AfterDawn: News

Blu ray begins "five free discs" promotion

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) has started a new online promotion that offers "five free discs" with the purchase of any new Blu ray disc player, including the PlayStation 3.

From July 1st to September 30th, when you purchase any player you automatically qualify to receive 5 free Blu ray movies fo free. There are 22 titles available to choose from, including hits from Sony, Disney, Fox/MGM, Paramount, Lionsgate and Warner.



The movies available can be found here when the site launches on July 1st.

There are other deals available such as get 5 free Blu-ray movies with the purchase of a Panasonic DMP-BD10A which means consumers can get 10 free movies if they decide on that player.

Last month, HD DVD announced a similar promotion and there was a substantial sales spike. Blu ray is hoping for the same.

Source:
HD Digest

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 27 Jun 2007 16:45

• Previous article

• MPAA sues Peekvid and YouTVPC

• Next article

• Controversial BBC iPlayer to launch this fall, with beta coming next month

• 34 comments

• sukhvail

  Quote:The movies available can be found here when the site launches on July 1st.
  the link doesn't work. and where the hell was this promotion when the ps3 came out!?!? All we got were a 5 bucks off coupons and that was it

  27.6.2007 17:17 #1

• DVDBack23

  Quote:when the site launches on July 1st;)

  27.6.2007 17:21 #2

• 21Q

  Cool, but I still won'y buy the player until the winner is definite.

  27.6.2007 17:42 #3

• lxfactor

  Quote:
  the link doesn't work. and where the hell was this promotion when the ps3 came out!?!? the site hasn't launched and its http://www.bluraysavings.com
  
  also with the ps3 you got a blu ray movie. and there wasn't a promotion because it wasn't selling enough to just promote something so new. sales are going to be high when the ps3 first comes out, regardless of what u say. so why are they going to lose another 5 blu ray titles ontop of that? when they are going to be outsold for the first 6 months. be smart =]

  27.6.2007 17:47 #4

• sukhvail

  oops my bad. ye i realize that, but it doesn't stop me from being pissed off
  

  
  
  Wii Console Number: 8615 6495 4782 0701

  27.6.2007 18:04 #5

• DVDBack23

  Quote:
  the link doesn't work. and where the hell was this promotion when the ps3 came out!?!?
  
  the site hasn't launched and its http://www.bluraysavings.com
  
  also with the ps3 you got a blu ray movie. and there wasn't a promotion because it wasn't selling enough to just promote something so new. sales are going to be high when the ps3 first comes out, regardless of what u say. so why are they going to lose another 5 blu ray titles ontop of that? when they are going to be outsold for the first 6 months. be smart =]thanks for pointing out that news glitch, link has been updated :)

  27.6.2007 18:13 #6

• PeaInAPod

  I don't know if this deal is only valid for online BD-player purchases, but if not why not buy a BluRay player send in the form for the 5 free movies and then return the player?

  27.6.2007 18:46 #7

• borhan9

  I think its a great promotion both formats are doing but i am still going to watch this space and see what happens in the not so far distant future.

  27.6.2007 19:06 #8

• sam1dog

  Originally posted by PeaInAPod:I don't know if this deal is only valid for online BD-player purchases, but if not why not buy a BluRay player send in the form for the 5 free movies and then return the player?you have to cut the upc

  27.6.2007 20:08 #9

• Riotard

  another way for the BRA to say they ahve sodl more BR when infact they are giving them away free!

  28.6.2007 03:46 #10

• emugamer

  Originally posted by Riotard:another way for the BRA to say they ahve sodl more BR when infact they are giving them away free!It worked for HD ;-)

  28.6.2007 07:58 #11

• DXR88

  The way technology is advancing HD_DVD and BR are going to be ot dated before the format war ever ends. Plz people for all the love and hate in the world agree on somthing for a change

  28.6.2007 20:49 #12

• cappyx

  has any one considered the fact that the format war may not end this time?
  
  at first i thought that HD-DVD would win however after cosidering that unlike in the 80's betamax war sony now actually own studios and could support the bd format as long as they choose. as long as sony keeps it's movies proprietary to bd the format could live until the next tech format arrives. bd also has the sole backing of disney which is a major backer and which player will you buy if you have kids? as with all technology the longer you wait the cheaper it gets however i do not know when it will happen however what no one has mentioned yet is the termination date for sd-dvd.

