Technology developer Related Content Database Inc. (RCDb) announces the immediate availability of advanced services and technology for Internet-connected Blu-ray discs and players, also known as “BD Live.” The RCDb BD Live Platform provides Blu-ray studios, developers, and consumers with specialized online services needed to support the creation and consumer delivery of new BD Live features.
“We’ve worked very closely for the last two years with leading Blu-ray studios and Blu-ray player manufacturers to develop this essential disc technology and network service” said Zane Vella, president RCDb, “The end of the format war and the introduction of BD Live for the PS3 sets the stage for a new generation of special features and home theater experience.”
The BD Live Platform combines innovative and cost-effective BD Live software and network infrastructure to help the Hollywood creative community quickly realize advanced capabilities of the Blu-ray format. The BD Live Platform services were designed from inception to exploit and maximize unique capabilities of Blu-ray for secure and reliable digital content distribution.
“RCDb has been a valuable partner as we gear up for BD Live and widespread adoption of the Blu-ray format,” said Danny Kaye, EVP of research and technology for 20th Century Fox. “BD Live is an important step in the evolution of home entertainment.”
Earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, PHL, and RCDb unveiled BD Live in action with “Alien Vs. Predator Vs. You,” a multiplayer interactive game.
RCDb is working with Blu-ray player manufacturers, including Panasonic, to test and ensure robust player compatibility with the BD Live technology. RCDb BD Live technology has also been integrated into Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory’s authoring and production workflow. In addition, RCDb and PHL are jointly developing new BD Live creative concepts for future implementation into the growing Blu-ray market.
“After careful examination of BD Live solutions, we are pleased to be working with RCDb as the leader in BD Live technology,” said Eisuke Tsuyuzaki, managing director of Panasonic Hollywood Lab, “Studios need an economical and scalable solution to roll out BD Live features that take advantage of the new Panasonic BD-50 player announced at CES’08.”
The BD Live Platform has benefits for content owners, developers and consumers. It empowers content owners to create new BD Live features and to easily update the content of Blu-ray discs after shipping. This enables studios to refresh out-of-date promotional trailers and to add additional subtitles, languages and bonus content.
Blu-ray developers gain access to software and application programming interfaces (APIs) that greatly simplify the creation of BD Live features. The BD Live Platform is specifically designed to support social networking features that connect viewers with each other, and to enable bonus content that bridges the home theater and the Web.
Blu-ray consumers benefit from easy-to-use Web control panels to manage connected Blu-ray players and personal Blu-ray disc libraries. RCDb technology delivers a high-production-value, DVD-like experience delivered via broadband that goes beyond simple Web downloads to a BD player. Consumers, developers, and studios will all benefit from lower BD Live development costs.
About RCDb
The Related Content Database (RCDb) provides software and services for network-connected Blu-ray discs and players. RCDb develops and maintains technology and infrastructure upon which other Blu-ray developers can rapidly build compelling BD Live applications and special features. RCDb makes it possible to quickly create and deploy Blu-ray features that bridge the high definition home theater and the Web, establishing Blu-ray as a platform for communication, commerce and entertainment. RCDb also provides consumer electronics manufacturers and digital retailers with a globally accessible merchandising database of related content, goods and services. More information is available at www.rcdb.net.
