Blu-ray discs may be more protected and harder to play in certain programs, like XBMC, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play your HD video on your media centre. Here’s how to rip and compress Blu-Ray discs for high quality, space-saving results.
Windows/Mac/Linux: It’s still slim pickings when it comes to finding a good freeware application for ripping Blu-ray discs, but ripping and converting tool MakeMKV is free for as long as it’s in beta — and it’s undoubtedly the simplest ripper around.
If you’ve got a few Blu-rays on your Christmas shopping list, then a sticker promising a “digital copy” feature for your iPod or PC seems like a nice added bonus. But the reality is that just what kind of copies you can make depends entirely on the studio.
The All About Microsoft blog posts a seriously complete list of what’s going to be included in Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista, expected to be out in April 2009. Major items include the Vista Feature Pack for Wireless for easier/better connections, built-in Blu-Ray writing, and reduced resources required for sidebar gadgets. Nothing majorly huge, so it’s worth looking at Windows 7 features you can get in Vista.
The disappearance of HD DVD from the market was expected to give a boost to Blu-ray, but so far it seems we’re are quite happy to stick with DVD and skip any hi-def alternative. Michael Bodey at The Australian reports that on the most recent sales figures, Blu-ray accounts for just 1.35% of the total Australian DVD movie market — despite the healthy sales of the PS3 (which sports built-in Blu-ray support), falling prices on other Blu-ray players, and gangbuster sales for high-def TVs. Why do you think Blu-ray hasn’t taken off? Is the extra resolution not worth it? Are the blanks too expensive? Are you sick of constantly buying movies in new formats? Is it easier just to head to the iTunes store and grab a flick? Share your thoughts in comments. High-def TVs muscle out their digital rivals [The Australian]
If your media hunger makes the thought of burning to a 50GB Blu-ray disc tempting, but you’ve been put off by the price, here’s some good news: Sony just cut the RRP for its BWU200S internal burner from $899 to $599. Of course, the discs themselves are still a touch on the pricey side, but it’s a welcome drop nonetheless, especially if you’re regularly over-filling your hard drive with video and audio. Got any good sources for cheap Blu-ray media, or would you rather just stick to conventional DVDs and ever-expanding USB sticks? Let us know in the comments.
Yesterday we pointed you to Gizmodo US’s take on how to handle the death of HD-DVD (their tip: sell off your player on eBay before the rest of the world realises it’s a dead format). But Nick over at Giz AU has come up with a pretty good alternative – he says there’s around 1,000 movies out there on HD-DVD, and you’ll be able to scoop them up pretty cheaply, so why not hang onto your player and get your money’s worth. Makes sense to me.He’s also got some tips on how to best get into Blu-ray (PS3!) – remembering that you need an HD TV and surround sound to get the most out of it.
So Blu-ray won the format war – now what? [Gizmodo AU]
