We’re not talking about these kinds of pirates, but you could probably find this and many other titles on counterfeit high-def DVDs.
Movie pirates have Blu-ray in their sights. These aren’t eye-patch-wearing pirates, either. Instead, they are Asian pirates using software to copy Blu-ray so perfectly that neither of your eyes could catch it—but your wallet might.
According to the Wall Street Journal, a raid in the Chinese city of Shenzhen last month uncovered 800 faux Blu-ray titles ranging from “Transformers” to the new “Harry Potter.” The group was selling the knockoffs, complete with Blu-ray-styled cases, for about $7 each.
The method to their madness involves AVCHD, which uses 720 horizontal lines of resolution instead of Blu-ray’s 1,080. Also, the copies are on regular DVDs instead of actual Blu-ray discs, which is another way to save a buck. However, most consumers can’t tell; they are too busy being blinded by their extra money.
Naturally, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) is freaking out. They could lose a bundle, saying that these discs could account for 10 percent of the $224 million losses they typically see from Chinese piracy. Even eBay is warning its customers to look for the counterfeit discs. One tip is that real Blu-rays hang onto your fingerprints a lot easier than the pirated discs. Still, you probably don’t need to do detective work just yet; the WSJ report says that the pirated discs have yet to make an appearance outside of Asia.
Sorry to have to break it to you Ballew, but she’s right, MOST consumers (as in the average joe) wouldn’t be able to tell the differnece. These disc’s aren’t being sold to vidophiles, they’re being sold to joe blow on the street.
Yeah, right, like a 720 low bit rate “re-encode” won’t make a visible difference. BS, Rachel.
Name:
Email:
Remember my personal information
Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please answer the question below:
Type the last letter of the word "cable":
Electronic House is now available in a digital edition. Learn more.
Rocky, Maybe I can suggest some glasses for you. Blu Ray will always look and… 
Stay up-to-date with home electronics. 
Weekly email offers tips, info and product news.
Get the content that's important to you.
Sorry Andrew,
Rachel is right, it’s so funny that all technofreaks think that everybody thinks and sees things as they do. Heck if that was the case television manufactures would need a bailout because no one is buying anything.