel Brooks. His type of off-the-wall humour is sorely lacking in today's media. In the last ten years I'd be hard put to come up with any movies that even remotely fit into the same genre.

In the 1990's several of the Scary Movie series had a bit of irreverent humour. Rather than containing any satire on society though, they could be more closely identified as teen comedies. More recently, movies like Blades of Glory (2007) are much too self-interested to be very funny. They seldom have any references to the world beyond the movie.

Perhaps modern audiences are simply too stupid for satire. Or maybe there are few points of common reference nowadays as modern cinema has to be make money in every market around the globe.

Damn, we need more Jim Abrahams-type films that'd comfortably fit next to Airplane! (1980)

Labels: HDTV, humour, movies, stars

Last year, I mentioned the fact we'd be viewing the Academy Award ceremony in high definition. As we haven't been going out to the movies as frequently, the Oscars generally go to films we've not yet watched. I didn't say we were watching fewer movies; it's just they're generally on DVD now. In the previously-mentioned entry, I also complained about the HD disc format war. At least that's something that has changed. Perhaps, by the time we get around to seeing most of this year's winners, we'll be watching 'em on Blu-ray.



One other difference between watching last night's awards and previous ones is we've now been inside the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

Labels: HDTV, movies, television

High definition TV is delicious. For months and months my only hint of what it really looks like is through the high-def satellite channels of Bell ExpressVu.

My up-converting DVD player can provide a picture which is marginally better than standard TV, but it sure ain't the real McCoy. I've commented with disgust on the annoying format war for true high-definition discs. This week, that battle has apparently ended with Sony's Blu-ray as the victor. The competitor, Toshiba has officially thrown in the proverbial towel. I'll settle for this scenario as long as it means an increasingly quick proliferation of mainstream HD.

The problem presently preventing widespread adoption is cost. The cheapest Blu-ray player is going for around $399 at local electronics suppliers. Many of these players are not even very future-proof as they do not provide the Net access necessary to implement BD Live (Profile 2.0). In fact just about the only safe bet if one were purchasing today would be to go with a Sony PlayStation 3. It has built in wireless and a hard drive.

For the same $399 one can have a machine with a lot more flexibility than a stand-alone Blu-ray player. Putting a Blu-ray disc in the gaming console was considered unwise and costly when the PS3 first shipped. Now however, it appears as if it was the Trojan horse that stealthily helped push Sony's HD format to victory.

I might be convinced to go purchase a new PlayStation 3 this weekend, but production has stopped on the higher end, 80 GB $499 model. I must wait until the new unit shows up as it may have 120 or 160 GB for the same price. People can only speculate on the configuration as Sony is notoriously tight-lipped about unrealeased products.

Labels: games, HDTV, Internet, PS3, television

Okay. I have given in. I’ve taken a side in the format war between Toshiba’s HD-DVD and Sony’s Blu-ray. These are the two, competing options for the next generation DVD format.

I guess I'll have to go Blu-ray even it has many aspects with which I’m not enamored. I don’t like the fact the format still uses regional coding. In addition, I think it’s nearly criminal many Blu-ray stand-alone players are still being sold which are impossible to upgrade to current, not to mention, future standards. I’m annoyed that unlike the HD-DVD format, a standard DVD and HD version cannot be pressed on opposite sides of the same disc. I don’t think the extra space on a Blu-ray disc merits the increased costs associated with the technology and licensing agreements.

However, like I said, I’ve caved. I am willing to pay almost three times more for Blu-ray even though in many ways it’s not my favourite. I am willing because a majority of big studios have lined up to dance to Sony’s tune. When I read news that even National Geographic has picked Blu-ray, who am I to argue?

Labels: HDTV

Okay, it's a bit unusual for me to put two images from movies in a row. I did record The Searchers (1956) which was on HDNet last night. I recently watched the DVD from the New Westminster library; however, this high definition copy just blew me away.