  28.6.2007 23:17 #13

• mugs

  What would you play the movies on if you sent the player back anyway???

  29.6.2007 02:52 #14

• cappyx

  Originally posted by mugs:What would you play the movies on if you sent the player back anyway???i guess you could buy a new one.
  
  i'm kinda lucky as my s300 is defective and i have to return it any way. so i'll just get a refund on the defective one and open a new sale on the replacement. also i think i'll get the extended warranty as well on the new one. these new generation dvd players are no longer simple players they seem to almost be small computers with boot times, fans and such. like any computer oriented item it has to be super sensitive to things like power fluxuations and such.

  29.6.2007 07:58 #15

• hughjars

  Quote: these new generation dvd players are no longer simple players they seem to almost be small computers with boot times, fans and such. like any computer oriented item it has to be super sensitive to things like power fluxuations and such. - Actually those are rapidly to become the 'old gen' ones.
  
  The move will be (very soon) away from the present 'PC in a box' idea to 'SoC' (solution on chip).
  
  This will make the next gen players far cheaper, smaller and more reliable.
  
  ......and that supposedly 'new' Sony S300 BD player?
  It's not even compliant with BD profile 1.1 (which is supposed to be mandatory from oct).
  Talk about built-in obsolescence.
  
  Still, enjoy your new DRM vehicle! :P

  29.6.2007 08:10 #16

• unolord

  Selection of movies is not enough to make me buy a Blu Ballz machine
  
  
  Eligible Blu-ray Players
  Sony BDP-S1
  Sony BDP-S300
  Sony PS3
  Panasonic DMP-BD10K
  Panasonic DMP-BD10KA
  Philips BDP9000/37
  Pioneer BDP-94HD
  Samsung BD-P1000
  Samsung BD-P1200
  
  Movie Choices (you can only pick ONE movie per category)Category 1
  - The Guardian
  - Pearl Harbor
  - Invincible
  - Chicken Little
  
  Category 2
  - Corpse bride
  - Phantom of the Opera
  - Blazing Saddles
  
  Category 3
  - Stealth
  - Resident Evil 2
  - Underworld Evolution
  - Stir of Echoes
  
  Category 4
  - The Italian Job
  - Black Rain
  - Babel
  - Devil's Rejects
  
  Category 5
  - Kiss of the Dragon
  - Omen 666
  - The Transporter 2
  - Species
  - Hart's War
  - The Last Waltz

  29.6.2007 08:29 #17

• cappyx

  Quote:[quote] these new generation dvd players are no longer simple players they seem to almost be small computers with boot times, fans and such. like any computer oriented item it has to be super sensitive to things like power fluxuations and such. - Actually those are rapidly to become the 'old gen' ones.
  
  The move will be (very soon) away from the present 'PC in a box' idea to 'SoC' (solution on chip).
  
  This will make the next gen players far cheaper, smaller and more reliable.
  
  ......and that supposedly 'new' Sony S300 BD player?
  It's not even compliant with BD profile 1.1 (which is supposed to be mandatory from oct).
  Talk about built-in obsolescence.
  
  Still, enjoy your new DRM vehicle! :P[/quote]how soon in your opinion will the new soc players be released?
  what about that new panasonic due to release?

  29.6.2007 10:00 #18

• cappyx

  Quote:[quote] these new generation dvd players are no longer simple players they seem to almost be small computers with boot times, fans and such. like any computer oriented item it has to be super sensitive to things like power fluxuations and such. - Actually those are rapidly to become the 'old gen' ones.
  
  The move will be (very soon) away from the present 'PC in a box' idea to 'SoC' (solution on chip).
  
  This will make the next gen players far cheaper, smaller and more reliable.
  
  ......and that supposedly 'new' Sony S300 BD player?
  It's not even compliant with BD profile 1.1 (which is supposed to be mandatory from oct).
  Talk about built-in obsolescence.
  
