Blu-ray players behind on interactivity - PS3 Profile 2.0 Ready, Firmware update due in 08

Videobusiness reports, studios are promising their most elite Blu-ray Discs to date in 2008, but not all available and upcoming BD devices can playback the advanced features.

Due to a decision by the Blu-ray Disc Assn. to keep certain hardware requirements optional, there is a far-flung range of capabilities on display at retail. A number of studios' latest and greatest titles, including the industry's first Web-enabled BD software with Lionsgate's War and Saw IV, require consumers to watch them on Profile 2.0 players to enjoy the touted new technology. But up to these titles' respective Jan. 1 and Jan. 22 street dates, no available BD player was certified Profile 2.0 (a.k.a. BD-Live), with hardware that could playback the included Web-based interactivity, such as War's online fighter game and Saw IV's movie blog.

[rushbd]

PS3 :D
I guess buying it really was a smart future proofing move from all angles.

[SL1M DADDY]

This was one of my reasons to buy it over a stand alone at the time of release. At least it was the one BD player that was web-enabled and could accept updates via LAN. The PS3, it truly is a future proof piece of kit.

[Citizen Cook]

This is what happens when you let Sony control the future of Physical media distribution. Idiots. They don't give a crap about the consumer, only their pockets. I sat on the fense with the HD format war, but by god i wish Toshiba had won with HD-DVD now.

[PirateThom]

Yes, because it was all Sony's fault... even though Samsung or Sharp or LG or Panasonic or any number of other companies were in such a hurry to release profile 2 players.

Sony =/= BDA

[eLiNeS]

Suckers!!!

Fony!!! What a rip off! They better replace all thouse players for brand new HD-DVD players for the problem. LOllOllLOllOolOlLlOllOl

[Maddens Raiders]

down to 2 bubbles I see. Keep up the good work man! 8D

[Maddens Raiders]

ever.

[ceedubya9]

The PS3 has everything you would want from your blu-ray player and even offers gaming. Normally, I could care less about my game console playing movies, but the way prices are now, and with the varying capabilities of standalone players, it just makes more sense to buy an extra PS3 for movie watching purposes in my opinion.

[actas123]

I really, really think most people will not use any of the new features of profile 2.0. I think profile 2.0 was designed mainly for professionals and critics in the movie industry. If u don't believe me check what profile 2.0 means and u'll see what I am talking about.

[Chippathingy]

Even if I wasn't a gamer, I'd have to choose the PS3 as my Blu-Ray player. Not only will firmware updates will come over the network, but it can do many other things like hold music, pictures and connect with my computer wirelessly for media streaming. It's like the ultimate Blu-Ray player!

[demolitionX]

i neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ed DTS-HD pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!!

[DFresh]

Relax jerk offs they'll fix it and then it won't be a problem.

[rawg]

The BDA is doing the right thing by making features optional. Not everyone will be interested in the BD Live features so why force the manufacturers to implement them if they are targeting customers who don't care. It allows the manufacturers to differentiate based on features or cost, depending on which customer base they are targeting.

Think about it. By the end of this generation we'll all own multiple BR players. One top end player hooked up to our big 1080p display, our 7.1 surround sound system and our ethernet connections. The other ones will be cheapo no name players plugged into our smaller panels in the bedroom and kids room.

The studios can also choose to implement the features that they want as well. Not all movies would benefit from interactivity or network connectivity. If the studios think they will sell more discs if they add it then they will. Remember the multi-angle feature of current gen DVDs? who uses that other than porn companies?

[chfthnder26]

man u blu boys sure do know how to spin things to sound good for yourselves and honestly how can u say that it is a good thing when it is optional for certain movies to have certain features it doesnt matter cuz they are all gonna cost the same im just glad i didnt get the first gen blu ray players they suck let me put it another way im glad im not a blu ray supporter period im not trying to start n e thing but why is it that hddvd has had this stuff done from day one they beat blu ray to market now blu ray is playing catch up with the features and dont try to say that the features dont matter cuz it is nice to have extra features to add to the movie experience

[bootsielon]

Those that bought stand-alones either have the money to buy another one (and they will for their second, third, fourth and fifth HDTVs), or you're an enthusiast conscious of what was gonna happen. If you bought into Blu-ray, you likely also knew that there was an option to choose PS3 and CHOSE NOT TO. So, for those that didn't buy a PS3 and are pissed off for not getting the 2.0 profile, which is, aside from a game machine, a Blu-ray player too, they can pretty much blame themselves only.

[joevfx]

you guys are idiots. this is teh evelution of technology. u buy one thign and its out of date in less then a year and wont work with newer thing,s thast the price early adopters pay and they should already know this, this isnt anythign new.