Category: Entertainment

Why HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Have Already Failed

Audioholics,.com has an article up entitled 10 Reasons Why High Definition DVD Formats Have Already Failed.

The list makes some compelling arguments about how the format wars currently going on between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are going to end up making them nothing more than niche players like DVD-Audio and SACD.

Personally, even as a fan of new technology, I’m not interested in either format because I can’t find enough compelling reasons to go with a more expensive format than DVD right now.

Sure, we’re told about how great the technology is and how much more space for content the discs have, but I already see DVDs with plenty of space left over because the studios tend to avoid extra content whenever possible outside of hideously expensive “collector editions” released several months after the original disc.

Half-Life 2: Episode One

Gordon and Alyx - Half Life 2: Episode One

If you’ve started up Valve’s Steam gaming distribution client lately, you’ve probably already noticed that the oddly named Half-Life 2: Episode One has been released.

The idea of episodic gaming content has been done before, but this $20 release seems to be getting strong reviews from the gaming community.

The episode is definitely short, giving roughly four to six hours of play for the average gamer. Also, the game doesn’t stray far at all from the basic format laid out in the original Half-Life or Half-Life 2. But for those who liked the previous game, and this will no doubt be welcome news.

Although the game uses the same gaming engine as Half-Life 2, there are some subtle differences. If your video card is capable of using High Dynamic Range rendering, as seen in the Half-Life 2: Lost Coast tech demo, then you’ll be glad to know the feature is available in Episode One as well.

Another Season of Doctor Who Starts Today

The Doctor and Rose Tyler

Fans of the classic science fiction series Doctor Who are reminded that the new season starts today in the United Kingdom. The first episode, entitled “New Earth” will be broadcast on the BBC at 7:15pm local time.

For those looking for a slightly spoiler-filled preview of the next season, you can find a three-minute video of all the new threats the 10th Doctor will face, along with the return of a few old friends and foes here.