Only for the Technology

I forgot that it's flying west that screws up the body's internal clock most. Yesterday, I couldn't sleep past five in the morning. Today, I got up at around six o'clock, so I guess I am heading in the right direction. I do not know how pilots and flight attendants cope. They must age quickly!

Today, I was going to write up something about how we're still viewers of CBS's Survivor after all these years. The series has seen its ups and downs, but Survivor Gabon is proving to be very good. The thing that makes it much more engaging this time around is that it is being shown in high definition. For the first time, we were able to discern the microphone and battery packs which are worn around the small of the contestants backs. The fact bad complexion is easier to spot means it's more obvious that a lot of make up is used for the tribal councils. Thankfully, the satellite recorder picked up the start-of-the-season episodes while we were away.

Also in my own high definition news, I have to admit I used ZipReward points to fast-track the rental of Disney's Sleeping Beauty. That doesn't sound very macho for a guy in his late 40's, but there is an easy explanation for my curiosity. I'm interested in the evolving technology of the new Blu-ray discs. Disney HD titles have been visually stunning so far, and this time around I want to play with the BD-Live features to see if they're gimmicks or something which may ulimately lead to useful, new features. The following press-release information comes from techwhack:

50 years ago Walt Disney shot this movie in a widescreen aspect ratio; however, it has never been displayed in this manner since its original debut in 1959. Now in 2008, viewers will be able to see more of the movie than ever before displaying new characters and background scenes that are all new to the home video experience.

Sleeping Beauty is also the first title to launch Disney’s new internet-connected BD-Live experience. For the very first time in history, consumers will be able to combine some of today’s most popular interactive communications platforms – chat, video streaming, online messaging, communal gaming and more – with their most treasured home entertainment experiences with this revolutionary, new Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Disc. The launch of this new technology illustrates Disney’s ongoing dedication to creating new, modern-day opportunities for family and friends to extend their love for movies with others across the country.

Disney’s BD-Live Network will allow movie lovers and families alike to: Chat on-screen in real-time with friends while simultaneously watching a movie frame-by-frame; record personalized video greetings for a loved one that appears on-screen over a pre-selected scene in a movie; play real-time interactive or strategy games against single and/or multiple groups of people; and do much, much more all from the comfort of their very own living room.