Harry Potter HD DVD to Feature First-Ever "Community Screening" Function

Super XP · 11-26-2007, 08:58 AM

Harry Potter HD DVD to Feature First-Ever "Community Screening" Function - HD DVD Exclusive:
Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Exclusive HD Content, Warner (all tags)

Quote:

Promising to bring high-def interconnectivity to a new level, Warner will introduce a first-ever group screening function with its upcoming HD DVD release of 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.'

Dubbed "Live Community Screening," the new feature will allow multiple owners of the 'Order of the Phoenix' HD DVD to simultaneously watch the film via their own individual web-connected players. Playback is controlled by a single "host" user, who initiates the invitation-only viewing, and can control the film by pausing and playing the feature on everyone else's machines. Even more cutting edge, Warner says participants will also be able to text between their remote devices, creating a virtual "live chat" environment while they watch.

Introducing this new feature with little fanfare (it wasn't even mentioned in the disc's press announcement), Warner revealed the complete details of 'Harry Potter's exclusive HD DVD content via this just-launched 'Harry Potter' product page at the newly redesigned thelookandsoundofperfect.com, the official consumer website of the HD DVD Promotions Group.

Set for release on December 11, other content exclusive to the HD DVD of 'Order of the Phoenix' includes a "Behind the Screen: Focus Points" picture-in-picture video commentary, additional downloadable material including screensavers and ringtones, plus a custom bookmarking function.

Although Warner is also debuting a Blu-ray version of 'Order of the Phoenix' day-and-date with the HD DVD, that disc will not include any web-enabled content.

Just do http://www. along with the rest, cut & paist to get the link to work.
http: // www . /news/show/Warner/Exclusive_HD_Content/Harry_Potter_HD_DVD_to_Feature_First-Ever_Community_Screening_Function/1188

Cygnus · 11-26-2007, 09:05 AM

Interesting. I recall XBL owners asking for a similar type feature for movie watching on the 360. It makes sense, since 360s come with headsets. Not too hard to implement, basically the player has to synchronize the movie start (and pause) times. Its next-gen features like this that will hopefully set HD-DVD apart from DVD. Its up to studios to take movie watching to another level, not just improve AV.

Dare · 11-26-2007, 11:27 AM

So if one guy has to go to the bathroom and pauses the movie, we all have to wait for his happy ass to come back?

Cygnus · 11-26-2007, 11:42 AM

Heh..possibly. But I bet there will be an option to ignore pauses.

MikeRox · 11-26-2007, 11:50 AM

It'll be down to the host won't it?

El Despairado · 11-26-2007, 11:52 AM

Ok, I am a retard... I don't understand this feature at all. So, one dude can have the movie at his house and even though two other dudes don't have the movie, we can all connect to some sort of internet site to watch the movie together through our HD DVD players?

mystic7 · 11-26-2007, 11:56 AM

I just wanna watch the damn movie! And what's with the HD-DVD/DVD combo disc crap? Does that mean they're not selling a separate SD DVD version? If they are, why do we need a combo disc? I want graphics on my discs, not an SD version I'm never going to watch.

Dare · 11-26-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Despairado

Ok, I am a retard... I don't understand this feature at all. So, one dude can have the movie at his house and even though two other dudes don't have the movie, we can all connect to some sort of internet site to watch the movie together through our HD DVD players?

No, it's worse. Everyone has to have their own copy, and this feature just synchronizes the play button. I'm having a lot of trouble trying to figure out why the hell I would want this or care. I guess if I wanted to watch something at exactly the same time as other people in other houses, I could just watch TV. But, I have to tell you, watching something at the same time as others was never the first reason to watch TV for me.

ClashFan · 11-26-2007, 12:03 PM

I can't see this feature being a big deal, but I don't understand my high school students' fascination with texting themselves via cellphones, so who knows?

Cygnus · 11-26-2007, 12:07 PM

Heh, there is no way studios would agree to that since they want to make $$ from each household buying the movie. Basically the start/stop times of multiple households will be synchronized if they are watching (and have) the same movie. It may also synchronize their web enabled features when viewing contents online. I can see kids, chatting on phone while watching movies "together" with friends, liking this but I have no interest. Remote interactive gaming could also use this feature.

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Despairado

Ok, I am a retard... I don't understand this feature at all. So, one dude can have the movie at his house and even though two other dudes don't have the movie, we can all connect to some sort of internet site to watch the movie together through our HD DVD players?

Dare · 11-26-2007, 12:09 PM

I text all the time. It's the greatest way to communicate. I get a message out quickly without getting sucked into a drawn out conversation, "Hi, how you doing? Can you hear me? I just wanted... (35 minutes later) uh huh, that's great. Okay, have fun. Talk to you later. You too. Bye."

I just wanted to tell them to go buy an HD-DVD.

brian451 · 11-26-2007, 12:10 PM

Does anyone else think that this ensures that WB wont be ditching hd dvd anytime soon?

Cygnus · 11-26-2007, 12:23 PM

I hope you don't text while driving

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dare

I text all the time. It's the greatest way to communicate. I get a message out quickly without getting sucked into a drawn out conversation, "Hi, how you doing? Can you hear me? I just wanted... (35 minutes later) uh huh, that's great. Okay, have fun. Talk to you later. You too. Bye."

I just wanted to tell them to go buy an HD-DVD.

