Disney to release films on UMD

[MAH4546]

Disney has become the third film company, joining Sony and Anchor Bay, in releasing films on UMD. UMD, short for universal media disc, is the disc format created by Sony for use in it's handheld PSP device. The first five films will be "National Treasure," "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," "Reign of Fire," "Kill Bill Vol. 1" and "Hero", to be released later this spring. More titles will follow.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... ney_umd_dc

[Lazario]

Terrific... What is UMD exactly again?

[shr_fan]

ooooo....I really want a PSP!!!!

[Loomis]

Terrific... What is UMD exactly again?

To quote the post directly above yours:

UMD, short for universal media disc, is the disc format created by Sony for use in it's handheld PSP device

Also if you follow the link in the first post:

"The UMD, or Universal Media Disc, holds about three times the capacity of a regular CD. It was developed specifically for Sony's PSP, to be released in North America on March 24"

[Lazario]

To quote the post directly above yours:

UMD, short for universal media disc, is the disc format created by Sony for use in it's handheld PSP device

Also if you follow the link in the first post:

"The UMD, or Universal Media Disc, holds about three times the capacity of a regular CD. It was developed specifically for Sony's PSP, to be released in North America on March 24"

Y'know, that's great. I've always wanted to be able to listen to my favorite movies... By the way, I'm still confused. PSP? Maybe a lot of people you know are into all the newest advances in technology, but I'm not. I'm one of those ignoramuses who doesn't get everything the first time around. What is PSP? Play Station Portable? If that's what it is, first give me a hand- it was an educated guess, then I saw that thing on VH1's Best Week Ever, and it's really small. Again, I have to say- this means people are going to have to buy all their favorite movies again, in addition to video games? Also by the way, I didn't know that portable game player was even Sony brand. Or Playstation. I tend to forget some things when they're not directly related to working for a living. And that link didn't even work for me.

[MadonnasManOne]

As great as video looks on the PSP (and it really does), I just can't see movie releases taking off on this format. The PSP (which does, indeed, stand for PlayStation Portable) came with a free UMD (Universal Media Disc) of Spider-Man 2. It looks incredible on the PSP screen. However, the price of the movie release UMD's will have to be lower than current DVD prices, if Sony (and the other companies) want the format to take off. From what I've heard, the price of UMD movie releases will be the same as those of DVD's. I simply can't see myself buying a movie for the PSP, if I can buy the same movie on DVD, for around the same price. On top of that, because the UMD does not hold as much information as DVD's, the bonus features will be very little, if any at all.

Playing games on the format is a different story, since the games are the "main attraction" of a portable handheld gaming device.

I would be willing to buy UMD movies, if the price is lower than DVD prices. Of course, we will find out on April 19, I believe, when the first batch of UMD movies are released, what the prices will be. I think that Sony needs to set a price of about $10.00 to $15.00, at most, for these UMD movies releases. Otherwise, they will just set on the shelf.

[Luke]

They're not going to be cheaper than regular DVD prices. At least, Disney's aren't. These are both carrying a $29.99 SRP, which is actually $10 more than POTC's 'standard' DVD and without the extras?

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... vemz"><img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0008 ... Z.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... vemz"><img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0008 ... Z.jpg"></a>

[Lightyear]

I don't know.. I can't even see the practicality of thos.. You can buy a portable dvd player for the same price and see a bigger picture plus as Luke detailed.. get extras.. As for a gaming aspect.. the PSP sounds quite cool.. for watching movies.. and paying more for the movie.. Don't see it being a huge hit.

My guess.. the PSP will be obsolete in 2 years.. like all of the other handhelds Sony has tried to push.. As much of a sony fan as I am.. Nintendo owns the hand held market.

[Jayden]

Yippee! Now I can watch movies on a teeny tiny screen. That's my greatest wish! (Please note the extreme sarcasm). I have absolutely no interest in the PSP period, I think a lot of it is just hyped up. I don't see what's so amazing about it. Yeah, the graphics look amazing, but a revolution in the portable system world? Not quite. All it is is a combination of things, it's not something truly original

[MadonnasManOne]

They're not going to be cheaper than regular DVD prices. At least, Disney's aren't. These are both carrying a $29.99 SRP, which is actually $10 more than POTC's 'standard' DVD and without the extras?

Thanks for the information, Luke. With a higher suggested retail price than DVD's, I'm afraid people will not go for the UMD movie releases. I know I won't.

