The End of an Era

After nearly 40 years, “Saturday Nights At The Movies” is no more.

Public broadcaster TVO has decided to cancel the airing of classic and foreign films on Saturday nights in order to divert the associated $2 million expenditures to their digital technology operations.

I will miss this program. There are still quite a few films out there that are unavailable as rentals online, some of which are not available on DVD or Blu-Ray in North America.

The airing of films on the public broadcasters are getting rarer and rarer as their funding gets reduced. And private broadcasters appear to be disinterested in foreign films.

Yes, Chinese and Indian “Bollywood” films are getting plenty of air in Canada but the European films rarely penetrate Canadian television because its film distribution is controlled by American interests and trends.

Had TVO not aired them, I wouldn’t have seen excellent films like I’m Not Scared, Let the Right One in and In a Better World. And it it weren’t for TFO, Tele-Quebec and Radio Canada I wouldn’t have seen Les Choristes, La Soupe aux Choux, Le gendarme et les extra-terrestres, The Mad Adventures Of Rabbi Jacob, Hibernatus, Les Fugitifs, Jean de Florette / Manon des Sources and Les Visiteurs.

Along with these films there are also countless television series that I would not have seen had it not been for public broadcasters, like The Prisoner, Black Adder, Father Ted and The Count of Monte Cristo.

Many of the aforementioned titles are not available online yet so I can only guess how many excellent films I will no longer be able to see now that Saturday Night At The Movies is gone. And foreign films are getting rarer and rarer on TFO, Tele-Quebec and Radio Canada as their budgets are cut.

I certainly hope the other networks will air more European films. I’m keeping an eye on the online rental sites for more European titles as well.

November 13th, 2012 1 Comment Random Bump Rob McIntyre

Random Bump – A Street Cat Named Bob

I happen to run into this title whilst browsing Youtube. It’s about a real life chance encounter by a orange tabby named Bob and a London street musician, who was a recovering heroin addict when the two met.

This 2012 U.K bestseller has just recently been released on paperback and as an iBook.

A Street Cat Named Bob - James Bowen

November 11th, 2012 Comments Off on Random Bump – A Street Cat Named Bob Random Bump Rob McIntyre

Bill C-11 Is Now Law

Bill C-11’s amendments to our Copyright Act have come into force today.

This means we are now no longer able to perform private copies, copies for personal use, from copy protected recordings.

We can continue to make personal copies from legally purchased recordings that are not protected by digital rights management. But copy protected CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays can now no longer be copied, even for backup.

It should be noted that the vast majority of CDs are not copy protected anyway, copy protection having failed in 2005 because of the Sony BMG rootkit issues. And the music industry appears to have adopted the mp3, iTunesicon having included an ability to convert music into that format in their software. But some consumers are still concerned that they could be subjected to experimental copy protection schemes in the future.

To prevent music recordings from being leaked prior to their release date the labels could experiment with copy protection schemes within the industry and later attempt to adopt this format in their distribution to consumers, causing compatibility and security issues.

The technological protection measure provisions were primarily added to protect the film and software industries, but we have yet to see their interpretations in action. And as consumers we will need to remain vigilant.

I will be keeping an eye on these issues and will post additional information as it becomes available.

November 7th, 2012 Comments Off on Bill C-11 Is Now Law Canadian Law, Consumer Information, Music Industry, Music Technology Rob McIntyre

Rexall Pharmaplus Coupon

A coupon for $5 off a $25 iTunesicon gift card can be found on some Rexall Pharmaplus flyers.

Valid from November 2nd to November 15th, this coupon is only redeemable from print flyers so check your mailbox or local store for a copy. Click here to locate your nearest store.

November 2nd, 2012 Comments Off on Rexall Pharmaplus Coupon Consumer Information, Music Technology Rob McIntyre

Google Play Expands

Google Play members in Canada now have access to film downloads and will soon be able to download 320 kbps MP3s from the service, which now includes material from Warner Music Group’s extensive catalog.

The service will also include a cloud like system that will scan and match a person’s current music collection. This service will be accessible through android devices and will be free.

October 30th, 2012 Comments Off on Google Play Expands Consumer Information, Music Industry, Music Technology Rob McIntyre

Free Shipping This Weekend

Thought you’d like to know that Sears.ca is offering free shipping this weekend.

They offer DVDs/Blu-rays, electronics, beginner’s music instruments, musical accessories and costumes. This offer ends Oct 28th, 2012.

Sears Canada

October 26th, 2012 Comments Off on Free Shipping This Weekend Consumer Information, Music Technology, Random Bump Rob McIntyre