Press Release: Inteset Offers Blu-ray HD-DVD Combo Option On Servers (http://www.cepro.com/article/inteset_offers_blu_ray_hd_dvd_combo_option_on_servers/)

07.26.2007 — Inteset, LLC is now offering an optional Blu-ray HD-DVD combo drive in its Maximus and Denzel media server systems. The Media Centers can play back both Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs in full 1080p resolution from a single drive.

“It’s been a long time coming,” says David Hirsh, Inteset’s Director of Business Development. “Users now have no limitations for movie playback. DVDs, Blu-ray, HD-DVD, it doesn’t matter. Our media servers handle all of these formats.”

Blu-ray and HD-DVD playback is facilitated through CyberLink’s PowerDVD Ultra software. All high definition 7.1 surround sound formats are supported without the need of a separate receiver or pre-processor, including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS audio.

http://www.cepro.com/images/uploads/inteset_bluray_hddvd_maximus_wm.jpg

PRESS RELEASE: Star Trek Remastered on HD DVD (http://www.dvdtown.com/news/press-release-star-trek-remastered-on-hd-dvd/4621)


HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment invite you to experience STAR TREK: The Original Series as never before when the legendary first season arrives for the first time ever in a 10-disc HD DVD/DVD combo disc set on November 20, 2007. Meticulously remastered from the original camera negative specifically for this high-definition release, each classic episode is presented in pristine condition with state-of-the-art digital visual effects. 1960s special effects have been replaced with 21st century computer-generated imagery to give new depth and atmosphere to various elements including the main title sequence, the galaxy shots frequently seen from the Enterprise's bridge, the battle scenes, planets and alien ships, some of the matte paintings used as backdrops for new worlds, as well as the Enterprise and other Starships, which have been replaced with state-of-the-art CGI-created ships. The new computer-generated Enterprise is based on the exact measurements of the original model, which now rests in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

The refurbished episodes also feature higher quality sound for the famous opening theme. The original score by Emmy® Award-winning composer Alexander Courage has been re-recorded in state-of-the-art digital stereo audio with an orchestra and a female singer belting out the famous vocals. A digitally remastered version of William Shatner's classic original recording of the 38-word "Space, the final frontier…" monologue continues to open each episode.

In addition, the extraordinary set features true HD audio and exclusive HD DVD interactive features produced by New Wave Entertainment. Interactive menus and a "Starfleet Access" interface will allow viewers to activate icons which provide such features as Picture in Picture video commentaries and an interactive tour of the starship Enterprise. Both the standard definition and high definition presentations also include rare on-set home movie footage, an inside perspective on what it took to transport Trek into the 21st century and much more. Housed in a futuristic clear case, the STAR TREK: The Original Series HD DVD/DVD set will be available for the suggested retail price of $217.99.

False alarm: Target's not giving up on HD DVD
http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/28/false-alarm-targets-not-giving-up-on-hd-dvd/

As noted on Engadget HD the other day, and further clarified by Major Nelson this morning, that story about Target going exclusively Blu-ray was false. Turns out they're just installing Blu-ray aisle end caps, thanks to a new promotional deal with Sony, but HD DVD isn't going anywhere.

Another Target reference--from Reuters, citing Sony:
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2643741920070726

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Target plans to carry only Blu-ray high definition DVD players through the holiday shopping season, a move that boosts the Sony-backed technology and may deal a blow to rival HD-DVD.

In a statement on Thursday, Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) said that Target (TGT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) will exclusively carry Blu-ray players "at least through the holiday season" and will also expand its inventory of Blu-ray discs.

Moser Baer Successfully Creates HD DVD-R Replicas with DCA Equipment (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=NEWS_VIEW_POPUP_TYPE&newsId=20070726005890&ndmHsc=v2*A1183287600000*B1185896605000*DgroupByDate*J2*L1*N 1000837*Zhd%20dvd&newsLang=en&beanID=202776713&viewID=news_view_popup)

CUSHING, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Doug Carson & Associates, Inc. (DCA) proudly announces that Moser Baer has successfully begun production of HD DVD-R replicas. Moser Baer has been working with DCA’s MIS formatter for HD DVD-R on the Singulus 266 LBR.

“We are pleased to be working with one of the largest optical media suppliers worldwide in Moser Baer. Combined with Moser Baer’s production expertise and DCA’s format knowledge and best-in-class support, HD DVD-R proved to be a trouble-free feat,” says Eric Carson, product manager for DCA.

Rajeev Jindal, DGM, Engineer & Technology at Moser Baer, notes, “As Moser Baer continues our growth in new formats and new technology, we are pleased to have a strong partner in DCA.”

MIS Recordable Formatters – Currently available, DCA has recordable formatters for the new DVD-R managed recording (DVD-Download) format, as well as HD DVD-R/RW, HD DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW and CD-R/RW. DVD-Download/Managed Recording is included for free in the DVD-R/RW Formatter.

Blu-ray Opens Up to Pornographic Content
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=8244

Although HD DVD may remain the choice for adult movies in the North American market, things are completely different in Japan. The Blu-ray Disc format commands the high-definition market in Japan, and Sony is changing its stance on the allowance of adult material for that region.

According to news from the Adult Treasure Expo 2007 in Chiba, Japan, Sony will now be offering more technical support and assistance to adult filmmakers. Sony will also be sending Blu-ray equipment to a partnered company in Taiwan to handle production of the adult material.

Hitachi Unveils the World's First Blu-ray Disc Camcorder

Two New Camcorders Capable of Recording One Hour 1920x1080 Full High-Definition Video on a Blu-ray Disc

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2007/08/hitachi_unveils.php

Note: Opinion pieces are not "news" in most cases.

First PS3 game/BD movie combo title to be region locked

PS3 Stranglehold to be region-locked
http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2007/08/02/ps3-stranglehold-to-be-region-locked

Unfortunately, it appears that gamers outside of the US and Japan will not be able to enjoy the true collector's edition, as Midway has confirmed that the PS3 version—collector's edition or not—will be region locked; a move that is contrary to Sony's initial promise to make the PS3 an open, region-less platform.

While the region locking of the collector's edition would make sense—it's standard practice for DVDs, and the first-ever inclusion of a full theatrical release on a game disc seems to necessitate it—the reason why the standard edition would differ in any way from the average PS3 game remains unclear. Chief Marketing Officer of Midway Steve Allison recently disclosed that even the standard versions of the game on the PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 would include trailers and promotional materials for the new release of the film. This statement left it unclear why the PS3 version is the only one being region-locked.

Oerlikon to Install First Blu-ray Line in Europe
German Optical Disc manufacturer Infodisc today received delivery of the first BD ROM manufacturing line Indigo in Western Europe. The Oerlikon Blu-ray replication line will be installed in the coming days at the Renchen/Germany facility. Infodisc will offer its services as the first independent European Blu-ray manufacturer, which is not contractually tied to a particular Hollywood movie studio. As a pioneer in the Blu-ray production technology, Infodisc will share its experience with other replicators and serve as a showcase for the Oerlikon Blu-ray line Indigo.

“We’ve evaluated the available Blu-ray production equipment and were primarily impressed by Oerlikon,” says Michael Gotowski, CEO at Infodisc. “The INDIGO line is approved by major replicators, features an excellent cover layer process and is mature for Blu-ray mass production. Oerlikon is launching soon the 50GB dual layer upgrade, using Sony’s wet embossing process. This is the professional package we need for our own market success.”
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070803005585&newsLang=en

Babya introduces the first free HD-DVD interactive content designer software (http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/view_press_release.php?rssID=31734)

/24-7PressRelease/ - August 05, 2007 - Babya HD-DVD Designer is the first free HD-DVD interactive content designer for the HDi Interactive Format.

Babya's Production Suite will include Babya HD-DVD Designer.

It's easy to create content for the new format.

HD-DVD is a next generation disc format offering upto about 30GB of storage space.

To learn more about HD-DVD, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hd-dvd.

HD-DVD is supported by many leading film studios.

HD-DVD Designer has a easy to use interface, with a focus on the scripting part:using ECMAScript.

Babya's A.A. Fussy said, "HDi Interactive Format is a exciting new way to add interactivity, so we're offering a free content designer for this format."

Pricing and Availability:
HD-DVD Designer will ship in early September.

About Babya:

Babya is an award-winning developer of digital media software for Mac and Windows, including bSuite,Babya OneVideo, bPicture, Babya Firestorm, Babya Photo Workshop and Babya Logic.

Babya's software has won many awards over the past several years, including 5 stars (Babya bSuite, 2005), a Softpedia Pick and 100% clean award (2006) and has been featured in magazines such as PC Utilities and PC Format.

Toshiba to Debut Third Generation HD DVD Players for High Definition Enthusiasts (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-06-2007/0004639654&EDATE=)

Expected Pricing and Expected Availability:
HD-A3 ($299.99, October 2007)
HD-A30 ($399.99, September 2007)
HD-A35 ($499.99, October 2007)

Stranglehold for PS3 regionfree afterall

Midway has decided to make both the standard version and the North American Collector's Edition (with Hard Boiled on Blu-ray)of Stranglehold region free. Please be clear that the Collector's Edition with the movie is only available in North America, so if you live elsewhere, you'll have to buy it as an import.

I guess the higher ups do listen to you guys on the forums!

Source Midway Forums http://forums.midway.com/all_things_stranglehold/b10788/27240439/p1/?24

Ritek obtains certification for 2x HD DVD-R discs


Ritek, the second largest Taiwan-based maker of optical discs, has secured certification for blank 2x HD DVD-R (recordable, write once) discs, according to industry sources in Taiwan. The company had already achieved certification for its 1x HD DVD-R and 1x HD DVD-RW (rewritable) discs in May 2007.


http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20070806PD216.html

From July 17 Compound Semi News

Strategy Analytics' Asif Anwar Predicts GaN LD Market Trends (http://www.compoundsemi.com/documents/articles/news/8656.html)

At our recent Compound Semi Vision executive business forum in Austin, Texas, market analyst extraordinare, Asif Anwar of Strategy Analytics, presented a keynote address that provided enough solid and clearly bankable numbers to excite even the most jaded compound semi industry follower. While he covered the gambit of materials and applications sectors at Vision, he provides our readers here with an update on one of the hottest topics, the gallium nitride (GaN) based laser diode (LD) market.

What people always want the most are the numbers. Well, here they are: According to Strategy Analytics, the market for GaN-based laser diodes will grow at a CAAGR of 103% through to 2011 with the consumer based optical data storage market dominating all other applications. Principal optical data storage applications will be in games consoles, PCs and home theater; the latter finally becoming the dominant market as the two competing formats, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, gain mass market acceptance. That, reassuringly, reaffirms their previous predictions, which is that the optical data storage market will account for >99% of the total available market for GaN-based laser diodes from 2006 through to 2011.

Furthermore, the average selling price of all GaN based laser diodes is expected to rise with a CAAGR of ~4%, reflecting the move from just playback devices to the higher performance recordable devices. SA believes that the GaN-based laser diode market will increase at a CAAGR of 103% from $33.9 million in 2006 to over $1.2 billion in 2011 and that the supply of GaN-based laser diodes will be dominated by Japan with that country supplying almost 100% of the total demand for at least the next three years. And the part that might surprise some... Strategy Analytics says that GaN laser diode production will move away from sapphire substrate usage over the next five years. Asif notes that, while this migration will not affect companies like Rubicon and Kyocera materially in a significant way, a similar development in LED production would have serious ramifications for sapphire substrate suppliers.
...

The next-generation DVD-player market will grow to more than 37 million units in 2011, up from a very small 100,000 units in 2006. Camcorders are quickly moving to 100% HD penetration. Digital still cameras also will move to HD, although their high-definition penetration rate will not rise as quickly as for the camcorders...


http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20070808PR200.html

Blue Ray Technologies Goes Gold as First U.S. Indie Blu-ray Plant Opens

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/08/prweb545244.htm

"Blue Ray Technologies opens $12 million plant in Spokane, making it the first independent U.S. Blu-ray manufacturer. Plant is important to TV producers and indie filmmakers who can't wait in line for high definition discs at plants controlled by major studios busy filling their own pipelines. Distribution offered too by Edge of Light Media, a co-venture with John Daly ("Terminator," "Platoon"). GE supplies materials for eco-friendly operation.

..."

ONKYO Introduces its First HD DVD Player, Including High-Bit-Rate and Lossless Audio Streaming via HDMI 1.3a

http://www.onkyousa.com/news.cfm?id=119

http://gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/08/dv-hd805.jpg

08/09/07 - ONKYO USA has announced the launch of its first HD-DVD player, the DV-HD805. This player has been introduced to realize the potential of high-definition HD DVD content. It is also one of the first HD DVD players to take advantage of high-bit-rate audio streaming via HDMI version 1.3a. The DV-HD805 will be available in the fall of 2007.

The DV-HD805 is designed to partner with Onkyo’s 2007 A/V receiver line-up. Both the HD DVD player and the A/V receivers feature HDMI version 1.3a connections, making the combination of these components the perfect platform for high-definition 1080p video images. It also nicely complements Onkyo’s A/V receivers by streaming of the new lossless surround sound formats, Dolby® TrueHD and DTS®-HD Master Audio, as well as two “lossy” formats, Dolby® Digital Plus and DTS®-HD High Resolution Audio.

The Onkyo DV-HD805 has the capability to support different frame rates, including playback at 24 frames per second, which is the native frame rate of the original sources for most HD content. This ensures that the user will be able to experience the playback of films recorded to HD DVD with the smoothest, most stable reproduction possible.

HDMI version 1.3a allows the DV-HD805 to offer the full potential of high-definition 1080p video (the native resolution of HD DVD discs). Furthermore, HDMI version 1.3a enables Deep Color™ technology to improve color tones and achieve finer color gradation. Also, when connected with the new Onkyo HDMI version 1.3a A/V receivers, the DV-HD805 is capable of high-bit-rate audio streaming output. Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound codecs enable bit-for-bit reproduction of the studio master meaning that this player is capable of the highest clarity and most advanced realism from movie soundtracks. It also has the capability to provide Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio bit stream data.

HD DVD specifications allow for the inclusion of web-enabled network connectivity to develop new and unique content such as additional materials and bonus features. In addition to downloading content, HD DVD users also have the ability to upload content and interact with providers, to participate in interactive polls for example. Compared to other media formats, HD DVD is advanced in this capacity. The DV-HD805 includes an Ethernet port to allow users access to these capabilities, as well as enable the user to easily download any future firmware updates.

Recognized as the leading video processing technology in the home theater industry, the DV-HD805’s onboard HQV Reon VX video processing chipset provides exceptionally precise video scaling (to 720p, 1080i or 1080p). When used with the standard-definition DVD format, HQV Reon VX enables viewers to enjoy superior video quality at the native resolution of the connected high-definition display. HQV Reon VX processing also eliminates or substantially reduces video noise for improved video reproduction.

The DV-HD805 will be available in the fall of 2007 at a suggested retail price of $899.

From Digitimes:

Taiwan maker Bestdisc reportedly procures production equipment of pre-recorded BD discs (http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20070809PD210.html)

...
In contrast to Bestdisc's aggressive action, U-Tech Media, CMC Magnetics and Feng Sheng Technology, three leading makers of pre-recorded discs in Taiwan, are conservative about stepping into BD production at present.

While having started production of pre-recorded HD DVD discs in the first quarter of this year, U-Tech is also developing pre-recorded BD discs using equipment from its parent company Ritek, and expects to finish the development by the end of this quarter, the sources indicated.

According to U-Tech, almost all orders for BD movie discs around the world are released from top movie studios in Hollywood, and Austria-based Sony Digital Audio Disc Corporation and Japan-based Memory-Tech are the two main OEM makers currently. In addition, the global penetration of BD players is still low. For these reasons, it is still too early to enter the market, U-Tech pointed out.

A production line for pre-recorded BD discs costs as high as NT$200-300 million (US$6.1-9.1 million) at present, according to Feng Sheng. Viewing that a new production line for DVD discs cost NT$100-150 million initially but now a second-hand line can be bought for only NT$10-20 million, the procurement costs for BD discs can be expected to drop fairly rapidly, Feng Sheng indicated. In addition, the market for BD movie discs will not take off until 2010, Feng Sheng noted. Therefore, Feng Sheng has no plans to prepare for producing such discs at present.

Verbatim and Imation launch mini Blu-ray discs

http://www.hdtvuk.tv/2007/08/verbatim_and_im.html

"...

The discs measure just 3 inches in diameter will feature 7.5GB storage capacity, which is enough for one hour of continuous full HD high-definition footage or around two hours of 1440x1080i footage.

..."

With the arrival of Samsung's $1,049 dual-format player on the horizon for this fall, LG has lowered the price of its existing BH100 HD DVD/Blu-ray player by $200.

The first dual-format player to hit stores shelves, LG's BH100 has remained at its original retail price of $1,199 since its introduction earlier this year.

Of course, even at its new reduced price of $999, the LG player remains good deal more expensive than buying two separate standalone players (Toshiba's HD-A2 and Sony's BDP-S300 retail at a combined cost of $898), but it's certainly a step in the right direction.

This latest pricecut from LG comes just a couple months before Samsung's planned BDP-UP5000 is scheduled to hit store shelves. That deck was previously announced with a retail price $1,049. Unlike the LG player, the Samsung is slated to include full support of both BD-Java and HDi, as well as web-enabled features on both formats.

No word yet from Samsung on any price drops for its upcoming BDP-UP5000Source: highdefdigest.com (http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Samsung/Hardware/LG/Hybrid_Player_Price_War_Brewing_LG_Lowers_Price_of_Super_Blu _HD_DVD/Blu-ray_Player/857)


If one compare LG's BH100 new reduced price with the 1080p/24 capable HD Players Toshiba A20 and Sony BDP-S300, then LG BH100 is actually only one dollar more expensive than the combined cost of the Toshiba and Sony Players ($999 vs. $998).

Very interesting to see if Samsung will respond to the price drop with theire dual-format player BDP-UP5000.

Haven't seen this posted here.

Blu-ray players outpacing supply

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6467868.html

Some consumer electronics retailers see the sales gap closing between set-top HD DVD players and Blu-ray Disc players as the two formats have come closer in price.

At Ultimate Electronics and Abt Electronics, Toshiba’s second-generation players are still the best-selling individual models, but collectively, Blu-ray players have been outselling HD DVD Toshiba models in recent weeks.

As per the initial post in this thread sales-figure based articles aren't particularly newsworthy. There are other threads for that. This is for, well, NEWS. News on products, the technology, etc.

Sony Electronics is set to launch a $100M ad campaign in order to promote what they are calling HDNA - a combination of high definition (HD) and DNA. The campaign will focus on educating the public about Sony high definition products, including Sony Blu-ray players, and how they all integrate to provide the ultimate high definition experience.

The TV, radio, print, and Internet ads will feature NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and NASCAR driver Dale Earnhart, Jr. explaining the benefits of high definition, and how consumers can integrate HD into their lives via Sony products. TV ads will run in primetime, as well as on dedicated HD channels like National Geographic HD and Universal HD.

Chief Marketing Officer Mike Fasulo commented, "HDNA is the core, the essence of all Sony HD products. If a consumer is considering the purchase of an HD product, we believe that given our lineage and expertise in the category, Sony should be the only consideration. With this comprehensive campaign we will also demystify all of the fears associated with purchasing a high-definition product."

The campaign is expected to last through the all-important holiday shopping season, well into 2008. Sony makes this announcement just as the Disney Magical Blu-ray Tour kicks off in malls across the country, where they hope to educate the public about Blu-ray.


http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=406

Press release articles

Sony Launches Its Largest Integrated Marketing Campaign
Focuses on Company's High Definition Products Across Multiple Categories
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-16-2007/0004647141&EDATE=

Sony Electronics starts $100 mln high-def ad push
http://investing.reuters.co.uk/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=media&storyID=nN16351804

General announcement of first Blu-ray titles with BD-Video 1.1 and BD-Live features by Disney for 2008 in this High-Def Digest article (http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Disney/BD-Java/Disc_Announcements/Disney_Announces_Blu-ray_Title_Wave_Coming_2008/870):


The 'Sleeping Beauty' Blu-ray will also include a "Virtual Castle" and multi-player activities -- both utilizing BD-Live technology.

In addition, Disney announced the special edition release of the action-adventure blockbuster 'National Treasure,' which will precede 'Sleeping Beauty' as the studio's first BD-Live Blu-ray Disc title.

Disney will further debut two of its biggest recent family hits in 2008 on Blu-ray, Pixar's blockbuster 'Finding Nemo' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.' Both release will feature full-motion, picture-in-picture bonus features -- replicating the popular "In-Movie Experience" video commentaries common to rival HD DVD.

Disney has not yet announced detailed specs or supplement details for the four titles, nor exact street dates outside of the 2008 timeframe. However, the slate will begin with 'The Chronicles of Narnia' in spring 2008, followed by 'National Treasure' in the summer, and culminating with 'Finding Nemo' and 'Sleeping Beauty' by fall.

Note that the original article at High-Def Digest has been changed since I quoted some of it for anyone wondering why it doesn't look like the current article. Also here is the press release from Disney (http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/pressrelease_disney2008bluray.html) on this news:

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) announced today more innovations in the Blu-ray format with the Studio's first ever Platinum Blu-ray release, the Studio's first BD-Live title, and full motion picture-in-picture Blu-ray bonus features.
...
The Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Disc release will also include a virtual castle and multi-player activities -- both utilizing the BD-Live technology.
...
In addition, WDSHE announced the special edition release of the action-adventure blockbuster National Treasure, which will become the Studio's first BD-Live Blu-ray Disc title. In addition, the Studio will bring two of its treasured family classics to Blu-ray Disc, Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, both of which will feature full motion picture-in-picture bonus features
...
This exciting slate of Blu-ray Disc releases will begin with The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe in spring 2008, followed by National Treasure in summer of 2008 and culminating with Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo and Sleeping Beauty in fall 2008.

Teardown analysis of PS3 components (click on images to zoom) from Elecronic Products magazine.

http://www.electronicproducts.com/whatsinside/

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/9659/untitled2fl4.jpg

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/5180/untitledxj7.jpg

PARAMOUNT AND DREAMWORKS ANIMATION EACH DECLARE EXCLUSIVE SUPPORT FOR HD DVD

Movies Distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment Including Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Animation SKG, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films to be Released Exclusively in HD DVD



Exclusive Program To Begin with Release of “Blades of Glory,” Followed by “Transformers” and “Shrek the Third,” Films Representing More Than $1.5 Billion in Combined Worldwide Box Office



Los Angeles, CA, August 20, 2007 – Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) and DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSEWA), each announced today that they will exclusively support the next-generation HD DVD format on a worldwide basis. The exclusive HD DVD commitment will include all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films, as well as movies from DreamWorks Animation, which are distributed exclusively by Paramount Home Entertainment.



The companies each said that the decision to distribute exclusively in the HD DVD format resulted from an extensive evaluation of current market offerings, which confirmed the clear benefits of HD DVD, particularly its market-ready technology and lower manufacturing costs. Paramount Home Entertainment will launch its exclusive HD DVD program with the release of the blockbuster comedy hit “Blades of Glory” on August 28th and follow with two of the biggest grossing movies of the year “Transformers” and “Shrek the Third”. These three titles alone represent more than $1.5 billion in box office ticket sales worldwide.



“The combination of Paramount and DreamWorks Animation brings a critical mass of current box office hits to consumers with a line-up of live action and animated films that are perfect for HD DVD,” stated Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, which is currently the leading studio in domestic box office. “Part of our vision is to aggressively extend our movies beyond the theater, and deliver the quality and features that appeal to our audience. I believe HD DVD is not only the affordable high quality choice for consumers, but also the smart choice for Paramount.”



“We decided to release “Shrek the Third” and other DreamWorks Animation titles exclusively on HD DVD because we believe it is the best format to bring high quality home entertainment to a key segment of our audience – families,” stated DreamWorks Animation CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg. “We believe the combination of this year’s low- priced HD DVD players and the commitment to release a significant number of hit titles in the fall makes HD DVD the best way to view movies at home.”



With the rapid increase of HD TV screens in households, and audiences wanting to enjoy the total entertainment experience, HD DVD has emerged as the most affordable way for consumers to watch their movies in high definition. In addition to pristine quality, HD DVD also offers consumers the chance to personalize the movie-watching experience, to interact with their movies and even to connect with a community of other fans.



Paramount Home Entertainment will issue new releases day and date as well as catalog titles exclusively on HD DVD. Today’s announcement does not include films directed by Steven Spielberg as his films are not exclusive to either format.



About Paramount Pictures Corporation



Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company’s labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and DreamWorks Studios. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studios and Worldwide Television Distribution.



About DreamWorks Animation SKG

DreamWorks Animation is principally devoted to developing and producing computer generated, or CG, animated feature films. With world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced CG filmmaking technology and techniques, DreamWorks Animation makes high quality CG animated films meant for a broad movie-going audience. The Company has theatrically released a total of fourteen animated feature films, including Antz, Shrek, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, Madagascar, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Over the Hedge, Flushed Away, and Shrek the Third. DreamWorks Animation’s newest release, Bee Movie, opens in theaters November 2, 2007.

Fox and MGM Unveil Blu-Ray Exclusive Worldwide Releases for 2007

29 Titles To Debut Packed With Soon-to-Be-Announced BD Industry ‘Firsts’ - PLUS – Fox’s First TV Title ‘PRISON BREAK’

FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER And LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD and Other Titles To Debut Day-and-Date on BD/DVD
-- Blu-ray Out-Performing HD DVD 2-to-1 At Retail in 2007 --

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (TCFHE) today unveiled an aggressive global Blu-ray Disc release strategy including 29 new release and “must-have” catalog titles that runs through the end of the 2007 calendar year. Among the many highlights of the impressive worldwide slate are six day & date BD/DVD new theatrical releases from Fox including the $241 million box-office family favorite FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER and the $335 million box-office action powerhouse LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, four day & date BD/DVD (U.S. only) new theatrical releases from MGM, 19 ‘must-have on BD’ films from the two studios’ libraries, Fox’s first-ever TV release on BD – PRISON BREAK -- and Fox’s intention to release at least one state-of-the-art title per month featuring numerous BD ‘firsts.’

The only high-definition packaged media universally supported by the film, music, gaming and computer industries, BD is the #1 selling high-definition packaged media. In fact, on a worldwide basis, BD is averaging nearly 70% market-share per week of all high definition titles sold this year and, in the U.S., it is out-performing HD DVD by a margin of 115%.

“Given that Blu-ray has consistently outsold HD DVD all year, and this is the case for any titles released by any studio in both formats, we believe that the time is right for us to accelerate our activities and help convert the nearly 60 million high definition households worldwide into Blu-ray households,” noted Mike Dunn, President Worldwide, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. “By the end of this calendar year there will be expansive availability of technically vibrant releases featuring never-before-seen, advanced BD-J interactivity as well as a broad offering of playback devices at attractive prices that will prove to any doubting consumers once and for all that Blu-ray is the only way.”

“And as Blu-ray continues to grows stronger, it has become survival of the fittest which is most apparent in the retail landscape where our eager and growing global Blu-ray consumer base has caused a shift that is forcing the allocation of more space to the format that is selling the best. And, in many recent instances of note, top retailers in North America are choosing to promote the Blu-ray format exclusively in their stores,” continued Dunn.

Among the BD industry ‘firsts’ from the Studios’ upcoming global release slate are picture in picture capability, enhanced viewing and surround sound modes with the ability to mix and match picture and sound, direct access to in-movie features through one of the four colored buttons on the BD remote and the most technically vibrant BD-Java interactive multi-player challenge and trivia games to date. The Studios’ slate also takes full advantage of BD-Live functionality this fourth quarter. Internet-connected consumers will enjoy unique, title specific “web-enabled” interactive features and games and “web-exclusive” downloadable content with the ability to connect and interact with other broadband BD users worldwide.

Cementing its leadership position within the industry - previous BD releases NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM and X-MEN THE LAST STAND rank in the Top 20 best-sellers - the vast majority of the Studios’ upcoming global slate will be presented on 50 GB dual-layer discs with advanced BD-J interactivity and feature numerous Blu-ray exclusive high-definition bonus materials that further realizes BD’s incredible potential. Consumers will enjoy the superior video and audio elements of AVC encoding and Lossless HD audio on many of the coming titles as well as enhanced and integrated menus, personal scene selections, search indexing, trivia and other title specific games and high-definition bonus materials.

Upcoming BD-J features exclusive to priority catalogue titles from Fox and MGM include an "Alien Scavenger Hunt" (INDEPENDENCE DAY) that challenges players to earn points by identifying the correct number of aliens in select scenes to unlock additional bonus features; a “Global Warming Trivia Track” (THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW) where users must correctly answer questions about global warming to keep the Earth’s temperature from rising and being destroyed; and a historical and geographical pop-up map (MASTER & COMMANDER) that tracks the location of Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey and his enemies.

Listed below are the upcoming Blu-ray Disc releases from Fox and MGM excluding new theatrical day & date BD/DVD releases. EXACT TITLE CONFIGURATIONS TO FOLLOW IN THE COMING WEEKS.

TITLE N.A. RELEASE INTERNATIONAL RELEASE

MASTER & COMMANDER OCT. 2 OCT.
THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW OCT. 2 NOV.
FROM HELL OCT. 9 OCT.
THE FLY (1986) OCT. 9 Q1 08
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS OCT. 9 NOV.
28 DAYS LATER OCT. 9 North America Only
ROBOCOP (MGM) OCT. 9 DEC.
AMITYVILLE HORROR (1979) (MGM) OCT. 9 North America Only
BATTLE OF BRITAIN (MGM) NOV. 6 Q1 08
A BRIDGE TOO FAR (MGM) NOV. 6 Q1 08
I, ROBOT NOV. 13 Q1 08
DIE HARD NOV. NOV.
DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER NOV. NOV.
DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE NOV. NOV.
RED DAWN (MGM) NOV. Q1 08
MR. AND MRS. SMITH DEC. 4 DEC.
INDEPENDENCE DAY DEC. 4 DEC.
CAST AWAY DEC. 4 North America Only
RONIN (MGM) DEC. 4 DEC.

Blu-ray Disc is a next generation optical disc format developed for high-definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc holds up to 25 gigabytes of data and a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc holds up to 50 gigabytes of data. This greater storage capacity enables the Blu-ray Disc to store over six times the amount of content than is possible with current DVDs, and is particularly well-suited for high definition feature films with extended levels of additional bonus and interactive material. Blu-ray also features the most advanced copy protection, player backward compatibility with the current DVD format, connectivity and advanced interactivity.

Fox takes advantage of the next generation format’s high definition technology and advanced functionality to present its titles with the highest quality audiovisual elements. Showcasing picture quality with six times the resolution of DVD and theater quality “uncompressed” audio for the purest digital sound, the cutting-edge discs also feature enhanced and integrated menus, games, high-definition bonus materials and Java-encoding for more dynamic and sophisticated interactivity.

The Studio’s commitment to emerging technologies is dedicated to enhancing the consumer experience of its products and providing for backward compatibility with their existing home entertainment libraries while also aggressively protecting its intellectual property from piracy. The Blu-ray companies fully embrace the Studio’s steadfast commitment to the fight against piracy and the preservation of the integrity of its properties. Twentieth Century Fox is a member of the Board of Directors of the Blu- ray Disc Association.

A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets -- from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce - throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.

Thank you swanni ;)

Sony PR Firm Pushes Paramount HD DVD Payoff

http://www.tvpredictions.com/bluraypay082007.htm

Top public relations agency for Sony's Blu-ray interests tips reporters to blog item after Paramount backs rival HD DVD.
By Swanni

Soon after the announcement, GCI Group, a Los Angeles-based public relations firm, began calling reporters (including this one) to tell them that a Hollywood news blog was reporting that HD DVD supporters gave Paramount $100 million in "promotional considerations" to dump Blu-ray.

GCI Group represents Sony, the leading supporter of the Blu-ray format, and jointly issues press releases on its behalf on Blu-ray issues.


The blog, "Deadline Hollywood Daily," is written by Nikki Finke of the LA Weekly. Finke also wrote that DreamWorks Animation, which today said it would also support HD DVD exclusively, got $50 million in "promotional considerations."