I am following the Blu-ray / HD-DVD format war with fascination. It's not a healthy fascination though. It's only early adopters such as myself who give a damn. I cannot believe I've owned a flat-panel LCD for approaching a year and a half but haven't bought a disc player that can utilize its potential. I'm angry as the Blu-ray fanboys seem to be winning the battle although from the get-go the HD-DVD camp had superior functionality. Did you know that most all Blu-ray players manufactured before last fall cannot be upgraded to the current equipment profile? Furthermore, the next Blu-ray version will require Internet connectivity and this will render all presently produced models obsolete. Whereas the specs weren't finalized for Blu-ray, the opposition has been producing players with similar capabilities since day one. Clearly, it's not best product that is winning; it's just Sony has somehow managed to pull the wool over lots of eyes. Shoot, I didn't want to be sucked into commenting about this today.



Instead, I wanted to type in this conversation that goes with the graphic show above:

Jeffrey Hunter: Something mighty fish about this trail, Uncle Ethan.
John Wayne: Don't call me uncle. I ain't your uncle.
Jeffrey Hunter: Yes sir.
John Wayne: No need to call me sir, either. Nor grandpa. Nor Methuselah. I can whoop you to a frazzle.
Jeffrey Hunter: What do ya want me to call ya?
John Wayne: My name's Ethan. Now, what's so mighty fishy about this trail?

Labels: HDTV, movies, stars

I once purchased a boxed copy of Pinnacle Studio V9 so I could edit camcorder tapes. I think I only managed one project with it. That software just didn't seem to work like I do. I don't mind occasionally wasting money on computer software as I really have bought very little over the past two decades. The total cost has been very little if compared to the money I've dumped into hardware since the mid-1980's.

I defaulted to another video editing program. I got a free working evaluation copy of Ulead MovieFactory V3.0 that came with a LG DVD drive once. I used it for the tools as well as putting together video. I liked it so much I bought an online version 5.0 of it in 2006. Since then, I've managed to create a number discs with vacation videos. I like how the basic interface works. It functions well in 16x9 mode with the captured files from our old Sony camcorder.



Today, I decided I could upgrade the software. It's now owned by Corel Corporation. The price of MovieFactory 6.0 Plus was heavily discounted as I had the product key from the previous version. It was all seamlessly selected, paid for, downloaded, and installed after lunch. The program and bonus disk weighed in at over 800 megabytes, but .. hey .. that's why we have broadband, right? Now I'm already to eventually burn on Blu-ray or HD-DVD whichever wins as a computer storage solution.

Now I've got a new problem though. It'd be damn nice to work with files from true High-Def. video source. It's okay; I only work in order to buy trips and toys for myself.

Labels: HDTV, software

"It's my party, and I'll blog what I want to."

And if you're actually old enough to know the song being referenced, then chances are, you may not be even slightly interested in today's topic. None of my friends and acquaintances could give a hoot. Cut me a little slack for my weekend entries, will you? I want to talk tech, turkey.

I've been following the HD-DVD vs Blu-ray format war with relish since getting the wide-screen television. So far, of course, the only high definition programming I've seen on it is via Bell ExpressVu's satellite channels. Known for their highly-compressed offerings, these oases of clarity began my uncontrollable addiction to HD. The standard up-converting DVD player can only show what's actually present on the discs. Although this is slightly better than standard TV, it cannot be compared to the quality of a real HD signal.

Back when regular DVD players appeared, I was willing to pay premium to be an early adopter as the road to the quick demise of video tape was obvious. But this time around Toshiba and Sony are reenacting the classic VHS/Beta battle.

Many pundits out there blogging about this today probably never actually owned a Betamax machine as I did. In the mid-1980's our contracting company shipped programming through diplomatic pouch to the military camp where I worked. It was a no-brainer choice. Either watch Beta tapes or watch what was on Saudi Arabian television. It wasn't due to technical merits that the other format won. In fact Beta was superior and the tapes smaller. Being a winner had more to do with the available Hollywood programming on offer.

Once again here we go. Right here, I mentioned the battle between HD-DVD and Blu-ray in my 2008 resolutions. My default browser page is set to Google news, where I personalized a section to keep me up-to-date on the daily developments.

