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Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Offers BD-LIVE Software Upgrade For Every PLAYSTATION3 Console (23/4/2008)

Blu-ray Disc is riding a rip curl of popular support with more and more consumers stepping up to its unique High Definition home entertainment experience. Building on the format’s extraordinary picture and sound quality, the home entertainment industry’s favourite HD format has received another major boost with the addition of advanced interactivity. This new format feature is created thanks to new technology called BD-LIVE, which combines content on the Blu-ray Disc with downloadable content from the internet and on-line connectivity with other movie fans.

Now, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has become one of the first European consumer electronics manufacturers to offer BD-LIVE on its Blu-ray Disc products. The company will offer BD-LIVE as a standard feature on all of its PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3) consoles. What’s more, home entertainment enthusiasts don’t need to buy a fresh PS3 to enjoy the added value features that BD-LIVE provides – later this month, SCEE will release a system software upgrade which can be downloaded to any existing PS3. With BD-LIVE, consumers can take full advantage of a Blu-ray Disc’s interactive features, such as downloadable video content, featurettes, ringtones, games and many more kinds of content currently under development by the movie studios.

“Blu-ray Disc seeks to revolutionise the entertainment experience, the way we relate to and interact with movies at home,” comments Frank Simonis, Chairman, Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) European Promotions Committee. “First it was the format’s uniquely high quality audio and video, and now we have created a whole new paradigm in the form of immersive interactive features.”

Movie studio’s revolutionise home entertainment experience with BD-LIVE Blu-ray Disc is a rapidly evolving HD home entertainment format and most content owners are developing additional interactive content which they can offer alongside their main movie features. One of the early adopters of BD-LIVE is Lions Gate Home Entertainment.

Released by Lionsgate in the UK this month, SAW IV is the fourth film in the extremely successful film series and continues on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, dripping with special features.

The Blu-ray features include audio commentaries, featurettes, a music video and a deleted scene. Harnessing the power of BD-LIVE, this Blu-ray Disc also premieres the world’s first interactive Blu-ray disc movie blog, called MoLog™ .

This brand new feature is the world's first Blu-ray blog, which allows users to create and share their own added value content via blog entries. This represents the next generation of interactivity, and allows each person to create their own unique Special Edition of SAW IV.

“The further we explore the capabilities of Blu-ray, the more we are able to challenge ourselves with what can be accomplished with this superb technology.” commented Nicola Cartwright, UK managing director of Lions Gate Home Entertainment. “As consumers increasingly realize the wealth of added value content that is available through BD-Live, we are certain that they will more readily invest in this exciting entertainment platform.”

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