In response to the blog item, the web site Gizmodo asked Paramount for a response and here it is:

"The reason we made this decision is simple. After a year of fully experiencing and exploring both formats, we decided to exclusively support HD DVD because of the quality, value and potential the format offers. Beyond that, whenever we conduct co-marketing, production deals or other agreements, we never discuss business terms."

New York Times: Viacom executives confirm receiving $150 Mill. incentives from HD DVD side for exclusivity

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/21/technology/21disney.html?ex=1345348800&en=d4e1f285e2f41437&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

But money talks: Paramount and DreamWorks Animation together will receive about $150 million in financial incentives for their commitment to HD DVD, according to two Viacom executives with knowledge of the deal but who asked not to be identified. The incentives will come in a combination of cash and promotional guarantees.

Apparently, this deal buys HD DVD just 18 Months of exclusivity:

The two studios may have left themselves wiggle room, however. Paramount’s agreement to use only HD DVD is limited to only 18 months. And Paramount noted that no films directed by Steven Spielberg were included in the deal “as his films are not exclusive to either format.”

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2007-08-20-paramount-blu-ray_N.htm


Paramount to drop Blu-ray high-def DVDs

By Mike Snider, USA TODAY

Just when it seemed that the Blu-ray Disc had gained the upper hand in the high-definition video disc battle, HD DVD has recruited two studios, Paramount and DreamWorks....
The availability of lower-cost HD DVD players led to the studios pulling their support from Blu-ray. Toshiba currently has players in stores for less than $300.
The high price of players — previously starting at about $500 — has kept consumers from buying into either format, says DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. "That's why I have been very reticent to have us move into it
Katzenberg says that HD DVD will thrive this fall with more affordable players and a highly anticipated wave of movies,
The coming season "is adding up to be a game-changer" for (HD DVD), Katzenberg says.

... HD DVD releases (81) have outpaced Blu-ray's (55) in the past three months, according to DVD Release Report.

"the battle is not nearly done," says Joe Laszlo, senior analyst at Jupiter Research. "And it's not at all a safe bet either of these formats is going to be the dominant one."

Says Kelley Avery, worldwide president of Paramount Home Entertainment: "This business is in its infancy. At this stage, there has only been about 3 million high-definition discs sold combined," compared with about 1 billion DVDs sold each year in North America.

Committing to one format allows the studios to lower their manufacturing and marketing costs, she says. "We think this is the best way for people to watch movies

Non-news posts removed. No further Paramount posts here, either. Those follow-ups should go in one of the gazillion existing Paramount threads.

From Digitimes

Taiwan market: LG to launch range of Blu-ray/HD DVD combo drives (http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20070822PD201.html)

LG Electronics unveiled three new Super Multi Blue optical disc device models, the BH100 Blu-ray Disc (BD)/HD DVD dual-format player, the GGW-H20L BD burner plus HD DVD-ROM drive, and the GGC-H20L BD-ROM/HD DVD-ROM drive, for launch in the Taiwan market in mid-September 2007, according to LG Electronics Taiwan Taipei (LGETT) at a press conference on August 21.

BH100 is the first player to support of both BD and HD DVD formats, LGETT claimed. BH100 can support full high-definition (HD) 1,080p playback for BD or HD DVD and 1,080i for playback in DVD formats including DVD-Video, DVD+R/-R and DVD+RW/-RW, LGETT indicated. The player will sell at a recommended retail price of NT$39,900 (US$1,213).

GGC-H20L, has the same specifications as GGW-H20L but lacks of BD burning functionality. The drives will carry a recommended retail price of NT$12,900 for the former and that of NT$19,900 for the latter.

SCEE announces PlayTV for PS3 (http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2007/8/22-34)

At Games Convention today, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced the introduction of PlayTV, a combined TV tuner and Personal Video Recorder (PVR) for PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3). PlayTV will be available in UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain early in 2008, with other PAL territories to follow in due course.

Designed to reinforce PS3’s rightful place in the Living Room at the heart of the home entertainment needs, the twin channel TV tuner peripheral and PVR software turns PS3 into a state of the art TV recorder, allowing users to watch, pause and record live TV. PlayTV will also record individual programmes or whole series1 to the PS3 hard drive for viewing later on the family TV, or for transferring to the PSP™ (PlayStation Portable) for remote viewing outside of the home.
...EDIT:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=27948

SCEE also unveiled PlayTV, a TV tuner and PVR accessory. At this time, SCEA has no announcements for similar PS3 DVR capabilities in North America either. Finally, SCEE announced a partnership with British Sky Broadcasting to bring video downloads to the PSP in the UK and Ireland.

SCEA is "evaluating similar types of partnerships in North America" but has no announcement at this time. "We understand and respect the consumer interest in this type of service, and we will continue to explore downloadable content options for our territory," SCEA's Dave Karraker told GamesIndustry.biz.

New Disc Formats Blu-ray and HD DVD Gain Momentum, SINGULUS in a Leading Position (http://www.ad-hoc-news.de/CorporateNews/en/12980867/DGAP-News-Singulus-Technologies-AG-New-Disc-Formats)

'SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES is excellently positioned on this market. No matter if Blu-ray or HD DVD will prevail, we are prepared for both formats. We would prefer Blu-ray, but we are global market leader for production equipment for both formats', comments Stefan A. Baustert, Chief Executive Officer of the SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG. SINGULUS has already been market leader with a market share of approximately 65 % of prerecorded products for many years. In particular, the production of the HD DVD discs could be realized with low development expenses due to the long-time know how. With respect to development Blu-ray was more challenging, but it also means an absolute technologic leap. 'Therefore, we see significantly fewer competitors in the market for Blu-ray', adds Stefan A. Baustert.

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9764622-1.html
...Most of us were pretty impressed by the demo, which included clips from movies, commercials, and sporting events. There was real depth to the 3D and you got that whole feeling of things poking out at you from the screen. All the demo material had been shot in 3D, but the kicker to the whole presentation was that Mitsubishi apparently has a Blu-ray player in its labs that can convert existing 2D movies into 3D on the fly. Better yet, according to company reps, it may be available early next year.

The winner in the category European HD Player of 2007-2008 Eisa Awards is LG BH100

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m109/Jankka/HDDVD/EISA_LG_BH100.jpg


http://www.eisa-awards.eu/eisa_awards/node/754


From the EISA FAQ:


The EISA Awards are chosen annually by Panels representing nearly 50 prominent Photo, Video, Audio, Home Theater and Mobile Electronics magazines from up to 20 European countries. All Panels work separately, but are under contract to the European Imaging & Sound Association.


brand new products will only be accepted if they have been available for detailed testing before 1 June (latest delay) by a least 5 member magazines of the Panel concerned.

In addition, awarded products must also be for sale to the general public no later than 10 September in the year of the Awards in at least 10 European countries. Awarded products sold on 'pre-ordering' base must be delivered to the customer within 2 weeks after ordering, at the latest at 24 September. 'Pre-ordering' base is only liable to products with a price-tag of at least Euro 5.000.

Interview w/ Reed Hastings, CEO, Netflix

Can Blockbuster be knocked out? (http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_6706319)

Q What kind of demand are you seeing for Blu-ray and HD-DVD?

A We carry all the Blu-ray titles and we carry all the HD-DVD, so we're agnostic. And we think the solution in that market is to have the studios publish on both. . . . (Customer demand) is pretty evenly split between them (but it's) tiny, like a percent or something.

Warner's High-Def Disc Guru Exits Post
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Warners_High-Def_Disc_Guru_Exits_Post/893

In the week's latest high-def stunner, Warner Home Video's next-gen guru Steve Nickerson has announced he will step down.

A senior vp at Warner, Nickerson was arguably the most visible executive in the high-def disc space, and a passionate cheerleader for the studio's dual-format stance.

This is not really fresh news as it is from may. But I have not seen any mention of this anywhere.

Here are some of the main points. Lots more in the link. http://www.side-line.com/side-line_blog_comments.php?id=22997_0_45_0_C

Next generation HD DVD based music distribution and marketing platform launched

Nixbu Entertainment will announce the immediate start of the MuNa initiative, a next generation HD DVD based music distribution and marketing platform. This very complex project represents the most advanced HD DVD project so far, including even new online features.

The following key features are featured on this product:
The disc will start automatically, tracks are 'skipable', navigation behavior is the same as Audio CD
Without any kind of TV the disc navigation will be done via remote control of the HD DVD player
The new codecs allow a high quality experience at the same level or clearly above DVDAudio/SACD, formats might be e.g.
1: Stereo 24 bit / 96 kHz or 192 kHz
2: Surround 5.1/7.1 24 bit / 96 kHz

* MuNa products will work technically with EVERY HD DVD player and within different marketing scenarios. Massmarket genres like Rock/Pop will work with any future lowcost noname player expected to arrive October 2007 for as low as US$ 199,- to US$ 299,-.

* Due to the nature of DTS-HD, all tracks are always 100% downward compatible, MuNa products will play on ANY HD DVD capable player independent from internal decoding, downmixing or interface limitations.

* Any PC with a DVD drive can playback MuNa products if a current HD DVD enabled version of very popular DVD Player software like PowerDVD, WinDVD, Nero or similar is installed and the product is 3X based and does not use AACS. This got tremendous marketing potential, e.g. as free magazine supplement.

Buffalo intros external dual format hd dvd/bd drive...

http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/26/buffalo-offers-up-external-hd-dvd-blu-ray-combo-drive-in-japan/

Sony Unveils First All-In-One High-Def PC/TV With Blu-Ray Disc Technology (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-27-2007/0004651697&EDATE=)

Part of a series, the new LT PC/TV comes in multiple configurations, including a standard and an HD model. The high-definition version features a Blu-ray Disc(TM) optical drive so you can enjoy high-definition movies, as well as record, store and play back personal content on high-capacity BD media (up to 50 GB on a single disc).

The unit features a 22-inch diagonal WSXGA+ widescreen display, with Sony's XBRITE-HiColor(TM) LCD technology.

The LT standard model will start at about $1,900, while the LT HD model with a Blu-ray Disc(TM) optical drive will go for around $2,900.

This interview is a little old (just now carried @ worldscreen.com), but haven't seen it posted...

STAR’s Crowley (http://www.worldscreen.com/interviewscurrent.php?filename=crow0407.htm)

STAR launched in 1991 with just five channels, but today it’s the giant of the Asian cable and satellite industry, with a portfolio of entertainment, news, music and sports networks that collectively reach more than 300 million viewers in 53 countries across the region. As executive VP of content, Ross Crowley oversees such *services as the pan-regional general-entertainment offering STAR World and the music network Channel [V], as well as STAR’s interactive and mobile activities. Crowley understands the importance of original content in continuing to broaden the group’s reach—a strategy that has allowed STAR (which is owned by News Corporation) to build up a catalogue of 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming. He tells TV Asia Pacific about expanding STAR’s services in the digital age.

TV ASIA PACIFIC: Are you distributing that content on the international market?

CROWLEY: Absolutely. We have a division called Fortune Star Entertainment that handles all of our content, our Chinese movie library and all of the Indian soaps. We are finding [increased demand for that content] with the web streaming [services] and most recently with the launch of HD DVD. We are restoring all of the Chinese films that we can for HD DVD. That’s a catalogue of some 700 titles that have a new life.News corp. owns Fox.

FVD and EVD players suffer stagnant sales (http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20070827PD205.html)

Audio/video players of FVD (forward versatile disc), a Taiwan-developed red-laser high-definition DVD standard, and EVD (enhanced versatile disc), a China-developed DVD standard, have faced slack sales in Taiwan and China since the beginning of 2007 because of pricing competition from Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD DVD players as well as insufficient supply of movies using the standards, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

The development of FVD and EVD was motivated by manufacturers in Taiwan and China wanting to avoid having to pay royalties to international companies holding DVD patents, the sources pointed out. In order to promote FVD in China, the Electronics & Optoelectronics Research Lab under the Taiwan government-sponsored Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the developer of FVD, has cooperated with organizations related to EVD in China, including making the two formats mutually compatible, the sources indicated.

However, retail prices of entry-level BD and HD DVD players have dropped from US$800-1,500 in 2006 to US$499 and US$299, respectively, putting price pressure on FVD and EVD players, which now retail for US$129-149 currently, the sources pointed out.

The optical disc drive business unit of Qisda (formerly BenQ) had originally planned to produce PC-use FVD drives/burners before its merger into Lite-On IT, the sources noted. However, Lite-On IT has suspended the production plan, the sources added.

European launch of the Denon 3800BDCI delayed till 2008

A Denon spokesperson denied rumors that Denon had decided to go for a combo player in the wake of the Paramount/Dreamworks shift (though the production of such a device is not ruled out). The delay of the 3800BDCI is caused by 'technical reasons.' Denon gave no launch details for the rest of the world.

http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/94995

Don't know if it counts as news, but Amazon.com just launched a promotion yesterday. Now through September 23, Amazon offers the Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player with three free HD-DVD combo disks of your choice for $210 shipped. The promotional pricing is applied on checkout.

In the HD-A2 box, coupons are included for an additional five free HD-DVDs by mail.

The deal has made that player the #1 selling DVD player and the #1 selling CE product at Amazon.com. More discussion in the HD-A2 for $210 at Amazon with 3 free HD-DVDs (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=898236) thread.

Atmel Announces High-Performance, Extra-small Front Monitor Diode ICs for HD-DVD/Blu-ray Laptop Drives (http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2007-08/artikel-8903701.asp)


Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the availability of the ATR1841 and ATR1842 front monitor diode (FMD) ICs for use in the optical pick-up units (OPUs) of slim and ultra-slim HD-DVD and Blu-ray drives. These new devices measure only 3 mm x 3 mm and provide outstanding performance.

[...]

Owing to Atmel's proprietary photo-diode processing technology, the ATR1841 and ATR1842 have an unprecedented channel bandwidth of over 160 MHz, while maintaining a low noise level of less than -80 dBm, ideal for 8x HD-DVD and Blu-ray drives.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=898651

HDDVD Player from China Rumor *CONFIRMED*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.venturer.com/news-details.aspx?id=15


Venturer HD DVD Player to Ship in Time for 2007 Holiday Sales

Venturer Electronics today announced the launch of its first HD DVD player for the North American market. Responding to strong consumer demand for high definition video playback devices, Venturer will introduce the SHD7000 that offers the superior HD movie experience as defined by the DVD Forum.

Featuring 1080i video output and an HDMI connection, the SHD7000 is designed to be compatible with the vast majority of HDTVs already in North American consumers' homes. With Ethernet connectivity to the network , the SHD7000 also allows users to access bonus features from movie studio web servers and unlock special prerecorded content on some HD DVD discs. Dolby TrueHD rounds out the high definition experience by presenting the HD DVD disc soundtrack as it was meant to be heard, virtually equal to the studio master.
In addition to its HD DVD playback capability, the SHD7000 will upconvert standard DVDs to near HD picture quality via its HDMI connection, allowing a consumer's existing library of DVDs to look better than ever. CD playback is also supported.
The SHD7000 will be distributed in North America by Venturer Electronics of Markham, Ontario, and sold through national retailers with retail prices expected to be one of the lowest among entry-level HD DVD players.
Venturer Electronics, headquartered in Markham, Ontario, offers a wide selection of value-priced, high quality consumer electronics products. Since 1988, Venturer has focused on making the latest echnologies affordable to North American consumers.
More Information:


discuss here on HDTV Media forum thread of "HDDVD Player from China Rumor *CONFIRMED*"

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=898651

discuss in HD DVD Hardware forum thread of "Chinese HD-DVD Player Rumors/Facts/Conjecture"


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11450869&posted=1#post11450869 ;)

DGAP-News: Singulus Technologies has received new orders for Blu-ray Disc Machines (http://www.ad-hoc-news.de/CorporateNews/en/13048144/DGAP-News-Singulus-Technologies-has-received-new-orders-for)

Kahl/Main, August 29, 2007 - SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES (SINGULUS) announces 2 new orders for Blu-ray Disc production lines BLULINE.

These new orders were placed by European and Asian customers and prove that the Blu-ray format has now also gained Momentum outside of the United States. These orders are another, positive signal for the launch of Blu-ray Discs in Europe.

Background BLULINE SINGULUS has many years of experience in the work area of Blu-ray due to an early, exclusive cooperation with the format developer Sony in 2005 and already installed several Blu-ray production machines at the largest, independent disc producers in the US. For the further development of the Blu-ray production machine for the manufacturing of dual layer Blu-ray disc with 50 GB storage capacity SINGULUS works closely together with Sony. SINGULUS will introduce its new production equipment for dual layer Blu-ray on the market shortly.From Singulus web site:
http://www.singulus.de/deutsch/4_produkte/replication/bluline/bluline_01.htm

The following features characterize the BLU-LINE concept:
• Dedicated to production of Single Layer BD-ROM
• Production cycle time ≤ 5.0 seconds for BD-ROM
...
• Upgrade for Dual Layer available

Also from Singulus:

"...Combo production machine SPACELINE II for HD DVD and DVD
The first HD DVD production system was already launched by SINGULUS in the summer of 2005. These machines are able to produce DVD 9 as well as the new HD DVD. Therefore, SINGULUS enables its customers to respond flexibly with respect to the new format development. As early as December 2004, SINGULUS had concluded a development cooperation for the development of HD DVD production technology with MemoryTech/Toshiba. The majority of the HD DVD movies are produced on SPACELINE II production equipment by SINGULUS. The Kahl am Main-based company is the leading equipment supplier and has a global market share of more than 65 %. Since 2006 SINGULUS has exclusively been delivering HD DVD enabled production lines and installed nearly 200 machines worldwide. ..."

http://cms.singulus.de/en/presse/pressemeldungen/pressemeldung/article/443/7.html?cHash=a62accc3f4

Chinese-manufactured $199 HD DVD players shipping in Q4 (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6472414.html)

Sub-$200 Chinese-manufactured HD DVD players are slated to be released by Venturer Electronics by the fourth quarter.

Venturer's SHD7000 will be priced at $199, according to a company representative, which would make it the cheapest stand-alone HD DVD player available today.

To date, Toshiba has the offered lowest priced stand-alone player, its entry level HD-A2 $299 model.

A statement from Venturer, whose North American headquarters is in Markham, Ontario, touts the player “to be one of the lowest among entry-level HD DVD players.”

The SHD7000 features 1080i video output, Ethernet connectivity and advanced audio technology Dolby TrueHD. In addition to HD DVD and CD playback, the model also upconverts standard-definition DVDs to near high-def quality through an HDMI connection. The player will be distributed nationally to retailers.

For months, HD DVD backers have said that Chinese manufacturers would soon start producing ultra low-price players, likely impacting the format war. Venturer represents the first such company to potentially get the ball rolling.

Looks like the Universal Studios hi-def website is active - and meant for HD DVD player connection. I'm signed up. :)

http://www.universalhidef.com/

Universal Launches New HD DVD Website
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Universal/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Universal_Launches_New_HD_DVD_Website/910

The studio-created site, dubbed Universal Studios Home Entertainment Hi Def, is designed to be an extensive consumer portal for all things Universal HD DVD. Among the site's offerings are a FAQ covering the format's current interactive features, extensive technical support (including connection issues and a breakdown of common software and hardware error codes) and previews of upcoming releases.

But most exciting are a number of site sections still under construction, which seem to suggest that the studio is planning to use the site as a launching pad for future web-enabled content. Labeled "Coming Soon" are several features, including something called "U-Shop," which apparently will allow consumers to buy exclusive products while they watch the movie; "Best Buddies," where fans will be able to send friends pointers to favorite clips on a given an HD DVD title via the studio's "MyScenes" feature; and a dedicated Download Center.

Universal and Studio Canal in Joint Distribution Deal

Wednesday August 29, 2007

Universal Pictures International Entertainment (UPIE) and Studio Canal have announced the creation of a joint venture to market and distribute home entertainment titles in France.

Effective from January 2008, the joint venture will combine the sales, marketing and distribution skills of the two entertainment entities in France, providing synergies for Studio Canal and Universal Pictures France to build a greater share in a 1.5-billion-euro home entertainment market, and allow further opportunity for significant growth.

The new company, Universal Studio Canal Video GIE, will become the leading distributor of home entertainment product in France. Its operations will include sales and distribution (via ODS) for all titles.

The complementary assets of both libraries and the creation of a video-dedicated sales force will optimize the distribution of each company's home entertainment catalogue. Studio Canal owns the largest movie library in Europe, comprising more than 5,000 titles, including THE PIANIST, THE THIRD MAN, MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS and I DO.

The joint venture will also benefit from Universal's international sales, marketing and distribution leadership in France. Universal Pictures France has a current market share of 8.5%, positioning Universal as the second-highest-performing distributor in the French home entertainment market.

UPIE and Studio Canal have also agreed to extend to 2010 an existing arrangement in respect of the sales, marketing and distribution of Studio Canal DVDs, which covers various international territories, following a long-standing and successful distribution partnership set up in 2003.


source: http://www.vfxworld.com/?atype=news&format=rss&id=20773

First BD 2.0 player announced

Daewoo demos 'Blu-ray Disc 2.0' player
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/30/ifa_daewoo_bluray/

The player supports the full BD specification, including the ability to access BD Live online content, to present picture-in-picture material and deliver BD's interactivity features - missing on many early BD players because the specification had yet to be completed.

Daewoo said its player can pump out pictures at up to 1080p via its HDMI port. It will upscale DVD and JPEG photos to full HD resolution, and supports DivX content too. The DBP-1000 can handle all the major recordable and rewriteable DVD and CD formats, along with BD-R and BD-RE discs.

In addition to HDMI, the DBP-1000 has a full array of s-, composite- and component-video, and digital and analogue sound outputs. There's even a USB port on the front for feeding the player with downloaded video content off Flash drives.

Daewoo didn't say when the DBP-1000 will go on sale, or what it's likely to cost.

60GB PS3s no Longer in Sony Inventory
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=8665

It now appear that the end of the road is nigh for the 60GB PS3. Sony reports that it no longer has inventory of 60GB PS3s in its warehouses and the only units left are those on the way to retailers (or those that are already in retailer warehouses and on store shelves).

"We no longer have any inventory in SCEA warehouses. All inventory has been purchased and shipped to retailers," said SCEA communications officer Dave Karraker. "We don't have visibility as to if that is on their store shelves or in their warehouses at this time. However, based on inventory reports from our retailers, there is ample supply still left in the channel."

Once the remaining stocks of 60GB PS3s are depleted, that will leave the $599 80GB PS3 as the sole SKU. What Sony does at that point is still up for debate.

Acer, now the third largest PC vendor worldwide following their acquisition of Gateway, has joined the Blu-ray Disc Association as a Contributing Member. The four largest PC vendors are now Blu-ray Disc Association Contributing Members or Directors.

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6473309.html

China Hualu Group, one of China’s leading manufacturers of audio and video devices and one of the largest providers of audio and video contents and services in China, has selected Blu-ray Disc to the exclusion of HD DVD in joining the Blu-ray Disc Association as a Contributing Member.

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070830005428&newsLang=en

Sharp has confirmed their new Blu-ray Disc player, the BD-HP20S, will be released in the US in 2007. The player is only 2.7" high and is said to have "quickstart" technology.

http://www.electronista.com/articles/07/08/30/sharp.bd.hp20s.player/

I've been told by an Alticast exec that BD-J performance of this chipset rivals that of the PS3.

Alticast Demonstrates AltiCaptor Blu-ray(TM) Disc Java Solution on Broadcom's Single-Chip BCM7440 Platform

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,169373.shtml

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Alticast, the worldwide leader in deployed DVB-MHP and OpenCable OCAP solutions, today announced it will be demonstrating its AltiCaptor Blu-ray(TM) Disc Java (BDJ) solution at the IFA consumer electronics tradeshow in Berlin, Germany, from August 31st through September 5th.

AltiCaptor BDJ, based on the same core software that powers over 4 million television receiver boxes around the world, has been successfully developed to run on Broadcom's industry leading, single-chip BCM7440 Blu-ray Disc solution. This powerful hardware and software combination provides a high performance turnkey solution for developing Blu-ray Disc devices quickly, assuring a time- to-market advantage.

"We are very excited to be working with Broadcom on next-generation DVD products," said Jeffrey Bonin, Vice President and General Manager of Alticast. "Our software has been deployed in millions of digital television devices around the world, and the Blu-ray Disc platform is a logical extension of these successful products. Broadcom's single chip BCM7440 is the most advanced solution in the market today."

Alticast is committed to standards-based solutions, exemplified by its roles in DVB, CableLabs, Blu-ray Disc Association and the ITU. Alticast's solutions have been selected by some of the industries leading companies, such as Time Warner Cable, Pace Microelectronics, Samsung, Humax, LG, Korea Telecom, SkyLife, and many of the Korean cable operators.

"The Alticast Blu-ray Disc Java solution coupled with our BCM7440 single chip platform provides world class BDJ performance," said Peter Besen, Vice President of Broadcom's Consumer Electronics line of business. "Manufacturers can now quickly develop a high performance Blu-ray player using our full turnkey solution."

Please visit the Alticast pedestal, at the Blu-ray Disc Association's booth in Hall 6.2a, Booth #104, to see the Alticast BDJ solution running on the Broadcom(R)BCM7440 single-chip platform.

About Alticast

Alticast is the most deployed MHP and OCAP solutions provider in the digital broadcasting industry. Alticast offers software solutions and services for the creation, delivery, and reception of interactive television content based on the DVB-MHP and OCAP digital broadcasting open standards. Alticast is "first-to-market" with deployed MHP and OCAP products for cable, satellite, and terrestrial operators. A privately owned company, Alticast headquarters are located in Seoul, South Korea; a business and technology center in Broomfield, Colorado, USA; and sales offices in Beijing, China and Frankfurt, Germany. For more information on Alticast products and services, visit Alticast at http://www.alticast.com/.

Broadcom(R), the pulse logo, Connecting everything(R) and the Connecting everything logo are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States certain other countries and/or the EU. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Alticast

Don't know if it counts as news, but Amazon.com just launched a promotion yesterday. Now through September 23, Amazon offers the Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player with three free HD-DVD combo disks of your choice for $210 shipped. The promotional pricing is applied on checkout.

In the HD-A2 box, coupons are included for an additional five free HD-DVDs by mail.

The deal has made that player the #1 selling DVD player and the #1 selling CE product at Amazon.com. More discussion in the HD-A2 for $210 at Amazon with 3 free HD-DVDs (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=898236) thread.

As above item is apparently considered news...

Amazon has a Blu-ray promotion as well:
Buy a PLAYSTATION 3 Game Console and Get Eight Blu-ray Discs Free

It's right at the top in the Blu-ray section.

Germany’s leading independent home entertainment distributor, Universum Film GmbH, has announced its non-exclusive support for the Blu-ray Disc format. The strength of this support is illustrated by a blockbuster autumn release schedule, which includes Hannibal Rising and Crank (both due for German release in December) and Neues vom Wixxer (set for release on Blu-ray Disc in Noember).

Owned by Bertelsmann and strategically positioned within the RTL Group, Universum Film sources product internationally and is the leading independent German home entertainment company serving Germanspeaking
territories.

“With the next generation formats, it is the first time that the content owner will be able to offer the highest possible video and audio quality to the consumer,” commented Kai Schmidt-Merz, Head of Home Entertainment Marketing at Universum Film. “The interactive features of Blu-ray Disc, compared with web-enabled functions, will make our content more attractive and up to date for movie enthusiasts.”

It is highly appropriate that Universum Film made its announcement at IFA since the company believes that it is the proliferation of new consumer electronics players that will drive the acceptance of Blu-ray Disc as the next generation High Definition replacement for DVD.

“The penetration of hardware is just taking off,” commented Schmidt-Merz. “Having witnessed the rapid development of the DVD market, we are confident that BD will be a mainstream format within the near future.

At IFA today, Imation Corp announced the release of TDK brand 8cm recordable Blu-ray Discs. Available in both BD-R (recordable) and BD-RE (rewritable), each TDK brand 8cm Blu-ray Disc offers 7.5 gigabytes of capacity, ample to store 60 minutes of full-quality high-definition video.

TDK brand 8cm Blu-ray Discs record in 1080i HD video for lifelike image quality. Users can experience incredible definition when viewing their camcorder footage on today’s cutting-edge flat-panel display HDTVs, simply by removing the disc and placing it into a Blu-ray player.

“This is a real milestone in making Blu-ray Disc the media format for discerning film enthusiasts. Now users can create home-movies to the standard that was once exclusive to professional filmmakers,” commented Jean Paul Eekhout, European Marketing Director, who manages TDK Brand Recording Media for Imation Europe.

“This extension to our Blu-ray portfolio is a response to the incredible consumer demand for the media format. Consumers have seen the power of Blu-ray Disc through Hollywood high Definition movie releases and now want to replicate that quality themselves.”

Because camcorder media is frequently handled in its day-to-day use, TDK Brand 8cm Blu-ray Discs come protected by DURABIS 2, an industryleading coating developed by TDK Corporation that safeguards against potential contaminants such as scratches and fingerprints. And although certain types of pens may damage the surfaces of other media, TDK 8cm Blu-ray Discs are
specially designed for safe labeling with both oil- and water-based pens. The discs are created using an exclusive Spin Coating Technology developed by TDK Corporation which creates a cover layer with nano-precise smoothness, ensuring pure recording perfection. They also feature a dual-level gold matrix recording surface which delivers superior light refraction and highly efficient storage as well as long term storage reliability. Composed of copper and silicon, CuSi recording material of the BD-R delivers remarkable, long-lasting performance. The recording material enables fast recording and playback speeds and also makes it possible to realise massive capacities through multi-layering. TDK BD-R and BD-RE 8cm Blu-ray Discs will begin shipping in Europe in autumn 2007.

As announced at yesterday's BDA IFA press conference:

Studio Canal has revealed an upcoming Blu-ray boxset for the three 'Les Bronzes' films, making it the first Blu-ray release to come from them. The Studio Canal library is very extensive, as they distribute titles for many of the major studios. No release date specs have been released at this time.

IFA 2007: Toshiba looks to laptops to win HD DVD battle
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pocketli/20070831/ttc-ifa-2007-toshiba-looks-to-laptops-to-57dbc65_2.html

How does a product go mainstream? Primarily price point, and like its HD DVD player pricing, Toshiba is attacking where Blu-ray is weak and has promised to offer notebooks with HD DVD drives for below 1000 euros in Europe.

70% of HD media on notebooks are HD DVD so the company say they are "starting from a high platform". Estimates are that by the end of 2007, there will be 30 million more HD DVD notebooks sold, with 16 million of those to consumer, not corporate customers.

An industry insider we talked to said: "This appears to be smart a move from Toshiba, and although an optical drive could be argued as a very different format to a next-gen DVD player, if it increases software sales, and take up of their next-gen platform among even a moderate proportion of those 16 million notebook customers, you could argue that HD DVD could win this "war" by the back door."

Ritek lands orders for 2x HD DVD-R discs from Toshiba

Ritek, the second largest Taiwan-based producer of blank optical discs, has obtained OEM orders for blank 2x HD DVD-R (recordable, write once) discs from Toshiba, with shipments to begin in the third quarter of 2007, according to the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) newspaper.

Toshiba will bundle its HD DVD recorders with five blank HD DVD-R discs produced by Ritek initially in Japan and then in the US and Europe during the peak sales period prior to the year-end holiday season, the EDN indicated.

http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20070903PB200.html

Toshiba showcases uber-slim external HD DVD burner
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/09/03/toshiba-showcases-uber-slim-external-hd-dvd-burner/

If a couple of new HD DVD players weren't enough for you, Toshiba is also launching an ultrathin, highly portable HD DVD burner for playing back high-definition flicks and writing massive amounts of data to single or dual-layer HD DVD-Rs whilst on the go. The simply titled HD DVD-Writer is reportedly the brother of the HD DVD Super-Multi, which only supports CD, DVD+/-RW, and HD DVD-ROM. Both units supposedly measure in at just 5.04- x 4.96- x 0.51-inches and weigh 5.82 ounces, and best of all, they're said to be available right now across the pond for £200 ($403).

