Audio Video News

M:I3 Hitting Stores In Three Formats


On October 30th Paramount will release the Tom Cruise blockbuster Mission: Impossible 3 on not one but three separate formats- DVD and the competing Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD high-def formats. While retailers certainly aren't enthused to be carrying triple inventory, this is unequivocally the highest profile release on either of the rivaling next-gen HD formats.

According to the press materials making the rounds, the DVD will be a two-disc special edition that, along with the Blu-ray and HD DVD versions, will be loaded with extras including deleted scenes, hidden "Easter Eggs," theatrical trailers and four separate documentaries about the film's production. Also mentioned by Paramount's Megan Burrows were "high-definition bonus features created exclusively for the movie."

Also interesting is that while both the Blu-ray and HD DVD versions are spec'd for 1080p video and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1-channel audio, the HD DVD version was specifically cited for carrying an "enhanced commentary" with video of star Tom Cruise and director JJ Abrams talking throughout the movie. Although Blu-ray claims greater interactivity capabilities and the potential for more storage space than its rival, it is not specifically mentioned that the Blu-ray version will carry this feature.

The Blu-ray and HD DVD versions will carry a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $29.99 while the two-disc DVD version will be $24.99 MAP.

From Easy-Bake Ovens To Front Projectors


So, it's come to this. Hasbro, known for manufacturing a broad line of children's toys, is the latest to get into the front projection game. That's right. The manufacturers of Candyland, Chutes and Ladders and the Easy-Bake Oven are now players in the front projection game. The Zoombox DVD Entertainment Projector is an all-in-one solution with a built-in CD/DVD player and speakers for a cool $300.

DVDs and video games can be set up to create a 60" diagonal image, and it also carries connections for digital cameras and cable boxes. According to the NY Times it uses a 35-Watt Halogen bulb that costs around $6 and is spec'd to last 500 hours. So, that's a cost of about $24 per 2,000 hours compared to a typical DLP projector, which costs between $200-$500 per lamp every 2,000 hours.

No specs are given for the type of projection technology used or the pixel count, but for slumber parties, does it really matter?