So, it's a bit of a mixed blessing that Sony's Blu-ray format has been prematurely heralded winner of this race. All the pronouncements involve Warner Bros. decision on Friday to abandon neutrality and support only Blu-ray from the spring. They are the biggest distributor and because they are joining the likes of Disney, this consortium is estimated to make up 70% of titles released. (At this time, Paramount and Universal still have exclusivity agreements for the other format.) This is said to have turned the tide in favour of Sony this time around.

Of course I haven't even hinted at the numerous others with stakes in this battle. They range from the electronics and computer manufacturers to Microsoft. Additionally, folks like Blockbuster and retailers like Target have all taken sides.

So, the whole things is still a great big mess. It's extremely unfortunate that back in 2005, the two camps couldn't have foreseen this turmoil and agreed upon a common standard. Those involved may have had less potential to make a fortune but would've also avoided completely losing out in this war. In the end, whatever the outcome, it seems like it is primarily consumers who have been given a raw deal.

Labels: HDTV, opinions, television

I captured a 1:45 minute, HiFiHDTV.ca promo from my Bell ExpressVu receiver. I was going to upload it to YouTube and then place it here. Of course, it wouldn't have really been in high definition but it may have given you a taste of those four, Canadian channels. The clip was amazing enough to give me actual chills when it was playing with DD5.1 in my living room. Unfortunately, I read the notice on YouTube and remembered that the promo was not really mine to upload. Copyright is going to have to change to deal with the potential of new technologies. I could email a copy to any reader upon request but it's 95 MB. Damn, the Internet really isn't keeping up with the demands I'd like to make on it nowadays.

Oasis, Treasure, Rush and Equator HD just loop pretty much the same programming but new titles enter the mix so that I always seem to find stuff weekly to record on the PVR. Plus, regular, commercial shows, this week excepted, keep my slated time for television pretty full. There really is a lot of quality out there. I don't think programs have ever been as smart, socially responsible, or engaging as they are now.

I'm writing this today as we've been watching true HD television for just over one year now. I cannot imagine the pale imitation that standard broadcasts offer. I honestly don't think I'd bother with TV, if I had to go back. Just about the only show watched in that tired, old format is CTV News from Vancouver. Come on folks! We're a big enough market to merit at least HD in the studio! I think the station can even afford the extra makeup that'll be required to get Bill Good and Pamela Martin ready for high definition!

Labels: HDTV, Internet, television

It just might be due to the season that's approaching. Although, I'd be loathe to admit it; perhaps, I really am affected by the end-of-year buying frenzy. Many products are positioned for sale at the year's end. Furthermore, I generally discover in December, after my charitable donations and forced savings, that I've got some extra cash in my pocket. These two forces have the power to unite in a dangerous combination. The final catalyst added is the ease and power of the Internet.

My morning started when I received my email from www.ncix.com and discovered a camera I like is on sale. Perhaps the SP-560UZ would make a nice replacement camera. After all, my present camera is two years old. I spent hours reading reviews and doing comparisons.

Then, in the afternoon, I spent time researching to see if the Blu-ray or HD-DVD camp is winning the battle for the chance to connect to my TV. With the Canadian dollar at around a US dollar, web site comparisons are simple. A trip to Bellingham, Washington would be quick and easy. The power of Wal-mart and its sub-$200 HD player and the deals on Toshiba models at Circuit City may tip the balance in favour of the HD-DVD format. If there was no format war raging, high-definition disc adoption would be substantially greater.

I did a lot of planning today but no actual buying.

Labels: camera, Christmas, HDTV, Walmart

If you recognize this image, then you already know my latest viewing addiction. British soap, Coronation Street, is now in its 48th season. I only started watching last week so I really don't think there's much chance of me catching up on the previous episodes. It was first broadcast when I was a year and a half old.

Actually it'd be impossible to really get up-to-date. I am recording the half-hour show on the CBC. I get the wide-screen, HD feed from Toronto. There's a bit of a lag though. For instance, yesterday's episode was originally broadcast in Britain last November 31st. That means I guess I can begin to look forward to the Christmas season.

The plots seem just as zany as on American soaps, but the actors wear much less makeup and have had less dental work and plastic surgery. The characters are less likely to be jet-setters and most of them spend way too much time in the pub. How could one not appreciate all that?