A quick way to make 2.9 Billion =P some speculation in there about using that money for some price cuts.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=anR9X7DFw1PY&refer=home

Samsung selects Broadcom's Blu-ray, HD DVD System-on-a-Chip (http://www.digitalmediaasia.com/default.asp?ArticleID=26678)

Broadcom, a global player in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, has announced that its integrated Blu-ray and HD DVD system-on-a-chip (SoC) has been selected by Samsung Electronics to power the dual format BD-UP5000 Duo high definition (HD) player.

By combining Blu-ray and HD DVD formats into one SoC platform (BCM7440), Broadcom enables media player manufacturers to provide universal high definition DVD players that can playback all HD movie titles regardless of the authoring format.

Available in mass production, the Broadcom BCM7440 is a solution whose multiple processor cores fully support both Blu-ray and HD DVD standards in a single SoC, including support for next generation interactive technologies (i.e. BD-Java and HDi) that are being incorporated into Hollywood's latest title releases.

Video: First Look at 'Star Trek' HD DVD Interactive Features
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Paramount/TV_on_High-Def/Disc_Announcements/Video_Clips/Video:_First_Look_at_Star_Trek_HD_DVD_Interactive_Features/924

Paramount has posted a new promotional video for its upcoming first season HD DVD release of 'Star Trek: The Original Series,' providing a first glimpse at the box set's highly anticipated bonus features.

Hyped as the "Star Trek at your fingertips" in the lengthy eight minute clip, the bonus features on 'Star Trek: The Original Series' certainly promise to be the most extensive seen yet on a Paramount next-gen title, and may well raise the bar for what we've seen so far on a TV-on-hi-def release.

Highlighted specifically in the clip are first looks at the HD DVD exclusive "Star Fleet Academy" interactive picture-in-picture feature, which allows viewers to enhance the viewing experience with new interviews with cast, crew and historians, never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes.

China’s AVS Specifications Available (http://www.c10n.info/archives/668)

Its old news that China has developed their own Audio Video Standard to avoid high licensing fees for MPEG standards. They also rolled out their own version of HD-DVD standard which allows use of this codec on DVDs.

English translation of the standard is now available, along with the IPR policy. Finally something technical that you can get your hands on to feed your appetite. Unfortunately, it is not a freely downloadable document. You will need to fill a form and wait for them to contact you, and possibly also pay some fees.

Just how huge the licensing fee difference can get? Well, the Chinese group had set a price goal of 1 yuan, or 13 cents, for the audio and video compression technology in each video player; this far undercuts the typical $2.50 license fees for the MPEG-2 compression technology used in standard DVD players today.

And if you are like me and are wondering if this codec will ever matter, many top-tier chipmakers are offering support for this codec that will be used in the domestic IPTV, satellite and possibly the cable TV market. Both Broadcom Corp. and Conexant Systems Inc. are working on chips for China’s AVS. They join STMicroelectronics, which already supports the codec in software, and is spinning a hardware optimized version that will be ready by the fourth quarter, 2007.

CED is reporting that Denon is "on track" to ship the DVD-3800BDCI Blu-ray player this fall in the U.S. The $1,999 player is is also scheduled to be the format’s first Profile 1.1 model, with dual video decoders for picture-in-picture playback.

They are also reporting that NEC will ship a PC with combo Blu-ray/HD DVD drive.

In addition, A Java-based multilevel strategy game will be included among the Blu-ray features when Fox releases its Live Free or Die Hard on Nov. 20. The game is called "Black Hat Intercept!". The disc will be authored in Blu-ray’s BD-Java interactivity, AVC compression on a 50-GB disc. Soundtracks are in English with 5.1 DTS HD Lossless Master Audio, and in English, French and Spanish with 5.1 Dolby Digital.

LG's dual format player...coming October

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/lg_dual_high_def_dvd_player_coming_next_month/C157

LG ELECTRONICS LAUNCHES SECOND-GENERATION DUAL-FORMAT HIGH-DEFINITION DISC PLAYER

New Super Blu™ Player Offers New Features and Functionality, Continues to Provide Consumers Choice Based on Content, not Format


DENVER, Sept. 5, 2007 – LG Electronics, the first company to introduce a dual-format high-definition disc player, today unveiled its second-generation LG Super Blu™ Player (model BH200). Sporting both formats' logos, LG's new high-def player is capable of Blu-ray disc and HD DVD playback with advanced BD-Java and HDi interactivity, enabling consumers to choose from the widest variety of high-def content regardless of disc format.

On display for the first time at the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) EXPO 2007 (booth #720), LG's Super Blu Player will be available to U.S. consumers and custom installers in mid-October at a suggested retail price of $999.

The BH200 further strengthens LG's position as an innovator. Seven months ago, LG was the first to launch a dual-format high-def disc player, the award-winning BH100. That technological breakthrough has been widely recognized as a groundbreaking product with industry accolades including CNN's Best of CES, CNET's CES 2007 Best in Show and Home Video categories and Popular Mechanics' CES Editor's Choice Award.

"LG introduced the world's first high-definition dual-format player to focus on consumer needs and to end the confusion caused by the current format war," said Allan Jason, vice president of consumer electronics marketing at LG Electronics USA, Inc. "The launch of BH200 reinforces our leadership position and offers consumers and custom installers a best-in-class next-generation high-definition media player."

Mark Horak, executive vice president for Warner Home Video, the only major studio supporting both the HD DVD and Blu-ray disc formats, said, "The availability of movie titles on competing high-def disc formats is a challenge for both retailers and consumers. The introduction of the second-generation LG Super Blu Player addresses this challenge by fully enabling both high-def formats on one convenient player, encouraging the adoption of next-generation disc technology and growing the market."

One Player, Latest Technology
The Super Blu Player offers increased HDTV entertainment choices, because it can play 50 to 60 percent more high-def movie titles than either single-format player. With full networked interactivity available from selected HD DVDs, and the capability to handle networked "BD-Live" interactivity in forthcoming Blu-ray discs, it is the latest available technology that plays both disc formats.

Viewers can enjoy advanced options such as "Picture-in-Picture" available from many Blu-ray discs as well as HDi web-connected interactivity available from many HD DVDs. Access to these features enables viewing of storyboards, production videos and director's commentary as the movie is playing, as well as accessing up-to-date information. The Super Blu Player also accepts additional entertainment content via a network connection, making for an unmatched entertainment experience.

In addition to supporting the latest high-def disc technologies, the Super Blu Player is the ideal match for movie enthusiasts and even music enthusiasts as it supports audio CDs and the ability to up-scale standard DVDs to 1080p resolution.

"With its improved features and functionality, the BH200 is perfect for the custom installer in search of the next-generation player as it eliminates the need for a second player and the additional cables it requires," said Tim Alessi, director of consumer electronics marketing at LG Electronics USA, Inc. "With full support for features available on both Blu-ray discs and HD DVDs, it serves as the flagship of the LG home video product line and complements the company's expanded line-up of `Full HD' 1080p flat-panel HDTVs."


The Ultimate Movie Viewing Experience
The LG Super Blu Player, which can output up to 1080p video resolution at 24-, 30- and 60-frames-per-second, supports various A/V formats, including MPEG-2, VC-1, H.264 video, MPEG1/2 audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, DTS and DTS-HD audio. The unit also includes multiple inputs/outputs such as HDMI 1.3 out, component/composite video outputs, digital optical and analog audio outputs as well as a LAN Ethernet port for network interactivity.

LG Super Blu Player customers will enjoy superior quality video output with HDMI 1.3 Deep Color output to improve color tones and achieve finer color gradations to deliver the smoothest and most brilliant video output available. The player also features QDEO™ advanced video processing for superior up-scaling accuracy up to 1080p, improved noise reduction and consistent color precision.

The new Super Blu Player incorporates LG's SimpLink™ connectivity solution, enabling easier control of other LG SimpLink compatible equipment. The units are connected with an HDMI cable and use the HDMI-CEC communication standard. This allows the user to control other components on-screen or directly from each component. The BH200 also is equipped with a USB Media Host for easy access to digital music and photo libraries.

About LG Electronics USA, Inc.
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $48.5-billion (2006 consolidated worldwide revenues) global force in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a wide range of digital appliances, digital display and digital media products, and mobile phones under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit http://www.LGusa.com.

CONTACTS:
John I. Taylor (847) 941-8181, jtaylor@lge.com
Clara Chang (201) 816-2011, clarachang@lge.com
Greg Dawson (773) 972-2909, greg.dawson@ogilvypr.com

More details on Samsung's $999 BD-UP5000 combo player
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/09/05/more-details-on-samsungs-999-bd-up5000-combo-player/

Well, would you look at this. No sooner than LG gets official with its second HD DVD / Blu-ray hybrid player, along comes Samsung with more details on its forthcoming competitor. The device will indeed support HDi and BD-Java, tout HQV video processing, and play back imagery at 1080p24. Additionally, users can look forward to "selectable DVD upconversion (720p / 1080i / 1080p)," coaxial / optical digital audio connections, Dolby Digital / Digital Plus / TrueHD / DTS-HD support, HDMI 1.3, component / composite / S-Video outputs, MPEG2, VC-1, H.264 and HD JPEG decoding, and an Ethernet port for good measure. Unfortunately, the release date is still a bit vague, but we do know it'll run you $999 when it lands sometime during Q4.

http://www.gspr.com/integra/images/in_logo_large.gif

For immediate release:

Integra Introduces its First HD DVD Player at 2007 CEDIA Expo (http://www.gspr.com/integra/dhs88.html)

DENVER (9/5/07) -- Integra announced the introduction of the DHS-8.8, the company's first HD DVD player, at the 2007 CEDIA Expo here today. This player has been designed specifically to meet the needs of the custom installer, and to fully exploit the potential of high-definition HD DVD content. It is among the first HD DVD players to enable transfer of high-bit-rate audio content via HDMI version 1.3a.

The DHS-8.8 is designed as an ideal source component for use with Integra's 2007 A/V receiver and preamplifier/processor range, which also include HDMI version 1.3a capabilities. In combination, these components are an ideal platform for high-definition 1080p video images, including Deep Color™ technology for improved color tones and finer color gradation. Additionally, HDMI 1.3a allows streaming of the new lossless surround sound formats, Dolby® TrueHD and DTS®-HD Master Audio, as well as two high-bit-rate "lossy" formats, Dolby® Digital Plus and DTS®-HD High Resolution Audio.

The Integra DHS-8.8 HD-DVD player also features the capability to support playback at different frame rates, including 24 frames per second, which is the native frame rate of the original sources for most HD content. This ensures that the user will be able to experience the playback of films recorded to HD DVD with the smoothest, most stable reproduction possible.

The DHS-8.8 features onboard HQV Reon VX video processing, currently recognized as the leading video processing technology in the home theater industry. This allows the player to provide precise video scaling to 720p, 1080i or 1080p output from both HD-DVD and standard definition DVD sources, delivering video at the native resolution of the video display device and stantially reducing video noise and distortion. For component video output, the player incorporates an Analog Devices 297 MHz/12-bit NSV video DAC that support 4x oversampling for outstanding reproduction with analog-based displays.

The DHS-8.8 features Wolfson and Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-bit audio DACs for conversion of audio sources for analog output via the 2-channel or 5.1-channel analog outputs. It also includes a bi-directional RS-232 port for integration with home automation and control systems. Finally, the player includes a rear-panel Ethernet port to make use of the web-based connectivity allowed for in the HD-DVD standard, including access to additional content from movie studios. This feature also provides installers and users with the ability to easily download any future firmware updates.

The DHS-8.8 will carry a suggested retail price of $1099, and will be available in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Integra designs and manufactures premium Home Theater receivers, processors, amplifiers, and DVD players that are specifically designed to meet the needs of custom audio/video systems installers. Systems integration and convergence technology protocols include RS-232, IR and on-board Ethernet for network connectivity and TCP/IP control. Integra has access to vast technical resources, and bears a proud heritage of 60 years of audio engineering excellence. For more information about Integra and its many fine products, visit www.integrahometheater.com or call 800 225-1946.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/05/sony-intros-the-hes-v1000-media-server-and-200-disc-blu-ray-play/

Sony is making some interesting announcements at CEDIA today, not the least of which is the new HES-V1000, a "home entertainment center" / massive Blue-ray disc-changer meant to keep all your media in one place... Sony style! Imagine if you will a small tower, stacked with a 500GB hard drive and the outrageous room for 200 discs from your personal Blu-ray collection. That's right, if you've purchased almost every single disc available on Blu-ray right now (or as we like to call it, the Sony Movie Library), you can cram them all into this tall, black, polished drink of water. Of course you can store your other music and movies on the internal drive, and play it all back in 1080p wherever it seems appropriate (living room, family room... boudoir). Stream your hot action wirelessly using the oddball DLNA "standard," allowing connections with ten devices, and four independent audio streams. The HES-V1000 also boasts Sony's x-Pict Story HD and x-ScrapBook, two slide show utilities that probably make your family photos seem more compelling than they actually are. Get one in October for the terrifically low price of $3,500.

Upcoming HD DVD promos
http://blog.ultimateavmag.com/cedia2007/90507hddvd/

People who purchase a Toshiba player with the Trek set will get the phaser (2) style remote control that Jodi's holding. That's right. That thing is a full functional remote control. I tried to steal it but Jodi never set it down when I was lurking. I guess I'm going to have to get a second HD DVD player and buy that damned Trek set at retail.

Speaking of promos, Toshiba is putting its best interactivity foot forward this fall by bundling Warner's 300 and Universal's Bourne Identity in box with its players. In addition players purchased from Toshiba and other manufacturers (RCA and Onkyo come to mind) by February of '08 will also be eligible for five free movies, with a wider selection of titles. I asked Sally if the movie promos would be carried over with the low-priced Chinese manufactuered players like the Venture player recently announced and she said discussions are under way.

From http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/33725/118/
Los Angeles (CA) – Acer has become the first major global PC manufacturer to become a member of both the North American HD DVD Promotional Group as well as the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA).


The announcement that Acer today joined the North American HD DVD Promotional Group comes as a somewhat unexpected move, given the fact that the company announced its participation in the BDA just one week ago. Representatives for the North American HD DVD Promotional Group told TG Daily that Acer is currently the only PC manufacturer that is supporting both HD DVD and Blu-ray.

Questions on how Acer will be promoting both HD DVD and Blu-ray in an increasingly hostile competitive environment were left unanswered today. Prepared statements from Acer executives create an interesting situation for Acer, which now looks like it will be playing both sides.

Campbell Kan, vice president of the company's mobile computing business unit was quoted saying "Acer is pleased to join the North American HD DVD Promotional Group to help bring the freshest technology to more consumers worldwide." Last week, Kans statement read: “Acer is pleased to be joining the Blu-ray Disc Association and to continue empowering our users to benefit from the freshest technologies available.”

While it is clear now that Acer will be supporting both formats, the role of the company as participant in both camps is unclear. Representatives at the BDA and the HD DVD group we contacted told us that they were not sure how Acer would be handle the expectation to be promoting both formats at the same time – especially in an "either-or" environment.

However, the North American HD DVD Promotional Group is certain that Acer's support for HD DVD is firm: "The main difference I see is that Acer has been offering HD DVD-enabled notebooks for the last year," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the North American HD DVD Promotional Group, in an e-mail statement to TG Daily. "They have three models available today - the Aspire 5920, 7720, and 9920. So they are actively engaged in the HD DVD format. In fact, Acer is showcasing the Aspire 5920 model at the HD DVD Mobile Experience truck at CEDIA this week," he wrote.

First Microsoft VC-1 Encoder Tools Now Available From Leading Solution Providers (http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/AQF05007092007-1.htm)

Anystream, Envivio, Inlet Technologies, Memory-Tech, Rhozet (Harmonic Inc.), Tarari and ViewCast announce first products using new Microsoft(R) VC-1 Encoder SDKBBC, CreateSpace (part of the Amazon group of companies), Universal Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Animation LLC and Xbox LIVE Marketplace among first customers to benefit from products based on Microsoft(R) VC-1 Encoder technology.

...

Asustek releases a new Blu-ray drive
http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20070907PR205.html

Asustek Computer has released the next generation high-speed DVD rewriter – the Asustek BC-1205PT Blu-ray drive. The drive is capable of writing data at 12X DVD+/- write, 4X DVD+/-R (dual layer) and 5X DVD-RAM speeds. The drive utilizes a SATA interface and can provide users with five times faster data transmission rates compared to DMA33 standards, said Asustek.

China High Definition DVD(CH-DVD) official release (http://stor-age.zdnet.com.cn/stor-age/2007/0907/495410.shtml)

Summary

1. CH DVD plans to debut during 2008 in China. TCL, Tisnghua Tongfang, BBK(OPPO), and Haier showed demo machine which were basically a clone of Toshiba A30. Toshiba also demo a CH DVD machine which is a clone from HD-XF2(HD A2). Shinco didn't show anything.

2. Two demo machine have HD DVD logo on it. It was because CH DVD logo wasn't ready yet. The difference between a CH DVD player and a HD DVD player was firmware. Hardware is the same.


3.The main difference between CH DVD and HD DVD was the CP protection and interactive layer. CH DVD supports AVC,VC1,MPEG2 besides AVS(a variation of AVC). The IP for AVS is around $0.15.

4. Two Chinese manufactures were able to develop CH DVD OPU which could also be called HD DVD OPU with the help of KONICA MINOLTA Japan.

5. It took one CH DVD player 13sec to play a demo disc in VC1 starting from loading.

6.Philippe Cardon from WHV said they would release either HD DVD or CH DVD in China very soon. They are incline to HD DVD instead of CH DVD at this moment. Bluray release would come later because there is no bluray replication line in China.

7. BRCM would probably add AVS to their SoC design. Sigma Design currently doesn't have plan. Hualu propose AVS to BDA recently. BDA is rumored also interested in doing a CH-version. Sony and Panasonic were at this meeting.


8.The reporter asked Memory Tech CEO Shiroharu Kawasaki about TL. Kawasaki said TL was developed because Hollywood studio such as Disney want larger capacity. He also said TL spec was finished and waiting for DVD Forum approval... current HD DVD player might not be able to support TL. (Sadly when the reporter ask about the bandwidth thing, the translator doesn't understand, when the translator does understand, Kawasaki was already talking with others...)


9.China Record Corporation(CRC) said they think HD DVD and CH DVD is a better fit for China. The demo CH DVD was from CRC and replicated in Shanghai. (They think the previous Hualu-BDA thing was basically a move for political benefit.)

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' Gets Blu-ray, HD DVD Date; 'Years 1-5' Also Due
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Annoucements/Harry_Potter_and_the_Order_of_the_Phoenix_Gets_Blu-ray,_HD_DVD_Date_Years_1-5_Also_Due/946

Rejoice, muggles! Warner Home Video has issued specs and a December date for 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' on Blu-ray and HD, as well as initial plans for a 'Years 1-5' limited edition box set.

One of the most eagerly-awaited franchises on high-def, Warner has finally ended over seventeen months of speculation by confirming a December 11 next-gen arrival date for the fifth and latest in the blockbuster series, 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,' day-and-date with the standard-def DVD release.

As the studio has done with several recent high-profile titles, however, the Blu-ray and the HD DVD editions will not be created equal.

Not unlike the recently-released '300' and 'Blood Diamond,' the HD DVD edition of 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' will contain a trio of exclusive bonus features, including a "In-Movie Experience" video commentary featuring "the cast from Dumbledore's Army coming together to share memorable moments," the ability to "Pick Your Favorite Scenes" and assemble your favorite clips from the movie into a montage, and additional web-enabled content including downloads and other goodies to be announced.

***********List price will be $39.98 for the HD DVD version, and $34.98 for the Blu-ray.

"The DVD Forum, the international DVD standards authority, has approved a 51 GB single-sided triple-layer HD DVD disc for production. Extension to the HD DVD standard, which was submitted by Toshiba in April, received approval on 31 August 2007.

Other recent developments include:

A single-sided triple-layer HD DVD/DVD hybrid (combi) disc, the DVD layer of which would be playable by legacy DVD players, is expected to be approved before the year end."


http://www.screendigest.com/online_services/intelligence/video_and_dvd/updates/vi-060907-ec3/show

From Newsday/L.A. Times

A high-definition fight scene in slow motion (http://www.newsday.com/business/la-fi-dvdwar10sep10,0,2693880.story)

The brinkmanship is intensifying. Another major studio, Warner Bros., is being courted by both camps and believed to be mulling over a lucrative offer that could bring such popular titles as "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" into the HD DVD camp, according to Hollywood insiders who requested anonymity because the talks were confidential.

"Any movement by one of the studios tilts the playing field in one direction or the other," said David Sanderson, head of the global media practice at consulting firm Bain & Co. "It's a bit of jump ball right now."

What's more, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the dominant seller of DVDs, has been contemplating whether to boot stand-alone HD DVD players from its shelves in favor of Blu-ray. Wal-Mart executives would not talk about the company's conversations with suppliers, but said it would continue to carry hardware and software in both formats until consumers indicate a clear preference.

Retailers also have contributed to the recent jockeying. Target Corp., the nation's second-largest retailer, announced in July that it would sell only Blu-ray players. Its decision followed a bidding war in which Sony and three studio partners reportedly paid Target what one rival described as a "jaw-dropping" sum for prominent display of its hardware at the end of sales aisles. It will continue to sell the HD DVD drive for Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 game console and HD DVD movies.

Wal-Mart has yet to weigh in. During a review of its space allocation, Wal-Mart, which accounts for 40% of DVD sales, had set a mid-August deadline to determine whether it would continue to carry both Blu-ray and HD DVD, according to people familiar with the evaluation process.

Fox Ups Extras, BD-Java Support with 'Day After Tomorrow,' 'Fly' Blu-ray Releases
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Fox/BD-Java/Disc_Announcements/Fox_Ups_Extras,_BD-Java_Support_with_Day_After_Tomorrow,_Fly_Blu-ray_Releases/956

Specs are in for Fox Home Entertainment's 'Day After Tomorrow' and 'The Fly,' and both titles seem sure to please fans with the studio's most extensive array of bonus features BD-Java-enhanced extras yet.

Although the studio has taken some heat from high-def early adopters in the past for releasing largely feature-starved discs, they appear to be reversing that trend with a vengeance on both 'Tomorrow' and 'The Fly.'

Among the innovations are two BD-Java enhancements not-yet-seen on Fox high-def title: a Search function, indexing all of each disc's contents, as well as the Personal Scene Selections bookmark feature. In addition, each title will feature a BD-J interactive game ("Fly Zapper" on 'The Fly,' "Global Warming Interactive" on 'Tomorrow'), while 'The Fly' will also boast a pop-up trivia track.

The standard-def bonus features are copious as well, with 'The Day After Tomorrow' including two audio commentaries, ten deleted scenes and the film's original theatrical trailer.

'The Fly' is even more extensive, sporting by far the most supplements ever seen on a Fox Blu-ray disc. The virtual encyclopedia of material includes an audio commentary with Cronenberg, the four-part "Fear of the Flesh" documentary, twenty additional making-of vignettes, deleted and extended scenes, eight still galleries, a complete Trailer and TV spot gallery, plus a text-based archive containing reviews, essays, storyboards and the film's complete original screenplay.

Hairspray being released on Blu-ray exclusively in Q4 (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6477668.html)
New Line Home Entertainment will set holiday style Nov. 20, when it releases Hairspray in three standard DVD versions and on Blu-ray Disc, the studio’s first high-definition release.

The dual-format supporting studio also will release the musical on HD DVD, but not until the first half of 2008 due to the format's lack of regional coding, making the title a de facto Blu-ray exclusive in the fourth quarter.
...
The Blu-ray and upcoming HD DVD will be $34.99.
...
In addition, the Blu-ray version will have a “Behind the Beat” picture-in-picture-type option allowing viewers to watch behind-the-scenes footage and commentary concurrent with the running feature. The HD DVD, when it realeases next year, also will have picture-in-picture, Internet connectivity and Web-enhanced features.

Sony unveils new Blu-ray recorders to fight HD DVD


http://today.reuters.ca/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2007-09-12T061907Z_01_T63093_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESS-SONY-BLU-RAY-COL.XML

HP to launch PCs supporting BD/HD DVD dual-format burners (http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20070912PD210.html)

For the propeller (or propellor, as you wish) heads out there. How next blue laser optical manufacturers are working to reduce the costs of next-gen drives...a multi-page article from Optical Disc Systems (ODS). With pictures for the reading impaired!

Use the >> and << icons at the bottom of each page to navigate.

Blue-Violet Lasers Evolve toward Next-Gen DVDs (http://www.opticaldisc-systems.com/July-Aug2007/Page%2026.htm)

A little old, but some stats worth noting...

Moser Baer Q1 FY08: Profitability up by 49% (http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/press-releases--announcements/moser-baer-q1-fy08-profitabilityby-49/295055)

With continued focus on improving cost and production efficiencies, proprietary technology and "first to market" position in next generation blue laser based formats (HD DVD and Blu-ray disc); the company continues to increase market share and consolidate its global leadership position in the industry. The company was the first company in the world to develop 8x Blu-ray recordable discs and continues to enjoy a leadership position in the Blu-ray disk formats.

While the current volumes are small, the demand for blue laser based formats is expected to grow sharply by Q4 of FY '08 and estimated to cross over 1 billion units in the next few years. The pricing of the blue formats remains firm at US$6-7 per disk. ?

The trend of intra year seasonality with a stronger second half should help improve demand and pricing as the industry head towards the second half of the current fiscal. As per Strategic Marketing & Decisions (SMD) forecasts, the global optical media shipments are expected to grow from 17 billion units in 2006 to 27 billion units by 2008, a growth of 60% over the period.60% increase? That's a lot of discs.

While the CDR/RW formats continue to decline marginally on a global basis, the key driver for this growth will be DVDR/RW and blue laser based formats.

DVDR/RW demand grew over 60% in 2006 and is expected to grow by over 40% in the current year. The DVDR/RW pricing should continue to track its manufacturing cost curve in the near future.

The easing of hardware supply imbalance should lead to expanding penetration and demand for the next generation formats during the last year. As per SMD estimates, shipments of blue laser based formats is estimated to grow from 15 million units in 2007 to over 1.3 billion discs in 2009. The pricing of blue laser based formats is expected to remain firm in the near future.

That is the exact wording of the Video Business article (click the link).
heh, that would have helped...my bad...I'm sorry.

original post deleted...thanks grubert for the clarification.

Interview w/Ron Sanders, President of WHV at CEDIA.

Warner Remains Loyal To Dual HD Formats (http://www.twice.com/article/CA6477849.html)

TWICE: Have you received offers from HD DVD or Blu-ray to be exclusive with either format, as Paramount recently did with HD DVD?

Sanders: We’re talking to both sides and it’s crazy right now. We remain committed to both for the time being. We’ll see how the fourth quarter plays out. The consumer is still kind of divided, and we still believe that we should offer the content in both formats. Now, we will watch the marketplace very closely, and see how it plays out, but for now we are supporting both.


TWICE: Do you actively encourage retail accounts to stock both formats?

Sanders: We do. There are no special incentives to support both but they will chase the consumer, and the consumer wants both. In software, new release titles are selling around 2-to-1, Blu-ray to HD DVD. But it varies by any given title. On “Planet Earth” we sold more HD DVD than Blu-ray and on “300” we sold more Blu-ray than HD. It’s probably two-thirds to one-third, but you’re going to give up a third of that. We’re about returning the best profit on the asset of a film, and it’s hard to give that up. So, let’s see where it all plays out.


TWICE: What do you expect will happen?

Sanders: It’s really hard to handicap. I can’t tell, which side, if any, will win. Right now it’s like a Mexican standoff. If the consumer continues to support both formats, the industry will as well. It will be really pivotal what Toshiba does this fourth quarter in hardware. If they sell through everything they ship, and it’s a big number at the price points that are coming out, then I think [HD DVD] will be around for a long time. If they don’t, then it could go Blu-ray’s way. But Toshiba is getting very, very aggressive on pricing, which is putting pressure on Blu-ray player manufacturers to bring prices down. As a content company we just want more hardware in the homes. So what ever drives more hardware is good to see. Right now it looks like there is price pressure on both sides because there are two formats — more pressure than there would be if there was only one format. So, for our interests, more razors means we’ll sell more razor blades down the road.

Steering Committee of the DVD Forum held its 39th meeting.

Decisions (http://www.dvdforum.org/39scmtg-resolution.htm):

1. Approval of Optional Specifications for HD DVD-ROM Physical Specifications Version 1.2: Triple Layer Twin format, Revision 1.0

2 Approval of DVD Specifications for High Density Read-Only Disc [HD DVD-ROM (51G)] Part 1 Physical Specifications, Version 1.9

3 Approval of
-DVD Download Blank Disc Test Specification, Version 1.0
-DVD Download disc Writer Test Specification, Version 1.0

4 Approval of HD DVD & DVD Non-Mandatory Verification Tools Requirements & Guidelines, Version 1.0

5 Approval of Logo/Mark for HD DVD Format on Red-laser Recordable Disc

6 Approval of
1. To extend the MOU for another three (3) months, i.e. until December 31, 2007
2. To authorize CSC to engage in preliminary discussions with OMNERC to facilitate rafting definitive agreements in accordance with the MOU
3. To direct FLAG to discuss with DVD FLLC and other relevant organizations of DVD orum to facilitate the China Only HD DVD format and logo license agreement, including consulting on preparation of draft sub-licensing agreement

7 Approval of China HD DVD Format related issues
-Use of Standard Contents of HD DVD-Video Specifications
-Use of File System of HD DVD-ROM Specifications

8 Approval of Rules and procedures for the election of the Steering Committee Members/Chair-Company, Vice-Chair Companies for the next two-year term effective from the first SC meeting in year 2008

Sony Drops DVD for Blu-ray Disc
Sony will no longer use the standard DVD format in its video recorders, instead moving to Blu-ray Disc for all future models in Japan.
Martyn Williams, IDG News Service
Thursday, September 13, 2007 06:00 AM PDT

Sony Corp. is increasing its bet on Blu-ray Disc and plans to ditch DVD and use the high-definition video disc format in all future digital video recorders in Japan, the company said Wednesday.

The announcement was made at the same time as Sony, the biggest backer of the technology, unveiled four new Blu-ray Disc video recorders. They include support for dual-layer discs -- something that was missing from models announced this time last year -- and can transcode video into the more efficient MPEG4 AVC format to increase recording time per disc.

A 50G-byte Blu-ray Disc typically holds just over 4 hours of HDTV when the over-the-air MPEG2 stream is recorded directly to the disc. By transcoding this stream to MPEG4 AVC it's possible to squeeze 16 hours of HDTV onto the same disc.

The four models are aimed at three different applications.

The BDZ-X90 is targeted at home cinema use and is capable of 1080p video output -- the highest quality of several video subsets that fall under the HDTV banner -- and "Deep Color" output. This latter feature should mean better colors when using a TV with support for the HDMI1.3 signal. The machine has a 500G-byte hard-disk drive.

The BDZ-L70 is focused on those with high-def camcorders and supports one-touch transfer of video from Sony Handycam camcorders. It has a lower capacity 250G-byte hard-disk drive.

Finally there are the BDZ-T50 and T70 machines aimed at people who want to record digital TV without other bells and whistles. The machines have 320G-byte and 250G-byte hard-disk drives respectively.

Other functions on all four machines include 4X Blu-ray Disc recording for fast transfer of TV shows from the hard-disk drive to disc, lossless HDMI audio output, compatibility with the AVCHD format used on many high-definition camcorders and Sony's Bravia Link and Bravia Premium Photo technologies.

The move to replace DVD isn't perhaps as much of a gamble as it might seem. The DVD recorder market is very competitive and it's becoming increasingly difficult for companies to make money in the sector. A switch to Blu-ray Disc takes Sony into a less competitive market place of higher price products.

But whether consumers will pay the extra money for HD recording will be seen in the coming months. The cheapest of the new recorders is expected to cost about %140,000 (US$1,226) compared to a street price of about %50,000 for the cheapest Sony DVD recorder currently available, the RDR-HX67.

