Blu-Ray backed site responds to criticism, now less deceptive
Although fans of high-definition video had already been deriding the Hollywood in Hi-Def site, created by backers of the Blu-ray disc format, for days, it appears our Friday post may have helped provoke a response. The site's masthead now clearly states "Built for Blu-Ray, Powered by Blu-Ray Supporters" and the About Us page has been thoroughly revised, removing any doubt that this "forum" is actually an advertisement. Although much of the site still uses generic "hi-def" headers which could fool newcomers, we are happy to have contributed a small part to the eventual demise of this deceptive promotional campaign. The site description from the About Us page, before and after our post, following the jump:
Before:
HollywoodinHiDef.com is a new Web site dedicated to leading the discussion on the latest in high-definition home entertainment and the Blu-Ray Disc format. The site is a comprehensive online resource created for consumers interested in high-definition home entertainment — from the enthusiast to those intending to create a high-definition home entertainment content library. HollywoodinHiDef.com, which is supported by Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios among other companies, provides a wide variety of news, features, exclusive interviews and information about the future of high-definition home entertainment.
After:
HollywoodinHiDef.com is a new Web site developed by Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios, among other companies, to provide an open platform for the discussion of the leading high-definition format, Blu-ray Disc. Sony, Fox, Disney and other companies providing funding and resources to the site are also among the primary supporters of Blu-ray Disc products. The site is led by veteran Hollywood journalist Scott Hettrick who is being paid to provide independent original editorial content in the form of blogs and interviews. HollywoodinHiDef.com is a comprehensive online resource created for consumers — from the enthusiast to those intending to create a high-definition home entertainment content library. The site provides a wide variety of Blu-ray news aggregated from other sites, reviews of recommended Blu-ray releases by third-party contributors and other web sites, exclusive interviews and information about the future of high-definition home entertainment on Blu-ray Disc.