Labels: HDTV, television

This blog is just a month shy of its fourth birthday. In that time, I really didn't know I had run on so much about movies. Although by no means exhaustive or even representative, I have typed quite about about the subject. Click the following link.

my eJournal and images: The Movie Reviews




When we first came to Canada we went to movie theatres a lot. This probably was due to the fact of having accessible venues. I would venture that except for Saudi Arabia where they're banned, the ones in Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE are probably more upscale and mainstream than during the eighties and nineties. I recall dark, dirty, old cinemas showing late, often cut, films.

Around Vancouver, there was a massive building spree at the beginning of this decade. The multiplexes do offer good seating, screens, and sound systems now. It's necessary to see blockbuster events in them. Yet, DVD's are now released surprisingly soon after the original theatrical release. We watch a lot more non-mainstream and indie films on DVD.

I only wish the format wars for high definition DVD hadn't occurred. HD-DVD seems to be cheaper than Blu-ray but who wants to commit to a format before there's a clear winner. Damn them for cutting their collective noses to spite their faces. The studios could be churning out their entire collections in HD by now if a common format had been agreed upon a few years back.

Labels: HDTV, labels, movies, review, stars, The Wizard of Oz

I am definitely smarter due to HD TV. It's now summer, so in order to find things to watch, I record from PBS and Discovery HD. I also get lots of programming on the Oasis and Equator channels of the High Fidelity Canada. In addition, HDNet provides things worth viewing. For example, we'd only seen a cut version of Dances with the Wolves (1990) on video tape in either Bahrain or the UAE. Last week's recording on the PVR was quite stunning in high definition.



I think it's ironic that in order to get true HD, things have to get to my TV by bouncing off a satellite. I wonder which disc format will win in the HD war. I think adoption would be much further along had just one standard been set. Damn 'em for keeping me watching things that have to fit into eight gigabytes!

On a related note, I've been updating some of my copied DVD collection to newer releases. Back when I had a tube, I wasn't concerned about squishing a title onto a single layer disc. Now that just doesn't cut it. Also, many of the original releases, especially films from the 1980's, were undoubtedly burned onto DVD using the studios' old, laser disc masters.

Labels: HDTV, movies

I've enjoyed high-definition broadcasts since last fall. Most all prime-time programming is in HD. The TV pretty much stays in the 800 range of channels on Bell ExpressVu. The thought of picking up stations and time shifting from across Canada used to be thrilling; however, now I feel if it ain't in HD, it ain't worth watchin'. Newfoundland TV maintains a quirky schedule anyway.

The exception was The National on CBC. The evening news on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation wasn't offered in HD. It annoyed me that even local news from small market segments in the US jumped right into HD, but our taxpayer-subsidized national broadcaster was being so slow to adopt.

Then, last evening for the first time, I noted the 16x9 format when playing back the news. The PVR catches the Toronto HD channel in order to record the show at 7:00 pm rather than the local ten o'clock feed.



I've seen no acknowledgement of this switchover. Their website is mum. For all I know, they could just be testing. Most outside reporting was standard TV with 'letterboxing' but I was impressed by the studio shots. I could see the individual hairs in Diana Swain's do. Then I was hit by a horrible realization. When Peter Mansbridge is back from his break, we'll have to watch him continue to age with increased definition.

Labels: Canada, HDTV, PVR, television

Our city's Hyack Festival Parade was today. Now it's billed as The Largest International Parade in Western Canada.

There were something in the neighbourhood of 136 entries this year. That made it several hours long. As usual the 'Seafair Pirates' pulled up the rear exploding their cannon in shock waves that made poodles tremble in fear.

While the parade was en route though, I was thinking how people, similar to crows, like shiny objects. The local students did a fine job but there is certainly something 'showy' about the visitors. Many high school marching bands were up from the US. This video shows a group of Californian students.

With all the flash, I couldn't help but think of the music from the musical Chicago. Then, with a strange twist of fate, a few minutes ago, I watched the song mentioned in the title in HD. The 2002 movie version is on NBC tonight!