The top-of-the-range X90 model will cost around %200,000, the L70 will cost about %180,000 and the T70 and T50 will cost %160,000 and %140,000 respectively, said Sony. They'll be available in Japan from Nov. 8 and are not scheduled for release overseas.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,137152-c,dvdtechnology/article.html

Warner puts Total HD on hold
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Industry_Trends/Warner/Total_HD/Warner:_HD_DVD/Blu-ray_Hybrid_Disc_On_Hold_For_Now/965

Toshiba Releases 1080p24 Enabled Firmware for 2nd Gen HD DVD Players
http://formatwarcentral.com/index.php/2007/09/13/toshiba-releases-1080p24-enabled-firmware-for-2nd-gen-hd-dvd-players/

Moulds and stamper processing – ready for the new formats (http://www.oto-online.com/pdf/oto_download/2007/09/OTO_Sep07_P20-22_Moulding.pdf)

Due to the delay in providing hardware for the dual layer Blu-ray disc production, the demand for moulding machines is also behind schedule, according to Singulus. This may change with the availability of more BD DL replication equipment, which is expected by the end of this year. “However, as the technological focus is on wet embossing processes this means, for us, that every replication system only needs one moulding machine (not two as for other dual layer processes like DVD or DVDR), as the second layer will not be moulded, but done by an embossing station instead,”she says.

Betanews: Toshiba: DVD Forum Hasn't Yet Approved Final 51 GB HD DVD After All (http://www.betanews.com/article/Toshiba_DVD_Forum_Hasnt_Yet_Approved_Final_51_GB_HD_DVD_Afte r_All/1189716943)

In a statement to BetaNews this afternoon, a Toshiba spokesperson said that only a preliminary version of Toshiba's 51 GB three-layer, single-sided HD DVD format had been approved by the DVD Forum, caretaker of HD DVD.

As it turned out, and as Toshiba's spokespersons may have only just now realized, the DVD Forum signed off on a preliminary specification, which may have been confused for the final specification because its version number is 1.9.

"We understand that the preliminary version (1.9) of the physical specifications for the triple-layer 51 GB HD DVD-ROM disc has been approved," said Toshiba's spokesperson today.

The spokesperson then added that it has not yet been determined whether current HD DVD players or recorders will be able to use the new format, which the headline of an official Toshiba statement given to BetaNews today is now calling "Trip-Layer." "Toshiba will study the performance of current HD DVD player/recorders with the disc after the standard receives final approval by the DVD Forum."

That last part is a pretty clear indication that final approval was not granted, contrary to our earlier report based on industry news that cited sources with a stake in the format.

The formal Toshiba statement reads as follows: "We welcome the DVD Forum Steering Committee's decision to approve the preliminary version (Version 1.9) of the physical specifications for the triple-layer 51 GB HD DVD-ROM disc. This decision reinforces the fact that HD DVD is capable of offering a range of capacities due to the flexible nature of the format and provides studios with even greater options for creating high definition content. With extended capacities, studios can meet their future needs for releases that may require more storage."

Toshiba's admission today is the first genuine admission from the company that work on engineering the final "Trip-Layer" format has actually not been completed, as was previously believed.

We've heard of Blu-ray titles being delayed due to Blu-ray's immature interactive layer, but this is the first we've heard of a studio delaying an HD DVD release because of region coding. Like DVDs, Blu-ray discs are coding to only play in specific regions of the world, and while Blu-ray titles are less restrictive than DVD, there are still restrictions. HD DVD fans have touted the lack of region coding on their format as an advantage, because they can order many Blu-ray exclusive titles for HD DVD from Amazon.co.uk. High shipping prices aside, this is a great way for devout HD DVD fans to enjoy titles they'd otherwise be required to go blu to get. It appears now, that the lack of region coding on HD DVD isn't all good, 'cause while Blu-ray fans will get to enjoy Hairspray day and date with DVD on Nov. 20th, HD DVD fans will have to wait till the first half of 2008.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/09/14/new-line-to-delay-hd-dvd-release-due-to-lack-of-region-coding/

Report: Sony to sell advanced chip operations to Toshiba (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/15/business/AS-FIN-Japan-Sony-Toshiba.php)

TOKYO: Sony Corp. will sell its Cell microprocessor and advanced chip operations to Toshiba Corp. for nearly 100 billion yen (US$870 million; €627 million), next year, a news report said Saturday.

Sony will effectively stop making advanced chips, and instead focus on audiovisual equipment, according to a report in Japan's largest business daily, the Nikkei.

The deal will likely include manufacturing lines for the Cell, the microprocessor Sony codeveloped with Toshiba and IBM Corp. for its PlayStation 3 game console, as well as image-processing chips for game consoles and camcorders, according to the report.

At the same time, Sony and Toshiba will establish a joint venture that will use these lines to manufacture system chips, the report said.

Although Toshiba will take a majority stake in the venture, Sony will be the principal buyer of the chips and will have a say in the company's management, the report said. Its game unit, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., could take a stake as well, it said.

The deal, expected in several months, will be worth nearly 100 billion yen, the report said.

Though Toshiba is Japan's largest chipmaker, raking in about 1.3 trillion yen (US$11.3 billion; €8.15 billion) in sales in fiscal 2006 mainly through flash memory sales, it ranks third in advanced system chips, according to the Nikkei.

Through the planned purchase, Toshiba hopes to boost sales and catch up with foreign chip making rivals such as Intel Corp. and South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co., the report said.

Sony and Toshiba officials were not immediately available for comment

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070915/tc_nm/sony_toshiba_microchip_dc

added link for article above

There is an interview with Amir by AV WATCH.
Original article is here in Japanese (http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20070913/rt041.htm).

Some interesting tidbits

Walmart and Bestbuy made $199 OEM order on HD DVD players. They will use their own brand.


Regarding MMC/MC, the license regarding optical disc part was finished but the license on player was still in process. It should be finished by the end of this year. But MMC/MC application might have another 15-18 month lag.


We don't have unrealistic expectation of HDM sales this 4Q. We do expect a quantum leap/reach critical mass next year.


Format war would still last for quite some time. There should be new studio who would give up on bluray. It is just a matter of time. It would have a huge impact on bluray. Once a studio gave up on bluray, it wouldn't come back. （I wouldn't read anything into this. This should be Amir's personal opinion when being asked about how long would format war last)

Oerlikon to Install Blu-ray Line in Europe (http://europe.tmcnet.com/news/2007/09/07/2921833.htm)

German Optical Disc manufacturer Infodisc has received delivery of the
first BD ROM manufacturing line Indigo in Western Europe.

The Oerlikon Blu-ray replication line will be installed in the coming
days at the Renchen/Germany facility.

Infodisc will offer its services as the first independent European
Blu-ray manufacturer which is not contractually tied to a particular
Hollywood movie studio. As a pioneer in the Blu-ray production
technology, Infodisc will share its experience with other replicators
and serve as a showcase for the Oerlikon Blu-ray line Indigo.

"We've evaluated the available Blu-ray production equipment and were
primarily impressed by Oerlikon," says Michael Gotowski, CEO at
Infodisc. "The INDIGO line is approved by major replicators, features
an excellent cover layer process and is mature for Blu-ray mass
production. Oerlikon is launching soon the 50GB dual layer upgrade,
using Sony's wet embossing process. This is the professional package we
need for our own market success."

Update: DVD Forum has not approved 51 GB HD DVD yet

16 September 2007 19:04 by DVDBack23
Update: DVD Forum has not approved 51 GB HD DVD yetA Toshiba spokesperson has said that final approval has not been given to the 51 GB HD DVD format but only that a preliminary version of the three-layer disc has been approved by the DVD Forum.

"We understand that the preliminary version (1.9) of the physical specifications for the triple-layer 51 GB HD DVD-ROM disc has been approved," said Toshiba's spokesperson today.

The spokesperson went on to say that it was not sure whether current hardware would be able to use the upcoming format which has been given the name "Trip-Layer".

"Toshiba will study the performance of current HD DVD player/recorders with the disc after the standard receives final approval by the DVD Forum" added the spokesperson.

That quote makes it pretty clear that final approval is still not granted which is contrary to past reports.

A Toshiba official statement adds the following: "We welcome the DVD Forum Steering Committee's decision to approve the preliminary version (Version 1.9) of the physical specifications for the triple-layer 51 GB HD DVD-ROM disc. This decision reinforces the fact that HD DVD is capable of offering a range of capacities due to the flexible nature of the format and provides studios with even greater options for creating high definition content. With extended capacities, studios can meet their future needs for releases that may require more storage."

More updates on final approval as they become available.

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/11138.cfm

Update: DVD Forum has not approved 51 GB HD DVD yet

16 September 2007 19:04 by DVDBack23
Update: DVD Forum has not approved 51 GB HD DVD yetA Toshiba spokesperson has said that final approval has not been given to the 51 GB HD DVD format but only that a preliminary version of the three-layer disc has been approved by the DVD Forum.

"We understand that the preliminary version (1.9) of the physical specifications for the triple-layer 51 GB HD DVD-ROM disc has been approved," said Toshiba's spokesperson today.

The spokesperson went on to say that it was not sure whether current hardware would be able to use the upcoming format which has been given the name "Trip-Layer".

"Toshiba will study the performance of current HD DVD player/recorders with the disc after the standard receives final approval by the DVD Forum" added the spokesperson.

That quote makes it pretty clear that final approval is still not granted which is contrary to past reports.

A Toshiba official statement adds the following: "We welcome the DVD Forum Steering Committee's decision to approve the preliminary version (Version 1.9) of the physical specifications for the triple-layer 51 GB HD DVD-ROM disc. This decision reinforces the fact that HD DVD is capable of offering a range of capacities due to the flexible nature of the format and provides studios with even greater options for creating high definition content. With extended capacities, studios can meet their future needs for releases that may require more storage."

More updates on final approval as they become available.

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/11138.cfm

Grubert already posted this on 9/14. Old news.

LG puts dual HD DVD/BD drive into desktop computer...

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/18/lg-intros-lx97wh-desktop-with-blu-ray-hd-dvd-combo-drive/

Smack talking in La La Land...

Hollywood Execs Clash on DVD Formats (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/09/18/ap4132063.html)

LOS ANGELES - Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Robert Iger criticized studios Tuesday that dropped support for the Blu-ray high-definition DVD format.

Other Hollywood executives defended their support of the rival HD DVD format during an investor conference in New York sponsored by Goldman Sachs.

Consumers remain profoundly confused by the two formats, both of which deliver crisp, clear pictures and sound but are completely incompatible with each other and do not play on older DVD players.

Iger said he was disappointed that the industry had not backed one format and predicted that a victory by Blu-ray over rival HD DVD was a "foregone conclusion."

Disney backs Blu-ray exclusively along with Sony Corp. (nyse: SNE - news - people )'s Sony Pictures, News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Viacom Paramount Pictures, which also owns DreamWorks SKG, recently dropped its support for Blu-ray and said it would start distributing films exclusively in the HD DVD format.

Universal Pictures, a unit of General Electric, also releases films only in HD DVD. Warner Bros., owned by Time Warner Inc., releases in both formats.

Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman told investors at the same conference that the decision to switch was made because HD DVD players were more affordable. He also said Paramount decided it made more long-term economic sense to back a single format.

News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch told the conference his company believes Blu-ray is the superior format.

"The public can tell the difference," Murdoch said.

Iger also said the relaunched Disney.com Web site will distribute original content as well as vintage cartoons and programs from the company's vast library.

"We believe the Internet has become a viable entertainment medium," Iger said.

French replicator buys Blu-line from Singulus (http://www.oto-online.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=605&Itemid=44)

French replicator Quantum Optical Laboratories (QOL) in Vernouillet, France, has ordered a BD production system from Singulus Technologies, providing what Singulus calls a "positive signal for the launch of Blu-ray Discs in Europe". This is the company's second order from a European customer, along with an order from Asia.

Matsushita to help set up Blu-ray Disc authoring centre in China (http://www.dvd-intelligence.com/main_sections/news_archive/2003_free/9_china_bdauthoring.htm)

Matsushita Electric will provide technical support to China HuaLu Group and China Film Group as they jointly announced the establishment of a Blu-ray authoring center in China. The center initially will focus on releasing Chinese local content on the Blu-ray Disc format to the home market.

Study: Industry Must Do More to Sell High-Def Discs

A new consumer study has found that 73% of respondents who owned a HDTV were satisfied with their current standard DVD player and felt no need to replace it with a high-definition player.

The report, compiled by Port Washington, N.Y.-based The NPD Group, found that 52% of HDTV owners were aware of Blu-ray and HD DVD but only 11% expressed a strong desire to buy a HD player in the next six months.
(9/19/2007)
ERIK GRUENWEDEL, HMM

A new consumer study has found that 73% of respondents who owned a HDTV were satisfied with their current standard DVD player and felt no need to replace it with a high-definition player.

The report, compiled by Port Washington, N.Y.-based The NPD Group, found that 52% of HDTV owners were aware of Blu-ray and HD DVD but only 11% expressed a strong desire to buy a HD player in the next six months.

About 62% said they would wait for a price reduction before making a change, if at all.

The study, conducted June 18 to 28, included 5,500 adults, including 542 owners of high-def packaged media players.

When breaking down the data, The NPD Group found that among respondents, 29% were aware of HD DVD, compared to 20% for Blu-ray. Those who purchased Blu-ray did so because of a perceived technological advantage, while those who purchased HD DVD did so primarily based on price.

"The format war continues to be a primary operative issue when it comes to determining the long-term viability for high-definition technology," said Ross Rubin, director, industry analysis, consumer electronics. "As HDTV penetration continues to grow, manufacturers and studios will need to do a better job imparting the benefits of these formats to a consumer base that still reports a high satisfaction with the current DVD standard."

Indeed, nearly 20% of respondents said they had learned about HD packaged media through a family member or friend. About 40% of Blu-ray and 42% HD DVD respondents said they had become aware of the formats through TV advertising.

Rubin said failure by studios and retailers to educate the consumer would result in failure for both sides of the format war.

"The clock is ticking as every major digital lifestyle stakeholder is blazing a direct path to the living room," Rubin said.

Scarcity of Content

NPD�s research concluded that a lack of available content in HD had contributed to 64% of respondents with either a Blu-ray or HD DVD player purchasing standard-definition DVDs.

Russ Crupnick, VP and senior entertainment industry analyst, said the relative lack of new HD packaged media was hampering positive word-of-mouth from early adopters. He said the industry should take that as an opportunity.

The report found that 23% of early adopters plan to upgrade their standard DVD collections to HD. About 63% said they plan to buy upcoming new releases in HD, compared to 37% who will continue to buy standard DVD new releases.

"Once consumers become convinced of the superiority of high-def, and find a way to navigate the format issues, there will be a great deal of pent-up demand for HD DVD or Blu-ray content," Crupnick said.

http://www.allthingshidef.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=3C644C50F0DA47FDA581C56C5FDF5FC7&nm=Hi-Def+News&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=FEA810178E96499DA43B229CE2B7839D

A primer on Blu-ray profiles from UltimateAV:

Blu-ray Disc Interactivity and You (http://www.guidetohometheater.com/features/907bdint/)

My intention here is to educate you on the nomenclature used to describe the players that will be compatible with these features so you know what you're getting (and what you're not getting) when you buy that shiny new Blu-ray player this holiday shopping season.

Murdoch, Iger hail Sony's Blu-ray
High-definition battle heats up
By STEVEN ZEITCHIK, STEVEN ZEITCHIK, MICHAEL LEARMONTH

The high-def homevid battle heated up again Tuesday when Rupert Murdoch and Robert Iger gave surprisingly strong endorsements to Sony's Blu-ray format before a crowd of Wall Streeters. News Corp. chief Murdoch leveled the charge that Paramount/DreamWorks Animation received a payout to make the switch to Toshiba's HD DVD format.

Murdoch, speaking at the Goldman Sachs confab in Gotham, became the first top exec to publicly make the accusation that HD DVD backer Toshiba had essentially bought Par's support.

"Paramount switched out the other day. God knows why," Murdoch said.

But then he said, essentially, that he did know why -- a $100 million payout to DreamWorks Animation and a $50 million check to Par.

In August, Par abruptly decided to support only HD DVD for the next wave of Par and DWA tentpoles it is releasing, including "Shrek the Third," "Blades of Glory" and "Transformers." Reports at the time said a payout of $150 million, nominally for marketing support, accounted for the move.

Asked about a payout at a later session, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman didn't deny the allegation. "I won't comment on that number," he said.

Instead, he noted that supporting both formats "creates some inherent inefficiencies, and we would like to see the HD format have success."

The creation of two separate formats -- with Sony's critically lauded but pricier Blu-ray battling it out against Toshiba's sparer but less expensive HD -- has roiled Hollywood from the start. Fox, Sony and Disney opted to support Blu-ray exclusively, Universal chose HD, and Warners and Par went the ecumenical route and supported both.

But Par made a sudden switch in late August; at the time, it didn't acknowledge a payment but pointed to "an extensive evaluation of current market offerings which confirmed the clear benefits of HD DVD."

On Tuesday, both Murdoch and Disney topper Iger offered strong words of support for the Sony format.

"We believe it's a no-brainer that the industry should be behind Blu-ray," Iger said. At a lunch panel, Iger offered veiled criticism of the Viacom move. "We haven't taken any money (to choose Blu-ray) because we think it's far and away the best business," Iger said.

Murdoch concurred. "The public is going to want Blu-ray. The public can tell the difference," he said.

Warners, which continues to support both, has been less vocal; Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons said at a sesh later in the day that it is still too early to predict which side will win.

"The consumer doesn't care about the format. It's linear penetration that counts," Parsons said. "Our objective is not to take sides on the format but to do what we need to do to get maximum penetration."

While sales of Blu-ray discs have outpaced sales of HD DVD by most accounts, a new survey by research group NPD found that 29% of consumers were aware of HD DVD, compared to 20% for Blu-ray, and that consumers are enticed by the former's lower cost.

Still, execs who have chosen to support Blu-ray sounded a confident note. Said Iger: "It's disappointing that the industry hasn't managed to be cohesive. I think it's a foregone conclusion about which will win."

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972216.html?categoryId=1009&cs=1

Why are Iger and Murdoch dissing Viacom?
http://www.contentagenda.com/blog/1500000150/post/1040014704.html

News Corp. has never wavered in its support of Blu-ray, once it decided to go that way, but Murdoch’s stated reason for Fox’s decision is a little hard to credit.

“The public is going to want Blu-ray,” he said. “The public can tell the difference.”

The public may decide it wants Blu-ray, but it’s unlikely much of it can really tell the difference between the formats.

Both use the same encoding formats, both can output at the same resolution and each is as likely as the other to be connected to a 720p HDTV set, which is incapable of displaying the players’ full-resolution anyway.

If anything, HD DVD is apt to look better to the consumer overall, at least for the time being.

More HD DVD releases are encoded in VC-1, which some experts claim is superior to the older MPEG-2 format more common on Blu-ray releases. HD DVD’s interactive capabilities have been available from the start, while Blu-ray is still wrestling with different “profiles” and incompatibility between some discs and some players on interactive features.

HD DVD players are also significantly less expensive, again, for now.

Blu-ray may have greater long-term potential than HD DVD, as its backers claim. But consumers today can tell the difference?

Not so much.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i4ad1a518350069c98f5372368ef86b75?imw=Y

At the conference, Katzenberg also reiterated his support for Toshiba's HD DVD over Sony's Blu-ray Disc format. He said he tried to broker a deal between Toshiba and Sony to find a compromise but was "extremely frustrated" by the lack of progress on that front.

He said HD DVD is much cheaper, more easily converted and that the difference in quality between the two technologies is "imperceptible."

TGS: No PS3 price cut this year
by Patrick Garratt
20/09/07 04:00

As has been widely anticipated, Sony has failed to confirm a PlayStation 3 price cut for 2007 during its Tokyo Game Show keynote speech this morning, with worldwide boss Kaz Hirai saying only that such a move is a "possibility" for the future.

The will be "no surprise in this regard this year," said Hirai, referring to last year's TGS PS3 price announcement. "Price is a very important aspect, but at the same time the urgent matter is to what extent we can further enrich the software titles," he said.

PlayStation 3 is by far the most expensive "next gen" console, retailing at a suggested GBP 425 in Europe and USD 599 in the US. Hirai's confirmation that no movement of price will be seen this year backed up a speech seeing an Evolution Studios buyout, confirmation of Dualshock 3, a slippage for PlayStation Home and a release date for GT5 Prologue as its major announcements, and will disappoint many in the trade looking for major sales boost for the machine this Christmas.


source: http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=83691

Why are Iger and Murdoch dissing Viacom?
http://www.contentagenda.com/blog/1500000150/post/1040014704.html

News Corp. has never wavered in its support of Blu-ray, once it decided to go that way, but Murdoch’s stated reason for Fox’s decision is a little hard to credit.

“The public is going to want Blu-ray,” he said. “The public can tell the difference.”

The public may decide it wants Blu-ray, but it’s unlikely much of it can really tell the difference between the formats.

Both use the same encoding formats, both can output at the same resolution and each is as likely as the other to be connected to a 720p HDTV set, which is incapable of displaying the players’ full-resolution anyway.

If anything, HD DVD is apt to look better to the consumer overall, at least for the time being.

More HD DVD releases are encoded in VC-1, which some experts claim is superior to the older MPEG-2 format more common on Blu-ray releases. HD DVD’s interactive capabilities have been available from the start, while Blu-ray is still wrestling with different “profiles” and incompatibility between some discs and some players on interactive features.

HD DVD players are also significantly less expensive, again, for now.

Blu-ray may have greater long-term potential than HD DVD, as its backers claim. But consumers today can tell the difference?

Not so much.

Taken in context, Murdoch's "The public can tell the difference" meant the public can see the difference between SD and Blu-Ray. He did not mean the public can see the difference between Blu-Ray and HDDVD.

fafner

Microsoft Announces Use of HDi Logo by Toshiba and Major Hollywood Studios (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-20-2007/0004666654&EDATE=)


Microsoft's implementation of HD DVD's interactivity layer to be promoted
on HD DVD hardware and packaging for software.

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp.
today announced that its trademarked HDi(TM) logo will soon appear on all
Toshiba HD DVD players. In addition, Universal Studios Home Entertainment
and Paramount Home Entertainment will include the HDi logo on packaging for
HD DVD movie titles beginning in the fourth quarter of this year. HDi
technology is Microsoft's high-performance implementation of the
interactivity layer for the HD DVD format, which has taken the
movie-viewing experience to an entirely new level with such advanced
features as network connectivity and community scenarios. HDi is also a
trademark of Microsoft, as recognized by the United States Patent and
Trademark Office in its July 2007 notice of allowance for trademark.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
As Microsoft's implementation of the mandatory interactive layer in HD
DVD, defined as Advanced Navigation by the DVD Forum, HDi immediately began
delivering unprecedented and unique experiences for consumers when it was
launched in April 2006. Early movie titles such as "The Fast and the
Furious: Tokyo Drift," "Miami Vice" and "Mission: Impossible III" received
immediate acclaim for their interactive HD DVD experiences -- from
picture-in-picture director's commentary to graphical interfaces with
tailored movie specifications -- all available without stopping the movie
playback experience.
"With Microsoft's HDi technology, Toshiba is able to offer consumers a
consistent movie-watching experience in a way that simply isn't possible
with today's DVDs or available with any other format right now," said Jodi
Sally, vice president of marketing for Toshiba America Consumer Products.
"Advanced navigation using Microsoft's HDi technology has been offered on
all of Toshiba's HD DVD players -- from the models introduced last spring
to our third generation of models that are shipping today."
Based on easy-to-program Web standards, HDi provides studios with a
familiar and simple development environment, resulting in a digital canvas
of unlimited possibilities. With support for interactivity mandatory on all
HD DVD players, HDi allows for advanced features that can be played back on
any HD DVD player or drive.
"For studios to truly enhance and change the way people watch movies,
HD DVD provides the features and the flexibility we need to offer a
personalized experience," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of
Universal Studios Home Entertainment and co-president of the North American
HD DVD Promotional Group. "Web-enabled network features made possible
through HDi are particularly compelling because they bridge the gap between
physical media and the Web-based world of the MySpace generation."
Studios supporting HD DVD are already delivering on promises of
expanding their offerings with Web-enabled network (interactive) features
on shipping titles such as "300" and "Blood Diamond" from Warner Bros.,
"Heroes: Season 1" from Universal and the upcoming "Transformers" from
Paramount. The ability to download new trailers, buy ring tones and other
merchandise, and share favorite bookmarked scenes with other HD DVD owners
are just a few of the features now available on discs from studios
supporting HD DVD. Universal recently announced that all day-and-date
titles moving forward will include Web-enabled network features powered by
HDi.
"As the market for high definition evolves, consumers will want more
out of the next generation of DVD than just superior picture and sound --
they'll also want to personalize their experience and tap into fan
communities for their favorite movies and TV shows," said Amir Majidimehr,
corporate vice president of the Consumer Media Technology Group at
Microsoft. "Using Microsoft(R) HDi, studios can bring these interactive
experiences to life in a way never seen before. We're helping our studio
supporters push the envelope with new features that are not only redefining
how people experience movies at home, but also changing the way studios
approach the filmmaking process."
Microsoft HDi technology powers the interactive capabilities in every
stand-alone HD DVD player on the market as well the HD DVD drive for Xbox
360(R). More information about HDi can be found at
http://www.thisishddvd.com.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.

Sep 19, 2007 13:00

High-Definition Discs and Video Players: Industry Must Do More to Motivate Consumers, but Opportunity for Growth is Abundant

The NPD Group examines consumers' intent to purchase and awareness of high-definition video players and video content
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. --(Business Wire)-- Sep. 19, 2007 The NPD Group reported today some reasons for the slower than expected start of high-definition video players and high-definition content sales (i.e., HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc). NPD's new High Definition Video Report Series examines consumer awareness, ownership, usage patterns, and intent to purchase high-definition players and content, since these new technologies were introduced last year.

Among those who currently own HDTVs, half (52 percent) are familiar with the availability of high-definition DVD players, but only 11 percent expressed strong intentions to buy one in the next six months. Seventy-three percent of HDTV owners reported that their current traditional-format DVD player still works well for them, so they do not need to replace it; while 62 percent said they are waiting for the prices of high-definition players to fall. The format battle rages on

According to NPD, consumers' knowledge of the HD DVD format is more prevalent than for the Blu-ray Disc format. While 29 percent of respondents were aware of HD DVD, just 20 percent had heard of Blu-ray Disc. Consumers who purchased a Blu-ray Disc player reported that they did so because they believed it was superior to HD DVD; while those who purchased an HD DVD player did so because the price was lower than a Blu-ray Disc player.

"As HDTV penetration continues to grow, manufacturers and studios will need to do a better job imparting the benefits of these formats to a consumer base that still reports a high satisfaction with the current DVD standard," said Ross Rubin, director, industry analysis, consumer electronics.

Familiarity with the latest formats is primarily coming from exposure to marketing - especially television commercials. Forty-one percent of consumers who say they are familiar with Blu-ray Disc players and content gained awareness through ads and commercials. The same is true for HD DVD (42 percent). Nearly one-in-five consumers reported learning about the devices from friends and family. The high-definition DVD content conundrum

Difficulty in communicating the high-definition message is compounded by the relatively small amount of available content in either of the two formats. NPD's research shows that the overwhelming majority of DVDs purchased by high-definition owners are standard definition (64 percent); however, the primary reason consumers reported buying a traditional DVD was that the high-definition disc was not available.

"Early adopters aren't choosing to evangelize high-definition players to others, in large part because they are unhappy with the available selection," said Russ Crupnick, vice president and senior entertainment industry analyst. "The good news is that the industry can address this concern by releasing HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc titles more aggressively."

One encouraging signal for the industry is that existing HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc consumers are trading up from standard definition. According to NPD, early adopters plan to replace nearly a quarter (23 percent) of their current collections with high-definition format DVDs (either HD DVD or Blu-ray Disc), and there is an appetite for more.

Methodology

For NPD's High Definition Video Player Report Series, more than 5,500 adults were surveyed between June 18 and June 28, 2007. Among the sample were 542 pre-identified owners of high-definition players and high-definition capable video game consoles.

MS HDi Logo will be used by Toshiba and Major Hollywood Studios
Written by Rhyze
Thursday, 20 September 2007

Microsoft Corp. today announced that its trademarked HDi logo will soon appear on all Toshiba HD DVD players. In addition, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment will include the HDi logo on packaging for HD DVD movie titles beginning in the fourth quarter of this year. HDi technology is Microsoft's high-performance implementation of the interactivity layer for the HD DVD format, which has taken the movie-viewing experience to an entirely new level with such advanced features as network connectivity and community scenarios. HDi is also a trademark of Microsoft, as recognized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in its July 2007 notice of allowance for trademark.

As Microsoft's implementation of the mandatory interactive layer in HD DVD, defined as Advanced Navigation by the DVD Forum, HDi immediately began delivering unprecedented and unique experiences for consumers when it was launched in April 2006. Early movie titles such as "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," "Miami Vice" and "Mission: Impossible III" received immediate acclaim for their interactive HD DVD experiences -- from picture-in-picture director's commentary to graphical interfaces with tailored movie specifications -- all available without stopping the movie playback experience.

"With Microsoft's HDi technology, Toshiba is able to offer consumers a consistent movie-watching experience in a way that simply isn't possible with today's DVDs or available with any other format right now," said Jodi Sally, vice president of marketing for Toshiba America Consumer Products. "Advanced navigation using Microsoft's HDi technology has been offered on all of Toshiba's HD DVD players -- from the models introduced last spring to our third generation of models that are shipping today."

Based on easy-to-program Web standards, HDi provides studios with a familiar and simple development environment, resulting in a digital canvas of unlimited possibilities. With support for interactivity mandatory on all HD DVD players, HDi allows for advanced features that can be played back on any HD DVD player or drive.

"For studios to truly enhance and change the way people watch movies, HD DVD provides the features and the flexibility we need to offer a personalized experience," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and co-president of the North American HD DVD Promotional Group. "Web-enabled network features made possible through HDi are particularly compelling because they bridge the gap between physical media and the Web-based world of the MySpace generation."

Studios supporting HD DVD are already delivering on promises of expanding their offerings with Web-enabled network (interactive) features on shipping titles such as "300" and "Blood Diamond" from Warner Bros., "Heroes: Season 1" from Universal and the upcoming "Transformers" from Paramount. The ability to download new trailers, buy ring tones and other merchandise, and share favorite bookmarked scenes with other HD DVD owners are just a few of the features now available on discs from studios supporting HD DVD. Universal recently announced that all day-and-date titles moving forward will include Web-enabled network features powered by HDi.

"As the market for high definition evolves, consumers will want more out of the next generation of DVD than just superior picture and sound -- they'll also want to personalize their experience and tap into fan communities for their favorite movies and TV shows," said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of the Consumer Media Technology Group at Microsoft. "Using Microsoft(R) HDi, studios can bring these interactive experiences to life in a way never seen before. We're helping our studio supporters push the envelope with new features that are not only redefining how people experience movies at home, but also changing the way studios approach the filmmaking process."

Microsoft HDi technology powers the interactive capabilities in every stand-alone HD DVD player on the market as well the HD DVD drive for Xbox 360(R). More information about HDi can be found at http://www.thisishddvd.com.


source: http://www.xboxusersgroup.com/xbox-news/ms-hdi-logo-will-be-used-by-toshiba-and-major-hollywood-st-3.html

Toshiba today revealed the name of a new stream processor design focused on the consumer electronics space and derived from the Cell Broadband Engine. Dubbed "SpursEngineTM," the new chip is to be demonstrated at this years CEATEC JAPAN running Toshiba's previously shown real-time face morphing software. Serving as a co-processor in an x86 Toshiba notebook PC, the demonstration is designed to showcase the image processing strength of the SPEs in a low-power environment.

In architecting the chip, Toshiba chose to excise the resident Power core of the Cell - largely superfluous in a co-processing environment - and to trim the number of SPEs down to four from eight; added to the die are dedicated MPEG-2 and H.264 decoding/encoding silicon. Although the SPEs themselves are quite capable of performing decoding/encoding tasks, Toshiba has opted for a low-power solution to allow the programmable SPEs to focus on image processing. Running at 1.5GHz, the present prototype of the SpursEngine consumes between 10-20 watts, depending on load.

