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Windows 7 Adds Dolby Digital Plus Support
Thu Aug 20, 2009 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Microsoft (all tags)
Dolby announced recently that Microsoft will add support for Dolby Digital Plus to its Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Windows 7.
“A solid media experience is a critical part of [the] computing experience” stated Mike Nash, VP of Windows Product Management at Microsoft in a recent press release. “We are delighted to be working with Dolby Laboratories, the leaders in high-quality audio and surround sound, to provide Dolby Digital Plus to our mutual customers.”
Supporting Dolby Digital Plus is a strong step forward for Windows 7, and certainly not the last announcement that will be coming out of Microsoft, who seem to be interested in becoming a part of your home theater now more than ever.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Microsoft: “We’ll support Blu-ray”
Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Microsoft (all tags)
Amid rumors that Microsoft is in talks to add Blu-ray support to its Xbox 360 game console, CEO Steve Ballmer has indicated the company’s intention to support the remaining high-def format.
As reported by The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took part in an onstage conversation at the company’s Mix08 Internet conference in Las Vegas Thursday, where the topics discussed included Microsoft’s high-def plans following the discontinuation of Toshiba’s HD DVD format.
Without offering specifics, Ballmer said the company will work to support Blu-ray.
“We've already been working on, for example, in Windows, device driver support for Blu-ray drives and the like,” Ballmer stated. “I think the world moves on. Toshiba has moved on. We've moved on, and we'll support Blu-ray in ways that make sense.”
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Ballmer lets out his inner Monkey at Mix08 event [Seattle PI]
Michael Bay Accuses HD DVD-Backing Microsoft of "Dirty Tricks"
Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 01:02 PM ETTags: Michael Bay, Microsoft (all tags)
When Michael Bay speaks, the world listens. The 'Transformers' director is talking out again about the high-def format war, and is again generating lots of press.
As countless web sites have reported over the last 24 hours, Bay's latest remarks came in response to question posed to him on his own official web site.
Asked why his mega hit 'Transformers' was released on HD DVD only (and not on Blu-ray), the director pointed the blame squarely at Microsoft, saying that the software giant has bankrolled HD DVD in an effort to extend the high-def format war until the software giant can perfect digital downloads.
"Microsoft wants both formats to fail so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads" said Bay. "That is the dirty secret no one is talking about. That is why Microsoft is handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios just embrace the HD DVD and not the leading, and superior Blu Ray."
Bay's accusations echo earlier comments made by Fox Home Entertainment worldwide president Mike Dunn, who was quoted by The Hollywood Reporter at an October Blu-ray press event as blasting "the orchestrated campaigns of confusion and anti-consumerism fueled by an 800-pound gorilla that would prefer to force us all into the practice of paying tolls for the right to exchange information and enjoy entertainment."
At the time, Microsoft Consumer Media Technology Group director Kevin Collins defended the company’s stance, calling Dunn's accusations "baseless."
As we've previously reported, Bay caused a firestorm back in September when he briefly posted a message to his site saying that he was reconsidering doing a 'Transformers' sequel after learning that Paramount would not be issuing a Blu-ray edition of his mega-hit film. The director later recanted those remarks, but has since reiterated his pro-Blu-ray stance.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Ask Michael Bay [The Official Michael Bay Forums]
- Microsoft Exec Says Company Isn't Trying to Fuel HD Format War [Home Media Magazine]
- High-Def DVD Battle Heats Up [The Hollywood Reporter]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Transformers (2007) (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Bay to Paramount: "No Blu-ray, No Transformers 2!" (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay Retracts Earlier Statement; Says He Supports Paramount's Decision to Back HD DVD (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay: My Money's on Blu-ray (Oct 23, 2007)
Michael Bay Accuses HD DVD-Backing Microsoft of "Dirty Tricks"
Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 01:02 PM ETTags: Michael Bay, Microsoft (all tags)
When Michael Bay speaks, the world listens. The 'Transformers' director is talking out again about the high-def format war, and is again generating lots of press.
