New Digital Content Standard – A consortium of Hollywood content providers, consumer electronics makers and Internet players are at work on a standard to let consumers buy movies and other digital content once and play them almost anywhere, on any device, without the restrictions which have hobbled the growth of digital downloads. The group, in addition to all the major Hollywood studios, includes Philips, Sony, Toshiba, Hewlett-Packard and Cisco, and is called the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE). Consumers will be able to share their purchased content on devices in the home, or to stream them via the Internet to laptops, cell phones or other electronic gear. A “rights locker” or virtual library would be created where consumers’ digital video purchases would be stored. Microsoft established its own PlaysForSure rights scheme for digital music players as an alternative to Apple’s iPod system. But last year Microsoft created its own Zune music players which did not use PlaysForSure. The Digital Living Network Alliance has also been trying for years to create a standard of minimum technical specs for devices in the home. Apple’s dominance thru iTunes and its FairPlay DRM software has changed things, and DVD sales have slowed as some consumers turn to movie-download or subscription services. The consortium also hopes to minimize online piracy. They are designing a logo to be placed on products and Web sites to show that the items and services are compatible with DECE standards. The first set may be announced at the January CES in Las Vegas.
Runco Introduces Hi-End In-Wall Displays – Home video specialist Runco has developed the first 95-inch HD 2.35:1 aspect ratio in-wall rear-projection display system, and at same time introduced a 100-inch 16:9 ratio in-wall system. Both systems are designed for installations where an ultra-large screen is required, but front projection is difficult due to high ambient light levels. Unlike heavy plasma displays of similar size, they are perfectly flush with the wall and their simple two-piece solution reduces installation time. Runco’s WideVision technology in the CineWall system retains the correct aspect ratio of 2.35:1 films, rather than cropping them down to 16:9. Constant Contrast technology also does frame-by-frame contrast correction to provide the highest black levels. The self-contained CineWall system is less than 33 inches deep and the VideoWall 16:9 system is 32 inches deep. Both systems use Positive Pressure Cooling design, which reduces the need for excess cooling fans and ensures quiet operation. Extensive connectivity is provided with both systems, and Runco’s ViViX II internal processing ensures best video performance. The VideoWall will retail for $40,000; the price of the CineWall was not announced.
Canadian Record Industry Lawsuit – In rather a turnabout, the peer-to-peer isoHunt web site in Canada has launched a lawsuit against the Canadian Record Industry Association (CRIA), the country’s equivalent of the U.S. RIAA. The site, which uses the popular BitTorrent ap, wants a judge to rule that it does not infringe on the copyrights of record studios. In May, the CRIA had sent isoHunt a Cease and Desist letter asking for the site to closed down immediately or the operators to pay $20,000 for each song the site infringed upon. As with other BitTorrent web sites, isoHunt has a Copyright Policy to remove all torrent files if a copyright holder or approved third-party send an official request to them. The lawsuit is a preemptive strike against the CRIA. The outcome of this legal matter could seriously affect other BitTorrent web sites and Net search engines.
Remastering Engineer Mark Obert-Thorn Joins Pristine Audio – Award-winning historic remastering engineer and producer Mark Obert-Thorn will be providing monthly historical releases for the Pristine Audio label beginning next month. Mark will draw from his extensive collection of rare recordings from the 78rpm and early LP eras, with personal choices of material designed to appeal to collectors and enthusiasts. He has been given carte-blanche to select recordings he believes are most in need of release – more often than not they will not have seen LP or CD reissue before. Founded in February 2005 by Andrew Rose of Pristine Audio, Pristine Classical specializes in historic recordings of classical, jazz and blues. It carries hundreds of recordings in various formats to download or order on CD-R. It has also pioneered new audio technologies including XR remastering and Ambient Stereo. [www.pristineclassical.com/]