With a previous June announcement that Toshiba had successfully ported the SPE design to a 65nm CMOS process, it is highly probable that the SpursEngine will likewise be fabbed on the process. At 7.07mm^2 per SPE, the complete chip should be relatively small and inexpensive to produce. As with the primary variant of the Cell processor, XDR memory is utilized for its bandwidth benefits in a media-centric environment.

Toshiba states in their release that the chip will be brought to market after CEATEC, to be targeted at both external customers and internal designs of digital consumer products. Although no specific mention of applications outside of the consumer electronics space was made, were Toshiba to source the chip to PC add-in board vendors, the SpursEngine could find a place in PCI Express boards targeting a number of areas such as audio/sound cards, physics acceleration, workstation/rendering tasks, and of course video processing/acceleration. With an existing PCI Express reference design and low-cost chip fabrication, the SpursEngine could provide a more mainstream point of entry into SPE-acceleration than is presently available to consumers.


http://linuxps3.net/articles/cell-broadband-engine/toshiba-announces-spursengine-spe-processor.html

Xbox 360 to get new HD DVD Drive

http://www.computeractive.co.uk/personal-computer-world/news/2199165/xbox360-hd-dvd-drive-2008

Microsoft will launch an updated HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 in 2008, it said at its 25th hardware anniversary in London today.

Mark Bennett, Microsoft's European business development director for HD DVD, demonstrated the technology's advanced interactive features and pointed out that Paramount, Universal Studios and many Warner Brothers high definition titles are exclusive to HD DVD.

"The interactive features actually work on HD DVD whereas Blu-ray titles are six to nine months away from getting features that actually work," Bennett said, referring to Blu-ray's current inability to do picture in picture videos.

Bennett also said "there are more plans to incorporate HD DVD into the PC platform in the future."

The original Xbox360 HD DVD drive, which launched in November 2006, was fully compatible with Windows PCs and proved a hit for being the cheapest high definition drive on sale.

The event, which was celebrating Microsoft's 25th anniversary of making computer hardware, saw the software giant revive its PC gaming peripherals with a new sidewinder mouse and new ergonomic keyboards and mice.

There were also multi-coloured Xbox360 controllers and it said it would sell high definition download movie rentals over its Live service before Christmas in the UK – one of the first such services to hit these isles. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but it demonstrated a 720p movie measuring 4GB costing 480 credits, which equates to about £4.

'Smallville' Blu-ray Hits Production Snag
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Street_Date_Delays/Warner/TV_on_High-Def/Smallville_Blu-ray_Hits_Production_Snag/993

Although it had been due to hit store shelves earlier this week, Warner Home Video has comfirmed a "small delay" for the Blu-ray edition of 'Smallville - The Complete 6th Season.'

As our pal Dave Lambert over at TVShowsonDVD first reported earlier today, fans had been wondering why they couldn't find the Blu-ray edition alongside the HD DVD and DVD editions in stores.

Now, in a new statement to TVShowsonDVD Warner has confirmed the delay, saying:

"There was a small production delay that impacted getting product orders to retail accounts. The issue has been resolved and we're in the process of shipping the balance of retail orders."

There's no word on exactly how long it will take for the long-awaited Blu-ray edition to find its way to stores, but officially the title is still due this week.

The Blu-Ray release of Smallville is a 4 disc set on BD-50s.

Sony shines Blu-ray on PS3 sales campaign

Financial Times

By Mariko Sanchanta in Tokyo
Published: September 20 2007

Sony is to step up its marketing campaign for the PlayStation 3 and emphasise that the games console is a Blu-ray disc player.

“The PS3 is first and foremost a video games machine but we want to say – by the way, it’s a great Blu-ray player as well,” Mr Hirai said. Marketing efforts in the US, Europe and Japan would highlight the PS3 as a Blu-ray disc player as well.

Sony on Thursday disappointed analysts by failing to cut the PS3’s price, but Mr Hirai did not rule out a future price cut. “Going aggressive only on price without being able to back it up with content doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me,” he said. A price cut would have a “real impact” on sales only if there were enough software titles to support the PS3.

But analysts were sceptical and said Sony could miss its shipment targets for the year. “Without a price cut close to Christmas, reaching 11m shipments is going to be very tough,”

Swammi's take on this FT article
http://www.tvpredictions.com/sonyps3092107.htm

Xbox 360 to get new HD DVD DriveFrom Gizmodo... (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/rumor-smashed/relax-no-new-xbox-hd-dvd-drive-in-2008-302183.php)

Microsoft tells us that the information pointing to a new HD DVD drive in 2008 is a misquote and there is no plan to release a new HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360, despite reports to the contrary. Makes sense to me, the current drive is fine, spec wise.

Smaller suppliers wrestle with high-def (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6480428.html)

Another supplier, Topics Entertainment, was about to begin authoring titles in Blu-ray when the announcement was made that Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation would drop their Blu-ray support and release movies exclusively for HD DVD.

“Paramount threw us for a bit of a loop,” said Greg James, Topics president. “We were going to go with Blu-ray for sure, but now we haven’t made our final decision.”

The company is still committed to releasing titles on high-def this year, but now it’s giving HD DVD a second look for a slate including the PBS titles Over Washington, Over California and Over America, which were shot in high-definition in the mid-’90s.

The company is talking to both Blu-ray replicator Sony DADC and HD DVD proponent Microsoft to see which format can be brought to market more quickly. Topics had some concern that the titles might not be replicated in time if they chose Blu-ray, because fewer replicators work with that format.

At this point, Topics is most likely to go with whichever format camp offers the company the best deal.

“We want to see who can do it cheaper,” Topics DVD manager Lindsay Collins said.

Cost considerations continue to hold back other independents.

“We master in high-definition, but since we’re a smaller studio, we’re still trying to maximize our margins with standard DVD,” said Chris Donaldson, director of marketing for Liberation Entertainment.

Rhino Home Video released some titles on HD DVD but hasn’t seen fit to add more yet. Other independents have gotten their feet wet in either or both formats with a few titles, as have some music suppliers, most notably Eagle Rock Entertainment.

David Goodman, president of DVD International, has released nine titles on HD DVD and will release those same titles on Blu-ray on Oct. 30.

“The intent was always to do both, but Blu-ray was more difficult to author and more expensive to release,” he said.
...

Target shifts shelf space away from HD DVD, for Blu-ray

Posted Sep 21st 2007 8:23AM by Ben Drawbaugh

Recently Video Business noticed that Blu-ray now has more shelf space than HD DVD in the few Target stores they checked. They indicated that HD DVD retained it's space, while Blu-ray was allotted additional space. We're not so sure we agree, we went back and checked the pictures we took at the format war's anniversary and noticed that at the stores we checked in Florida, California, and Washington State; Target actually removed one row from HD DVD and shifted it to Blu-ray. While this is not a huge deal, it does show a trend in at least one major video retailer. More pictures after the break.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2007/09/target_tpa_sm.jpg
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/09/21/target-shifts-shelf-space-away-from-hd-dvd-for-blu-ray/

Image Entertainment Reveals New Mini-Wave of HD DVD Concert Discs
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Image_Entertainment/Music_on_High-Def/Disc_Announcements/Image_Entertainment_Reveals_New_Mini-Wave_of_HD_DVD_Concert_Discs/994

We can't imagine a more disparate set of musicians, but R. Kelly, Roy Orbison and The Moody Blues will topline Image Entertainment's next wave of HD DVD concert discs.

Due December 18th, the three releases continue a trend we first reported on yesterday, with indie distributor Image Entertainment returning to the high-def scene after a nearly a year. But while each of the titles we reported on yesterday were announced for Blu-ray only, the distributor is demonstrating its own special approach to dual-format support with each of today's three concert discs thus far only announced for HD DVD.

http://www.testticker.de/news/storage/news20070921019.aspx

Pioneer hat eine günstige Methode entwickelt um Blu-Ray-Disks herzustellen. Das Herstellungsverfahren soll die Industrie beflügeln.
Elektronikunternehmen Pioneer hat in Zusammenarbeit mit Mitsubishi Chemical Media eine neue Blu-ray-Disk entwickelt. Das Medium soll in der Herstellung deutlich günstiger sein, als bisherige Scheiben. Im Formatstreit zwischen Blu-ray und HD-DVD könnte dies neue Impulse geben, behaupten Markexperten, wie Pressetext berichtet.

Das Speichermedium trägt den Namen "Low to High Blu-ray Disk" (kurz LTH BD) und wird in einem neuen Produktionsverfahren hergestellt. Der größte Vorteil dabei ist, dass die Daten-Scheiben in Maschinen gepresst werden können, die bereits jetzt für die Herstellung von CDs und DVDs genutzt werden. Somit entfällt die Anschaffung teuerer neuer Geräte, die im Prinzip für die derzeit hohen Kosten der Datenträger verantwortlich sind.

Allerdings unterstützen derzeitige Blu-Ray-Player die neue Disk, eventuell erst durch ein Firmware-Update. Zukünftige Wiedergabegeräte sollen jedoch alle kompatibel sein.

Pioneer has developed a much cheaper way to produce BD Disc. The new "low to High BD Discs" could be pressed with the same machines used for CDs and DVDs.

Old BD Player should be compatible via firmware Update.

http://www.testticker.de/news/storage/news20070921019.aspx



Pioneer has developed a much cheaper way to produce BD Disc. The new "low to High BD Discs" could be pressed with the same machines used for CDs and DVDs.

Old BD Player should be compatible via firmware Update.

This article links to an Austrian article which references a CdrInfo.com article.

Here's the CdrInfo article. It seems to be related purely to BD-R recordable discs.

Pioneer and Mitsubishi Develop Low cost BD-R Discs Using Organic Recording Layers
http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=21422

Pioneer and Mitsubishi Chemical Media announced that they have succeeded in the development of a Blu-ray Disc (BD-R) that uses an the organic dye recording layer, significantly reducing the disc manufacturing costs.

The development of the new BD-R discs is the result of the companies' joint development plans that started in 2004, aiming at the standardization of the technology applied for the manufacturing of write-once BD-R media with organic dye recording layer. The technology applied is called "Low to High" (LTH, in groove recording) and it was included in the "Blu-ray Disc Recordable Format Ver.1.2" specifications.

The advantages of the LTH manufacturing technology is that it can be applied without requiring large-scale manufacturing plant investments, allowing for using modified CD-R and DVD-R manufacturing equipment. As a result, the companies believe that the overall cost of the BD-R discs will be lower.

However, current Blu-Ray drives cannot read the newly developed BD-R discs. That because the reproduced signal while reading the discs has a LTH (Low to High) polarity. Pioneer will possibly release a new BD drive in the future that will support reading of the LTH discs, although a firmware upgrade on existing BD drives could possibly add support for them.

Mitsubishi and Pioneer showcased a 25GB BD-R disc with organic recording layer that can be burned at speeds of 1x and 2x. Commercialization of the new media is expected as soon as the first LTH BD drives appear on the market, possibly in Spring of 2008.

Future plans of both companies include the development of BD-R disc that use a metal nitride recording layer. Mitsubishi has already announced its 4x BD-R discs and it plans to achieve recording speeds of up to 6x in the future. Currently, the Blu-Ray Disc specifications do not include information about recording at speeds higher than 4x.

http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_070919.html

saw this discussed in summary before but here is the full NPD Press Release on their findings on HDM adoption

Really did not see much discussion on the impact of advertising and how consumers would buy more if they saw more titles available at retail

For release September 19, 2007
For more information:

Sarah Bogaty
516-625-2357
sarah_bogaty@npd.com

Lee Graham
+1 212 333 4983
lee@leegraham.biz

The NPD Group, Inc.
900 West Shore Road
Port Washington, NY 11050

High-Definition Discs and Video Players: Industry Must Do More to Motivate Consumers, but Opportunity for Growth is Abundant
The NPD Group examines consumers' intent to purchase and awareness of high-definition video players and video content;
Early adopters are key to evangelizing new formats, but lack of titles could slow recommendations for HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc
PORT WASHINGTON, NY, September 19, 2007 – Leading consumer and retail information provider, The NPD Group, reported today some reasons for the slower than expected start of high-definition video players and high-definition content sales (i.e., HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc). NPD's new High Definition Video Report Series examines consumer awareness, ownership, usage patterns, and intent to purchase high-definition players and content, since these new technologies were introduced last year. The report series provides important new insights into consumer perceptions about high-definition discs and players, and how owners are taking to the new formats.

The target audience for these next generation formats is current HDTV owners. Among those who do currently own HDTVs, half (52 percent) are familiar with the availability of high-definition DVD players, but only 11 percent expressed strong intentions to buy one in the next six months. Seventy-three percent of HDTV owners reported that their current traditional-format DVD player still works well for them, so they do not need to replace it; while 62 percent said they are waiting for the prices of high-definition players to fall.



The format battle rages on

Large numbers of consumers already understand what a high-definition player is, when it is associated with one of the two formats; however, consumers' knowledge of the HD DVD format is more prevalent than for the Blu-ray Disc format. While 29 percent of respondents were aware of HD DVD, just 20 percent had heard of Blu-ray Disc. Consumers who purchased a Blu-ray Disc player reported that they did so because they believed it was superior to HD DVD; while those who purchased an HD DVD player did so because the price was lower than a Blu-ray Disc player.

"The format war continues to be a primary operative issue when it comes to determining the long-term viability for high-definition DVD technology," said Ross Rubin, director, industry analysis, consumer electronics. "However, there are other more basic short-term obstacles blocking acceptance. As HDTV penetration continues to grow, manufacturers and studios will need to do a better job imparting the benefits of these formats to a consumer base that still reports a high satisfaction with the current DVD standard."

According to NPD, familiarity with these formats is primarily coming from exposure to marketing – especially television commercials. Forty-one percent of consumers who say they are familiar with Blu-ray Disc players and content gained awareness through ads and commercials. The same is true for HD DVD (42 percent). Nearly one-in-five consumers reported learning about the devices from friends and family.

"Falling prices and the arrival of new dual-format devices can alleviate consumer concerns about investing in a losing standard," said Rubin. "But, as was the case with proposed successors to the compact disc, both camps will lose if consumers don't embrace a higher-quality disc format. The clock is ticking as every major digital lifestyle stakeholder is blazing a direct path to the living room."



The high-definition DVD content conundrum

Difficulty in communicating the high-definition message is compounded by the relatively small amount of available content in either of the two formats. NPD's research shows that the overwhelming majority of DVDs purchased by high-definition owners are standard definition (64 percent); however, the primary reason consumers reported buying a traditional DVD was that the high-definition disc was not available.

"We're seeing some frustration with high-definition formats among people who've made the plunge, because they currently cannot get enough content to meet their needs," said Russ Crupnick, vice president and senior entertainment industry analyst. "These early adopters aren't choosing to evangelize high-definition players to others, in large part because they are unhappy with the available selection. The good news is that the industry can address this concern by releasing HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc titles more aggressively."

One encouraging signal for the industry is that existing HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc consumers are trading up from standard definition. According to NPD, early adopters plan to replace nearly a quarter (23 percent) of their current collections with high-definition format DVDs (either HD DVD or Blu-ray Disc), and there is an appetite for more. High-definition player owners would like to buy nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of upcoming new releases in high definition and only 37 percent in the existing standard DVD format.

"Once consumers become convinced of the superiority of high-definition, and find ways to navigate the format issues, there will be a great deal of pent-up demand for HD DVD or Blu-ray Disc content. The film and video industry must now focus on getting that message out to the 32 million HDTV owners who are currently just sitting on the sidelines," Crupnick said.

Methodology
For NPD's High Definition Video Player Report Series, more than 5,500 adults were surveyed between June 18 and June 28, 2007. Among the sample were 542 pre-identified owners of high-definition players and high-definition capable video game consoles.

About The NPD Group, Inc.
The NPD Group is the leading provider of reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,600 manufacturers, retailers, and service companies rely on NPD to help them drive critical business decisions at the global, national, and local market levels. NPD helps our clients to identify new business opportunities and guide product development, marketing, sales, merchandising, and other functions. Information is available for the following industry sectors: automotive, beauty, commercial technology, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, foodservice, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys, and wireless. For more information, visit www.npd.com.

The NPD Group - 900 West Shore Road - Port Washington, NY 11050 - www.npd.com

Adobe Picks Blu-ray over HD DVD and Plots Anti-iLife Mac Strategy with New Elements Suite

As Adobe launches its latest Photoshop and Premiere Elements editions for Windows — still $99 each or $149 as a combo — there was plenty of talk why it chose Blu-ray over HD DVD, and about the return of a low-end product for the Mac OS aimed to challenge iLife at a moment of vulnerability.

A version of Photoshop Elements will ship for Mac OS in "early 2008," says senior product manager Mark Dahm, who said that instead of an iPhoto-like album organizer similar to the one in the Windows version, a Mac PSE would have something like the Bridge application that comes with full-fledged Photoshop CS3.

More tantalizingly, a Premiere Elements for the Mac is not such a far-fetched idea, says Mike Iampetro, senior product manager for consumer video. Citing critical disappointment surrounding the latest, completely redesigned iMovie, Iampetro told me:

"With iMovie 08, there is a better opportunity for us on the Mac than ever before."

Iampetro also confirmed that only Blu-ray burning would be supported in Premiere Elements, because Adobe didn't think there was enough player support for HD DVD, or as many titles available for it.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/software/adobe-picks-blu+ray-over-hd-dvd-and-plots-anti+ilife-mac-strategy-with-new-elements-suite-302837.php

High Definition Market Update - Critical Time for HD Disc Formats



NewswireToday - /newswire/ - London, United Kingdom, 09/24/2007 - Q4 in 2007 is seen by many as a crucial time in the life of both HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD), and a timely new industry bulletin from Understanding & Solutions looks at the future of the HD marketplace, the opportunities and the threats.



Commentary and analysis provided by Jim Bottoms, Co-Managing Director, Understanding & Solutions

Q4 in 2007 is seen by many as a crucial time in the life of both HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD), as it is the second Christmas period for both formats in the USA – long highlighted by Understanding & Solutions as the point at which the format battle could potentially be won or lost – and, more importantly, where the long term success of high definition discs will be decided.

It is also a crucial time for PS3, having underperformed last year in the USA due to its high price, delayed availability and the unexpected success of the Wii, as well as missing the European Christmas season completely.

Though player prices are falling across the board, there is growing concern that the consumer does not fully understand the high definition concept; and the confusion is further compounded by the choice of two different disc-based formats.

Taking everything into account, BD has been the leader for much of the year, accounting for close to two thirds of HD discs sold in the US. In Europe, BD’s share is at a lower level, but it enjoys a stronger performance in Japan.

However, developments over the past few weeks have the potential to erode BD’s current lead, and there is growing concern throughout the industry that both high definition disc formats could be lost completely in a world of competing delivery options and viewing platforms.

Last month, Understanding & Solutions stated the decision by Paramount and DreamWorks to release exclusively on HD DVD was not in itself sufficient to change the balance significantly, though it was a major PR coup for the HD DVD group and did erode BD’s industry strength. At the same time we expressed the opinion that the major impact of this decision would be to prolong the format battle, something that is not good news for the industry overall.

These views have not changed, but a number of additional factors have emerged that may impact the situation and extend the current period of uncertainty.
• The Blu-ray technical standards – particularly in respect of its online connectivity option, BD Live – are still not finalised.
- There are no BD Live enabled players currently on the market, whereas all HD DVD players have connectivity (although not all discs support this feature).
- It is understood that PS3 consoles have the technical capability to support BD Live with a firmware upgrade but as yet there has been no indication from Sony when this might be implemented.
• Player pricing, whilst falling rapidly, has not yet reached the point where it is attractive to the mass market.
From the perspective of software and hardware support, HD DVD has been trailing BD. However, its two main supporters, Toshiba and Microsoft, have been campaigning hard to bring other content owners and CE manufacturers on board.
• In late August, Paramount announced it would release future titles exclusively on HD DVD.
• Chinese manufacturer Alco-Venturer has announced a $199 HD DVD player for Q4 this year.
Paramount’s decision may not have significantly affected the balance between the formats, but the landscape would change dramatically should Warner make a similar decision, or one of the BD-exclusive studios defected to HD DVD or even elected to release on both formats.
• Warner recently stated that high definition software sales are sufficient in each format to make dual support viable.
- The average is 2:1 in favour of BD, although ‘Planet Earth’ sold more on HD DVD.
Whilst supporting both formats ensures that the entire potential Hi Def disc market is addressed, the additional costs involved are not insignificant.
• The very different technologies employed by BD and HD DVD, particularly with respect to interactivity, means that each has to be authored separately.
• Mastering and print costs are doubled, and replication volumes are smaller.
• The only area where there is any real commonality between the formats is in video encoding, the result being that BD titles released in parallel to HD DVD frequently use the same video file and therefore do not make full use of the format’s 50GB capacity.

Although recent developments have favoured HD DVD, there has also been encouraging news for Blu-ray.
• A number of European studios/distributors who had previously announced that they would release on HD DVD only, announced at IFA that they will support both formats. Among these are Studio Canal and Bertelsmann-owned Universum Film.
• Three European replicators are adding Blu-ray lines to meet the anticipated demand: Infodisc, Germany (Oerlikon line); QOL, France (Singulus line) and a third as yet unnamed plant (also Singulus).
• There has been progress in developing BD-Java authoring tools.
- Technicolor’s in-house ‘BD-Jive’ – a GUI-based Java compiler, which greatly simplifies the creation of BD-Java titles – may be made available to third parties.
• Chinese player manufacturer, China Huala Group (CHLG), has joined the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) as a contributor member, enabling the company to input suggestions for enhancements to the format.
• PS3 sales, whilst perhaps disappointing from a games perspective, still add significantly to the installed base of BD-enabled video playback devices.

Conclusions
As we stand today, industry support for BD across content and hardware remains the strongest grouping and it is therefore the format with the greatest chance of market success, although its strength is being eroded.
Whatever happens, continued competition between the two groups will lead to continuing confusion and uncertainty, and therefore delayed consumer purchase decisions. This in turn will lead to further price erosion of hardware – and to a lesser extent, software.
All this comes at a time when research is increasingly showing that consumers are already confused about the overall ‘high definition’ message. Stories abound of consumers with HD capable TVs but standard definition cable or satellite service thinking they are watching HDTV.
The continuing improvements in the upscaling capabilities of standard definition DVD players cannot be ignored as they may satisfy many consumers needs for an enhanced viewing experience at a competitive price.
The next six months will be critical for the future of high definition discs. There is significant market potential for pre-recorded High Definition media but there is a growing concern within the industry that this potential could go unfulfilled.

http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/23859/

Switched On: Seeking neutrality in the hi-def format war
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/24/switched-on-seeking-neutrality-in-the-hi-def-format-war/

Now, with studio support split, dual-format is starting to look like a more viable option. Many comparisons have been made between the high-definition disc format wars and VHS vs. Betamax in which one format prevailed, but the analogy is poor because Sony, Betamax' main backer, had the more expensive option. In the case of the high-definition video disc war, Toshiba has been selling the less-expensive option and it can call upon a group of even lower-priced lesser-known brands that drove great volumes in the DVD market.

Additionally, the packaged movie industry was a small fraction of what it has become since the birth of the global $25 billion DVD industry, In the early days of VHS, there was no legacy format that consumers could default to continue buying as there is today with DVD. Finally, the different physical size of VHS and Beta tapes made building dual-format decks impractical.

That leaves two other precedents, one of which was the dual-format audio disc war fought between SACD and DVD-Audio. Neither format succeeded in supplanting the CD, but ultimately several playback devices on the market supported both standard. Similarly, the recordable DVD drive, which became mostly a PC burner phenomenon, ended in a practical draw between DVD-R/W and DVD+R/W with nearly all products on the market offering both formats.

For now, the bigger challenges around high-definition DVD players lie in low HDTV penetration and the impressive quality of particularly upconverted DVD on high-definition televisions. However, HDTVs will become more prevalent, high-definition titles will continue to roll out in both formats, and the prices for high-definition disc technologies will fall to a point where they can compete with standard-definition DVD as a replacement device. If studios remain split as other barriers fall away, dual-format drives will look like a better bet until such a time as digital distribution can match the reach, convenience and capabilities of physical media.

Toshiba Announces Industry’s Most Complete Portfolio of High-Definition Laptops (http://www.prweb.com/releases/hd_dvd/toshiba/prweb556257.htm)

Toshiba Offers Five Free HD DVD’s with Purchase of Toshiba HD DVD-ROM Notebook Computer

IRVINE, Calif. (BusinessWire EON) September 25, 2007 -- Toshiba’s Digital Product Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced that it has further expanded its lineup of HD DVD-ROM capable notebook computers to give users the industry’s fullest portfolio of high-definition mobile computing solutions mixing price points and screen sizes. These five HD DVD-based notebooks will be showcased this week during the DigitalLife tradeshow in New York at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Booth (#621) this week.

The five Toshiba HD DVD enabled notebook computers, include the Qosmio® G45, Qosmio F45, Satellite® X205, Satellite P205 and Satellite A205 with select configurations starting as low as $1,1491. These HD DVD enabled notebooks feature high-definition widescreen displays with resolutions of either 720p or 1080p and sizes ranging from 15.4-inches to 17-inches.

Along with the attractive price points of the HD DVD notebook and a growing number of approximately 330 HD DVD movie titles, such as “300,” “Disturbia,” “Heroes,” “The Matrix Trilogy,” “Letters from Iwo Jima,” “Smokin’ Aces” and “Dream Girls,” Toshiba is offering a limited time giveaway incentive. With the purchase of a HD DVD enabled Toshiba notebook, consumers qualify to receive five HD DVD titles for free, from a selection of 15 popular titles, via a mail-in offer. Eligible models and complete offer details are available at www.toshibadirect.com/hddvdpc, and will extend until February 28, 2008.....

http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/ebtext.to?page=hddvdLaptop&src=HIEM&cm_mmc=toshiba-_-laptop_sticker-_-laptop_sticker-_-hd_dvd_pc

Toshiba Adds NVIDIA SLI Technology to Elite Line of High-Definition, Gaming Laptops (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=NEWS_VIEW_POPUP_TYPE&newsId=20070925005492&ndmHsc=v2*A1188126000000*B1190751304000*DgroupByDate*J2*L1*N 1000837*Zhd%20dvd&newsLang=en&beanID=202776713&viewID=news_view_popup)

Home Theater Group Backs Blu-ray

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Industry_Trends/Home_Theater_Group_Backs_Blu-ray/1004

A lengthy article, with screen shots, from DVD-Intelligence.

Networked HD player – bridging packaged and online worlds (http://www.dvd-intelligence.com/main_sections/news_archive/2003_free/9_letter_from_berlin.htm)

Are the days of packaged media numbered? If we go by the demonstrations made at the recent DVD Forum Europe 2007 conference in Berlin of what the next-generation HD formats have in store, the answer is No. Indeed, web connectivity built into the hi-res format specs is opening the door to a brand new world of interactive co-habitation between packaged and online media, usually seen pitched against each other. JEAN-LUC RENAUD, Editor-in-Chief of www.dvd-intelligence.com and the conference organiser, explores this new territory.

...

What impressed me most in the Berlin demos is the seamless and transparent nature of the sourcing of material displayed on screen. Is it coming from the disc itself, the player’s internal memory or a faraway web server? You just wouldn’t know and, after a while, no longer care! This is new, exciting territory.

So, the story only begins. If the advocates of an online-only entertainment future keep prophetising the imminent demise of packaged media, they will have to convince us of the merit of spending (wasting) hours downloading over the internet a hi-def movie file on a PC, let alone the extras.

Isn’t it so much easier – and cheaper – to get the content-rich movie on the disc while accessing all the bells and whistles online – and all of it displayed on the 42” HD plasma screen you are going to buy for Christmas?

Blu-ray, change strategy or loose

http://www.dvdtown.com/news/blu-ray-change-strategy-or-loose/4767

Research company Forrester predicts that the format war will continue for at least 18 months but say that Blu-ray will loose it in the end if they don't change their tactics.

Blu-ray failed to win when they had the chance and ultimately will end up loosing if they don't lower their hardware prices down to HD DVD level the report concluded.

Here is a summary:
Forrester predicted in 2005 that Blu-ray would eventually win a hard-fought victory over HD-DVD in the next-generation DVD format war. Today, Forrester believes that Blu-ray remains in a better position than HD-DVD — but that Blu-ray strategists need to alter course. Blu-ray's failure to land a knock-out blow means that the format war will continue for at least 18 more months. Blu-ray's content advantages are somewhat diminished since the recent decision by Paramount to commit exclusively to HD-DVD. And HD-DVD hardware prices have dropped directly into consumers' preferred price range, according to Forrester's Technographics® survey data. Weakened by these developments, Blu-ray needs to offer a viable hardware model at the $250 price point by Christmas 2007. The Blu-ray camp must also stave off further studio defections, and employ more aggressive promotional tactics to counter HD-DVD's recent momentum. Failure to alter strategy would open up Blu-ray to a possible upset defeat at the hands of HD-DVD.

The Wall Street Journal has a feature article on the format war in todays print edition.

Top of the fold , featured story in the Personal Journal Section D1

Image of the graphic showing cute little HD DVD an Blu-ray disc figures having a stalemated tug of war

http://img339.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wsjcutediscsts3.jpg

complete article is at link:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119068245313038190.html?mod=todays_us_nonsub_pj



Blu-ray or HD DVD:Which Side Are You On?

Consumers Hesitate to Choose A High-Definition Format;
'Batman' Plays It Both Ways

By SARAH MCBRIDE
September 25, 2007

...One contender, HD DVD, has taken the lead on the hardware side, with about 58% of sales, according to Adams Media Research. HD DVD is moving ahead in that department because players in that format are cheaper. At least two HD DVD players are available for less than $300, and by the holidays there should be an offering at around $199, many movie-studio executives believe. By contrast, Blu-ray players start at $449.

...Yet Blu-ray has taken a big lead in sales of movie titles. Blu-ray discs are outselling HD DVDs by about 2-to-1 this year. That's in part because so many people who bought Sony's PlayStation 3 game console, which also plays Blu-ray discs, have bought some high-definition movies. Plus, supporters of the Blu-ray technology have had an edge so far in brokering deals with movie studios for exclusive distribution of titles.

The upshot: Both formats remain viable. And even though consumers can get free movies when they purchase a player, millions of people are sitting on the sidelines, their wallets untouched.

...Compare the situation to regular DVDs, which were launched 10 years ago, in March 1997. That calendar year, consumers bought 350,000 DVD players, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. But while high-definition players of both formats have been available since the middle of last year, only about 300,000 have been sold,
according to Adams Media Research.

Gaming devices that play one format or the other add about 1.6 million to the tally, mostly Blu-ray, but not everyone uses gaming devices for movies.

...The growing popularity of big-screen, high-definition TV sets -- which can play either format, depending on the player you buy to go with it -- suggests that consumers are eager to watch cutting-edge, super-crisp movies. And hardware prices for both HD DVD and Blu-ray players are dropping. But the battle over availability of titles is further muddying the picture.

Until just a few weeks ago, it was looking like Blu-ray could take a decisive lead.

...But last month, after offering huge financial incentives like marketing support and cash payments, the HD DVD camp got Paramount and DreamWorks Animation SKG to agree to publish high-definition versions of their titles on HD DVD only. ...

The latest deals were key for HD DVD, says Tom Adams, president of Adams Media Research. "Generally, Paramount and DreamWorks [Animation] are moving toward bigger market share than they've had in the past," he says. "Their move has more long-term significance" than it would have even a couple of years ago.

...The respective studios that have signed on exclusively to one format or the other are putting some of their own marketing heft into the battle. Anyone buying a player can expect free DVDs with their purchase; most Toshiba players, for example, come with two free HD DVDs in the box and coupons for five more. Sony players come with coupons for five free Blu-ray movies. Expect such promotions to ramp up as the holiday season gets into high gear.]....



discussion here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11723473#post11723473

Sharp's Blu-ray recorder to reach 1 terabyte

By Reuters
http://www.news.com/Sharps-Blu-ray-recorder-to-reach-1-terabyte/2100-1041_3-6210111.html

Story last modified Wed Sep 26 06:51:37 PDT 2007


Sharp plans to launch a Blu-ray recorder with a 1-terabyte hard drive, as it competes with the HD DVD camp.

The model will have the largest storage capacity of any Blu-ray player thus far.