  Still, enjoy your new DRM vehicle! :P[/quote]how soon in your opinion will the new soc players be released?
  what about that new panasonic due to release?

  29.6.2007 10:00 #19

• cappyx

  Quote:[quote] these new generation dvd players are no longer simple players they seem to almost be small computers with boot times, fans and such. like any computer oriented item it has to be super sensitive to things like power fluxuations and such. - Actually those are rapidly to become the 'old gen' ones.
  
  The move will be (very soon) away from the present 'PC in a box' idea to 'SoC' (solution on chip).
  
  This will make the next gen players far cheaper, smaller and more reliable.
  
  ......and that supposedly 'new' Sony S300 BD player?
  It's not even compliant with BD profile 1.1 (which is supposed to be mandatory from oct).
  Talk about built-in obsolescence.
  
  Still, enjoy your new DRM vehicle! :P[/quote]
  
  how soon in your opinion will the new soc players be released?
  what about that new panasonic due to release?

  29.6.2007 10:01 #20

• eatsushi

  cappyx: The S300 already has the Sigma Designs SMP8634LF audio/video media processor chip so it can be considered a SoC player.
  
  http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/Produ...630_series.html
  
  Only the Toshiba HD-A1 and XA1 had an actual Intel Pentium 4 CPU and worked like a "PC in a box." The newer HD and BD standalones have A/V media processor chips like the Sigma.

  29.6.2007 11:36 #21

• hughjars

  Quote: how soon in your opinion will the new soc players be released?
  what about that new panasonic due to release? - The true SoC designs have yet to come to market, everything out now is at best a half-way house
  (and that s300 Sony whilst coming in as the 'new' cheapest BD design isn't even profile 1.1 compliant and so can hardly be considered a true 'new' or 'up-to-date' design......oct is the date they are supposed to all be profile 1.1 compliant so if I was buying into BD - which I am not - then I'd wait until a player appeared after that.
  
  The next gen will be the true SoC designs (expect them to start to appear from Q1/2 onwards next year and they will result in smaller, cheaper players......they also open the way for easy & far less expensive dual format players).
  
  Panasonic?
  
  Have you seen this?
  
  Quote:Panasonic has confirmed that it will not up replacing its DMP-BD10a Blu-ray player with a new model this year.
  
  The decision could be seen as a tacit admission that interest in dedicated BD decks is limited, with the lion’s share of sales going to the PlayStation 3.
  
  Instead, Panasonic will be concentrating on its Viera TV ranges and Lumix cameras as core product lines, alongside a renewed emphasis on HD camcorders.
  
  http://avzombie.com/blog...er-planned-by-panasonic/
  
  Also, looking at the updated description for the new Pioneer BDP-LX70, there was originally a sentence at the bottom saying there would soon be a replacement model -
  
  "Availability
  The BDP-LX70 will be commercially available in June. In the near future, Pioneer is planning to introduce a HD Audio Bitstream output player to replace this model."
  
  This has now also been removed.
  
  This new BDP-LX70 will also never support BD-J 1.1/2.0 (along with the Samsung BD-P1200 and the Sony S300). ....
  
  (.....and note that the PS3 is STILL awaiting explicit & official confirmation for the BD-J 1.1/2.0 upgrade.)
  
  http://www.pioneer.co.uk...n/products/bdplx70.html
  
  So much for all that amazing 'CE support' BD was supposed to have
  (the Sony is actually a rebadged Pioneer and the Philips is a rebadged Samsung).

  29.6.2007 14:10 #22

• error5

  Is it a SoC or is it not a SoC? It depends on who you ask:
  
  http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/Compa...ses/070108b.pdf
  
  Quote:
  CES Showcases New Blu-ray Players Powered by Sigma Media Processors
  SMP8630 series media processors provide the most complete SOC solution for Blu-ray Players
  
  LAS VEGAS, Nevada. – January 8, 2007 – Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, today announced the latest Blu-ray Disc players being demonstrated at this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2007) are powered by Sigma media processors. Demonstrating continued leadership in high definition consumer electronics products, Sigma's award winning SMP8630 series of media processors are powering the majority of today's Blu-ray players, including those being shown at CES from Panasonic, Pioneer, and Sony.
  
