In September 2008, Sony loaned MAA its latest standard definition hard drive and DVD recorder model, the RDR-HXD890. This model was tested for its captioning capabilities and ease of use. Please note that this hard drive contains an analog input and in 2013, when the switch-over to digital signal is completed, this function will no longer be useful.
LG Electronics loaned Media Access Australia an RH2T250, which is a combined hard drive and DVD recorder. This model has an inbuilt digital tuner, allowing digital reception with captions.
On testing the model we found that the RH2T250 is capable of displaying and recording captions.
The set up for the recorder was relatively simple and fast. The captions were displayed on a black background in coloured text and the font size and spacing was considered one of the best displays we have seen.
Warner Home Video has released the most 3D discs of any studio this year.
"We continue to lead the way in Blu-ray 3D services and remain focused on quality and efficiency," said Chuck Parker, president of Technicolor's Digital Content Delivery division. "We continue to further reduce our production times for Blu-ray 3D by more than 50%, and we are even closer to matching the production times of a typical 2D Blu-ray Disc."
Chris Morran from online publication The Consumerist reported that movie studios have begun disabling certain features of new releases on discs.
The disabled discs have been used by Blockbuster and Netflix, and only allow people renting the DVD to watch the main feature. The special features, which could include access features, are blocked.
There has been no move to replicate this approach in Australia at this point.