To Lightyear: I have to disagree with you. The PSP will not be obsolete in 2 years. The reason? Games. Sony, as well as 2nd and 3rd party companies, are releasing a ton of games on the PSP. The launch titles have been very good, and these are just launch games. Imagine what is possible, once developers have had more time to get into the system. It's the same with the Nintendo GameCube. As more time has passed, developers have been able to push the GameCube, and created beautiful, exciting, and engaging games. It took a while, but it happened, and the GameCube is NOT obsolute. Resident Evil 4 is probably the best game I've ever played, and it is on the GameCube. Also, Sony is a huge company. With their resources, they will stand behind this product more than most, because it is from their bread and butter brand.

To Jayden: Well, to some, the ability to watch movies on a "teeny tiny screen" is exciting. Particularly because you can watch movies on the go. Imagine a long trip, and you can just take out whatever movie you want to watch, and pop it in. It is an appealing idea. Another reason the PSP will succeed is because of the fact that it is a combination of things. The fact that you can play great looking games, watch movies, listen to music of your choice, and view photographs on the PSP makes it even more appealing to people who might not otherwise play games. It is a great convergence product, and one that I think will be mostly successful. The only aspect that might not be a success would be the UMD movie releases, because of their cost.

[Lightyear]

To Lightyear: I have to disagree with you. The PSP will not be obsolete in 2 years. The reason? Games. Sony, as well as 2nd and 3rd party companies, are releasing a ton of games on the PSP. The launch titles have been very good, and these are just launch games. Imagine what is possible, once developers have had more time to get into the system. It's the same with the Nintendo GameCube. As more time has passed, developers have been able to push the GameCube, and created beautiful, exciting, and engaging games. It took a while, but it happened, and the GameCube is NOT obsolute. Resident Evil 4 is probably the best game I've ever played, and it is on the GameCube. Also, Sony is a huge company. With their resources, they will stand behind this product more than most, because it is from their bread and butter brand.

No, the gamecube isn't obsolete yet.. But give it another year or two.. It wont be around.. It's sticking around right now because of a few game titles being made just for it. But with the Xbox and PS2 on the market, the gamecube will never amount to it's full potential.

And it's not a matter of sony standing behind it's product or not.. In today's market.. The hand held gaming industry is dominetly owned by Nintendo, and do you think they will let the PSP come into the market and take the reigns? Nah.. They will have a movie viewing system out soon enough I'm sure.

Sega Game Gear - Great Idea.. Dead before it lived.

Now, I'm not dis'n the Gamecube.. I like the system myself.. I just don't see the PSP becoming such a huge household item..even with Disney and others jumping on the waste of money mini-movies bandwagon.

One of the best sytems ever made (Dreamcast) couldn't find it's market. I don't think the PSP will either.

[Lazario]

No, the gamecube isn't obsolete yet.. But give it another year or two.. It wont be around.. It's sticking around right now because of a few game titles being made just for it.

GAMECUBE! My God, what were we all paying attention to that was so important that now the Gamecube is losing popularity contests?!

[MadonnasManOne]

No, the gamecube isn't obsolete yet.. But give it another year or two.. It wont be around.. It's sticking around right now because of a few game titles being made just for it. But with the Xbox and PS2 on the market, the gamecube will never amount to it's full potential.

And it's not a matter of sony standing behind it's product or not.. In today's market.. The hand held gaming industry is dominetly owned by Nintendo, and do you think they will let the PSP come into the market and take the reigns? Nah.. They will have a movie viewing system out soon enough I'm sure.

Sega Game Gear - Great Idea.. Dead before it lived.

Now, I'm not dis'n the Gamecube.. I like the system myself.. I just don't see the PSP becoming such a huge household item..even with Disney and others jumping on the waste of money mini-movies bandwagon.

One of the best sytems ever made (Dreamcast) couldn't find it's market. I don't think the PSP will either.

Yeah, in a couple of years, the GameCube will be obsolete. So will the PS2 and the XBOX. That's because newer systems are on the way from each company. Nintendo's Revolution, Sony's PS3, and Microsoft's Xenon (as they are currently being called). My point is, when the GameCube came out, alot of people said it would fail. It didn't. It may not be at the top of the market, but it is not a failure. One of the reasons that the GameCube didn't become a failure is because of Nintendo. They supported the system with their great first party games. They haven't done as great a job as they have in the past, but they have kept the GameCube alive, and far from failures.

There is alot of potential for the PSP, and I believe it will succeed. I have been a Nintendo fan since their first system. I have never owned a Sony video game system, until now. The multimedia features of the system are what attracted me. Then, when I saw how games and movies looked on the system, I was very happy with my purchase. The games have been great, and I am really excited about what is to come on the PSP.

As far as Nintendo letting a company come in, and take the reigns? It has happened before. It was the very same company, Sony, who came in, and took the lead in the home video game market. I didn't like it, because I am a Nintendo fan, but it happened. If Nintendo doesn't come back with something just as great as the PSP, with multimedia features, then yes, I feel that Nintendo could lose their lead in the handheld market, as well.