As countless web sites have reported over the last 24 hours, Bay's latest remarks came in response to question posed to him on his own official web site.
Asked why his mega hit 'Transformers' was released on HD DVD only (and not on Blu-ray), the director pointed the blame squarely at Microsoft, saying that the software giant has bankrolled HD DVD in an effort to extend the high-def format war until the software giant can perfect digital downloads.
"Microsoft wants both formats to fail so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads" said Bay. "That is the dirty secret no one is talking about. That is why Microsoft is handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios just embrace the HD DVD and not the leading, and superior Blu Ray."
Bay's accusations echo earlier comments made by Fox Home Entertainment worldwide president Mike Dunn, who was quoted by The Hollywood Reporter at an October Blu-ray press event as blasting "the orchestrated campaigns of confusion and anti-consumerism fueled by an 800-pound gorilla that would prefer to force us all into the practice of paying tolls for the right to exchange information and enjoy entertainment."
At the time, Microsoft Consumer Media Technology Group director Kevin Collins defended the company’s stance, calling Dunn's accusations "baseless."
As we've previously reported, Bay caused a firestorm back in September when he briefly posted a message to his site saying that he was reconsidering doing a 'Transformers' sequel after learning that Paramount would not be issuing a Blu-ray edition of his mega-hit film. The director later recanted those remarks, but has since reiterated his pro-Blu-ray stance.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Ask Michael Bay [The Official Michael Bay Forums]
- Microsoft Exec Says Company Isn't Trying to Fuel HD Format War [Home Media Magazine]
- High-Def DVD Battle Heats Up [The Hollywood Reporter]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Transformers (2007) (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Bay to Paramount: "No Blu-ray, No Transformers 2!" (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay Retracts Earlier Statement; Says He Supports Paramount's Decision to Back HD DVD (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay: My Money's on Blu-ray (Oct 23, 2007)
High-Def Penetration Explodes with Strong PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Add-On Sales
Mon Nov 20, 2006 at 01:49 AM ETTags: High-Def Gaming, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Sony, Microsoft (all tags)
As expected, the debut of Sony's Blu-ray-driven PlayStation 3 last Friday boosted the format's installed base exponentially, while Microsoft is also reporting strong numbers for the HD DVD add-on drive for its rival Xbox 360.
Surprising no one, Sony's initial retail allotment of PlayStation 3 consoles sold out in a flash at stores nationwide. With a million or more PS3 shipments promised by year's end, Blu-ray would appear poised to gain a commanding lead in market share over HD DVD.
At the same time, while Microsoft has declined to declare exact sales numbers of its $199 HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360 (which also hit stores this month), the company has wasted no time in crowing about intense consumer demand for the peripheral.
"We never anticipated that scenario," claimed Microsoft senior program manager Kevin Collins of the sales boost the Xbox 360 console received thanks to the add-on. "It's going right out [the door]... stores are struggling to keep up with demand."
Of course, we'll remain a bit skeptical until official sales numbers come in for for both devices. However, one thing is clear -- in a matter of mere days, the installed base Blu-ray and HD DVD players has exploded. Thanks to the next-generation of gaming, the penetration of high-def optical disc players has likely already outdistanced the combined sales of all stand-alone Blu-ray and HD DVD players to date -- and that's after several months in stores.
While the high-def format war is far from over, it's clear that the gaming world will continue to play a major role in how this all plays out. We'll be giving a full review of the high-def capabilities of both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 add-on later this week, so stay tuned!
Discuss the PlayStation 3's Blu-ray Playback and the Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-On at the High-Def Digest Forums.
- Related links:
- PS3: Gone in 60 minutes [Video Business]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Blu-ray for the Masses: PlayStation 3 Descends Upon America (Nov 17, 2006)
» High-Def Digest home page
