In-Car CD Players may face extinction

Posted Sep 24th 2007 11:13AM by Tim StevensFiled under: Audio/Video, Car Tech
In-dash CD players have been a staple of car audio for nearly two decades now. But, with CD sales declining and digital music sales soaring, it seems the in-car CD player is going the way of the cassette deck (and the 8-track before it). German car audio manufacturer Blaupunkt -- popular with the 'Pimp My Ride' set -- has ditched the CD player in its new Melbourne SD27 head unit in favor of a slot for SD or MMC memory cards.

The unit will play both MP3 and WMA songs directly from the SD card, displaying song information on a 30-character front-panel display, which, to be honest, we find a bit small by today's standards -- especially given the room freed up by the lack of a CD slot. It won't play AAC songs, so iTunes fans who don't want to convert their tracks will need to hook up their iPods through the line-in jack, which also works with any other media player, of course.

The SD27 is also Bluetooth-compatible, so it can do hands-free calls and even stream music directly from other Bluetooth-compatible devices.The Melbourne SD27 goes for $159.95 -- a small price to pay for freeing your glove box up for what it was really meant for: napkins and ketchup packets.From Gizmag

"Happy Feet" director shooting "Justice League"

"Happy Feet" director George Miller is in talks to bring the superheroes of the "Justice League of America" comic books to the big screen.

While details about the script are being kept close to the vest, it is known that Warner Bros.' live-action movie will feature such A-listers as Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman, the Flash and Green Lantern as well as the Martian Manhunter.

Preparations are being made to shoot to the movie in Miller's native Australia.
One thorny issue the production needs to deal with is casting. Warner Bros. is in production on "The Dark Knight," a sequel to "Batman Begins," starring Christian Bale, and is in development on another Superman movie with Brandon Routh as Clark Kent/Superman. Those two actors will not reprise their roles for the "League" movie as the studio is intent on keeping all of its superhero movies as separate franchises. "League" also is looked at as a launchpad for other comic book movies.

As such, the studio is hoping to cast the movie with lesser-known actors, and an international search is under way. The smaller names in the movie will help with the second issue facing the production: budget. A "League" movie was long thought impossible simply because the thinking was that any undertaking would break the bank on big-name actors and special effects. On the effects front, media like animation were considered before deciding to stick with live action. Miller's "League" will be effects-intensive. Some motion capture likely will be used as well.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

I can't wait!!!!!I love the Justice League. Hope they don't mess it up!

Sysco's on the Southside

For those of you who frequent Syscos on the southside, September 28th will be their last day. They are closing forever. Their hours have been cut back and they are no longer open on Saturdays. When I went last Friday, everything in the store was 30% off. More price cuts are anticipated as they get closer to the end of the month. However, they will be not restocking anything, so there may not be anything of value left on the 28th. I called the headquarters to see if they might just be moving to another location, but they said no. They are getting out of the "retail" business and specializing on "wholesale". Well, it was good while it lasted. If you find another alternative, by all means let me know.

First 4 Harry Potter films on DVD,HD, DVD & Blu-ray Dec. 11

Warner Bros. has announced that the first four Harry Potter films will be taken out of moratorium and sold on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray beginning December 11, the same day that the fifth move hits shelves here in the United States.

The press release states:"Pottermania" continues as the Harry Potter films 1-4 are offered for the first time in HD DVD and Blu-ray ($29.99 SRP). The High Definition versions will include all the extra content of the Giftset's two-disc versions and, for a limited time only, both versions will contain a set of four trading cards specific to the title purchased. The Harry Potter films 1-3 will be available individually in Standard Definition also with the trading cards, at a new low price (each $14.97 SRP). Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is only available at this price for 60 days, after which it will sell for $19.97 SRP.

Join Our Anime Club!

The organizational meeting of our yet to be named Anime Club will be held on September 28th at 3:45 P.M. in the meeting room of the Five Points West Library. Anime fans of all ages are invited to attend. Previews of upcoming releases and refreshments will be provided. Please inform any patrons that you think might be interested.

Wow !

Wow Lorraine--You have your very own Blog spot. Just wanted to say hello.

Andrei

Saldana is Trek's Uhura

Saldana Is Trek's Uhura

Zoe Saldana (Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl) has signed on to play Uhura in J.J. Abrams' big-screen adaptation of Star Trek for Paramount Pictures, Variety reported. The casting was rumored on the TrekMovie.com Web site.

In the original Star Trek TV series, Uhura—whose name means freedom in Swahili—was a member of the bridge crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise who rose to the rank of commander. Nichelle Nichols played the Starfleet Academy alumna in the series. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci wrote the screenplay and will executive-produce alongside Bryan Burk and Damon Lindelof. The film is set for a Christmas Day 2008 release. Saldana recently wrapped the Sony thriller Vantage Point. She is filming James Cameron's SF epic film Avatar.

Welcome to my Blog!

Welcome to Etcetera LW, my very first blog. I finally have a place to share information, exchange ideas and generally rant and rave about whatever interests me at the moment. Join me and let's have a splendid time. Be on the lookout my next post.