Big Blu-ray Brother Is Watching

Sure, by now we've all heard that BD-Live offers a really cool feature set that allows for interactivity.  These kinds of features could never be done in DVD, and offers a real advantage taking the user beyond what is on the disc, and into exclusive content, which is internet based.  Of course, that means that the Blu-ray player needs to have a connection to the world wide web.  While my initial thought is how to snake some CAT 5e cable to the back of a Blu-ray player, that may be the least of the concerns.  Recalling that the internet goes both ways, and Sony just may be using this new level of connnectivity to collect more than a little data on its users.  Is this just paranoia, or one more example of why Sony shouldn't be trusted when it comes to technology?  Personally, if this type of info is being collected, the user should be informed up front, and not find out later.

Comments

[David Valentini]

I would agree. I also feel very strongly that all of these features (BD Live, PIP, Java interactivity) are silly and are causing more confusion and putting Blu ray in a bad light. Give me a break. Why would I run a Cat 5 cable from the back of a player to my router (which is upstairs), just so I can interact with some person on the other end who is watching the same movie? I would rather just watch the film in the first place!! Just give me the movie at the highest bit rate possible the way DVD Superbit editions used to, and make it load faster then perhaps Blu ray will really catch on. Wake up Blu ray disc association!

[Solo_NZ]

I also agree!

It breaks many privacy laws in countries around the world if they do collect info, but is there actual proof they are?

The only reasons I like the BD Live feature is for downloading firmware updates automatically. Much better than having to order discs form the importers for your country, if you actually find out about the update! But who wants to bother? Having it just download automatically, you can forget about it. Surely that's what technology in this Millenium should be doing? Taking away these hassles and doing it automatically!

I can "kind of" see the benefit of downloading a few extras/behind the scenes items that aren't out in time to be included on the disc. But I suspect 99% would be ready before the disc was released anyway!

But I'm not even slightly interested in interactive/playing games based on the movie or interacting with someone I don't know who just so happens to be playing the same movie??!? What would anyone want to do that for? It' not like you're palying a squad based first person shooter online with coms through your Blu ray player remote! Maybe you would if you have a PS3, but, anyone who's serious about picture and audio quality will have a stand alone player eventually.

I just want the best quality video and audio possible, like David above, and probably everyone else bothering to read this website! :-)