"Dark Knight" BD-Live features unveiled, might actually be cool

Attention, Blu-ray fans: Looks like we're finally getting some Net-enabled BD-Live features that might be worth the cash, including synchronized group screenings and "user-generated" picture-in-picture commentaries.

For those of you new to Blu-ray, think of BD-Live as the next generation of special features—indeed, the major movie studios are giving BD-Live a big media push in the hopes of driving up (lagging) Blu-ray player sales.

The only problem (well, besides the fact that only the latest Blu-ray decks are BD-Live-enabled) is that most of the BD-Live features I've tried so far have been ... well, pretty lame. Besides a few primitive Java games and (sparsely populated) message boards, I've seen pop-up text "commentaries" (with such pithy comments as "This rulez!"), ho-hum trivia games, and trailers for upcoming movies. (Still awake?) But the sorry state of BD-Live features looks set to improve next week, when the highly anticipated Blu-ray of "The Dark Knight" hits stores.

As Engadget HD reports, "Dark Knight" studio Warner Brothers has some pretty nifty-sounding BD-Live features teed up for the disc (set for release Dec. 9). For example: "user-generated" PiP video commentaries that you can shoot with a Webcam and then post for the world to see.  According to the press release, you can associate your PIP clips with any scene in the movie—and that's fine, but I hope there's an option for uploading feature-length video commentaries, as well. (Personally, I'd rather hear a spirited fan commentary than listen to giggly directors and actors fawn over themselves.)

Also cool: Live "community" screenings, which let you watch the movie in sync with pals over the Net. Warner Brothers says you'll be able to chat while you watch, and I'm hoping that means either video or audio-only chat (rather than just text chat). Warners also says that it's planning a BD-Live community screening with "Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan.

So, will "Dark Knight"'s BD-Live features convince anyone to buy a Blu-ray player? I doubt it, but at least those of us with PlayStation 3's and other BD-Live capable decks finally have some feature to look forward to.

And yes—I know, the "Dark Knight" Blu-ray disc itself is waaayyy overpriced at $35 retail. My recommendation: Grab it at Amazon, where it's on sale for $24 (three bucks more than the two-disc DVD set).

Related:
Warner gets official with The Dark Knight BD-Live extras [Engadget HD]