Canada – The Dial-Up Dungeon ?

It appears that even with the progresses we’ve had in Canada when it comes to the internet that some are still behind.

A quarter million of Canadian internet users still use dial-up according to the Convergence Consulting Group, a large percentage of which are in rural areas according to the CRTC. And of those who subscribe to high speed, only 52% have the necessary speed to download standard definition films.

Though 77% of Canadians are able to access services that are fast enough to stream high definition video content according to the Broadband Report, only 2% use these services. And it is obvious that it is because these services are prohibitively expensive that more Canadians are not subscribed.

Usage based billing has kept most Canadians from using these services to rent and purchase films online. And though the taxpayer is responsible for most of the infrastructure, we are still being told to pay more.

Perhaps the rates might go down once the spectrum management issues are resolved at the CRTC, which could result in the introduction “Super Wifi” into Canada’s major urban centers.

Unfortunately this wireless service could have issues in communities where analog television broadcasts still exist and digital television broadcasts are only mandatory in the major city centers.

The technology is also in its infancy, having only just been introduced in the United States in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Third Reading For Bill C-11

Bill C-11, the Copyright Modernization Act, is scheduled to have its third reading in the House Of Commons today and/or tomorrow.

Click here to read the current version of the bill.

Gift Card Discounts

Both Best Buy and Rexall Pharmaplus are offering significant discounts on iTunes gift cardsicon this week.

Starting today up to May 17th, you can purchase either a $50 gift card for $40 at Best Buy or a $25 gift card for $20 and Rexall Pharmaplus, the latter requiring a coupon found on the latest Rexall Pharmaplus flyer.

These offers may not be available to everyone so check your local Best Buy and Rexall Pharmaplus flyers for confirmation.

Mp3tunes.com Files For Bankruptsy

Mp3tunes.com has filed for bankruptcy in the Southern District Of California.

The San Diego based company was founded by Michael Robertson in 2005 and offered cloud and music streaming services to its American members.

Mr. Robertson, who also co-founded mp3.com in 1997, blames litigation for the failure of the company in a May 1st, 2012 statement.

EMI has stated they would continue their lawsuit against the company, according to C-Net News.

No DVD Playback In Windows 8 ?

Windows 8 will no longer include DVD playback capabilities by default and this function will only be included in Windows 8 Pro and in upgrades to computers that are equipped with DVD drives.

Microsoft believes that most of their customers do not use their computers to view DVDs and that DVD playback will not be necessary because most individuals who view films on their computers now download or steam this content from online sources.

Computers that are equipped with DVD or Blu-ray drives will likely include third party software so most consumers will be unaffected by this issue.

May The 4th Be With You

John Williams Conducts John Williams: The Star Wars Trilogy - John Williams

It’s Star Wars Day and I thought I’d post an entry about the very first soundtrack I’ve ever loved independently from the film on which it was featured.

In 1984, my brother bought the original soundtrack for Return Of The Jedi on cassette. And it was incredible.

Until then I had loved soundtrack music but never an entire soundtrack from start to end. I had only liked the odd theme from John Barry, mostly from James Bond films.

This soundtrack, which featured The London Symphony Orchestra, included variations of the original Star Wars themes composed by John Williams and new themes like “The Parade Of The Ewoks“, “Luke and Leia“, “Lapti Nek” and the superior “Ewok Celebration” finale.

Though I like the new “Celebration” theme, I prefer the original soundtrack and I find “Jedi Rocks” annoying and distracting in the Special Edition Release of the film.

Unfortunately the original soundtrack from 1983 and 1990 re-release of this soundtrack are no longer in print. And two of my favorite tracks from this soundtrack, “Lapti Nek” and the “Ewok Celebration” (a.k.a “Yub Nub“) cannot be found on the many re-releases and compilations issued since.

Apparently the labels believe these particular pieces are way too dated to include them on their discs, although one can find new and used copies of the 1990 re-release on Amazon.ca, Amazon.com and Amazon UK.

Another one of my favorite soundtracks from the franchise is the “Episode I: The Phantom Menace” soundtrack, which was again composed and conducted by John Williams.

“Duel Of The Fates” stands out as a theme and the other compositions on this soundtrack are as excellent, regardless of the film’s less than impressive dialogue and characterization.

The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack released in 1999 and limited, double CD Ultimate Edition released in 2007 are still commonly available in the United States. The 1999 release is also available on iTunes in Canada.