Blockbuster

Yamaha introduced its first "universal" Blu-ray player earlier this week. The 3D-ready BD-A1000 features content playback from NetFlix, Blockbuster and YouTube video streaming, along with interactive features such as BD-Live and BonusView.

The BD-A1000 touts full HD Audio decoding, 1080p/24Hz-compatible HDMI and 7.1 multi-channel analog output with four 2-channel DACs. It has Disc and USB multimedia format compatibility for AVCHD, WMV, JPEG (HD), MP3 and WMA. The BD-A1000 also provides full integration with home automation solutions and is also Control4 certified. Also, owners of a current Yamaha AV receiver can power on the BD-A1000 by pressing the SCENE BD/DVD button on the receiver's remote control to begin disc playback.

Additional features include an RC-232C integration control, on-screen display GUI, dual USB ports for video, music and photos playback, and detachable power cable. Read more

Blockbuster announced this week that its BLOCKBUSTER On Demand movie download service will be available on the latest models of Samsung connected HDTVs, Blu-ray players and Blu-ray integrated home theater systems.

BLOCKBUSTER on Demand will be accessible through Samsung Apps, an HDTV-based application store where users can download apps from select 2010 Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems via the upgraded Internet@TV – Content Service.

Powered by Sonic's Roxio CinemaNow technology, BLOCKBUSTER On Demand allows customers to watch classic movies as well as new releases on their TV with no monthly fee.

"BLOCKBUSTER On Demand brings you instant access to the latest movies, with new releases available the same day as DVD/Blu-ray," said Bruce Anderson, BLOCKBUSTER On Demand's senior vice president and general manager. "We're bringing our customers the movies they want, when and where they want them."

TiVo just announced a box that does it all, the TiVo Premiere DVR. Available in April in two versions, the TiVo Premiere and TiVo Premiere XL, the boxes can access cable programming, movies, web videos, and music.

With the new TiVo Premiere, you can watch and search for movies from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand and Blockbuster On Demand; view YouTube videos, listen to Pandora radio (in the coming months) and more.

The TiVo Premiere box has up to 45 hours of HD storage space or up to 400 hours of standard definition programming. The TiVo Premiere XL box holds up to 150 hours of HD or up to 1350 hours of standard definition programming. Both boxes will be available in April, with the Premiere priced at $299.99 and the Premiere XL $499.99.

Two new accessories were also announced; the TiVo Wireless N adapter which allows for faster downloads and content streaming and a new QWERTY TiVo remote. Both will be available in May. Read more

Samsung just announced that Amazon Video On Demand is available on select Samsung HDTVs via a downloadable widget. Also, Blockbuster's Video On Demand service is now on select 2009 Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray Players and Blu-ray integrated Home Theater Systems.

Owners of Samsung LCD and Plasma HDTVs Series 650 and above and Samsung LED HDTVs Series 7000 and above can download the Amazon Video On Demand widget for free using the Internet@TV – Content Service feature on their HDTVs.

Specific models featuring the BLOCKBUSTER On Demand service include Samsung Series 650 and above LCD and Plasma HDTVs and Series 7000 and above LED HDTVs. The service is also on Samsung BD -P1600, BD-P3600 and BD-P4600 Blu-ray players, as well as select Samsung Blu-ray integrated Home Theater Systems (HT-BD1250, HT-BD3252, HT-BD7200 and HT-BD8200) via firmware upgrade.

For more information visit www.samsung.com.

Blockbuster and Motorola announced this week that the Blockbuster OnDemand service will be coming to Motorola phones. Motorola handset owners will be able to access and download thousands of movies that are available through the OnDemand service.

Important to note, this is the first time Blockbuster has jumped on the mobile video bandwagon. Perhaps it will give Apple some competition? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Pricing information, when the service will be available, and which Motorola handsets will have this service has not yet been announced. Read more

Samsung has just announced its new HT-BD3252 home theater system that combines a high quality viewing experience with powerful audio and an array of advanced networking options in a boldly designed player that can help convert almost any living space into a premium HD showroom.

This system delivers theater-like sound and exceptional video playback with its integrated Blu-ray player, which supports BD-Live interactive content. Consumers can instantly stream the latest SD and HD content from Netflix and access Pandora's library of online music right on their TV (subscriptions required). Starting in the Fall of 2009, BLOCKBUSTER OnDemand service will become available via a future firmware upgrade.Read more

As part of Blockbuster's consumer electronics offerings, it will now feature a netbook for sale in 1,000 Blockbuster stores in the U.S. which will enable consumers to access entertainment on-the-go. The ARCHOS 10 netbook, manufactured by ARCHOS, emphasizes mobility, connectivity and multi-media capabilities, all in an affordable personal computer.

The ARCHOS 10 netbook is available for $299.99, weighs less than 2.8 pounds and features 10-inch ultra-bright LED screen.

Also included in the WiFi-ready netbook are an Intel ATOM processor, 1GB RAM, a 160GB hard drive, Microsoft Windows XP and a built-in web cam. Featured software includes Lotus Symphony, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, parental controls, virus protection and multi-media applications like XnView for viewing pictures and vTuner for Web TV and Radio.

Well, it looks like Blockbuster is finally embracing the future. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ’em – right? I say this because ON-DEMAND movies from Blockbuster appears to be a brick and mortar store killer. They have to do something in this new era of digital entertainment, and this is a step in the right direction.

The MediaPoint player from 2Wire is simple, clean and has HDMI outputs for quality signal transfer. The video-on-demand services in the market today are great, but lack the availability that consumers crave. What I mean is, a new release might not be available for 60 days with traditional on-demand services. Blockbuster is saying new releases will be available within 30 days on-demand. Rentals will start at $1.99, which means new releases will most likely be more. Comcast in my market charges $5.99 for HD titles rented on-demand. The exciting thing about this release is the competition that Blockbuster brings to the table.