Prices of Blu-ray players are dropping, but when is the best time to buy? You can currently get a generic brand BD player for around $230 from big box retailers like Circuit City, Walmart, and Target. And, discounted BD players like the Samsung BD-P1500(pictured right) are sometimes available. But if that isn’t cheap enough for you, some industry experts predict $150 BD players the day after Thanksgiving. Full Story »

Just in time to get your appetite wet for the new James Bond movie Quantum of Solace hitting U.S. theaters on November 14, the Blu-ray two-disc collectors edition of Casino Royale has hit the streets. The Casino Royale Collectors Edition on 2-disc Blu-ray and 3-disc DVD comes with never-before-seen features and documentaries. Full Story »

The third chapter of the ‘The Mummy’ is coming to Blu-ray Disc. The epic action film loaded with special effects and cinematic pyrotechnics is certain to be visually stunning in high-definition. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor will also be available as a standard single disc DVD, two-disc Deluxe Edition DVD and a two-disc Blu-ray edition. The Blu-ray features extra hours of bonus material including behind-the-scenes footage, outtakes and deleted scenes. A digital copy is also included. Full Story »

Just yesterday I was asking my friend why Apple came out with these fancy new MacBooks but with no option for Blu-ray Disc integration. Isn’t Blu-ray the disc of the future? With each disc capable of holding 25GB of data you’d think Apple would be on this already. Full Story »

It’s a big week for Blu-ray. The long awaited Ultimate Matrix Collection (previously available on HD DVD) and the recent box office hit Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull are just a couple of the highly anticipated Blu-ray releases today. Other new BD titles include 90’s classic Casino and soon-to-be-classic American Gangster (both previously released on HD DVD.) Steven Spielberg’s Poltergeist, never before released in hi-def is just in time for Halloween. Full Story »

As expected, DVD rental company Netflix will raise the monthly fee for subscribers by $1 for customers who rent Blu-ray Discs. The new addition to the monthly fee will start November 5th, and customers who don’t want Blu-ray rentals will need to change their account settings on the Netflix website. Full Story »

Hellboy II: The Golden Army will be available on Blu-ray Nov. 11. The film from director Guillermo Del Toro and Universal Studios Home Entertainment will be formatted in Widescreen 1.85:1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 sound. With the Blu-ray Disc, Hellboy fans can create their own downloadable comic book using scenes from the movie and chat with friends via BD Live.  The film will also be available on standard definition DVD in widescreen or fullscreen mode, and also in a 3-disc widescreen special edition with special packaging. Full Story »

Warner Home Video announced it would be releasing the latest Batman theatrical release The Dark Knight on Blu-ray Disc Dec. 9. The film grossed over half a billion dollars in the box office in the U.S. alone, and twice that worldwide. The Blu-ray Disc release is sure to be best seller, with Warner releasing it on DVD, Blu-ray single disc, and Blu-ray 2-Disc Limited Edition. Full Story »

Warner Home Entertainment has announced the release of Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Blu-ray Disc. Join Obi-Wan, Annakin and new Jedi padawan Ahsoka as they trace the disappearance of Jabba the Hutt’s son Rotta. The high-definition disc and standard DVD will be released on November 11. Full Story »

The X-Files: I Want To Believe will be released on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on Dec. 2. The Blu-ray release will mark the first title from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment featuring BD-Live enhancements. The disc will contain exclusive features, games, content, and allow interactivity with other X-Files fans via internet connection. Exclusives to the BD include picture-in-picture commentary with creator Chris Carter and producer Frank Spotnitz, and an interactive timeline tracing the entire series history. Full Story »

A recent poll of random HD-Report users asked which fall Blu-ray release they are most looking forward to. The most votes went to the Transformers (Two-Disc Special Edition) which won with 23% of the votes. Transformers was released on Tuesday and is currently the second most popular Blu-ray disc on Amazon. Coming in second with 20% of the votes was Casino Royale (Collector’s Edition, 2 discs) slated for October 21 release. Full Story »

The Incredible Hulk will be released on Blu-ray this coming October 21. Among the features of the Blu-ray release and Special Edition DVD are deleted scenes, an alternative beginning, and a digital copy for iPod, Mac and PC. The Blu-ray version will be packaged in a special collections edition 3d box. The film stars Edward Norton, Tim Roth, Liv Tyler and William Hurt. Full Story »

Strategy Analytics says that Blu-ray is “not threatened” by HD broadcasts. But if I were Blu-ray, I would be.

According to a report from Strategy Analytics, “The Blu-ray Disc Association has objected to claims that these services deliver high definition picture and sound equal to that delivered by Blu-ray Disc, and suggests that these comparisons are irresponsible and misleading to consumers.” Full Story »

Paramount, once exclusive to HD DVD at the height the format battle, will be offering a $10 rebate for customers who want to upgrade to high-definition Blu-ray Disc. According to Variety, only certain library titles will be included in the offer including “The Godfather” and “Transformers.” Paramount is hoping to give Blu-ray sales a boost this coming holiday season. Full Story »

Amazon is having a sale on selected Blu-ray Discs that discount the retail by 40-45%. The discount really puts Blu-ray at an affordable price, and for the most part these are not your discount bin titles. The best deal they have going is Ocean’s Thirteen for $19.95. The retail price of this Blu-ray Disc is normally $35.99, a savings of $16. Full Story »

Kill Bill Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 on Blu-ray will simply be what is was when it was released on DVD, a two-pack of the individually discs, except this time in high-definition. The Blu-ray Disc set is priced at $69.98, and individual discs priced at $34.99. No discount on the 2-pack, but you would expect retailers to drop the price. Here are some extras that may entice you to pick these up. Full Story »

Paramount Home Entertainment announced Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will be available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc October 14. Although it was given one of the worst film titles in a long time, except for the ‘Indiana Jones’ part, this film is a refreshing throwback to the 80’s films. Full Story »

Believe it or not Amazon is still suggesting HD DVD purchases to customers on their mailing list who have bought HD DVD products before. I received an email this morning recommending I Am Legend (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) along with 8 other titles that included American Gangster and Batman Begins.

They must have a huge stock of HD DVDs because the titles they suggested are all from the Amazon stash. What’s interesting is the new releases are still priced like a format that isn’t obsolete. I Am Legend is priced at $24.95, 31-percent off the retail price of $35.99 but still up there. Full Story »

Kill Bill Volumes 1 & 2 will be released on Blu-ray Disc September 9. The 2-disc high-definition set is now available for pre-order on Amazon. However there is some speculation about whether or not to wait for the release of the elusive director’s cut Kill Bill - The Whole Bloody Affair, a box set that was much anticipated on standard DVD but never realized in the United States. Full Story »

Panasonic announced yesterday it is looking for more families to participate in its “Living in HD program,” a study of American families living “living in high definition.” The company currently has 30 families involved in the program but will increase that number to 60 in 2009 and eventually 100. Full Story »