The 1-terabyte model, capable of recording 127 hours of high-definition digital programming, will go on sale December 1 in Japan for about $2,615 (300,000 yen).

Sharp also plans to offer eight more new Blu-ray recorder models by year's end in Japan in a bid to replace VCRs and conventional DVD machines.

The Osaka-based company said Wednesday it has no specific plans at the moment for overseas launch of these products.

Toshiba already offers an HD DVD recorder with 1 terabyte of storage.

Sharp, Sony and Matsushita Electric Industrial promote Blu-ray high-definition DVD technology, while Toshiba and Microsoft back the rival HD DVD format.

HD DVD and Blu-ray deadlock to continue into 2009... at least
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070925-hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-deadlock-to-continue-into-2009-at-least.html

The price drop may be a bit trickier. If there's one clear advantage HD DVD has at this point, it's price. During a promotion late last spring, HD DVD players briefly broke the $300 barrier courtesy of a rebate. In its wake, the HD DVD Promotional Group said that it saw a bump in sales. In contrast, higher component and manufacturing costs have kept the price of Blu-ray drives $100-200 higher than their HD DVD counterparts. A quick scan of Amazon.com shows the cheapest Blu-ray player, the Sony BDP-S300, priced at $437.79; the least-expensive HD DVD player, the Toshiba HD-A2, is almost $200 cheaper.

Keep in mind that the vast majority of consumers are not early adopters (which is why it took DVD almost 10 years to surpass VHS in terms of household penetration). As a result, consumers are mostly uninterested—if not unaware—that there's a format war going on right now. Sales are flat, and indications are that the battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD will continue into the next decade.

Disney’s “Magical Blu-ray Disc Tour”
http://formatwarcentral.com/index.php/2007/09/26/disneys-magical-blu-ray-disc-tour-tour/

When we heard Disney was doing a nationwide mall tour promoting Blu-ray, we wondered how effective it would be swaying J6P into buying Blu-ray. We also wondered how good the presentation would be as far as Audio/Video quality wise. On both counts we were pleasantly surprised. The presentation used a 60″ Panasonic 1080p Plasma, a Panasonic BD player, including Yamaha surround sound speakers/subs. The things that stood out most in the BD demo presentation was the scenes from Cars, Ratatouille , and Meet the Robinsons. After watching the speech/demo, we feel this tour should help the non techies understand/see the benefits of Blu-ray over DVD.
There was one thing that had us rolling our eyes. The nice lady reminded us to pick up a “Monster HDMI Cable” for the best Blu-ray picture possible.

I wonder what sort of interactive features were shown as part of this demo.

2 Page interview and commentary with Ross Rubin Director of Industry Analysis for Consumer Electronics, NPD Group.

HD DVD and Blu-ray: Toward an Endgame (http://www.betanews.com/article/HD_DVD_and_Bluray_Toward_an_Endgame/1190836560/1)

Warner Plays Catch Up With HD DVD 'Best Of' Bundles
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/Warner_Plays_Catch_Up_With_HD_DVD_Best_Of_Bundles/1008

In a new announcement that mirrors one made for Blu-ray several weeks back, Warner has confirmed that it will release two new 'Best of HD DVD' bundles this November.

Due November 6th, the two new "Best of HD DVD" sets will be a one-to-one match with Warner's 'Best of Blu-ray, Family' and 'Best of Blu-ray, Action' volumes announced earlier this month, with each volume containing four previously-released high-def hits apiece.

'The Best of HD DVD, Action' set will include: 'Alexander Revisited,' 'Troy: Director's Cut,' 'Blood Diamond' and 'Wyatt Earp.'

"The Best of HD DVD, Family' set will include 'Happy Feet,' 'Scooby-Doo,' 'Tim Burton's Corpse Bride' and 'The Ant Bully.'

new Video Business commentary

http://www.videobusiness.com/blog/1120000312.html#220015022

Despite a good front at studios, analysts starting to hedge their bets on Blu-ray

Posted by Marcy Magiera on September 26, 2007

...There are still people in the industry who think the high-def format war is going to be over this year--I spoke to one of them yesterday--despite growing signs that it will extend at least through holiday season 2008, and possibly as much as one to three years beyond that.

Even some of the soothsayers who long ago annointed Blu-ray the winner as starting to hedge their bets. Forrester Research and the U.K.'s Understanding and Solutions both within the last week issued new reports backpedaling somewhat on earlier projections that Blu-ray would win as early as this year.

These follow a recent Screen Digest report predicting that that format war will last for several years, forcing more studios to support both formats, and a missive in NPD Group's High Definition Report Series that showed there is a huge degree of consumer uncertainty over whether to purchase next-gen disc players, even among HDTV owners.

Forrester, which predicted a Blu-ray win all the way back in 2005, still gives the Sony-backed format the edge, but notes that supporters have failed to land a knock-out blow to HD DVD and says the consequence of that will be at least 18 more months in the format war. In the meantime, Forrester analysts recommend a strategy revamp in the Blu-ray camp, including a viable player for $250 by Christmas. Yes, this Christmas!

U&S managing director, who also has been a vocal champion of Blu-ray, now expresses concern that "developments over the past few weeks have the potential to erode BD’s current lead, and there is growing concern throughout the industry that both high definition disc formats could be lost completely in a world of competing delivery options and viewing platforms."

The reason for the new (or newly acknowledged) uncertainly among analysts include: Paramount's and DreamWorks Animation's shift to support HD DVD only; the weak launch of Sony's PlayStation 3; consumer confusion over all HDTV; consumers' lack of awareness of next-gen DVD options; HD DVD's aggressive pricing and likely availability of sub-$200 players by Christmas; and the slower-than-expected development of advanced interactivity (BD Live) for Blu-ray..

discuss in format battle thread

M2 sells HD DVD system into Japan (http://www.oto-online.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=614&Itemid=44)

M2 has announced the sale of an SQ20 finishing line, to be used for both DVD and HD DVD, to Memory-Tech of Japan. The machine passed its final on-site testing in mid-June and has been running at full production capacity ever since.

Goran Lomback, president of M2 Asia Pacific, told One to One, "We are very proud to have an SQ20 installed at Memory-Tech, the pioneer of the HD-DVD format, and we are very satisfied with the performance of the machine for the production of both DVD and HD-DVD. The experience gained by working with Memory-Tech will help us in our continuing process of improving the performance of the SQ20 to make it the most versatile replication line for all DVD and HD-DVD production requirements."

Memory-Tech, one of the founders of the HD-DVD format, is a major Japanese optical disc replicator with production being carried out at multiple facilities. Its total production capacity is 60 million discs per month, of which about 11 million are HD-DVD. The SQ20 was chosen by Memory-Tech for its cost-effective production performance and the capability to switch effortlessly between the DVD and HD-DVD formats.

According to Memory-Tech, quality of the finished discs was also a major consideration when deciding on which equipment to purchase. The high demands placed on quality as a certified Microsoft replicator and main DVD supplier for the Xbox, were well met by the SQ20.

HD interface chips connect CE systems wirelessly (http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800481570_499491_NP_5c8f9e29.HTM)

Amimon Inc. is offering a pair of Wireless High-Definition Interface (WHDI) chipsets—the AMN2110 and AMN2210—that enable consumer electronic (CE) display and device manufacturers to develop home entertainment products that connect wirelessly.

The WHDI chipsets can be embedded into CE devices such as LCD and plasma HDTVs, multimedia projectors, A/V receivers, DVD players (HD-DVD and Blu-ray), STBs, game consoles, PCs and HD video accessories (wireless for HDMI dongles), allowing wireless streaming of uncompressed HD video and audio.

According to Amimon, WHDI makes it possible for a wireless HD video connectivity net that allows the devices to share HD content throughout the entire home, up to 30m (100ft) through walls, while maintaining wire-equivalent quality with no latency.

The company's WHDI technology is based on a video modem approach. WHDI supports delivery of uncompressed 1,080p (with equivalent video rates of up to 3Gbps) in a 40MHz channel in the 5GHz unlicensed band, in compliance with FCC regulations. Uncompressed 720p, 1,080i and 1,080p 24/30p (with equivalent video rates of up to 1.5Gbps) can be delivered in a 20MHz channel, conforming to worldwide 5GHz regulations. Range is beyond 100ft through walls (entire home), and latency is less than 1ms. http://www.amimon.com/video-modules.shtml#rfic

German launch of the Samsung BD-UP5000 delayed to January 2008:

http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/96705

New 'Shrek' Specs Promise Several HD DVD Firsts (http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/news/show/DreamWorks/Exclusive_HD_Content/New_Shrek_Specs_Promise_Several_HD_DVD_Firsts/1016)

Final specs are in for the highly-anticipated HD DVD debut of 'Shrek the Third,' including word of a first-ever branching PIP commentary and the most comprehensive web-enabled content yet.

Although DreamWorks Animation already announced most of the specs for the 'Shrek the Third' HD DVD earlier this month, now they've issued an even more comprehensive rundown of the disc's contents.

Expanding upon the picture-in-picture video commentary feature found on other HD DVDs, the "Animator's Reel" will not only present an entire alternate version of the film in storyboard form, but it will further utilize the format's HDi technology to offer a "contextual seamless branch" to lost scenes and other content.

'Shrek the Third' is also set to push the boundaries in terms of what's been offered as web-enabled content on previous HD DVD releases. DreamWorks says a number of additional exclusive features will be made available for download the day the disc hits stores, including a full-length subtitle trivia track, a movie guide with files on characters and talent in the film, plus an interactive coloring book feature that allows you to digitally paint your favorite scenes.

As previously announced, the disc will also provide users the ability to customize their own menus based on famous 'Shrek' characters. Once customized, the user's menu will become the default menu for the disc, even after it has been ejected from the player.

Additional features identical to the standard DVD edition of the film are set to include audio commentary, multiple making-of featurettes, deleted scenes sand more.
...

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=21510
The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) content protection technology used in HD DVD and Blu-Ray formats finaly implements the revocation of compromised devices and Audio Watermarking functionalities.

Both new technologies are included in the final specifications of the AACS system and are expected to act against copying and ripping high-definition videos from Blu-ray and HD DVD discs.

Rush Limbaugh, High-Def Disc Early Adopter
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Rush_Limbaugh,_High-Def_Disc_Early_Adopter/1011

That guy you've been arguing with in the Smackdown forum? He might just be Rush Limbaugh.

Okay, so he probably isn't. But apparently the conservative talk show host is a high-def disc early adopter -- and a dual-format supporting one, at that.

According to a transcript from Limbaugh's Wednesday radio show, the host says he has both an HD DVD player and a Blu-ray player, and that whenever a new release comes out, "I just go get 'em. I have stacks of them I haven't seen yet."

Limbaugh's remarks came as a preamble to a seemingly off-the-cuff endorsement of the German film 'The Lives of Others' (a recent Blu-ray release), which he hailed as "the kind of movie that Hollywood ought to be making."

Limbaugh went on to call the film "one of the most accurate portrayals of life under socialism and communism that you'll see."

Yes, it's a slow news day here at High-Def Digest...

Rush Limbaugh, High-Def Disc Early Adopter
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...y_Adopter/1011

I know I'm not supposed to comment here,...Comments here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11755872#post11755872
Please!

Hastings expands Blu-ray rental with sharing (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6485572.html)

SEPT. 28 | Hastings Entertainment has significantly expanded Blu-ray Disc rental in all 150 of its stores following a revenue-sharing deal with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

The Amarillo, Texas-based chain, which also sells DVDs, music, books and other merchandise, now offers Blu-ray titles for rent in all stores as well as improved copy depth at each location. Currently, Hastings’ offers HD DVD titles for rent in about one-third of its stores, which are found primarily in secondary U.S. markets.

Deal terms were not disclosed by either Hastings or Sony.

“It basically helped us to spread [Blu-ray] to all of our stores and not have to make that much of a financial investment,” said Mason Goodfellow, Hastings video category manager. “We might be able to get in as many as eight to 10 copies per title [in one store]. Without revenue-sharing, that might have been three to four copies.”

Sell-through selection of HD DVD and Blu-ray remains evenly matched at Hastings.

For the most part, Goodfellow believes HD DVD and Blu-ray performance depends mostly on what’s being released on each. Universal Studios Home Entertainment’s Sept. 25 bow of blockbuster comedy Knocked Up exclusively on HD DVD, for instance, was expected to make for a dominant HD DVD frame last week at Hastings.

Sony sees the Hastings shift in its rental operations as a win for the Blu-ray camp.

“Naturally, SPHE is delighted about this since Hastings obviously acknowledges the fact that consumers have voted for Blu-ray as the high-definition format of the future,” said Marshall Forster, Sony senior executive VP of North America.

Sony did not comment on the progress of its revenue-sharing offerings with accounts elsewhere. Sony and Rentrak in July unveiled a Blu-ray revenue-sharing plan designed to help rentailers begin offering the format.

From July:

Sony to revenue-share Blu-ray through Rentrak (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6460858.html)

Blu-ray Hardware Specs Playing Game of Catch-up (http://www.allthingshidef.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=3C644C50F0DA47FDA581C56C5FDF5FC7&nm=Hi-Def+News&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=491962167AC04FE79ACCC803B6D481AA)

...
In short, most of the special features the HD DVD camp has been touting would be supported by Blu-ray as well. And when most Blu-ray players start supporting profile 2.0, or BD Live, the two formats would be on complete equal footing in the extras department (BD Live allows for a network connection and calls for a full gigabyte of storage).

But after all the new Blu-ray set-top boxes were announced at the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo in Denver in early September, Adam Gregorich of the Home Theater Forum noticed a problem.

“I found it telling that of all the new players announced at CEDIA, only one company announced players that support profile 1.1,” he said, pointing to two Denon players, the DVD-3800BDCI and DVD-2500BTCI, which are slated for release in 2008. “Also, there is no ‘sunset clause’ on existing players, so any player shipping before [Oct. 31] can continue shipping as a [version] 1.0 player indefinitely.”

Disney has announced two titles that have special features that require BD Live for 2008: National Treasure and Sleeping Beauty. Several 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Blu-ray titles in the pipeline call for picture-in-picture features.

But what if few set-top players available to consumers can play the special features?

“I think that BD has a chicken-and-egg problem,” Gregorich said, adding most existing Blu-ray players won’t be upgradeable, with the exception of the PlayStation 3, because of its high-powered central processing unit. “The studios don’t want to include features that people with current players can’t use, and the hardware manufactures don’t want to make players when there is no software to support the features.

“This is one of the things that HD DVD got right. They required Ethernet, persistent storage and secondary video decoders from day one.”

Andy Parsons, chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association’s U.S. Promotions Group, downplayed the impact non-profile 1.1 or 2.0 Blu-ray set-tops will have, noting the advanced interactive features supported by basic Blu-ray Java should work on every player.

“If studios put BD Live on their discs, the only thing that would be missing would be online functionality [for earlier Blu-ray models],” he said. “The impact on the consumer should be minimal.
...

HD DVD to give away complete $25K high def system

(9/28/2007)

http://www.allthingshidef.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=3C644C50F0DA47FDA581C56C5FDF5FC7&nm=Hi-Def+News&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=E7FA4E7449CB4A52A7724BA08386DD82

HD DVD announces a home theater sweepstakes where you can win a $25,000 system. Along with technology expert Oman Wasow, HD DVD will offer "one lucky person" a home theater makeover. The system will be complete with a high-definition TV, HD DVD player, movie library, surround sound, and interior design consultation.

According to the release, "A recent Pew Research study found that three out of four adults prefer to watch movies at home rather than out at the theater, so many Americans are transforming their living rooms into home theaters with high-definition TVs, HD DVD players, surround sound and more. For movie-lovers who are still watching on the really small screen -- those traditional, tiny standard-definition TVs -- it's time to high-def the home."

You can find information on how to enter the sweepstakes, as well as get expert tips from Oman Wasow on setting up your high definition home theatre on the Web site highdefyourhome.com. The sweepstakes starts 9/27/07 and ends 11:59 p.m. ET on 10/31/07.

Forrester research has come up with a report claiming that HD DVD might beat Blu-ray. This is news for everyone in the world, though it's vital to read between the lines. The publication says that the two camps are "fighting what seems to be a war of attrition for consumers’ hearts and minds", but concludes that Blu-ray makers need to cut prices dramatically:


"Blu-ray needs to offer a viable hardware model at the 250 dollar price point by Christmas 2007. The camp must also stave off further studio defections, and employ more aggressive promotional tactics to counter HD DVD’s recent momentum". If the camp can’t deliver on this it risks opening up the format to a "possible upset defeat at the hands of HD DVD".

Exclusive deals of HD DVD with Paramount and Dreamworks will definitely push their champion through a few rounds. Dreamworks has announced that the HD DVD of Shrek III will become available on November 13 (in the UK).

Unique extras will include a PIP storyboard reel that branches to lost scenes and three web-enabled downloads, including Shrek’s Trivia Track, a World of Shrek movie guide, and Donkey’s Digital Coloring Book.

Such advanced functionality is not yet possible on the Blu-ray platform, giving credence to Dreamworks' assertion that creative potential was a key consideration in the decision to back Blu-ray.


http://www.tech2.com/india/news/optical-drives/hd-dvd-might-knock-out-bluray/17811/0

PS3 and Xbox 360 neck and neck
28 Sept 2007
Link to this: http://news.spong.com/article/13884

The latest figures from Chart Track on hardware sales reveal that the PS3 saw 55% of its sales to date within a month of its release.

It's not all bad news for Sony, however. The figures reveal that at this point the PS3 and 360 are neck and neck in terms of hardware sales, despite the 360 having had a 12 week headstart (this year) before the PS3's launch on March 23rd.

Then again, since the launch of the Elite and the 360 price cut (when sales jumped 260%), things have shifted somewhat. Speaking to industry magazine MCV, Chart-Track director Dorian Bloch said,“Prior to week 34, it’s fair to say that Xbox 360 sales were verging on the unimpressive, but since Elite was released and the 360 price drop has kicked in, Xbox is outselling PS3 week-on-week.

“The consoles are at different stages of their lifecycles, and long-term the sales balance could easily shift. But unless a PS3 price cut comes in – and after Tokyo Games show it looks unlikely – it’s difficult to see the 360 not selling more by the end of the year.

“It had Halo 3 arriving this week, is cheaper and has a raft of software after being on the market for over two years. PS3 is still in its relative infancy.”

http://news.spong.com/article/13884?cb=882

LG Electronics GGW-H10N
http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a258897.html
http://www.lge.com/products/model/detail/ggw-h10n.jhtml
4x/2x/2x/4x/3.2x BD-R(SL)/BD-R(DL)/BD-RE(SL/DL)/BD-ROM(SL)/BD-ROM(DL) • 3x HD DVD-ROM • 8x/8x/8x/6x/10x DVD+R/DVD+RW/DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD-ROM • 4x/4x DVD+R/DVD-R DL • 16x/16x/32x CD-R/CD-RW/CD-ROM

Combodrive able to bluray write, DVD write, CD write, HD-DVD read. Price 700 euros.

The sun'll come out, tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun.

And then that sun will set.

Horizon has officially accounced the Hz7220 SoC for Blu-ray/HD DVD:

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-01-2007/0004673222&EDATE=

International Seminar on optical storage technology: HD DVD / DVD CH-speech theme (http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=zh-CN&langpair=zh%7Cen&u=http://stor-age.zdnet.com.cn/stor-age/2007/0928/528612.shtml)


Group of China and China were submitted to the BDA AVS sponsors and DRA (http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=zh-CN&langpair=zh%7Cen&u=http://stor-age.zdnet.com.cn/stor-age/2007/0929/529040.shtml)

M2 Memory-Tech to the sale of DVD / HD DVD production lines GM (http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=zh-CN&langpair=zh%7Cen&u=http://stor-age.zdnet.com.cn/stor-age/2007/0929/529288.shtml)

Samsung Dual Format HD DVD/Blu-ray Disc Player Delayed to December
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=9115

Samsung's high-end Blu-ray Disc player cancelled


Samsung was one of the first to market with a Blu-ray Disc player last year, but the South Korean company now appears to be pulling the plug on the release of its high-end player that was originally slated for this fall.

The Samsung BDP-2400 has been cancelled and will not be brought to market, according to WesleyTech. The report speculates that Samsung decided to cancel the player as it was unable to meet the October 31 deadline for BD 1.0 specifications.

The BDP-2400 isn’t the only machine to hit a release date snag, though, as Samsung’s dual-format HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc player is also reportedly pushed back to December.

The hybrid player, originally announced back in April, was expected for a release in October or November.

Samsung VP of Digital AV marketing Reid Sullivan said in a previous story, "Samsung is excited to introduce a new line of high-definition players that will enrich the theater experience at home... From the top-of-the-line BD-UP5000 to the entry BD-P1400 to the company's first home theater system with Blu-ray disc playback, Samsung offers a range of products at different price points to suit the growing consumer demand."

Toshiba introduces four new HD DVD notebooks (http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/34122/145/)

Irvine (CA) – Toshiba has begun offering six new notebooks today, four of which include HD DVD drives as standard feature. The technology is moving quickly into the mainstream with HD DVD notebooks now being offered from $1150.
...

M2 Memory-Tech to the sale of DVD / HD DVD production lines GM (http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=zh-CN&langpair=zh%7Cen&u=http://stor-age.zdnet.com.cn/stor-age/2007/0929/529288.shtml)See post #3148.

http://www.betanews.com/article/Theres_Still_No_Next_Gen_DVD_Winner_Yet/1191262774

Further data from Netflix seems to indicate similar momentum towards HD DVD. While views of the Blu-ray genre between July and Augst where on the average nearly twice as many as that of HD DVD, those who actually set a preference chose HD DVD by a margin of 2.4 to 1.

The data also showed flat adoption for Blu-ray while rates rose for HD DVD, and a higher likelihood by almost 4.5 times that a HD DVD browser would set the format as his or her preferred one.

Blu-ray eyeing China
http://contentagenda.com/article/CA6485974.html?industryid=45173

After initially turning a cold shoulder to China, the Blu-ray Disc Assn. is warming up to Chinese OEMs and consumers, BDA spokesman and Pioneer Electronics senior VP Andy Parsons tells Content Agenda.

The BDA has begun formal evaluation of AVS (Advanced Video System), a Chinese-developed video codec, and DRA (Digital Rise Audio), a Chinese audio format, for possible inclusion in Blu-ray players made and sold in China.

The decision to evaluate the codecs was announced at a press conference held in Beijing on Sept. 28.

If adopted, the move would put Blu-ray on par with HD DVD, which has already approved the use of AVS in a Chinese version of HD DVD currently slated for launch there in May 2008.

Parsons says no decision has been reached yet on whether Blu-ray players incorporating the Chinese codecs would be limited to the Chinese market, as the DVD Forum has sought to do with China-only HD DVD players, or they could be exported to the rest of the world.

"We don't know where we would draw the line, or even if we would draw a line," Parsons said. "Generally, we haven't tried to regionalize the format."

Either way, China has become a major strategic focus for the Blu-ray camp, according to Parsons. "Clearly, we're putting a lot of effort into promoting the format in China," he said.

The new emphasis on the Chinese market and Chinese manufacturers represents a bit of a turnaround for the Blu-ray camp. The format's developers were initially reluctant to license the technology to low-cost Chinese CE makers, fearing a rapid decline in prices would make it harder to recoup their investment.

Horizon Semiconductors unveils industry's first true 1080/60p universal system-on-a-chip solution for next generation HD-DVD and Blu-ray media players/recorders (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-01-2007/0004673222&EDATE=)

edit: already posted by amillians :o

Horizon Semiconductors unveils industry's first true 1080/60p universal system-on-a-chip solution for next generation HD-DVD and Blu-ray media players/recorders (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-01-2007/0004673222&EDATE=)Day late and $850M short...see earlier news posting. :)

Day late and $850M short...see earlier news posting. :)

whoops. Just saw the link on engadget. My bad.

Sony DADC Produces 10 Millionth 50 Gigabyte Blu-ray Disc

Production milestone reflects the increasing popularity of 50 Gigabyte
Blu-ray Disc in the Home Entertainment market

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony DADC today announced the
production of its 10 millionth 50 Gigabyte Blu-ray Disc (BD50). Sony DADC
manufactures BD50s in its three plants, located in Terre Haute, Indiana;
Salzburg, Austria; and Shizuoka, Japan. The ten millionth BD50 was
manufactured at Sony DADC's Terre Haute facility, and was "Spider-Man(TM)
3" from Columbia Pictures.
Since the launch of this High Definition format, Sony DADC has produced
more than 50 million Blu-ray Discs in its three plants, In addition, these
three plants have a combined Blu-ray manufacturing capacity of 21 million
discs per month.
"A year and a half ago, when the dual-layer 50 Gigabyte Blu-ray Disc
was introduced it caused a stir amongst the content creation industry,"
said Bob Hurley, EVP, Sales and Marketing. "The exceptionally high storage
capacity enables movie studios to present their titles in the very best
High Definition visual and audio quality. Furthermore, these huge capacity
discs provide opportunities to load added value content, such as bonus
material, interviews with the actors and production team, plus rich
BD-Java-based interactivity designed to provide a complete entertainment
experience."
Since Blu-ray Disc manufacturing began in Terre Haute in May '06,
capacity and yield rates have consistently climbed.
"BD25 yield rates and machine output performance have exceeded our
expectations.
Single layer yields are consistently around 85% and daily machine
output levels are approaching parity with our DVD assets," said Mike
Mitchell, EVP Sony DADC. "With regard to BD50, yields have increased
steadily, and are consistently between 75% and 79%. Cycle times for BD50
have likewise been improved dramatically. As demand for both BD25 and BD50
increases and the production lines are run more consistently, we fully
anticipate further yield improvements."
To promote market development of Blu-ray Disc manufacturing, Sony DADC
has worked with leading system integrators of disc replication equipment
such as Singulus and Oerlikon in the areas of dual layer Blu-ray production
technologies. As a result, both Singulus and Oerlikon have recently
announced the shipping of their first BD50 production liners to their
customers within the next few weeks.
About Sony DADC
Sony DADC, a leading producer of optical disc media, has cutting-edge
optical media manufacturing facility locations in Terre Haute, IN and
Pitman, NJ. Although widely known for its quality disc production and
distribution services, Sony DADC also develops and delivers dynamic
technologies that not only protect disc content, but also transform discs
into powerful marketing tools by adding secure links to bonus web-site
content or prize incentives. Sony DADC operates within the Sony Corporation
of America corporate group. Visit us at http://www.sonydadc.com or call
1.800.358.7316 for more information.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-02-2007/0004674217&EDATE=


SOURCE Sony DADC

Venturer’s $199 HD DVD Player Only $249 at Target.com
http://formatwarcentral.com/index.php/2007/10/02/venturers-199-hd-dvd-player-only-249-at-targetcom/

Target.com has a pre-order listing for Venturer’s upcoming “cheap” HD DVD player. The only problem is the player is priced at $249.99. This contradicts the previous press release indicating the player will be priced at $199.00 or less. We wonder who on earth would buy this player, since our local Costco has the Toshiba HD-D2 for the same price.

Target sells the HD-A2 at $299.99 so it will be interesting to see what price the Venturer goes for in more discount oriented retailers.

Best Buy offers nine HD DVDs with player (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6486344.html)

OCT. 2 | Best Buy is offering nine free HD DVDs with the purchase of its $399 Toshiba HD A30 HD DVD player, upping the ante of Toshiba’s promotional offer of seven free HD DVDs with each third-generation player.

All new Toshiba HD DVD player models are being shipped with two HD DVD movies in the box, 300 from Warner Home Video and Bourne Identity from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The promotion also includes five free movies by mail, out of a selection of 15.

HD DVD to Launch Online Shopping Feature (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQrEE41eK89R-pBrtODoRq5F8hwgD8S1JTKO0)

"Evan Almighty," to be released Oct. 9, will contain a simple Web browser that connects to Universal's online store, which will be offering products vaguely related to the movie. Previews of the site featured toilet paper made of recycled materials — 12 rolls for $14 — and a rain barrel for $135 (the movie is a retelling of the story of Noah's Ark). The products offered may change by the time the disc goes on sale.

It's uncertain whether consumers will appreciate the shopping opportunity, especially since the transaction has to be completed using the remote. Judging by a demonstration of the technology, entering credit-card information and a home address using the remote and an onscreen keyboard is a slow process. It can be shortened by creating an account in advance on a home computer, then logging into it through the player.

The online shopping feature may not be immediately appealing to consumers, but they are not the only battleground in the HD DVD versus Blu-ray fight. It's also important for each format to woo the studios. The HD DVD camp scored a major victory in August, when it lured Paramount into its fold. The studio had previously issued movies in both formats. With a few exceptions, HD DVD is now its only high-definition format.

Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros. is now the only major studio to release discs in both formats. The Walt Disney Co., News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures release only Blu-ray discs. Sony Corp. is the main maker of Blu-ray players. Its PlayStation 3 game console plays Blu-ray discs, providing a large base of players

From Video Business: (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6486339.html)

“This isn’t e-commerce from a revenue standpoint, but it’s about the technology and showing how far we can go,” said Ken Graffeo, Universal executive VP of marketing and co-president of the North American HD DVD Promotional Group.

Graffeo and Microsoft HD DVD evangelist Kevin Collins demonstrated Evan Almighty HD DVD interactivity on the Universal lot on Tuesday.

HD DVD adopters are already proving they want Web-enabled features, adds Graffeo. On the Aug. 28 street date of the season one Heroes HD DVD, 40% of buyers immediately registered themselves to access the title’s Web offerings. This Heroes interactivity includes downloadable trailers and exclusive, personalized content relating to the official Heroes Web site.

Universal is already refreshing its HD DVD product with downloadable content not included at street date. Several days ago, the studio posted three new Heroes second season trailers to the Heroes HD DVD download section. The ability to constantly update titles is one of the advantages studios see with Web connectivity on high-definition discs.

Although Universal is proud of its gains with the HD DVD format, Graffeo noted that upcoming marketing for the format will focus on overall high-definition education rather than interactivity breakthroughs.

http://crunchgear.com/wp-content/uploads/01_ushop_shop06.jpg

http://a330.g.akamai.net/7/330/2540/20071002233956/www.videobusiness.com/articles/images/VB/library/TheAlmightyStore-HiDefFeatures.jpg

Fox's new Blu-ray titles with BD+ won't playing in all players
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/10/03/foxs-new-blu-ray-titles-with-bd-wont-playing-in-all-players/

Boy did we see this one coming. Fox just came out of their hiatus and with their first two releases they opted to use Blu-ray's optional DRM, BD+ -- which has been part of the spec, but this is the first time it's been used. The problem is that all the Blu-ray players aren't ready for BD+ yet, and without a firmware update you can't play the movies at all. You'd think the problem would only plauge 1st gen hardware, but the Samsung BD-P1000 was able to play the new discs just fine after a very long delay. The newer BD-P1200 didn't fair as well, but instead you see a scary red screen instructing you to install a firmware update that doesn't exist. We've contacted Samsung to see what the deal is and we'll let you know if we hear anything. We'd tell you to avoid titles with BD+ for now, but there's no way to know just from looking at the package, so just avoid just avoid these two Fox titles for now (The Day After Tomorrow and Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer).

Rock is cooking HD DVD laptops (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/stuff/20071003/ttc-rock-is-cooking-hd-dvd-laptops-6017cbb.html)

Stuff - Wednesday, October 3 06:45 pm´

Tosh may have promised to equip all its laptops with HD DVD drives by next year but gaming crew Rock isn't waiting.It reckons it's time to bestow the Blu-ray rival on the masses and has declared it the best value for money next-gen format.First to enjoy the HD bounty include the 15.4in Pegasus 670 (pictured) starting at a pound shy of £1000 and the 17in Xtreme 770, which both come with HDMI for hooking up to the big screen.Hi-def laptops from a grand? Yes please!EssentialsRock Pegasus 670, Xtreme 770Price: £1000, £1200On sale: NowContact:http://www.rockdirect.com/

Latest Developments Related to Blu-Ray Announced at CEATEC (http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=21537)

- TDK's 100 Quad-layer BD-R
- Multi-layer BD-R reproduction by Hitachi
- Panasonic Laser Diode For 8x BD Recording

Toshiba and Microsoft Announce Plans to Form Advanced Interactivity Consortium (http://usstock.jrj.com.cn/news/2007-10-05/000002750083.html)

TOKYO and REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Toshiba Corp. and Microsoft Corp. today announced plans to form the Advanced Interactivity Consortium (AIC), an open forum aimed at the promotion of superior interactivity for a wide range of next-generation consumer devices, digital content and distribution scenarios. The newly formed organization''s mission is to maximize consumer satisfaction worldwide by accelerating industrywide adoption of advanced interactivity and interoperability across a broad array of HD DVD products.
...
The new organization will also focus attention on ways to bring these advanced scenarios to other services and platforms, including digital downloads to DVD players, PCs, TVs, cell phones, portable media players and game consoles.