  Sigma provides advanced media processor chipsets and software that constitute a system-on-achip (SoC) solution for designing Blu-ray or HD-DVD players, enabling customers to focus on software development and value-added features that extend beyond basic operation. As
  demonstrated at the CES 2007 exhibits, the next-generation technology contained in Sigma's SMP8630 series enables players to offer stunning, precise pictures and remarkably beautiful sound
  as well as intelligent interactive features.

  29.6.2007 14:22 #23

• cappyx

  Quote:Is it a SoC or is it not a SoC? It depends on who you ask:
  
  http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/Compa...ses/070108b.pdf
  
  [quote]
  CES Showcases New Blu-ray Players Powered by Sigma Media Processors
  SMP8630 series media processors provide the most complete SOC solution for Blu-ray Players
  
  LAS VEGAS, Nevada. – January 8, 2007 – Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, today announced the latest Blu-ray Disc players being demonstrated at this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2007) are powered by Sigma media processors. Demonstrating continued leadership in high definition consumer electronics products, Sigma's award winning SMP8630 series of media processors are powering the majority of today's Blu-ray players, including those being shown at CES from Panasonic, Pioneer, and Sony.
  
  Sigma provides advanced media processor chipsets and software that constitute a system-on-achip (SoC) solution for designing Blu-ray or HD-DVD players, enabling customers to focus on software development and value-added features that extend beyond basic operation. As
  demonstrated at the CES 2007 exhibits, the next-generation technology contained in Sigma's SMP8630 series enables players to offer stunning, precise pictures and remarkably beautiful sound
  as well as intelligent interactive features. [/quote]
  
  appearently the s300 is not soc.
  error 5 is this something important?
  the panasonic bd10 is sigma and i'm thinking of waiting on that model or just waiting until 2008 to buy a bd player...

  29.6.2007 22:36 #24

• error5

  cappyx: The S300 is a SoC player. It has the Sigma Designs SMP8634LF which is part of their SMP8630 series media processors which:
  
  Quote:
  provide the most complete SOC solution for Blu-ray Players...
  
  Sigma provides advanced media processor chipsets and software that constitute a system-on-achip (SoC) solution for designing Blu-ray or HD-DVD players
  Here's a good explanation of what the different BluRay Player Profiles mean. Then you can decide if these are important to you or not.
  
  http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=868226
  
  Quote:Blu-ray player profiles explained in detail
  
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  Over the last year I have read much on the issue of Blu-ray player profiles from various insiders and based on what I have heard have made this thread about them. There is one Blu-ray spec and in it there are four profiles which includes an audio only profile. Leaving out the audio profile from this thread there are three player profiles made for video playback. After October 31st of 2007 all new Blu-ray players must meet the requirements either for BD-Video 1.1 or for BD-Live though older Blu-ray players can continue to be sold. Here are the requirements for the three Blu-ray player profiles:
  
  BD-Video 1.0:
  
  64 KB of persistent memory required
  no HD/SD PiP decoding required
  no secondary audio decoding required
  no internet capability required
  
  BD-Video 1.1:
  
  256 MB of persistent memory required
  HD/SD PiP decoding required
  secondary audio decoding required
  no internet capability required
  
  BD-Live:
  
  1 GB of persistent memory required
  HD/SD PiP decoding required
  secondary audio decoding required
  internet capability required
  
  
  Frequently Asked Questions (last updated June 29 2007)
  
  1. Why are there three Blu-ray player profiles?
  All three player profiles for Blu-ray were originally made back at the time the Blu-ray specs were originally made. At that time it was known that it would take a while to implement certain features such as HD PiP decoding which would require the development of all new video decoding chips, which only now are beginning to be mass manufactured. As such the plan was to eventually replace the BD-Video 1.0 specs with the BD-Video 1.1 specs by requiring all new players released after a certain date to meet the requirements for it. The BD-Live specs were to be optional for those who wanted to connect their Blu-ray player to the internet.
  
  2. Is BD-J a requirement for all Blu-ray players?
  Yes, all three Blu-ray player profiles require BD-J support and will be capable of normal BD-J interactivity for menus and games. Note though that certain extras may require features that are unique to BD-Video 1.1 or BD-Live.
  