Dare · 11-26-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cygnus

I hope you don't text while driving

I have. It's extremely dangerous.

phearcat · 11-26-2007, 01:12 PM

I'm guilty of emailing while driving.

11-26-2007, 09:05 AM	#2
Cygnus The Bringer of Balance Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,834	Interesting. I recall XBL owners asking for a similar type feature for movie watching on the 360. It makes sense, since 360s come with headsets. Not too hard to implement, basically the player has to synchronize the movie start (and pause) times. Its next-gen features like this that will hopefully set HD-DVD apart from DVD. Its up to studios to take movie watching to another level, not just improve AV. __________________ Toshiba 57H81 Kenwood VR-616 Comcast DCT6412 III XBox 360 GamerTag Sec0nd2N0n3

11-26-2007, 11:27 AM	#3
Dare I moon you. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,436	So if one guy has to go to the bathroom and pauses the movie, we all have to wait for his happy ass to come back? __________________ LG GGC-H20L Super Multi Blue Blu-ray & HD DVD ROM Drive 58 31

11-26-2007, 11:42 AM	#4
Cygnus The Bringer of Balance Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,834	Heh..possibly. But I bet there will be an option to ignore pauses. __________________ Toshiba 57H81 Kenwood VR-616 Comcast DCT6412 III XBox 360 GamerTag Sec0nd2N0n3

11-26-2007, 11:50 AM	#5
MikeRox Blu Blu Skies! :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: Huddersfield, United Kingdom Posts: 12,416	It'll be down to the host won't it? __________________ REGION B 4TW! Latest HD additions - I Love You Man - 17 Again - Born on the 4th of July - Paul Blart: Mall Cop - Monsters, Inc. HD Movies - Um... Lost count >_< bout 250 Latest Gaming Additions - Mirrors Edge - Scene It BOS - Wartech: Senko No Ronde - Lego Indiana Jones/Kung Fu Panda 2 pack - Silent Hill

11-26-2007, 11:52 AM	#6
El Despairado HD DVD: Still the best! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Dakota Age: 32 Posts: 903	Ok, I am a retard... I don't understand this feature at all. So, one dude can have the movie at his house and even though two other dudes don't have the movie, we can all connect to some sort of internet site to watch the movie together through our HD DVD players? __________________ Consumers did not choose the winner of the format war, the movie studios did, and now consumers are stuck with the decision. Samsung HL-S6187W Yamaha RX-V2700 Toshiba HD-XA2 RF/LF-Polk Audio RTi8 Center-Polk Audio CSi3 SL/SR-Polk Audio RTi6 LFE-Polk Audio P505 300watt self amplified. Xbox 360 Administrator of Horns Up International hornsupinternational.freeforums.org

11-26-2007, 11:56 AM	#7
mystic7 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,431	I just wanna watch the damn movie! And what's with the HD-DVD/DVD combo disc crap? Does that mean they're not selling a separate SD DVD version? If they are, why do we need a combo disc? I want graphics on my discs, not an SD version I'm never going to watch.

11-26-2007, 12:03 PM	#9
ClashFan Joe Strummer Lives! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,337	I can't see this feature being a big deal, but I don't understand my high school students' fascination with texting themselves via cellphones, so who knows? __________________ My gear: Samsung LN46A650 -- 46" 120 Hz Onkyo TX-SR674 receiver JBL Venue fronts, Infinity TSS-1100 center Infinity TSS-1100 surrounds and rear surrounds JBL SUB12 subwoofer Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD player (firmware 2.7) (100+ HD DVDs) Sony BDP-S550 BD player (51 BDs) Xbox 360 game console Comcast Motorola 6412 HDTV cable box Logitech Harmony 550 Remote 1 wife, 2 sons (ages 15 and 8)

11-26-2007, 12:09 PM	#11
Dare I moon you. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,436	I text all the time. It's the greatest way to communicate. I get a message out quickly without getting sucked into a drawn out conversation, "Hi, how you doing? Can you hear me? I just wanted... (35 minutes later) uh huh, that's great. Okay, have fun. Talk to you later. You too. Bye." I just wanted to tell them to go buy an HD-DVD. __________________ LG GGC-H20L Super Multi Blue Blu-ray & HD DVD ROM Drive 58 31

11-26-2007, 12:10 PM	#12
brian451 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 163	Does anyone else think that this ensures that WB wont be ditching hd dvd anytime soon?

11-26-2007, 01:12 PM	#15
phearcat Me So HD Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The OC Age: 39 Posts: 698	I'm guilty of emailing while driving. __________________ 50" Pioneer Plamsa pdp-5070hd HDTV XBox 360 Elite (HDMI) w/HD-DVD XBL: Phear Cat Nintendo Wii HD DVD: 41

Similar Threads to Harry Potter HD DVD to Feature First-Ever "Community Screening" Function
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
direct tv vs dish network	mtb	DirecTV Forum	23	10-26-2009 02:46 PM
Sept. 19 HD Channel Launch Date Q&A	dman59	DirecTV Forum	43	09-30-2009 11:13 AM
So, $9.99 for HD is now an "access fee."	WhoZit	DirecTV Forum	38	11-30-2007 09:11 AM
Sound Advice: HD DVD leaves Blu-ray in the dust	bruceames	High Definition Media	45	11-26-2007 09:10 PM
Great article on the Paramount news.	bruceames	High Definition Media	29	10-12-2007 06:32 PM