According to the recently released news from the HD Now campaign that’s been peititoning studios to support the HDDVD format this month has HUGE news for the Toshiba HDDVD backers, and a pretty big lul for the PS3 fans that love their george forman ;).
Heres the rundown on the latest news surrounding HDDVD and why it’s an exciting time.
- The complete matrix trilogy is being released on HDDVD as of May 22nd, by Warner Brothers, a complete 180 from their previous statements.
- HD DVD has cleaned up in the last few days, winning awards from Home Theater Magazine and Home Cinema Choice, respectively, in their annual awards. Said Home Cinema Choice, who awarded the “Best Source Component over $500″ to the Toshiba XA1, of HD DVD: “It has simply the best video and audio in a consumer format, ever. Blu-ray is still playing catch-up.” And The Perfect Vision also says in this month’s issue: “I have to say that, based on my experience with the Toshiba HD-XA2, I still think HD DVD looks better”
- After a brief lull due to new releases, and a post PS3 launch surge in BD sales, HD DVD is back in the running and is now taking first place in sales once again. A flood of new releases, renewed fervor by buyers and hybrid players to ensure peace of mind, means that HD DVD cannot any more be sold short by studios.
- After a brief lull due to new releases, and a post PS3 launch surge in BD sales, HD DVD is back in the running and is now taking first place in sales once again. A flood of new releases, renewed fervor by buyers and hybrid players to ensure peace of mind, means that HD DVD cannot any more be sold short by studios.
- Samsung has announced their BD-UP5000, the Bluray and HDDVD Combo player that everyone expected was coming.
- The PS3, BluRays main pusher, is not doing very well in sales worldwide. Launches in Europe are being called “unmitigated disasters” by some, sales in Japan have fallen behind their competitors and US sales seem to be below projections. And, in what we see as an attempt to reduce losses, the “Emotion Engine” compatibility chip has been stripped from European models, and the 20 Gig base model has been yanked, forcing people that want Bluray to have to buy the more expensive 60gb mode, putting the 140$ HDDVD USB well ahead in the usability, with it working on PC’s and the nearly 11 million xbox360′s that have been sold.
- FINALLY THE BIG NEWS OF COURSE: After much anticipation, Dreamworks has finally entered the ring and squared up behind HD DVD as a neutral studio and has begun releasing movies to both HD DVD and Bluray! As reported by HighDefDigest, Dreamworks announced their first release will be “Dreamgirls”, which will street “day and date” with the standard DVD on May 1st. This announcement was rapidly followed by another announcement of “Norbit”, which will street on June 5th, alongside, coincidentally, “Trading Places” and “Coming to America”. Eddie Murphy fans, rejoice! There’s a new HD DVD exclusive studio joining the parade too! Independent studio, First Look Studios, is launching their first HD DVD salvo on July 24th, with the “day and date” release of the critically praised Bruce Beresford thriller, “The Contract”, starring Morgan Freeman, John Cussack, Ned Bellamy and Alice Krige.
Source: CampaignHD
