Hasta La Gadget!

According to the New York Times, Fox is about to try another tactic to enhance sales of its movies, by offering downloadable UltraViolet (Update: and many other formats, see below.) copies for sale a full three weeks ahead of their release on Blu-ray / DVD or for video on-demand rental. The first movie to get the treatment will be Ridley Scott’s Prometheus later this month, and Fox is pricing the copies at about $15, down from the $20 of previous releases. Other flicks on deck for the early digital sale treatment are Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, The Watch and Ice Age: Continental Drift. Fox is apparently calling the setup Digital HD, or DHD, as it rolls out in 50 different countries all at once, and opted to offer the flicks in high definition instead of issuing cheaper standard def versions to “put its best foot forward”. Last year’s $30 premium VOD rental pilot was another attempt to experiment with release windows that Fox participated in, but DHD’s more reasonable pricing makes it an interesting option. Of course, the main trick will be getting customers to opt for an UltraViolet format which is still not supported by Apple and Amazon’s movie stores, but dangling early access to mainstream movies could be just the bait required.

Update: We talked to Fox and confirmed that the DHD initiative is not limited to only Ultraviolet. According to the studio when this kicks off September 18th, it will make more than 600 films available across stores including Amazon, CinemaNow, iTunes, PlayStation, VUDU and Xbox. Prometheus is also Fox’s first UV title and its first new release under the DHD program, but if you prefer your digital movies in another format, it looks like you’ll be able to get them.

Continue reading Fox to sell Digital HD movies three weeks ahead of discs or VOD, Prometheus is first (Update: via Amazon, iTunes, Xbox, Vudu etc.)

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Fox to sell Digital HD movies three weeks ahead of discs or VOD, Prometheus is first (Update: via Amazon, iTunes, Xbox, Vudu etc.) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 03:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It looks like Hulu could be in for some major changes. Variety has acquired a confidential memo regarding changes the streaming service is considering following the buyout of one of its owners in September. They’re just speculation for now, but they sound like a pain for viewers and bad, bad news for Hulu. More »

Despite being one of the most widely viewed 3D movies, and the highest grossing film of all time, viewers still have not been able to buy Avatar on Blu-ray 3D by itself (without paying high prices to resellers) due to an exclusive pack-in deal with Panasonic, but that will change this fall. Fox just announced the Avatar Blu-ray 3D Collector’s Edition will debut globally October 15th, and release in North America October 16th. There’s no word on any extra special features, as producer Jon Landau indicates in the press release (included after the break) it will contain the theatrical cut of the flick inside special packaging. Originally, the delay in releasing the movie widely on disc in 3D was blamed on a lack of 3DTVs in homes. We’ll see if the prospect of watching the $2.7 billion juggernaut “the way it was meant to be seen” according to director James Cameron, nudges more buyers towards a new display this fall. Check below for a video clip of Cameron sharing the news to the movie’s fans on Facebook, plus an extra treat that didn’t make it into the movie.

Continue reading Avatar Blu-ray 3D Collectors Edition finally comes to retail in October (video)

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Avatar Blu-ray 3D Collectors Edition finally comes to retail in October (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Broadcast-streaming startup Aereo is busting out tweaked price plans and a free trial for New Yorkers to try the service gratis for an hour a day. $8 per month will buy you unlimited access, live pause, rewind and 20 hours online DVR, while $12 a month doubles your storage allocation to 40 hours. Annual customers can pay $80 (plus tax, naturally) to get a deep discount off the monthly price, but for the commitment-phobic viewer, 24-hours access can be purchased for a dollar, or you can try the service for an hour each and every day without need of a sign up. Unfortunately, due to legal wrangling, it’s only available within the boundaries of New York City on any iOS, OS X, AppleTV or Roku devices. There’s PR and Video after the jump if you’re yet to be convinced — but think, now you catch all of Good Morning America as you walk down Broadway.

Continue reading Aereo unveils free trial and new prices for its NYC-based internet TV service (video)

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablet PCs, Internet

Aereo unveils free trial and new prices for its NYC-based internet TV service (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just days after Lovefilm touted its TV and movie deal with 20th Century Fox, Netflix UK is promoting its own TV show additions from the studio, including an exclusive on The League. While we’re not sure how well a comedy about Fantasy (North American) Football will go over across the pond, it’s also adding Modern Family, Lie to Me, Sons of Anarchy and more, and points out it already has series like 24 and Prison Break that Lovefilm is just now adding. The highest profile piece however, is Netflix’s exclusive hold on a new season of the old Fox show Arrested Development, set to premiere in 2013. The press release with the full list is after the break, contrast and compare your options to see which streaming service (if either) is a good fit.

Continue reading Netflix fires back in UK streaming war, says it has Fox TV shows too, plus Arrested Development

Netflix fires back in UK streaming war, says it has Fox TV shows too, plus Arrested Development originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 05:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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