Reaching Millions with a Smile

Good Update on the HD vs Blu-ray Situation from Yahoo.com Tech section:

Want a refund from Toshiba now that it’s pulled the plug on its own format? Good luck. Also: HD DVD prices plummet, Universal and Amazon go Blu-ray, and more.

Toshiba nixes refunds: So, HD DVD early adopters – think you deserve a refund now that Toshiba has killed the format? Think again. Valleywag reports that the company (and big-time HD DVD backer) won’t be accepting refund requests (although it will continue to support existing HD DVD players). Here’s the quote: “There is nothing wrong with the products so we aren’t accepting returns from customers … [Customers] understood that there were two competing formats and understood that one of them would probably prevail …” Good point, actually. In my case, I bought the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive knowing full well that I was taking a gamble. I lost. End of story.

Universal goes Blu-ray: Not a shock, but Universal went ahead and made it official: The studio (the only one to exclusively support HD DVD from the beginning) announced that it will start churning out Blu-ray versions of its new releases and catalog titles. No word on how long it will continue to press HD DVD discs. The move leaves Paramount and Dreamworks as the final HD DVD-only studios. Neither movie house has made any official announcements, but expect that to change shortly.

Onkyo drops HD DVD: Confirming pretty much a foregone conclusion, Engadget HD reports that Onkyo, one of the few manufacturers besides Toshiba to make HD DVD players, has followed suit and dropped the format.

LG stays with HD DVD: Or at least with dual-format Blu-ray/HD DVD decks, according to High-Def Digest. The manufacturer, which was the first to release a Blu-ray/HD DVD combo player, said that “at this present moment in time, it is necessary to provide a player which supports both formats and therefore create simplicity and convenience for the existing HD DVD consumer.” Very true, although it’s not clear whether LG will produce more combo players, or will simply continue to support its existing players (its latest, the BH200, arrived in stores late last year).

Amazon hearts Blu-ray: The giant online retailer just went the way of Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Netflix, announcing that it will now “more prominently promote Blu-ray hardware and software products on its Web site.” Amazon will continue to sell HD DVD products, however. Indeed, I’m waiting for a mega HD DVD fire sale in the wake of the 50 percent discount offer that began last week.

HD DVD prices plummet: Sharp-eyed readers at Engadget HD found Toshiba’s HD-A3 HD DVD player on sale at Circuit City for $99, including 7 free movies. Of course, it’s just the beginning of sharp price cuts across the board for HD DVD. Taking a quick look at eBay, I found HD DVD players going for well under $100, with the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on selling for about $50.

More info here: http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/12764/blu-ray-trumps-hd-dvd-the-aftermath

Found and Posted by:

~Mirada~

“Chico, California, January 16, 2008 – Matt York, Publisher and CEO of Videomaker Magazine, took his concept One Media Player per Teacher, (www.ompt.org) to the impoverished and embattled Southern Sudan area to show educators how to instruct using digital video devices.

Following more than 20 years of civil war, Southern Sudan is home to some of the poorest and most illiterate people in that region of the world. Matt spoke with several of the citizens of this region who want to become teachers. Nicodemus, one of the “lost boys” of the Sudan now in his 20s, told harrowing stories of his life and of other children taken from their parents at age 7 by the military.

“You could make a movie, just on Nicodemus’ tragic life,” Matt says, adding that through it all, Nicodemus’ attitude wasn’t one of self-pity but to help others like him to have the chance to grow and learn in a better world.

One Media Player per Teacher
Inspired by the One Laptop per Child concept, One Media Player per Teacher [OMPT] hopes to connect people to knowledge that is crucial to their every day living as they try to regain their footing in the world by educating its population on many facets of needs from better agricultural production to sexually transmitted diseases and birth control awareness.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in cooperation with the Government of Southern Sudan, is in the process of launching new technology initiatives that will strengthen education programs through the Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction (SSIRI) Project. SSIRI is administered by Education Development Center (EDC). The new resources—which include MP3 players, video production facilities, and computer centers—are being installed in schools, adult learning centers, and teacher training institutes. Matt served as a consultant to EDC.

“OMPT has a passion to encourage people, “ he says, “who are learning to produce and teach with audio and video. These teaching tools can actually be much more meaningful and effective in lesser developed countries.”

Using his knowledge base of video production and equipment, Matt York has researched the best equipment needed for their environments to help the teachers of this contentious region educate its citizens. Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) is an educational radio system that has been used around worldwide since the 1970s, helping people in impoverished areas of the world. One Media Player per Teacher [OMPT] places the media players in the teachers’ hands so that they can teach on their own schedule.

Matthew York
Matthew York founded Videomaker magazine in 1985, and is a widely respected authority on developments in the consumer electronics and television industry. York advocates the use of video-making tools throughout society, by encouraging people to become effective videographers.”

www.videomaker.com

~Mirada~

2008 Videomaker Events are up and lookin’ good!

Check out the newly redesigned site for the latest updates on the upcoming 2008 Videomaker Events all over the country!

www.events.videomaker.com

~Mirada~