Labels: Hayack, HDTV, movies, musical, New Westminster, parade, YouTube

I watch quite a lot of TV and I write about it here a bit too. Nowadays, most of my programming is designed for the 16x9 screen. It's not so much that I'm still impressed with high-definition, it's more like watching programs in standard format sucks.

If I were to choose a single program that makes the best use of the improved HD medium, it'd have to be CSI: Miami. The quality of the camera location, video capture, and editing is light-years ahead of many other shows. Nearly every scene this season is eye candy. It is shot a bit on the yellow side of the spectrum but assume that's a technique to emphasize it's taking place in a semi-tropical location. Interestingly, the CSI: NY tends to have bluer hues by comparison.

I would have to say that as far as the use of editing to advance a storyline, the crew of CSI: Miami consistantly beats out many high-value Hollywood productions.

Labels: camera, HDTV, television

Yesterday, for the first time, we were able to watch the Super Bowl in high definition. The rain here made it a wonderful afternoon to stay inside by the gas fireplace. The rain there allowed us to see the drops of water on the players' faces.

Labels: HDTV, television

Before I begin today's entry I should let you know, even as a child I was one of those 'world-collector' types. I had literally hundreds of National Geographic magazines all arranged by decade when I was in high school.

I am much more likely to watch educational television nowadays. This can mostly be attributed to the improved experience with high-definition programming. I surely had never been a contributing member of PBS in the past.

I feel there some very engrossing things to be seen on TV. Last night, between other things, we watched an hour program on ancient Mesopotamia. I think I would have fit in better in their society than the ancient civilization of the Egyptians.

Labels: HDTV, television

As well as making use of tabbed browsing by loading my frequently visited websites in a group, I also use MS Explorer's Links bar for those sites I use a lot but needn't keep constantly open.

It seems as if I can sometimes go for days without getting out much. I mean venturing into the world on the world wide web. This is the computing equivalent of getting into a rut. We take it all for granted now, but access to most all information at any hour is really very liberating.

On Oasis HD, I recorded an hour-long program about Yellowstone National Park. Just a few minutes ago, I found myself exploring the area on my monitor. I don't think my local library is open today, and I wouldn't have had the fortitude to remember my interest and actually find information in book form. Do you remember when tourist information offices or travel boards were a major source of trip planning information?

Do you think we're any smarter than before the Internet?

Labels: HDTV, technology, television

I called yesterday afternoon and set up an appointment to have a technician come to install the new ExpressVu satellite receiver. I was pleased that someone will be able to come tomorrow. The appointment time was set for sometime between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. How's that for being specific? I will gladly stick around all day knowing that if I step out even for one second, then that'll be exact time of his arrival.

A division of Bell Canada runs a satellite TV service. I've been a customer for four years and I've never been impressed with their customer service. The entire company suffers from one section not knowing what another is doing. As I live in a building with a roof satellite, I cannot deal directly with the residential division. Every time I enquired about moving to hi-def, I got totally different stories.

It's really of no consquence, because they offer the equipment and programming that I want. With the Toshiba LCD screen purchased last month, I simply have to have new programming. So far the TV hasn't been able to show anything in HD. Click to see a new page with Bell ExpressVu's High Definition Channel Lineup. Each channel has a link. You can probably expect more comments on this subject this week.

Labels: HDTV, PVR, television

Today I'm a bit late in getting anything posted. When I'm busy I've been known to prepare an entry the evening before its posting. That seems a bit too organized now that I'm on break for a month. Imagine! I won't have to go into a classroom until the second Monday in January.

I don't have any trips planned although I do notice I unconsciously scan the newspaper ads by www.flightcentre.ca. Jay's only accrued four days of vacation and I don't want to jet off anywhere alone at this time. So, I figured I've got about $500 to spend for fun just 'cause I'm not travelling anywhere.

I just got offline from www.bestbuy.ca. How quick! I've already been emailed that my order has gone through and I can pick up my purchase from the Queensborough branch. We'll probably go tomorrow. I will have to wait for an installer to bring necessary parts for the Bell ExpressVu high-definition satellite receiver with video recorder.

Labels: HDTV, PVR, television