Attendees arrive at the commissary located on the Universal studio backlot
Universal Studios graciously treated our large group to breakfast, and kicked off the BD demo with trailers from upcoming Universal BD releases, such as "Wanted", and "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army". The main course was exploring a wealth of features from upcoming release of "The Incredible Hulk" Blu-ray disc this Tuesday. The BD demo included exploring U-Control featurettes which promises to provide a revealing look in the behind-the-screnes creative process of the film with distinctive streams of content (such as storyboards, CGI animation sequences, live-action filmed sequences minus the CGI, a comic book adaptation that follows the film's plot and in step with the audio).
-Patrick Sun
Next came the BD-Live demo from "The Incredible Hulk" BD that focused on My Chat that allows for chatting with up to 5 of your online friends while the film is synced up and playing for all the My Chat participants for a communal film-watching experience, each friend would be required to purchase the BD to join in on the fun on a BD 2.0 capable player for online participation. For the demo, a PS3 with bluetooth keyboad was in play for the typing functionality.
Questions from the group ranged from a plea for menu-driven U-Control, porting over all the features from older DVD releases and HD DVD releases if at all possible onto the BD releases, and ambitious requests for more BD-Live innovations (like audio chatting during a synced up viewing of BD titles offering My Chat). Besides tentpole BD title releases that focused on a younger demographic who were familiar with online chatting during video game play, there was interest expressed by those yearing for older classic catalog BD titles, and the BD-Live features would be welcomed by them as well as these titles have withstood the test of time and re-ignite discussion of a high-definition exploration of such films, enticing fans to re-discover and see old favorites with more clarity and interactivity that is only available through the Blu-ray experience.
-Patrick Sun
The demonstration by Universal Home Entertainment earlier in the day was highly informative, and also very encouraging with regards to Uni's efforts towards BD-Live, especially their dedication to lower bandwidth features for those customers who still only have 1.5 Mbps download speeds, like myself. I cannot wait to give their Live Chat feature a test drive on "The Incredible Hulk."
-Todd Erwin
Let's also not forget that the presentation described an uncoming promotional contest based on the ability to create and share your own commentary tracks for an upcoming Blu-ray title. Uni will choose winners and then make those winning commentaries available to the general BR populace via their Universal HD website. And if I'm not mistaken, video can also become a part of that commentary if you have a webcam.
-Bob Lindstrom
I too want to say thanks to Universal for their presentation to our group. It was very interesting. My first impression of "My Chat" was that I would probably not use it much. But then I thought about my daughter. She has a PS3 and it would be great to watch a movie with her and chat at the same time even though we are in two different countries.
- Frank Harrison
One of my earliest experiences with this forum was "live" interaction with like-minded people while watching the Academy Awards, so Universal's "MyChat" feature proved to be a compelling use of the BD-Live technology for virtual camaraderie while watching a feature film. From an instructional point of view, it could also prove useful as a teacher could remotely instruct and guide students through the classics of film, some of which I'm sure exist in Universal's catalog. It will be interesting to see how the "MyChat" feature takes off and evolves.
-Cameron Yee
Andrew Melomet (left) and Tim Ewanyshyn shopping in Universal Employee Store.
Priscilla Ewanyshyn making a tough purchase decision.
(Top clockwise) Brendan Surpless, Justin Sluss, Heather McFarlane, Tim Ewanyshn, Patrick Sun at Employee Store.
(Right) Sarah and Joseph Wong take a pose.
(Bottom) Gregg Loewen, Heather McFarlane and Parker Clack
I have to say that after the demo I have a new appreciation for what Universal is trying to do with regards to their interactivity on their BD-Live titles. I may not be the target demographic, but after they explained it I can totally see my girlfriend's younger brother and his friends (in their early/mid twenties) potentially being interested in them.
-Carlo Medina
Brian Ralston and Robert Fowkes share a smile among the shelves of Universal gifts.
Universal graciously treated 60 attendees to a day at their theme park. Arriving is Ray and Yvonne Coronado and Carlo Medina
Joe and Sarah Wong, Andrew Melomet, Phoebe & Frank Harrison
The Universal Theme Park was a marvelous extra bonus for the opening day's activities. Sam, Frank & Phoebe, Joe & Sarah and myself had a day at the park filled with fun and excitement. The Simpsons & The Mummy rides were especially thrilling.
-Andrew Melomet
It was a special bonus to be let loose in the theme park. Being a weekday in October, the crowds were low, and the weather was perfect (mid 70s).
-Joseph Wong
MANY THANKS to Universal for the free day pass to the park! I actually did the Simpsons ride 3 times and I have never ever ever had that many laughs from both the on screen antics as well as the AMAZING technology advances employed in this motion simulator.
-Sam Posten
(LEFT) Sarah & Joe Wong, Andrew Melomet, Frank & Phoebe Harrison. (TOP FRONT) Jessica Frey, Michael Cucka, Heather McFarlane, Gregg Loewen, Patrick Sun (TOP BACK) Rick Devine, Dave Whipps.
(Facing Forward) Sam Posten, Ray Coronado, Bob Lindstrom, Todd Erwin
David Whipps is up in arms as he talks to the group.
Justin Sluss is about to be “Terminated”
Justin Sluss and Danielle Byington as Fred and Wilma
Phoebe and Frank Harrison
(L-R Front) Robert Fowkes, Sandra, Raul Marquez, Adam Gregorich. (L-R Rear) Maurice Verploegen, Ron Epstein, Parker Clack