  3. Should I wait for BD-Video 1.1 or BD-Live players?
  That depends. Though BD-Video 1.0 players will always be capable of playing Blu-ray movies and normal BD-J interactivity they will not be capable of certain extras such as PiP decoding. If you are interested in those extras than it would be best to wait for Blu-ray players to be released that can support them.
  
  4. Could a BD-Video 1.0 player be updated to BD-Video 1.1 or BD-Live?
  That is possible if it had the necessary hardware but most likely none of the current stand alone Blu-ray players do. The only current Blu-ray player that might be updated is the PS3 though nothing official has been said about that.
  
  5. What is secondary audio decoding?
  This allows for the mixing of two audio tracks which for instance would allow for the commentary track included with a secondary video stream to be mixed into the primary audio stream.
  
  6. Are the HD DVD player requirements all mandatory?
  Not quite, though rarely mentioned there is an optional component of HD DVD called the Enhanced Video secondary decoder (HD PiP decoder). So far I have not heard of any current or upcoming HD DVD player that is known to have it. The bitrates for both it and the Standard Video secondary decoder (SD PiP decoder) can be seen here:
  
  Standard Video secondary decoder (mandatory)
  MPEG-2
  1.8 Megabits buffer
  3 Mbps average bitrate
  6 Mbps peak bitrate
  
  MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1
  2 Megabits buffer
  2 Mbps average bitrate
  4 Mbps peak bitrate
  
  Enhanced Video secondary decoder (optional)
  All Video Codecs
  7.5 Megabits buffer
  8 Mbps average bitrate
  15 Mbps peak bitrate
  
  7. So did the BDA delay the implementation of PiP decoding in Blu-ray because of HD PiP?
  Yes, and the benefit of this is that if a Blu-ray player is capable of PiP decoding it will support both SD PiP and HD PiP. As such a studio can choose which to use based on what they are planning to do with it.
  
  8. What would be the benefit of HD PiP?
  There are two scenarios in which HD PiP would be beneficial. The first scenario is when you are able to make the PiP video full screen in which case a HD PiP would obviously be beneficial. The second scenario is the ability to overlay the main video with the PiP video by using the luma key data of the PiP video which, if within a certain range of values, indicates the primary video should be shown for those pixels. To give a simple example of this you could have a PiP window with the director in it moving to different positions across the screen as needed. Than when he wants to point something out in the movie he can make a circle actually appear around that object. In fact when needed what looks to be a second PiP window could appear and disappear as needed. Once again HD PiP would be beneficial in this scenario.
  
  9. Has there been a real world example in which HD PiP would have been beneficial?
  Such an example can be seen in this review of Freedom which was released on HD DVD:
  Quote:
  Originally Posted by High-Def Digest review
  The only hiccup to these welcome options is that the video content in the PiP video isn't presented in high definition -- when I popped it into the main window, the picture was pixilated and flooded with noise
  
  10. What video decoding chips are capable of decoding HD PiP?
  The Sigma Designs SMP8634 Rev. C and the Broadcam BCM7440 are two decoding chips that are capable of decoding HD PiP.
  
  11. Have any BD-Video 1.1 or BD-Live players been officially announced yet?
  No, not yet.
  

  29.6.2007 23:56 #25

• cappyx

  Error5:
  In your opinion do you think that the sony s300 or the panasonic d10a due to release is the better machine? i have no clue when the d10a will be officialy released any idea on your end?
  i was going to send back the the defective s300 and get my repalcement tommorrow however while looking at the circuit city website i see the d10a comming soon.
  
  http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/sto...000000000005702

  30.6.2007 07:08 #26

• error5

  According to the DMP-BD10A thread at avsforums it's the exact same hardware as the 1st gen DMP-BD10 but with an updated firmware and 5 free discs.
  
  I know dblbogey7 has a DMP-BD10 and he likes it a lot.
  
  I myself am waiting for the 3rd gen BDP-S500 from Sony which is scheduled to be introduced at CEDIA in September. I think eatsushi is waiting for this model too.