"Creating attractive consumer experiences with advanced interactivity is critical to bringing digital home entertainment to the next level," said Hisatsugu Nonaka, corporate executive vice president at Toshiba. "In order to create these ecosystems, we wanted to bring together a group of companies committed to extending these scenarios across a wide variety of platforms. The Advanced Interactivity Consortium will advocate for these platforms as well as help ensure interoperability of HD DVD players and services."

"The Advanced Interactivity Consortium has its roots in the work we''ve done with HDi(TM) and HD DVD, but is open to all companies interested in bringing a broader set of experiences to consumers on different platforms," said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "We look forward to contributing to this effort with HDi, our implementation of HD DVD''s interactive layer, and to collaborate with AIC members on how to extend interactive compatibilities to the consumer electronics market. The goal is to ensure a high-quality experience not only through optical discs but also through new digital download services."

Based on easy-to-program Web standards, HDi technology naturally lends itself to cross-platform implementations and integration in online content services. For content owners, HDi provides a simple development environment, resulting in a seamless and visually consistent experience from device menus to Web-based applications.

The Advanced Interactivity Consortium will also include major Hollywood studios DreamWorks Animation SKG, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros., which have given their commitment to these advanced scenarios and experience bringing new features to consumers. Each studio currently distributes, or will distribute, HD DVD titles with HDi-enabled features, from advanced in-movie navigation, bookmarking and picture-in-picture, to Web- enabled communities, content downloads and e-commerce stores.

"We are pleased to support the formation of the Advanced Interactivity Consortium and look forward to further developing interactive scenarios on HD DVD that will extend the consumer experience to new platforms," said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital Platforms. "By following a standards-based approach, this collaboration will uniformly benefit consumers as well as the industry."

The AIC founding member companies plan to formalize the organization shortly and to extend additional partner invitations.

No future for Blu-ray recorders, admits Panasonic (http://avzombie.com/blog/2007/10/04/no-future-for-blu-ray-recorders-admits-panasonic/)

Blu-ray recorders are unlikely to make it out of Japan anytime soon. So says Fumio Ohtsubo, president of Panasonic parent Matsushita. Speaking at this week’s Ceatec tech show in Japan, he confirmed that he said the future for non-Japanese Blu-ray lies in the form of players and not recorders.
Matsushita’s senior managing director Toshihiro Sakamoto added the HD format war was already over in Japan. “There’s no question about it.” However, Sakamoto conceded that this Christmas will prove a critical one for the format outside of Japan.

First Meeting of HD DVD Patent Holders Held (http://www.ad-hoc-news.de/CorporateNews/en/13569687/First-Meeting-of-HD-DVD-Patent-Holders-Held)

MPEG LA announced today that the first meeting of essential HD DVD patent owners, currently consisting of 16 companies, was held in Los Angeles on September 11 for the purpose of creating a joint license providing fair, reasonable, non-discriminatory access to essential patents, as an alternative to negotiating separate licenses. Initial participating companies include LG Electronics Inc.; MICROSOFT Corporation; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; NEC Corporation; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.; Sonic Solutions; TDK Corporation; THOMSON Licensing; Toshiba Corporation; Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.(JVC); and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.

MPEG LA applauds the extraordinary cooperation of so many diverse companies working together to come up with an efficient way for users of the multitude of patents employed in HD DVD devices, discs and related implementations to address their licensing needs, said MPEG LA CEO Larry Horn. And the substantial progress made in this initial meeting bodes well for achieving it.

Triple-layer 51GB HD DVD May Be Ready

Author: CHRIS TRIBBEY
ctribbey@questex.com
Posted: October 3, 2007

http://www.homemediaretailing.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?sec_id=2&&article_ID=11307

Several news outlets are reporting the DVD Forum has approved, or is close to approving, Toshiba’s 51GB, triple-layer, single-sided HD DVD, which was first announced at the CES show this year.

Storing 17GB on each of the three layers, the new HD DVD, if used in production, would surpass Blu-ray Disc’s 50GB.

The DVD Forum did not wish to comment. However, Andy Parsons, chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association’s U.S. Promotions Group, was quick to slam the dig at the Blu-ray 50GB with the extra 1GB, and questioned how the 51GB HD DVD would affect production costs for HD DVD backers, and whether the new discs would play on existing HD DVD players.

“It will be very interesting to see how they address production issues,” he said. “And wait a minute, wasn’t the 30GB big enough for them? They were so adamant about it.”

Apparently as part of a separate effort from the HD DVD Promotional Group, Toshiba and Microsoft announced tomorrow morning Asia/Pacific time (this afternoon US time) they will form a new coalition dedicated to promoting the HDi interactive layer used in HD DVD.
Source: BetaNews.com (http://www.betanews.com/article/HD_DVD_Studios_to_Join_Microsoft_Toshiba_in_Promoting_HDi/1191528719)

Triple-layer 51GB HD DVD May Be Ready

http://www.homemediaretailing.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?sec_id=2&&article_ID=11307

Video Business is reporting replicators are now ready for 51GB:

Source (http://videobusiness.com/article/CA6487214.html)
A working group within the DVD Forum has approved the specification for a triple-layer 51GB HD DVD, confirmed a spokesperson for the North American HD DVD Promotion Group, opening the door for the format to be competitive with Blu-ray Disc’s highest-capacity 50GB disc.

Replicators can now start producing 51GB HD DVD discs, which include three layers holding 17GB capacity each. Production should drive manufacturers to begin testing how existing HD DVD players and drives can playback such the new discs.

No studio has announced plans to release a 51GB HD DVD, which was first announced as a developing technology during January’s CES. However, HD DVD backers will likely use the ability to create such high-capacity discs as ammunition in the format war.

Many Blu-ray supporters have pointed to their own 50GB BD releases as a competitive advantage to HD DVD, which to date has generated 15GB and 30GB discs. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s Oct. 30 BD release of Spider-Man 3 is among upcoming Blu-ray titles containing 50GB discs.

40GB €399 PS3 announced: http://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4434&NewsAreaID=2

http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a250601.html.

Edit: now for €92,40!

Fujitsu Launches Full HD H.264 Transcoder which extends recording time by more than 250% - Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd (http://www.htforum.com/vb/showthread.php?p=822642#post822642)
Product Announcements, 10/9/2007)
- Extends recording time by more than 2.5 times

Bangalore, September 10, 2007 - Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd (FMAL) today announced the release of a new transcoder chip that can compress full HD (1920 x 1080) MPEG-2 video data to H.264 data. The new chip, MB86H52, is capable of compressing MPEG-2 video to less than half the data size while maintaining the same video quality.


With such high compression, the new chip is ideal for use in recording equipment such as hard drives, etc., where recording time can be increased by more than 250%. It also allows transmission of full HD video over narrow bandwidths. With the predicted increase in home network appliances, there are also many opportunities to embed this transcoder into equipment where the video data size needs to be reduced.


MB86H52’s superior properties are the result of a proprietary algorithm developed by Fujitsu Laboratories that automatically applies less compression to areas in the image where compression artefacts are most noticeable to human vision, such as human faces or slow-moving objects, and greater compression to other areas. Thus, high image quality for the critical zones is maximised.


This technology allows the same video quality to be maintained when transcoding from MPEG-2 to H.264. For digital terrestrial and digital satellite broadcasts, data is compressed into MPEG-2 format providing high-resolution video. However, if this video is then recorded to hard drive, the file size is very large and the recording time limited. As such, Fujitsu developed this MB86H52 transcoder that converts MPEG-2 video to H.264, which has higher compression.

MB86H52 provides a full HD H.264 CODEC (COde/DECode) for video encoding and decoding, so that uncompressed video data can be compressed to the H.264 format, while the device can also decompress video data from compressed or transcoded H.264. The CODEC is the same as that used in the previously announced MB86H51 device.

CD Freaks: Pioneer BDC-S02BK mini review (http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/CDFreaks-presents-the-Pioneer-BDC-S02BK-Blu-ray-Combo-Drive-Mini-Review.html)
The Pioneer BDC-S02BK supports 12x DVD±R, 6x DVD+RW/-RW, and 4x DVD+R DL/-R DL writing technology, allowing Double/Dual Layer discs of 8.5GB to be written. In addition this drive also supports BD-ROM SL 8x, BD-R, BD-RE at 5x. In addition, the Pioneer BDC-S02BK also supports DVD-RAM reading and writing at 5x.

Positive:
Can read BD-ROM/BD-R/RE at 5x reading speed
Supports DVD-RAM read and write at 5x
Excellent/very good CD-R/RW writing quality.
Excellent/very good DVD±R/RW writing quality.
Excellent DVD±R DL writing quality.
Supports BitSetting (BookType DVD-ROM) on DVD+R DL.
Excellent build quality.
Good software package.
Near silent operation when playing back BD and DVD movies.


Negative:
Slow reading and writing of CD-R/DVD media by today’s standards
Doesn’t support BitSetting for DVD+R/RW
Single coloured LED for read/write.

PR dept reaction to news is not news. IMO.

PR dept reaction to news is not news. IMO.Alright - how about this one...:)

$399 PlayStation 3 due in November - Supply expected to be tight for stripped-down model (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6488196.html?desc=topstory)

OCT. 8 | U.S. retailers are excited about a new stripped-down $399 model of the PlayStation 3, but stores are anticipating supply will be tight.

...

However, sources say they have been warned by Sony reps that there will be production limitations on the new $399 PS3. Sony is expected to put most of its energy into generating its higher-end models, as they offer a better return on investment.

“This will be a marketing splash as much as anything else,” said one source. “It will get their name out there and show them that they are competitive with the other players. Inventory will be constrained, but [if customers can’t find the $399 PS3], maybe they’ll pay extra for another model.”

The source didn’t think backward incompatibility was a big problem, believing that many people will just keep their PlayStation 2 systems to play older games.

BestDisc Chooses DaTARIUS Quality Control Equipment For Blu-Ray (http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=21572)

BestDisc, an independent DVD manufacturer in Asia, recently opened a new facility in Taiwan focusing on BD-ROM, both single and dual layer, and equipped with quality control systems from DaTARIUS.

Mastering , galvanic and replication lines were installed and optimized earlier this year and, to help control and fine-tune their manufacturing process, BestDisc has chosen the DaTABANK solution equipped with a BD driveCube, along with the CoverTest stamper testing technology developed by DaTARIUS.

"For us, taking the lead in high definition media was a strategic decision," says Mr. Sam Yang, the Vice President of BestDisc. "Although BD is not yet on the weekly shopping list for consumers worldwide, the market penetration improves virtually on a daily basis, and we are confident that BD will lead high definition optical media."

"In order to make our manufacturing process run more smoothly, we have selected what we believe to be the most experienced and reliable partner in DaTARIUS. Their solution for stamper and disc testing has proved to give us the best correlation between stamper and disc measurements. In addition to delivering reference measurements, the built-in tools such as statistic analysis and remote monitoring are ideally suited to our QC needs."

BestDisc BD discs passed the quality verification by Sony's Blu-ray Test Centre in early September.

Optiarc (Sony/NEC joint venture) announces two drives:

BC-5500A (laptop drive): BD reader and standard CD and DVD burner. Available now, price not released.

BWU-200S (desktop drive): BD-R and RE burner. On sale in the US in November for around $600.


The Register (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/10/sony_unviels_laptop_bd_dribe/)

And the survey says...........

HDTV Sets and Laptops Top Holiday Wish Lists
http://www.srgnet.com/pdf/Holiday%20Wish_Lists_Press_Release_October_10_2007.pdf

1. Flat Screen HDTV - 35%
2. New Laptop Computer (Windows) - 20%
3. New Digital Camera - 17%
4. New Desktop Computer (Windows) - 14%
5. GPS Navigation System - 10%
6. New Cell Phone - 10%
7. New Digital Video Camera - 9%
8. Nintendo Wii - 9%
9. Sony PS3 - 7%
10. Blu-Ray or HD DVD player - 6%

It should be a good Christmas season for HDM.

DVD Forum: 51GB HD DVD Still Testing; Paramount to Up HD DVD Efforts in 2008 (http://www.allthingshidef.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=3C644C50F0DA47FDA581C56C5FDF5FC7&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=3D3F9AA6B936472DB85F8B8367819859)

The 51GB HD DVD is a reality, but whether it will work on existing HD DVD players is still up in the air, according to a Toshiba representative of the HD DVD Promotional Group. The announcement came Oct. 9 at the DVD Forum’s North America DVD Conference in Universal City, Calif.

Toshiba’s Mark Knox said the technology is still in the testing phase, but would likely receive final approval from the DVD Forum by the end of the year. The three-layer disc would narrowly trump the storage capacity of rival Blu-ray Disc’s 50GB.

“We’re still looking at the backwards compatibility,” Knox said, adding a firmware update for existing HD DVD players might be needed, should studios eventually use the technology.

Knox also added that more “twin format” HD DVDs could be in the works. Unlike the HD DVD combo discs, which have a high-def film on one side and a standard definition version on the other, the twin format can hold two 30 GB of HD DVD and 4.7 GB of standard definition on one side of a disc.

Only Bandai Visual’s Freedom 1 anime HD DVD, released quietly in June, has taken advantage of that technology.

Other news out of the DVD Forum event:

Paramount, which went HD DVD exclusive in August, has only four HD DVDs planned for the rest of the year. But the studio will make a bigger HD DVD splash in 2008, according to a Paramount representative. Roughly 30 titles from Paramount and DreamWorks are already planned for 2008.

Dan Silverberg, VP of high-def marketing for Warner Home Video, said it’s possible high-def set-top boxes could reach 1.2 million households by the end of the year.
“That’s a lot,” he admitted. “But it’s possible.”

That number was disputed by Paul Erickson, senior HD analyst for NPD DisplaySearch. He estimated fewer than 1 million high-def standalone players would be in homes by the end of the year, but that consumer adoption would pick up in 2008.

“We know the consumers are buying next-generation [optical disc], just not at the level we may have expected,” he said. “We feel that the format war is going to be somewhat extensive.”

Ken Graffeo, EVP of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group, said consumer comfort with DVD is getting in the way of high-def.

“Our real challenge isn’t really against Blu-ray,” he said. “It’s against consumer satisfaction with DVD.”

Silverberg also touted the fact that Warner Bros., as the last major studio releasing titles on both Blu-ray and HD DVD, owns the largest high-def software market share (36%) and claims the most high-def units sold for a single title (400,000 copies of 300).

Carl Pinto, VP of product development and product management for Toshiba, shared company estimates that show 5 million notebook PCs will be equipped with HD DVD technology in 2008. He emphasized the fact most of those notebooks will be easy to connect to a TV.

From CNet News

Blu-ray vs. HD DVD: War without end (http://www.news.com/Blu-ray-vs.-HD-DVD-War-without-end/2100-1041_3-6212782.html?tag=nefd.lede)

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—What if somebody started a format war and nobody came?

That was the question posed at the opening session of the DisplaySearch's 5th Annual HDTV Conference here. The much-hyped battle between opposing next-generation packaged media formats HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc still has no clear winner. Each of the panelists onhand to hash out the question of which side will prevail predictably had an agenda--to explain why his camp will win.

...

Slightly different take on the same event at Video Business...

HDTV DisplaySearch: HD DVD, Blu-ray supporters tout features (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6488844.html)

OCT. 10 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.--Supporters of the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc high-definition formats locked horns at the HDTV DisplaySearch conference here Wednesday, but all participants ultimately agreed they were heartened by the fact that consumers are adopting high-def discs, even slowly.

Originally posted by Merrick97 in another thread.......

HDTV DisplaySearch: HD DVD, Blu-ray supporters tout features
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6488844.html

“The chances are pretty slim” that high-def won’t succeed, said Don Eklund, executive VP of advanced technologies for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. “There are obstacles in getting consumers to appreciate it, but it’s inevitable it will roll. Satellite and cable do a good job of indoctrinating people to high-def and by extension high-def packaged media.”

Currently, high-def stand-alone players comprise a 5% unit share within the total DVD player market, according to DisplaySearch. Although that is small, that share has significantly improved in recent weeks. Between April 2006 and August 2007, next-gen set-tops totaled just 1.3% of the overall DVD player market.

By year end, there should be about 1 million Blu-ray and HD DVD set-top units sold, the research concern predicts.

On a revenue basis, next-gen players carved out a 27% share of the overall market during the month of August. That marks a rise from next-gen’s 11% share between April 2006 and August 2007.

However, HD DVD’s interactivity best mirrors the lifestyle of today’s growing YouTube, MySpace and Facebook fan base, countered Alan Bell, executive VP and chief technology officer at Paramount Pictures.

“Each of the formats creates great picture and sound, but we need something more to sell next-generation,” he said. “For younger folks, their choice of entertainment is to interact with others. Also, [Web interactivity] is an exciting transition between playing DVD and five to 10 years from now when things are digital.”

PS3 is expected to soon offer a firmware upgrade to boost its Blu-ray interactivity functionality, noted Sony’s Eklund.

From:
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6488844.html

HDTV DisplaySearch: HD DVD, Blu-ray supporters tout features
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 10/10/2007

...Warner Home Video’s 300 HD DVD title, one of the first releases to offer Web-based interactivity, sold half as many copies as the 300 Blu-ray version, which lacked those advanced features. Also, Warner VP of high-def marketing Dan Silverburg primarily credits PS3 users for what the studio believes is an impressive quarter of a million units sold of 300 on Blu-ray.

“For people who buy HDTVs, the intent is not to interact with it—it’s so they can have high-definition viewing,” said Andy Parsons, senior VP at Pioneer Electronics and chair of the Blu-ray Disc Assn.’s U.S. Promotion Committee. “Interactivity is nice, but it’s not causing people to say I won’t watch the movie [if it’s absent].”

From:
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6488844.html

HDTV DisplaySearch: HD DVD, Blu-ray supporters tout features
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 10/10/2007

...Warner Home Video’s 300 HD DVD title, one of the first releases to offer Web-based interactivity, sold half as many copies as the 300 Blu-ray version, which lacked those advanced features. Also, Warner VP of high-def marketing Dan Silverburg primarily credits PS3 users for what the studio believes is an impressive quarter of a million units sold of 300 on Blu-ray.

“For people who buy HDTVs, the intent is not to interact with it—it’s so they can have high-definition viewing,” said Andy Parsons, senior VP at Pioneer Electronics and chair of the Blu-ray Disc Assn.’s U.S. Promotion Committee. “Interactivity is nice, but it’s not causing people to say I won’t watch the movie [if it’s absent].”
have we been repeat-posting news and highlighting the portions that we find interesting or supportive of a position?

Three forum member posting the same link in three consecutive posts. This must be some kind of record. ;)

Sony's PlayStation 3 to double as IPTV set-top-box
http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/11/sonys-playstation-3-to-double-as-iptv-set-top-box/

Sony hasn't exactly been shy about expanding the capabilities of its PS3, and according to new reports from The Korea Times, even more non-game-related goodness will be headed its way. Apparently, KT (Korea's primary telecom operator) and Sony will "launch an internet-based TV service in November that runs on the PlayStation 3 game console," and as expected, the machine would act as a set-top-box for KT's IPTV service (Mega TV). Reportedly, neither company was willing to disclose pricing information (or any additional details, for that matter) just yet, so it looks like we'll be forced to play the wait-and-see game for now.

Samsung releases Blu-ray firmware ugrade for BD+
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6488792.html


Starting this Friday, Samsung owners will be able to upgrade players to increase functionality, including enhanced playability of advanced copyright protection technology BD+.


... so was it BD+? Or wasn't it?

... so was it BD+? Or wasn't it?

http://www.dvdtown.com/news/the-latest-on-blu-ray--silver-surfer-issues/4805

We put in a call to Steven Feldstein, Senior Vice President of Corporate & Marketing Communications at Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, and Feldstein assured DVDTOWN that Fox thoroughly researched the technology before releasing the latest round of titles.

"Everything played perfectly when we tested it on every available machine," including the BD-P1200 and LG BH100, Feldstein said. He added that Fox´s research people told him the players they used had the latest firmware installed, and so the problem doesn´t appear to be widespread--that it´s early versions of the players that seem to be incompatible. Some players won´t play the movie, others have troubles with the bonus features. Newer products rolling off the line are apparently fine.

According to Feldstein, both Samsung and LG have already developed firmware upgrades and should be going public with them very soon (see below). "With firmware upgrades, everything plays beautifully," Feldstein said.

"Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" boasts cutting-edge technology, driven by BD-Java and incorporating BD+ for copyright protection. While some disgruntled Samsung and LG owners have been pointing the finger at the new encryption technology, "BD+ is not the culprit," Feldstein said.

"BD+ allows us to be able to release our titles in Hi-Def, and to continue to do so," Feldstein said. "Each film is an asset, and unfortunately Hi-Definition master is the best source there is for pirates."

HD technology is still in its infancy, and Feldstein admitted "We´re trying to push the envelope."

High-def sides boast interactivity features (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6490438.html)

HDTV DISPLAYSEARCH: Full-profile Blu-ray players coming; HD DVD has more on Web

...
However, HD DVD backers still own the market on Web functionality for now. No manufacturer has announced the rollout of BD Live players, which would be capable of such Web connectivity.

In fact, HD DVD will offer its most advanced Web features yet with the launch this year of remote networked control. With this feature, users can be linked up for private presentations, in which a group leader can direct the sessions remotely from a variety of devices, including mobile phones and PCs.

Microsoft HD DVD evangelist Kevin Collins said studios envision a filmmaker treating fans who’ve bought his or her HD DVD to exclusive discussions and video presentations.

Collins declined to name the HD DVD title set to first include remote networked control, but he said it will street by the end of the year.

“This takes networking to a new level, and it has never been done on a title,” said Collins.

http://www.dvdtown.com/news/the-latest-on-blu-ray--silver-surfer-issues/4805

From the same article:


BD-P1000 Firmware Update
This firmware update provides the following benefits:
·Enhanced Blu-ray movie title playability regarding BD+
BD-P1200 Firmware Update
The firmware update provides the following benefits:
·Improves playback compatibility in some movies
·Enhanced Blu-ray movie title playability regarding BD+
·Enhanced performance of in-movie games
·Fixing audio noise in some movies


So I guess the issue was BD+ ?

HDTV Attachment Sales Seen As Critical (http://www.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=194524)

Noah Herschman, Amazon.com audio/video director, said his company has long pushed product bundling through online mechanisms that help the purchaser "maximize the experience of the purchase." This includes personalization reminders that indicate other customers who have purchased an item also purchased a second related item that might be helpful. Amazon also offers a highly trained customer call center to walk customers through complex purchases.

...

Herschman said "we see a lot of different technology on our best-seller lists, and one that we see a lot is DLP technology, which still has strong demand. There is going to be a lot of interesting things coming from them, including laser and 3D, which will be good for gamers. Also, HD DVD and Blu-ray consistently rank at the top of our lists. The HD-A2 from Toshiba is the No. 1 selling DVD player in units today."The HD-A2 is the No. 1 selling DVD player at Amazon? Now that is saying something...

^^^ Recent article had HD optical players rising from 1.3% market share to 5% of all DVD player sales in August. So 1/20 of all DVD players sold now are HD DVD or Blu-ray units.

It would make sense with all the different DVD models to choose from that the dominate selling model for that 1/20 subset might be a high ranking seller.

But number 1 is saying something.

From the same article:



So I guess the issue was BD+ ?

Hi,

I'm not a computer guru, however, judging from the public statements, it is quite likely that the BD+ on the discs was correct, but the Samsung and LG hardware/firmware was incorrectly interpreting the code.

So the real problem was in the player implementations of some earlier models, not in the BD+ coding.

Larry

HD DVD moves forward with recorders, 51GB disc
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6490435.html

Knox also reiterated that the Forum is nearing finalization of a triple-layer 51GB disc specification. If produced, these discs each holding 17GB capacity per layer, would boost the format’s competitiveness against Blu-ray Disc, which has already released numerous 50GB titles. To date, HD DVD titles are in 15GB and 30GB configurations.

Also in the HD DVD development pipeline is a ‘twin format.’ In this twist on the HD DVD-DVD combo, there are two layers of HD DVD and one layer of standard-definition sitting on one side of the disc. With combos, the HD DVD and standard-definition DVD sit on opposite sides of the same disc.

Blu-ray goes independent: the thinking behind the Infodisc BD install (http://www.oto-online.com/pdf/oto_download/2007/10/OTO_Oct07_P27-30_Infodisc.pdf)

INFODISC HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF OVER the last nine years as a independent supplier to the disc industry with its own client base.This includes many of its larger competitors, being highly credited offload supplier. Starting life in October 1999, as the German arm of the Taiwanese mass disc producer of the same name, Infodisc Technology Germany concentrated on the DVD business...

“If only half the numbers quoted from the industry analysts are correct,” says Gutowski on the decision to invest in a Blu-ray line,“then there will be a huge demand and even Sony will be struggling to meet the demand, even in this high season.”

So there must be enough business to do and Gutowski wants to be ready when it does. “If we are too early and we have made the wrong decision and it doesn’t develop for another 18 months then we have a problem.”

“If there was any other independent else who had already made this decision then I wouldn’t have been brave enough to be the second. But to be the first in Europe and to also be so well connected to the States, this was an opportunity that we didn’t want to miss.”

Infodisc is looking for a business for Blu-ray discs that would be supplied globally. The plan is that a lot of the discs will end up in the US, with the slow take-up of discs for European consumer.

The installation has a lot of space around it.This is a single layer Indigo line, that will be expanded to 50GB in a month or so’s time. The system will be physically split and the dual layer section inserted with, hopefully, little disruption to production.

Moving into 50GB Blu-ray disc production is important says Gutowski. “So very clearly the future must be in high definition media and the demand is in BD50 for the studio business so it is our clear aim to be one of the first to offer BD50 so that’s where we want to be.”

Gutowski is planning for an output of 15,000 single layer discs a day and as soon as the Indigo is upgraded it should do 10,000 dual layer a day with 24-hour production in three shifts.

THE EXPECTATION IS THAT BLU-RAY MASTERS will be sourced from wherever is defined by the client.They could equally come from LA,Taiwan or Eindhoven. “Sometime in the future it is most likely that the Blu-ray stampers will come out of Eindhoven with OMT, but the only system really up and running at the moment is the Sony PTM.”

The inevitable question has got to be why BD and not HD DVD. Surely HD DVD is easier and cheaper to get established.This seems to be a strong reason for an early adopter to get into Blu-ray.

Infodisc has had HD DVD lines up and running since end of last year and the Blu-ray line is there to complete their production service. Production cycle times for HD DVD are about 3.5s using lines that can switch from DVD to HD DVD.

The materials production cost is very similar for the two formats Gutowski says. “If the line is up and running then the manufacturing cost of BD and HD DVD is very similar but there is a huge difference in cost of investment. If you look at mastering, there is also the test equipment as well as the mastering systems. You also have to be a member of AACS and BD Association group and that adds more cost and its not always that easy.”

On that basis, there is actually an attraction in a complex and costly solution. Whilst there are many barriers to entry for Blu-ray production, it is relatively
easy to get into HD DVD, and with less initial investment.This maybe why One to One has already heard that the increasing price pressure on HD DVD production, has already started bandying about numbers around 80 US cents per discs.

It also means, for the time being at least, there will be the long sought-for level playing field for Blu-ray disc production as not paying the various licensing fees is simply not going to be an option.

Given that you will be reading this quite a few weeks after this conversation took place, Gutowski may already know whether he made the right decision. If he has, then he will already be negotiating orders for additional lines. If the business doesn’t come on stream then life goes on but with a few heavy conversations with the industry analysts, says Gutowski who has been working on the basis that if there is only a small proportion of the business being predicted by the analysts, then Infodisc will be on a winner

“The numbers are predicting that there will be a huge demand and even Sony will be struggling to meet the demand even in this high season.The studio demand is for BD50 which is only Sony at the moment. In theory we ought to be ordering four more lines right now and in the perfect world we would like have the second system in the course of this year and number three and four in Q1 next year".

And if the numbers are wrong? “The worst case we will be sitting here and Sony will still have capacity – then we will have to sit down and have some serious discussions with all those industry analysts that have come up with the numbers.”


-------------------------------------------------------

Editorial on blu-ray replication, from a visit to Infodisc, with a lot of positives for BD...:)

The difficult we can do, doing the impossible just takes a little longer (http://www.oto-online.com/pdf/oto_download/2007/10/OTO_Oct07_P03-04_Contents+Editorial.pdf)

...
Whilst spin-coating seemed an impossible aim, there is this legacy of knowledge that developers have already and which, if not exactly perfecting the spin-coating process, has at least made it a production reality. The ingenious intermediary curing is eminently practical and even in the less-than-perfect production conditions on the day at Infodisc – ie, a whole crowd of industry onlookers poking around the line – it was producing workable results.

The development is far from finished – the rheology and the curing properties of the cover layer materials is under constant investigation and the mechanical process will be simplified as the materials technology gets further refined.
...

AACS still trying to manage copying (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6491483.html)

The AACS Licensing Administrator has finally wised up and stopping giving estimates of when it might finish work on a final DRM license.

“We’ve sort of burned ourselves in the past by giving estimates and then missing those dates, so I think I won’t hazard a guess at this point,” AACS spokesman and Toshiba senior attorney Michael Ayers told Content Agenda.

The eight member companies of AACS-LA met in Japan last week, where they inched the ball forward but still have much to do.

“We’re farthest along on the agreement for device makers,” Ayers said. “The content participant agreement will follow on that but we’ll release them at the same time.”

Ayers said the group realized it made a mistake with the interim license by releasing the device-maker agreement before work on the content participant agreement was completed.

“Some issues came up that required changes in the device-makers agreement but it was already set and released to manufacturers, so it couldn’t be changed,” he said.

Topping the list of uncompleted business is managed copy, an issue whose complexity has vexed the group from the start.

“We’re working out the details of setting up and maintaining a default server for managed copy,” Ayers said. “There will probably be several managed-copy servers out there, but AACS-LA will offer a server itself that will at least handle basic managed-copy functions for smaller studios that don’t want to maintain one themselves. The idea is that, even if it isn’t a great business for a third-party to offer a managed-copy server, smaller studios will be able to use the AACS server at a cost that will make it viable for them. How all of that is going to work is what we’re working on now.”

Even if no fee is being charged for a copy, AACS managed copy will still require an online transaction to authenticate an original disc, certify the DRM being used on the copy or to unlock the content.

The group intends to make managed-copy mandatory for content participants within one year of a final license being adopted. That likely pushes any managed-copy implementations into the first part of 2009, at the earliest.

The group is also considering steps to shorten the time between identifying an attack on the encryption system and deploying a response in the form of updated decryption keys.

“We’ve now gone through the process twice now, and we’re confident the process works, but timing is still an issue,” Ayers said. “Right now the agreement allows for a fair amount of time for player manufacturers to rollout an update after an attack has been identified. We’re looking at ways to shorten that.”
...

The Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of 2007
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4224767.html?series=37&page=10&?series=37

LG Super Blu Player


As the hi-def disc-format war rages on, wary HDTV enthusiasts are inclined to wait on the sidelines until the dust has settled. But LG has created a safe haven for early adopters. The Super Blu Player ($1000) plays both HD DVDs and Blu-ray discs, and it upscales regular DVDs to hi-def resolutions. LG will have to drop the Super Blu’s price to stay competitive, but the point has been made: Technology companies created this confusing mess, and it’s their job to clean it up.

