BD Live
Blu-ray is about to go all interactive
with new features. We spill the BDeans
Q Why’s Blu-ray gone ‘live’ all of a
sudden? Was it dead before?
A Far from it. Since killing off HD DVD,
it’s breaking out of its discy confines
and going on t’internet. Some are even
overexcitedly calling it Blu-ray 2.
Q But if I’ve already got the film, why
would I need such a thing?
A Think of the disc like a token, granting
access to new goodies, such as
downloadable wallpapers and ringtones
(meh), interaction in online discussions
(blah) and exclusive features and extras
(potentially, yay).
Q Interactive-tastic. So what do I need to
take advantage of it?
A Few older players will work: you’ll
need a ‘profile 2.0’ device with a
network connection. Sony’s PS3 (with its
latest software) will do nicely, with more
compatible players arriving this summer.
Q While we’re waiting, any ideas what
happens next?
A BD Live discs are just in: Men in Black
bizarrely being the first UK release.
It’s unremarkable features-wise, but it’s
early days, and as long as disc prices don’t
go up, it’s worth keeping a BD eye on.
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