[humphreybear]

Portable DVD players have a form factor sort of like a laptop, a clamshell design.

Somebody could make one that is "flat" - it could have a screen on the top side, and put the discs in an opening on the bottom. Someone may have already, I don't know.

Then, along the side of the screen on each side you could put control buttons, sort of like a PSP looks. Think of a slightly larger PSP with a dvd slot on the bottom, or a portable dvd player that instead of opening just had the screen on the top of the dvd.

If they could have made one of those, that could play regular dvds and regular play station games, that would have rocked.

edited to add: like this, only it would take the video game discs as well as dvds.
http://www.allcam.biz/products/sdv17_tablet_dvd.html

[Lightyear]

MadonnasManOne, To each his/her own.. I hope it stays in the market.. But as you said.. your a nintendo fan..as many gamers are, I don't think the majority will go with the PSP over a Nintendo handheld.

And I think the only reason the PS1 really took off was it's format at the time.. Sega tired the Sega CD and it bombed.. but Super Nintendo was huge and just couldn't compete..and the game selection wasn't anything to write about.. But when PS1 came out with the Disc format.. Nintendo didn't have anything to really run against it.. Maybe the N64 gave it a close call.. but people wanted more for the money.. the N64 was/is a great system..

I still wish they made games (in the states) for the dreamcast.

All tho.. My fav all time system is the Sega Gen.

[bmadigan]

I think these may be hot as rental items for when folks on vacation want to appease the kids. I don't see why anyone would purchase a collection of movies that is only viewable on a tiny screen and could easily be obsolete in a few years.

[RJKD23]

I don't know.. I can't even see the practicality of thos.. You can buy a portable dvd player for the same price and see a bigger picture plus as Luke detailed.. get extras.. As for a gaming aspect.. the PSP sounds quite cool.. for watching movies.. and paying more for the movie.. Don't see it being a huge hit.

I agree to!
I think people will buy UMD's for this reason: showing off.
It's not practical and certainly a waste of money.
then again I say that because I have to work to get things.. things expensive like that just aren't given freely.

[MadonnasManOne]

MadonnasManOne, To each his/her own.. I hope it stays in the market.. But as you said.. your a nintendo fan..as many gamers are, I don't think the majority will go with the PSP over a Nintendo handheld.

And I think the only reason the PS1 really took off was it's format at the time.. Sega tired the Sega CD and it bombed.. but Super Nintendo was huge and just couldn't compete..and the game selection wasn't anything to write about.. But when PS1 came out with the Disc format.. Nintendo didn't have anything to really run against it.. Maybe the N64 gave it a close call.. but people wanted more for the money.. the N64 was/is a great system..

I still wish they made games (in the states) for the dreamcast.

All tho.. My fav all time system is the Sega Gen.

Yep, to each their own. I agree that the PSP is not a system that everyone will run out, and pick up. At least not right now. The price is high, but in all honesty, it is worth every penny.

The Nintendo 64 is a great system. I still have it hooked up to my television, right along side my GameCube. I also have my Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP that I pick up and play.

I picked up the PSP, not just because of the ability to play games, but also for the other multimedia features. It's a great MP3 player, and since I don't have an iPod, the PSP works for me. I really do enjoy my PSP. I'm glad that I picked it up. It may not be for everyone, but if it makes me happy, then that's all that matters to me.

[MadonnasManOne]

I don't know.. I can't even see the practicality of thos.. You can buy a portable dvd player for the same price and see a bigger picture plus as Luke detailed.. get extras.. As for a gaming aspect.. the PSP sounds quite cool.. for watching movies.. and paying more for the movie.. Don't see it being a huge hit.

I agree to!
I think people will buy UMD's for this reason: showing off.
It's not practical and certainly a waste of money.
then again I say that because I have to work to get things.. things expensive like that just aren't given freely.

Like you, I have to work to get things. I think alot of people who buy the PSP will have to work to get it. It isn't cheap.

As far as the movie aspect goes, I do not think people who buy the UMD movie releases would be doing it to "show off". I mean, it did come with a Spider-Man 2 UMD, so if they wanted to "show off", they would do it with that. Besides, at the same (or higher) prices as those of DVD's, it would be an expensive way to "show off". I agree that it is not practical to buy the UMD movie releases, when you can just buy the DVD. Like I've said, I do not plan on buying movies for the PSP. Not unless they make the price more reasonable.

[my chicken is infected]

This is off topic, but I'm listening to Madonna now, and since Madonna's in your screen name, it's just eerie. LOVE the avatar too!