Paramount to display “Transformers” film prop in L.A. for DVD & HD DVD release (http://www.highdefdiscnews.com/?p=281)

http://highdefdiscnews.com/images/bumblebee.jpg

Paramount has sent out an e-mail via PR (Public Relations) that says in L.A. (Los Angeles) Tuesday, October 16th starting at 7:00 a.m., through Sunday, October 21st. A full-size, 18-foot tall, 8,200 pound traffic-stopping robot (of “Bumblebee” from “Transformers” being released today on HD DVD) will greet passers-by in the courtyard of the West Hollywood Gateway shopping center on the corner of La Brea and Santa Monica Blvd. This actual prop from the blockbuster film requires a forklift and 10 ton crane to assemble and set up and he will make for an extraordinary visual.

Since we’re located here on the East Coast and won’t be in the L.A. area to cover this we would like any of our readers out around L.A. to send in your photos. We’ll be more happy to credit you. So today is launch day as this is why they’re doing this promotion so go order your copy from Amazon or if you already have we hope you enjoy the HD DVD as much as we did! Hands down this is ONE OF THE BEST HD DVD’s RELEASED TO DATE.

Paramount unveils their signature HD-DVD release of 2007 (http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/61561/Transformers-HD-DVD-Presentation-And-Luncheon-With-Peter-Cullen.htm)

Paramount ushers in the HD-DVD era with the release of one of the biggest hits of the summer, Transformers as their signature HD-DVD title of the year. Coming out on DVD and HD-DVD on October 16th, Paramount showed how this new 2-disc set will revolutionize the HD-DVD format.

Chris Saito, VP of marketing at Paramount, introduced the proceedings. The producers of the HD-DVD set for Transformers ran down the content of the discs as well as sampled video from the movie and the extras on discs 1 and 2 which included the following:

-The DVD producers demonstrated the H.U.D. track for the disc. Basically this is a combination text and pop-up video commentary, featuring textual factoids on the movie's production, as well as picture-within-picture of the live on-set production to a screen-specific scene. Also when we see Autobots and Optimus Prime on screen for the first time, we see footage of Peter Cullen recording his lines in the booth.

-The producers than went into one of the more ambitious features of the HD-DVD technology and this release, the web enabled features and content. The web enabled features for this DVD will allow users to download content straight from the net onto your disc and player. Over 23,000 lines of code had to be made for the web features alone.

-The web enabled features will allow the following: custom toolbars, playlists, and "my clips" feature, and a profiler program. Fans can view a 3D gallery of the Transformers robots. These were made using the original ILM CG models for the transformers. There was a special Profiler feature for the web enabled content. This is a web feature that while you watch the movie adds movie fictional text factoids about the characters while watching the movie. Basically when Ratchet notes about Sam "wanting to mate" with Mikaela, the factoid pops up saying that Mikaela did as well after smelling Sam's pheromones. The factoids also provide more background and character profiles for the Autobot and Decepticon characters. It also has a GPS world map tracker that shows where the transformers or main characters are through points in the movie.

-When asked about the competing BLU-RAY/HD-DVD technologies, Alan Bell (tech specialist for Paramount) said their main goal was to put something out that could play on all HD-DVD players, including the oldest ones. It was noted that BLU-RAY doesn't have this amount of accessibility at the moment.

-Any content downloaded for the web enabled features on this DVD will stay on your player until it gets full or the user decides to remove it.

-Privacy and user information issues regarding the downloadable content were brought up. Saito noted that information regarding the downloads are under the "opt in" policy. The DVD producers said this would not be a problem and made it out that user information would be secure.

Tight global supply of slim-type DVD burners extends to 12.7mm models, say Taiwan makers (http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20071015PD215.html)

While the global supply of slim-type DVD burners appeared to be tight for super slim 9.5mm models alone in the third quarter of 2007, the global shortage extended to 12.7mm models in September, and consequently the production capacity of slim-type DVD burners around the world will have to be booked up until the end of 2007, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Hitachi-LG Data Storage (HLDS), Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic) and Toshiba are the global top-three producers of slim-type DVD burners, while Pioneer and Taiwan-based Quanta Storage and Lite-On IT are second-tier makers, the sources indicated.

The intensifying tight supply was due to increased OEM orders from international notebook PC vendors as well as Toshiba sifting part of its production capacity to making HD DVD-ROM drives, the sources pointed out.

Maybe I should give it a shot... Anyone else?

http://diversityinc.careercast.com/texis/jobsearch/details.html?id=46d5c13e6d6120

Job Title: Vice President, Worldwide HD Market Expansion
Employer: Time Warner

Job Code: 84187BR
Location: Burbank, CA
Date: 10-12-2007

Posting Job Title: Vice President, Worldwide HD Market Expansion
TimeWarner Division Warner Bros. Entertainment Group
Location United States - California - Burbank
Requisition #: 84187BR
Position Type: Full Time
Posting Job Description:

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc. seeks a Vice President, Worldwide HD Market Expansion for the Worldwide Executive Management department. Position will analyze markets monitor the comparative strengths and weaknesses of HD DVD/BD product to determine the effectiveness of HD in the worldwide marketplace. Develop HD sales plans and programs on a worldwide basis. Assesses and develops retailers/customers on a worldwide basis. Manages the development of HD consumer campaigns, promotions and merchandising. Analyzes the software sales and results. On-going in depth review and analysis of competitive information, evolving market place information and competitive opportunities and challenges; objectives, strategies, pricing and resources needed to achieve goals.

Requirements
BA/BS in marketing, communications, required. MBA preferred. 10+ years experience in developing and managing market development related activities. Excellent written and oral communication skills; confidence in communicating effectively with people at all levels of the business. Proven presentation, communication and authorship skills. A self managed and directed work style. Ability to handle severe deadline pressure and manage stress. I love the last sentence...

Maybe I should give it a shot... Anyone else?

http://diversityinc.careercast.com/texis/jobsearch/details.html?id=46d5c13e6d6120

I love the last sentence...

I prefer this one:

"BS in marketing required." :D



(yeah, I know what the proper acronym is ;) )

Couple of intertwined stories from UltimateAV...

More Spin in Next-Gen Disc War (http://blog.ultimateavmag.com/shanebuettner/100507spin/)

I don't know how much any of this will or won't matter. But Paramount went exclusively HD DVD, and Paramount's CTO Alan Bell looked me in the eye and stated that he recommended this path in part because he believed HD DVD replication was more viable as the format moves into mainstream production numbers.

There's a Riot Going On (http://blog.ultimateavmag.com/fredmanteghian/100907riot/)

One last point – I asked about rumors of problematic yield rates with BD. My contact basically said he'd heard and read the same things we had, but it didn't really matter to him what Technicolor's BD yields were, since he only paid for finished and functioning product.

Digital Playground Bows First Adult Dual Layer HD DVD (http://www.allthingshidef.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=3C644C50F0DA47FDA581C56C5FDF5FC7&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=87CAC0EC334F46D1A567A4F21D681A88)

...
Adoption of HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc by Hollywood studios might be filled with backroom deals and intrigue. For the adult entertainment industry, however, the choice thus far has been HD DVD.

There are currently 17 adult titles available in HD DVD, compared to three in Blu-ray.
...

Digital Playground Bows First Adult Dual Layer HD DVD (http://www.allthingshidef.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=3C644C50F0DA47FDA581C56C5FDF5FC7&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=87CAC0EC334F46D1A567A4F21D681A88)

Perv.

:D

Perv.

:DIt's good to know they are there, you know, in case of an emergency. :D

ARTICLE: Regional retailer Meijer favoring Blu-ray for on-line sales:

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6491629.html

"Meijer director of e-commerce marketing Dawn Bronkema said there are plans to also carry HD DVD titles on the site, but current in-store sales trends pushed the retailer to act first on expanding its Blu-ray selection.

“Blu-ray is currently outselling HD DVD with a ratio of four-to-one,” Bronkema said.

Sony sneaks BDP-S500 in before 1.1 goes mandatory
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/10/16/sony-sneaks-bdp-s500-in-before-1-1-goes-mandatory/

With October 31st barreling down on us, Sony's BDP-S500 hits SonyStyle.com just before the deadline. We have to say we're really confused why Sony -- or anyone really -- would release a higher end Blu-ray player at this point in the game and not be profile 1.1 compliant. While most think Sony should be releasing less expensive players, not more, many videophiles will appreciate the upgrades -- DTS HD, better build quality. Regardless of the feature set, why would anyone pick this up rather than wait a little while longer for a player that isn't already "obsolete".

Sony sneaks BDP-S500 in before 1.1 goes mandatory
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/10/16/sony-sneaks-bdp-s500-in-before-1-1-goes-mandatory/Just to add on to that article but technically it was both the BDP-S500 (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665227485) and the BDP-S2000ES (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665228713) that have been put on the SonyStyle website.

2 new Blu-Ray Players from Denon

Denon will sell from January 2008, 2 new High-end Blu-Ray players with the DVD-3800BD, with the support of 1080p24, a DAC of 12bit/297MHz, the D.D.S.C-HD (or Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit-HD), D.P.I.C. (DENON Pixel Image Correction), as well as the AL24 Processing Plus from Denon, HDMI 1.3a, RCA/BNC, RS-232C; and, the DVD-2500BT, which only has HDMI 1.3a and RS-232C, but with DivX supports.
While we are extremely happy to know that Denon will sell high-hands Blu-Ray players, we are stunned by the prices of these 2 devices… And you will have to expect a price of up to 2000€ to be able to put your hands on the DVD-3800BD.

http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news_details.php?id=14977

Sony delays 5 titles
Sony has revealed that five upcoming Blu-ray releases for 2007 has been removed from the release calendar. Included in the delays are 'Monty Python's Life of Brian' (Nov 20th), 'I Know Who Killed Me' (Nov 27th), '20 Million Miles to Earth' (Dec 4th), 'The Legend of Zorro' and 'Rent' (Dec 11th). No reason was given for the delays.

The new release schedule for Sony through the end of the year looks like the following:

* The Company (Oct 23rd)
* Hostel (Oct 23rd)
* Hostel II (Oct 23rd)
* Spider-man 3 (Oct 30th)
* Spider-man Trilogy (Oct 30th)
* Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Nov 13th)
* Paprika (Nov 27th)
* Superbad (Dec 4th)

We have put in a request for an official comment from Sony, and hope to hear something regard the delays soon.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=599

T3 Blu-ray is not Blu-ray profile 1.1

Daniel Silverberg, VP of HD media development for the studio, noted that the T3 Blu-ray is not Blu-ray profile 1.1, the mandated programming required for all Blu-ray players introduced after Oct. 31. Profile 1.1 requires the addition of a second video decoder, allowing for PIP features, and expansion of required memory to 256MB. Both Lionsgate and Disney previously have released Blu-ray discs that allow for some PIP using current BD technology.

“We remain hopeful that Blu-ray hardware manufacturers get Profile 1.1 and BD Live (profile 2.0) players into the market place soon and the user base grows in order for us to deliver the same interactive and connected content on all high-def discs regardless of format,” Silverberg said.

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?sec_id=2&&article_ID=11389

Launch date for 40gig PS3 in US and price drop on 80gig

http://today.reuters.ca/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2007-10-18T070633Z_01_N17323256_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESS-SONY-PLAYSTATION3-COL.XML

Sony & Blu-ray Lose Exclusive JB Hi-Fi Deal (http://www.smarthouse.com.au/HD/HD_DVD/J8T5Q8M5)

By SmartHouse Team | Wednesday | 17/10/2007


Sony and Blu-ray have lost their exclusivity in JBHi-Fi stores with the announcement that effective from November, the major retailer will start selling HD DVD players and content. The big winner is Toshiba, with JB Hi-Fi Marketing Director Scott Browning conceding that it was the exclusive Paramount content deal with HD DVD that swung him over to the HD DVD format.
Back in February this year at the launch of the Blu-ray Disc Working Group, Browning said that JB Hi-Fi would only sell Blu-ray hardware and software because of the strength of the format.

But in an interview with SmartHouse today Browning said, "We have come to the conclusion that cutting the consumer out of a HD DVD opportunity was not right, as content is critical and the move by Paramount to support HD DVD exclusively influenced our decision. In addition, Toshiba is a strong brand and we are currently selling their computer products, and will next year be selling their LCD TVs."

He added, "The dropping of the entry-level price to a HD DVD player late last week by Toshiba was not a key part of our decision. We are focused on 1080p and the HD DVD offering from Toshiba will complement our existing customer offering. Toshiba have done a great job in expanding their CE range and we look forward to working with their team."

But Toshiba says the recent price cut on its HD DVD players ($499 for the entry-level model) coupled with upcoming marketing campaigns for new release HD DVD titles puts the format in good stead.

Toshiba ISD General Manager Mark Whittard and HD DVD Consortium spokesperson said, "In Australia, Toshiba launched its AV business in July this year, including the full HD DVD player line-up, together with the local formation of the HD DVD Consortium.

"Since then, HD DVD has experienced many milestone successes, such as Paramount's move to join Universal in exclusively producing HD DVD films, and now JB Hi-Fi's decision to sell HD DVD hardware and software. The HD DVD Consortium is excited that this latest announcement adds to HD DVD's momentum and market share gain."

Retailer JB Hi-Fi previously stocked the full line of Toshiba notebooks including HD DVD models, and now its range of HD DVD products extends to include Toshiba HD DVD players and HD DVD software from Paramount Home Entertainment, DreamWorks, Warner Home Video and Universal Pictures.

HD DVD titles to become available over summer include box office hits Transformers, Bourne Ultimatum and Shrek the Third - all exclusive to the HD format. Christmas will also see the availability of Harry Potter, and TV series Heroes Season 1 and Star Trek – The Original Series.


Globally, Toshiba claims HD DVD sales are strong with United States showing 54% of all stand-alone HD player purchases are in the HD DVD format (NPD) and in Europe, HD DVD has 69% market share (GfK).

Panasonic preps 4x dual-layer Blu-ray burner (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/17/panasonic_preps_4x_bd_burner/)

Panasonic has launched its second Blu-ray Disc burner capable of writing a BD-R disc at 4x speeds. This time, the drive can handle dual-layer, 50GB media.

The LF-PB271 is a 5.25in internal unit that connects to its host computer over a SATA link. The unit will write to rewriteable BD-RE discs, be they single- or dual-layer products, but only at standard 2x speed.

The LF-PB271 goes on sale in Japan on 10 November for around ¥55,000 ($471/£232/€333).

Sony Execs Hit Like "Stung Mullets" After HD DVD Decision (http://www.smarthousenews.com.au/Business_News?Article=/Business%20News/C6X4A7H5#Scene_1)

David Richards - Thursday, 18 October 2007

Senior Sony executives are according to one senior insider acting like “Stunned Mullets” today following the decision by key Blu ray partner JB HiFi to drop their exclusive support for Blu ray and start selling the Toshiba backed HD DVD.

According to the Federal Government web site on Australian colloquialism to act like a stunned mullet is described as being "Dazed and confused, someone who will wander 'like a stunned mullet'; in a furious rage, they will be 'mad as a cut snake' and in a state of undeniable anger".


The change of mind by JB Hi Fi has not only stunned Sony but the whole CE industry after Scott Browning the Marketing Director decided earlier this year to only go with...

Sony chip deal signals major strategy shift (http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article2684536.ece)

Sony is to cede control of the facility where it makes the “Cell” – the advanced supercomputer chip that powers the Playstation3 console – to its arch-rival Toshiba.

The two companies plan to set-up a 100 billion yen (£400m) joint venture early next year to handle the technology transfer, which analysts described as a “major shift” in Sony strategy.

The deal will also give Toshiba access to the ultra-secret RSX chip which produces the Playstation3’s complex graphics. The joint venture will be formed despite the fact that Sony is locked in a bitter “format war” with Toshiba that is becoming dirtier with every passing month.

The two companies lead rival consortia, each backing a different standard of next-generation DVDs and each desperately seeking the exclusive backing of the major Hollywood and Asian movie studios. Sony’s Blu-ray discs have received a major boost because a player is built into the Playstation3; Toshiba is expected to hit back with an ultra-cheap player of its HD DVD format discs.

...

Wall Street Journal...

Blu-ray vs. HD DVD: a Solution Abroad (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119267051987662923.html?mod=googlenews_wsj)

Still, most major high-definition titles available overseas seem to reflect a switch to HD DVD, rather than the reverse.

It is too soon to say whether the availability of films from overseas will give a decisive edge to HD DVD, since relatively few consumers are tapping that market regularly. "This odd dichotomy only helps reinforce the idea that the high-def market is still in its relative infancy," says Paul Erickson, director of DVD and HD market research at NPD Group's DisplaySearch, an industry research company. "The studios themselves are still watching, waiting and evaluating the market." The number of titles exclusive to a format, after overseas releases are factored in, is only about 190 each, he says.

"It's too early to tell" if imports will give one format an advantage over the other, says a spokesman for the HD DVD Promotional Group. "The Blu-ray Disc Association does not think any format should count on a grey-market channel," a spokesman for Blu-ray says.

Thursday, October 18, 2007
Sony, Toshiba Work Together on New 45nm Chips For PS3

Sony and Toshiba announced today the establisment of a new company that will take over the development of the new "Cell" and "RSX" chips for the Playstation 3.

Sony announced that it plans to sell to Toshiba its "Cell" microprocessor output facility in Nagasaki prefecture and "RSX" graphic chip production line in Oita prefecture, both in western Japan, by March 2008.

The 300mm wafer line currently produces the Cell using a 65-nanometer process technology but under Toshiba's ownership will be transitioned to the advanced 45-nm process. Towards this effort, IBM and Sony have signed an agreement to extend their existing manufacturing relationship to 45-nanometer silicon-on-insulator (SOI) for high volume production of the Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.) processor.

"This collaboration will allow Toshiba to expand and enhance its system LSI business by increasing order volume and securing regular orders of high-performance semiconductors for PlayStation, while Sony Group will aim for the further growth of the PlayStation business by achieving process migration of high-performance semiconductors," the companies said in a joint statement.

The announcement confirms the recent reports about a possible JV between the two companies. Toshiba said that it will hold the 60% of the new company, while Sony wil have the 20% and SCEI the remaining 20%. The name of the new company has not yet been decided. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

Sony, which is in the final year of its three-year turnaround plan under Chief Executive Howard Stringer, said in February it will cut back on future chip spending and may not produce next-generation microchips using 45-nanometre circuitry in-house.
http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=21654

Wall Street Journal

Blu-ray vs. HD DVD: a Solution Abroad

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119267051987662923.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

Clever movie buffs have discovered a workaround: Several dozen titles out in the U.S. exclusively on Blu-ray are available overseas on HD DVD. While studios like Sony, News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox and Walt Disney Co. tout their unswerving allegiance to Blu-ray stateside, in other countries titles like Sony's "xXx," Fox's "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" and Disney's "The Prestige" are available on HD DVD.


Nice to see the WSJ so well informed!

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/10/19/sunday-get-heroes-hd-dvd-free-with-player-purchase/

This should really help move plenty of units. and plus the 6 free movies? Wow!

Retailers push next-gen DVD with HDTV sales
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6492636.html

Ultimate is encouraging shoppers to pick up a Toshiba HD DVD player with a Toshiba HDTV by displaying the two together in stores.

“It’s absolutely important for retailers to try to make sales more profitable as TV prices come down,” said Rick Souder, executive VP of merchandise at Crutchfield. “You’re also doing it in good conscience because the accessory product can be mandatory for the total enjoyment of the main product.”

Today, Crutchfield’s hottest related accessories are wall mounts and HDMI cables, but Souder soon expects high-def hardware will become more popular add-ons.

“When players get below $200, it’s going to be a pretty common discussion on the sales floor when you’re shopping for a TV,” said Souder. “‘What stuff do you like to watch?’ If they say movies, it will be ‘Let me talk to you about next-generation DVD players.’”

For this year, about 6% of attached high-def TV purchases will be HD DVD or Blu-ray player purchases on a unit basis, estimates David Workman, executive director of consumer electronics buying group PRO Group. That assumes there will be 1 million combined HD DVD and Blu-ray set-tops sold at year’s end, as has been previously estimated.

Sony Readying PlayStation Network to Deliver Video

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?article_id=11400

Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) is working with Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) on the digital distribution network that will bring movies, TV shows and music to PlayStation 3 gamers, according to a source inside the company.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Sony CEO Howard Stringer talked about this new infrastructure, saying it’s a combined effort between Japan (SCE is based in Tokyo) and the United States (SOE is based in San Diego) that will distribute video via the PlayStation Network into the PlayStation Portable and beyond.

“We are building a software infrastructure to distribute video and music, more particularly video, through the PlayStation Network,” Stringer said in the interview. “We are trying to get our devices to talk to each other efficiently. PlayStation Network should migrate from gadget to gadget. But initially it starts with PlayStation devices and then to TV and beyond. That’s the goal.”

Sony just shipped a new slim PSP that connects directly to TVs, which will allow downloaded entertainment content to be watched on the television. At the past two E3 shows, Sony has emphasized the ability to share content from a PS3 or PC to a PSP. Games already can be shared, as can downloaded files such as movies. But once the new entertainment distribution channel is deployed, Sony will sell content directly to gamers.

Stringer did not pinpoint a launch but said the company will know more about the functionality of the service early in 2008. Sony recently delayed the launch of PlayStation Home from this year until spring 2008.

Despite owning movie, music and TV studios and all of their content, Sony has lagged behind Microsoft and its Xbox Live Video Marketplace, which offers movie rentals and TV shows for purchase in high definition. Most of the major Hollywood studios support Microsoft’s digital distribution channel, but Sony Pictures is not one of them.

According to a source within Sony, when SCE and SOE unveil the new digital distribution platform, Sony Pictures will be on board, as will other Hollywood movie studios.

http://www.actiontrip.com/link.phtml?http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Gaming/Console/P4G5C3U2?page=1

Toshiba Working With Microsoft On New Entertainment Xbox

Microsoft, according to insiders at Toshiba owner of the HD DVD patents, claim that Microsoft is working on a brand new Xbox that will incorporate not only a new HD DVD drive but a large hard drive and new entertainment software that is a spin off from its struggling media centre offering.

The new Xbox device, while allowing for extensive gaming capability, will be positioned as an entertainment hub that includes gaming and extensive wireless networking capability as well as 1080p playback. There is also talk of it including a dual HD TV tuner and EPG capability and a docking port for an MP3 player. For Toshiba, the device is critical if it is to be successful in beating Sony and the Blu-ray promoters.

Translated:
HD DVD Trade Convention 2007 (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=www.phileweb.com%2Fnews%2Fd-av%2F200710%2F22%2F19668.html&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools)

Source:
http://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/200710/22/19668.html


Toshiba Exec on HD DVD Production Costs:
Production costs are half that BD


Slide on PC NoteBook Market Share:
http://www.phileweb.com/news/photo/200710/HD-PC-GRAPH_big.jpg

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=GENERIC&epi-process=generic_process.jsp&newsId=20071022006461&ndmHsc=v2*A1190458800000*B1193118731000*DgroupByDate*J2*L1*N 1000837*ZHD%20DVD%20PAramount%20Transformers&newsPopup=true&newsLang=en&beanID=202776713&viewID=news_process_view

DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures’ Megahit TRANSFORMERS Invades Stores to Become This Year’s Top-Selling DVD and the Best-Selling High Definition Title Day One and Week One for Either Format

From Director Michael Bay and Executive Producer Steven Spielberg, In Association With Hasbro, Record-Setting DVD and HD DVD Sales Underscore TRANSFORMERS’ Status As Franchise Of Inter-Galactic Proportions

HOLLYWOOD--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The blockbuster hit from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, TRANSFORMERS, is the year’s top-selling week one DVD with North American sales reaching 8.3 million units since the title’s debut on October 16, it was announced today by Paramount Home Entertainment. The biggest original film of the year from director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg, in association with Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS), is also the best-selling DVD day one for the year with over 4.5 million units sold on Tuesday. Additionally, the smash hit has exploded into the high definition market, selling over 100,000 HD DVDs its first day of release, rocketing past previous releases to become the best-selling day one high definition title on either format since their inceptions. TRANSFORMERS has sold over 190,000 HD DVDs in its first week making it the fastest and best-selling week one release on either high definition format as well as the best selling HD DVD ever. The TRANSFORMERS DVD is also the top-selling October DVD release in the history of the home entertainment industry.

“The performance of the TRANSFORMERS DVD and HD DVD has demonstrated the phenomenal success of this global franchise,” said Kelley Avery, president, Worldwide Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures. “We’re happy to be kicking off the fourth quarter with a title that clearly shows home entertainment releases are still an event that drives consumers into stores—which is a win for both content providers and retailers.” Earning over $700 million at the global box office, the live-action feature film TRANSFORMERS is the latest success in a worldwide franchise that has emerged as one of the most successful properties in action figure history, spawning numerous television series and comic books and a wealth of toys, games and other licensed merchandise. In 2007, TRANSFORMERS has become one of the hottest properties for boys in a variety of categories, including toys, publishing, video games, apparel and back-to-school. Hasbro’s licensing arm, HPG, has signed more than 250 licensees in 70 countries around the world.

The first live-action film based on the enduringly popular “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE”, TRANSFORMERS features the ultimate battle between good and evil, as the peace-loving AUTOBOTS seek to protect humanity from the evil forces of the DECEPTICONS. The TRANSFORMERS Special Edition two-disc DVD and HD DVD sets provide an incredible experience with an arsenal of bonus material that delivers excitement and fun for long-time fans, as well as for viewers who are new to the TRANSFORMERS universe. Further, the HD DVD includes a host of highly advanced web-enabled features that will continue to roll-out through the rest of the year.

About Paramount Home Entertainment

Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. PHE is responsible for the worldwide sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Studios, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS, PBS and Hasbro and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

About Hasbro

Hasbro (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.

Bay says 'Transformers' DVD could have been better (http://usatoday.com/life/movies/dvd/2007-10-22-transformers-bay_N.htm)
By Mike Snider, USA TODAY

Bay's take on the new Transformers DVD, which has sold 8.3 million copies since its release last week: "It's a good DVD. But not as good as it could have been," he says.
...
An aspect of the DVD that Bay says he personally fought for was having the film be on a disc by itself, with just a commentary. He won that battle in the $20 single-disc version that hit shelves last week along with a deluxe, two-disc $40 version.
...
Bay caused a brouhaha on his blog (michaelbay.com) by voicing his displeasure that Transformers would not be available on Blu-ray and that he was rethinking his plan to direct a sequel. The next day he backpedaled, but he is still upset about the format war.

"It's short-sighted and it has delayed consumers' moving to HD (home video)," he says. "As a director, my critical eye is that Blu-ray is where my money is. Consumers are smart, and they are going to wait it out."

White Noise sequel goes directly to HD DVD (http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/34465/98/)
Games and Entertainment
By Mark Raby
Monday, October 22, 2007 07:41

Burbank (CA) - Universal will skip a theatrical release for White Noise: The Light and instead bring it directly to DVD and HD DVD early next year.

Universal, which has a personal stake in HD DVD, has decided to pull the plug on the movie theater phase of the upcoming film. It was originally planned to be available in theaters next year.

Instead, it will come out immediately to home video, including an HD DVD release sitting alongside the standard DVD. It is one of a select few movies to make its debut on a high definition format.

The film will be available January 8, and the HD DVD version is set to retail for around $40. The same day, the HD DVD release of the original White Noise will also hit store shelves.

Universal has announced that the HD DVD will contain exclusive supplemental material, including Web-compatible menu options.

Source: Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN2352882020071023)

By Sue Zeidler

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Blu-ray DVD titles outsold rival HD-DVD titles by almost 2-to-1 in the first nine months of the year, but analysts expect additional HD-DVD support and new hit releases to "transform" the high-definition DVD battle score in the fourth quarter.

Home Media Research, a division of Home Media Magazine, said on Tuesday total U.S. sales of Blu-ray discs, using a Sony Corp backed technology, totaled 2.6 million units from January 1 through Sept 30, versus 1.4 million HD-DVD discs sold.
Gerry Kaufhold, analyst with In-Stat research firm, believes newly released HD-DVD titles with new advanced Web-enabled features, such as Paramount's "Transformers", will help the HD-DVD camp in the fourth quarter.
[Tom] Adams [president of Adams Media Research] predicts that for 2007 overall, consumers will spend $186 million purchasing Blu-ray discs, versus $91 million for HD-DVD.
Since both formats launched in the spring of 2006, an estimated 4.98 million high-definition discs have been sold, including 3.01 million in Blu-ray and 1.97 million in HD-DVD through the end of September, according to Home Media.

Cheaper dual format drives on the way?

Lite-On IT neutral between BD Combo and BD/HD DVD dual-format drives (http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20071023PD214.html)

Lite-On IT, in response to Sony NEC Optiarc's launch of the first slim-type Blu-ray Disc (BD) combo drive, the BC-5500A, indicated that it is preparing to start volume production of half-height (H/H) BD combo drives in the fourth quarter of 2007, but has the technological capability to receive orders for BD/HD DVD dual-format drives.

...

Currently in the Taiwan market, BD combo drives sell at NT$10,000-12,000 (US$307-368) while a BD/HD DVD drive is priced at NT$29,900, the sources noted.

Samsung combo player news; BD-P2400 officially canceled (http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9803654-7.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5)
Posted by Matthew Moskovciak

First, the bad news: The BD-P2400 is officially canceled.
...
Now for the good news. Here's exactly what Samsung told us about the BD-UP5000:

Status of BD-UP5000 Duo HD Player:

The Duo HD Player will ship from Samsung factories at the end of October and will be available to consumers at retail by mid- to late December.
The Duo HD Player will be BD Profile 1.1 ready--this means it will include the necessary hardware to play BD Profile 1.1 discs.
A firmware update will be available at the end of January 2008 to allow playback of BD Profile 1.1 discs.***
*** Profile 1.1 discs are currently not available and compatibility must be fully tested before we can assure complete compliance to BD Profile 1.1 requirements.

Wal-Mart now selling Toshiba's A2 HD DVD player for $198?
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/10/25/wal-mart-now-selling-toshibas-a2-hd-dvd-player-for-199/

Remember all the hubbub about the $299, then sub-$200 Wal-Mart HD DVD player? Well, if that photo is to be believed, then it's here. However, this ain't some cheapo, no-name player. Nope, it's Toshiba's A2, listing for $399 back in April, now just $198. According to the AVS Forum jockey who supposedly took the pic, it'll be on sale nationwide on November 3rd with an allocation of 18 units per store. However, at least a few lucky AVS members are reporting that sales have already begun. So what's the dealio readers, how's it looking at your own local Wally World?

Bob Hope/Bing Crosby 'Road' Flicks Bound For HD DVD
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/BCI/Disc_Announcements/Bob_Hope/Bing_Crosby__Road_Flicks_Bound_For_HD_DVD/1100

BCI has announced it will bring the classic comedies 'Road to Bali' and 'Road to Rio' to HD DVD as a double-feature disc this January.

Two of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby's most famous "road pictures," both 'Bali' (1953) and 'Rio' (1947) have fallen into the public domain in recent years, and have seen over a dozen different DVD releases by nearly many distributors, most of substandard quality.

BCI hopes to change all that with its upcoming HD DVD double-feature disc on January 8, which will see both films presented in full 1080p video for the first time, and minted from newly-remastered source elements. (Audio specs are still TBA.)

At press time there were nosupplemental features planned, but we'll keep you posted if any new specs are announced.

Retail for the HD DVD will be $19.98.

INTEL SOFTENS HD DVD-ONLY SUPPORT, vows to work with both next-gen formats on hardware implementation.


http://www.warren-news.com/

INTEL SOFTENS HD DVD-ONLY SUPPORT, vows to work with both next-gen formats on hardware implementation.


http://www.warren-news.com/

Isn't this like old news? :confused:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/07/intel-prepping-hardware-blu-ray-hd-dvd-support-for-santa-rosa/

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/33950/145/

http://www.edn.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA6479670

Isn't this like old news? :confused:They tend to be pretty bleeding edge on news reporting, or at worst a couple of days behind, so perhaps there was something new mentioned that nobody has picked up on yet. That's the only reason I mentioned it...

They tend to be pretty bleeding edge on news reporting, or at worst a couple of days behind, so perhaps there was something new mentioned that nobody has picked up on yet. That's the only reason I mentioned it... Can you provide an excerpt of that article,as that link you provided only had a title for CED non-subscribers.