  30.6.2007 07:32 #27

• cappyx

  error5:
  when do you think the s500 will be available for consumer purchase? i might be interested in waiting on this model as well. any ideas on the cost?

  30.6.2007 07:50 #28

• cappyx

  error5 i then will assume that the panasonic bd10a will also have the sigma or soc technology like the s300?

  30.6.2007 08:15 #29

• c1c

  Forget about this HD Bluray Crap. What more do you need to see?Ill wait 5 years when you can download, burn them, and play on a hommade HD bluray player, a computer.
  

  hp dvd 840, vaio pcg-frv27

  30.6.2007 08:30 #30

• cappyx

  Originally posted by c1c:Forget about this HD Bluray Crap. What more do you need to see?Ill wait 5 years when you can download, burn them, and play on a hommade HD bluray player, a computer.From history I remember a day when the saying was "Get A Horse"

  30.6.2007 10:21 #31

• dblbogey7

  Originally posted by error5:
  I know dblbogey7 has a DMP-BD10 and he likes it a lot.
  
  I myself am waiting for the 3rd gen BDP-S500 from Sony which is scheduled to be introduced at CEDIA in September. I think eatsushi is waiting for this model too.The BD10 has been a good performer for me - very reliable and glitch free.
  
  My local A/V Dealer/Installer has been a regular attendee of CEDIA and he plans to be at the September meeting in Denver. He's been in touch with some Sony reps and he says the BDP-S500 will be the model to look forward to. He hints that it will be fully BD-Video 1.1 and even BD-Live compliant with HDMI 1.3 transmission of True HD and DTS HD-MA bitstreams, with 1080p/24fps output, and with the build quality of their ES line. I asked about internal decoding of DTS HD-MA and he said it should have the hardware to do it. He also said that it should have the latest version of the Sigma Designs SoC chip. This would be a good machine to upgrade to and a good partner for my XA2.
  
  As for availability I'm guessing 4th Q of '07 or 1st Q of '08.

  30.6.2007 12:37 #32

• cappyx

  Quote:Originally posted by error5:
  I know dblbogey7 has a DMP-BD10 and he likes it a lot.
  
  I myself am waiting for the 3rd gen BDP-S500 from Sony which is scheduled to be introduced at CEDIA in September. I think eatsushi is waiting for this model too.The BD10 has been a good performer for me - very reliable and glitch free.
  
  My local A/V Dealer/Installer has been a regular attendee of CEDIA and he plans to be at the September meeting in Denver. He's been in touch with some Sony reps and he says the BDP-S500 will be the model to look forward to. He hints that it will be fully BD-Video 1.1 and even BD-Live compliant with HDMI 1.3 transmission of True HD and DTS HD-MA bitstreams, with 1080p/24fps output, and with the build quality of their ES line. I asked about internal decoding of DTS HD-MA and he said it should have the hardware to do it. He also said that it should have the latest version of the Sigma Designs SoC chip. This would be a good machine to upgrade to and a good partner for my XA2.
  
  As for availability I'm guessing 4th Q of '07 or 1st Q of '08.Thanks i appreciate the help. I’m undecided on the s300 at this time i really would like the bd10 as it does 7.1pcm and my next receiver will be true 7.1 this would be great as I have read that ddtrue and dtshd are not transmitted via HDMI. Something to do with it would have to be un-decoded and it will never happen.. Any thoughts on this?

  30.6.2007 14:54 #33

• error5

  @cappyx: Regarding lossless sound from BluRay:
  
  Most releases with lossless sound are carrying the uncompressed 5.1 LPCM so decoding is not even a problem. All BluRay players can send this out unchanged thru HDMI 1.1 or above OR you can use the players D-A converters and send this out thru the 5.1 analog connections.
  
  The few discs that have Dolby True HD can be handled by the Panasonic as it has internal decoding.
  
  Fox has released some titles with DTS HD-MA and will be the main studio that will use this codec for its lossless releases.
  
  If you want to cover your bases regarding the lossless formats then you should probably wait for the S500 as it will likely be able to do internal decoding as well as bitstream transmission of both True HD and DTS HD-MA.

  1.7.2007 06:26 #34