"Pirates" Sets Sail to the Theaters and Your Home

This week Disney made a huge impact in the Blu-ray vs. HDDVD format war by releasing the first two Pirates of the Carribean movies on Blu-ray Disc the same week that the third installment is released in the theaters.

A few months ago when Casino Royale was released on Blu-ray Disc, It shattered sales records and catapaulted Blu-ray past HDDVD. Disney hopes to put the nail on the coffin by releasing the two biggest movies in cinematic history on the same day.

However, HDDVD is not going down without a fight. The complete Matrix Trilogy is being released on the same day. (Blu-ray fans don't fret, the Blu-ray version will be available in the fall).

So, Pirates fans, I offer this challenge: Before you see Part 3 in the theaters this weekend, stop by our showroom and watch a scene or two from the previous movies. I can guarantee our Blu-ray player, Hi-Def projector, and surround sound system can produce a better experience than the movie theater.

Our Review of Samsung's Blu-Ray Disc Player

By now You may already know where we stand on the whole Blu-Ray vs. HDDVD debate. With a majority of our jobs we tell customers to go out and buy a Playstation 3 to play their Blu-Ray movies. We make no money on the PS3, but it is the least expensive and BEST player on the market. After this video review you will see why we recommend the PS3.

Check Out Our Business Profile

The 5 Worst Shows In HDTV

5. Friday Night Lights (NBC)
The high school pigskin program features a cinema verite style with jerky camera movements. The grainy video, which is supposed to add realism, just looks terrible in HD. This is a real shame; it's an interesting show but the poor video and camera tricks are just too intrusive.

4. The View (ABC)
Not much of a view -- and, no, I don't mean the less than attractive visages of the on-air talent. The camera filters, which are obviously installed to protect Rosie and Babs, create such a cloudy view that you think you're sitting in seat 12F in a Boeing 747.

3. NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams
Once again, the show is victimized by excessive camera filtering, apparently to preserve Mr. Williams' image as America's 'handsomest' network anchor. But even worse, the camera rarely comes within a zip code of the chief news reader. The effect is to make the viewer feel detached from the action.

2. Good Morning America (ABC)
More bad camera filtering. Diane Sawyer's close-ups are so blurry that she could be Tom Sawyer.

1. The Today Show (NBC)
In studio segments, NBC has installed camera filters and stark lighting that drowns out the details -- and color -- of the faces of the hosts. The effect is to leave their faces looking albino-white, with a bright halo covering their heads from the lower neck to the hairline. And Meredith Vieira? Her face looks weather-beaten as if she's been living out on the prairie for the last ten years.


So speaking for HDTV owners, I say to the networks: Please cut this stuff out.

Check out the February 1st article "Best Shows in HD" in the archives section.