By Carolyn Giardina
LOS ANGELES --The 12th Annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the major computer and video game trade show that recently brought more than 60,00 industry professionals to the Los Angeles Convention Center, emerged as an important battleground in the competition for the next generation of DVD technology.
“We are entering an era where games and other forms of entertainment technology will fuse together even more tightly, and where the full potential of online and mobile will come more sharply in focus,” said Doug Lowestein, president of the Entertainment Software Association, which owns and operates E3.
In the home entertainment market, there are currently two incompatible new DVD formats vying to be the next generation of DVD technology offering high definition capabilities: Blu-Ray Disc, supported by manufacturers including Sony, Panasonic and Apple; and HD DVD, supported by technology companies including Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo and Microsoft. Players for both formats are rolling out this year in the home entertainment market, and major studios are preparing to release titles for these new formats. But only one is likely to emerge as the high definition successor to the popular DVD format, and many believe the competition for that title will result in a fight not unlike the one that occurred roughly 20 years ago between Betamax and VHS.
This time around, many industry pundits believe an important round in the competition will be played in the video game arena, with new video game platforms that have incorporated these technologies and offer HD graphics.
These two prime new consoles were a focus of the E3 exhibition: Sony’s PlayStation 3 (PS3) and Microsoft’s Xbox 360. At E3, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) previewed its PS3, which is capable of playing back content from Blu-Ray Discs at a bit rate of multiplex 48Mbps, the maximum bit rate defined in Blu-Ray standards. Equipped with basic input/output ports, PS3 also supports a broad range of displays from conventional NTSC/PAL standard TVs to the latest HD (1080i/1080p) flat panel displays–meaning that the players would be used to show content on HD capable sets. In fact, during E3, Sony showed HD trailers of soon-to-be-released titles including Sony Pictures’ The Da Vinci Code and Click playing on a high definition television in 1080p off a PS3. PS3 is scheduled to launch worldwide on Nov. 17.
Meanwhile, Microsoft announced that an HD DVD player would be available as an accessory to its now shipping Xbox 360 this holiday season, enabling consumers to view movies in high definition through the Xbox 360 system. Microsoft also reported that Xbox 360 would support more than 160 games by the end of the year.
Indeed with the profound influence of gaming on the entertainment market at large, it’s understandable why the launch of these new game consoles is viewed by many experts as pivotal in the HD battle. How large is the influence of the games sector? According to ESA’s Lowestein, research suggests that the gaming industry has an $18 billion annual impact on the U.S. economy.
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More