Gizmodo: digital video

The World's Smallest DV Camera Could Reveal World's Largest Scandal

Mark Wilson — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:40:00 EDT

In the era of HD, you thought good old DV was dead? Wrong! Because manufacturers can now make these low resolution cameras smaller than ever.

The Muvi Micro DV Cam measures just 2x0.8x0.4 inches but still manages to record 640x480 video at 30fps for 2-3 hours per charge. All of the footage is saved to your own MicroSD card and can be transferred while the camera recharges over USB.

Beyond basic recording, the camera can also be cued to record at a threshold of 65 decibels of noise. And with the disclosure of that spec, several thousand Giz readers immediately Googled "decibels lady changing." $129. [i want one of those via geekalerts]

Warner Bros. to Offer DivX Downloads

John Mahoney — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EDT

Already the format of choice for, ahem, somewhat clandestine distribution of digital video files, DivX has now officially partnered with Warner Bros. to distribute video in the format. Sony beat WB to the punch by about 9 months, and we'll have to wait even longer for Warner to come around to HD DivX, which won't be ready until September of next year. SD downloads are expected to become available this month. Full details follow.

Warner Bros. Licenses Content for Distribution on DivX Certified(R) Consumer Electronics Devices

Agreement Enables Retailers to Offer Premium Content in DivX(R) Format for Playback on Variety of Devices

SAN DIEGO & LOS ANGELES —(Business Wire)— Oct 14, 2008 DivX, Inc. (NASDAQ:DIVX) and Warner Bros. Entertainment today announced an agreement that will enable online retailers to offer Warner Bros. titles in the high-quality DivX® standard definition format in October 2008 and high definition format in September 2009 for playback on DivX Certified® consumer electronics devices.

The wide-ranging agreement covers all titles available for digital distribution in the Warner Bros. catalogue including current and back-catalogue major motion pictures and television programs. All titles offered in the DivX format are compatible with a variety of DivX Certified devices from major consumer electronics brands, including DVD players, Blu-ray devices, gaming consoles and more. The agreement allows retailers who sign additional agreements with DivX and Warner Bros. to offer Warner titles in the DivX digital media format.

“Using the DivX secure format is in keeping with our overall digital distribution strategy,” said Jim Wuthrich, Senior Vice President, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “The visual quality, security and widespread interoperability of the DivX format offers an excellent means for consumers to enjoy Warner Bros.’ content whenever and wherever they desire.”

“Warner Bros. offers an extremely compelling catalogue of premium, high-quality content enjoyed by consumers all over the world,” said Kevin Hell, CEO of DivX, Inc. “We’re very excited to work together to offer consumers premium content on any DivX device, from the PC to the living room and on the go.”

For more information about DivX, visit www.divx.com. To learn more about Warner Bros. Entertainment visit www.warnerbros.com.

Question of the Day: Is Blu-Ray a Placeholder Format?

Sean Fallon — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:30:00 EDT

According to Laurie Fincham, Chief Scientist at THX, Blu-ray doesn't have much of a future. In fact, she was quoted as saying that "I think it's too late for Blu-ray," in a recent interview with Home Cinema Choice Magazine. The reason? She thinks that consumers are waiting for HD movies to become available on flash memory. While it is true that mankind probably doesn't need another spinning format, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that Blu-ray is taking off. In fact, a recent study suggests that it may be in as many as 30 million homes by the end of 2008. So, the question is, do you think Blu-ray will last, or is it merely a placeholder for HD digital video distribution?

[Home Cinema Choice via DVD Town and DVD Town]