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Amazon.comInc. (Nasdaq: AMZN), and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced the1,000 HD DVD Indies Project, designed to lower the barriers to entry forfilmmakers to produce and distribute movies in the HD DVD format throughthe innovative manufacturing-on-demand technology of CustomFlix, a part ofan Amazon group of companies. Jointly sponsored by Amazon and Microsoft,the project will provide free authoring and setup services for up to 1,000selected indie titles.It will be interesting to see how this pans out. If indie film makers take advantage of this project, it just might be what HD DVD needs to jump back in the lead. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
"This collaboration with Microsoft is a great opportunity forindependent filmmakers to reach Amazon customers with their films via theHD DVD format," said Peter Faricy, vice president of music and movies atAmazon.com. "By working together with Microsoft and leveraging the provenCustomFlix DVD on Demand model, we can lower the barriers to entry forindependent filmmakers and dramatically increase the selection we offer ourcustomers."
The project will be spearheaded by CustomFlix, which will bring as manyas 1,000 feature-length independent films to Amazon customers using theCustomFlix DVD on Demand technology, which produces and ships DVDs only asthey are ordered. This model greatly improves the cost structure forindependent filmmakers by eliminating the need for costly inventory.
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Using the Ethernet ports found on all Toshiba HD DVD players, and thecurrently available firmware update, once connected to the network, userscan download bonus features, as available, from a movie studio's server.This data is then saved in the player's persistent storage and can beaccessed by the user. In addition to downloading new bonus features, someHD DVD discs may even include locked prerecorded content which can beunlocked with a downloadable key from the studio's online server.Toshiba plans to release another firmware update in September that will enable 1080p/24 output on the HD-XA2 and HD-A20. More information can be found here. Add a comment
In addition to downloading content, HD DVD users also have the abilityto upload content and interact with content providers. For example, withthe award winning title, "Blood Diamond" from Warner Home Video, users canparticipate in interactive polls. After providing feedback, results aredelivered back to users via the HD DVD player.
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Warner Home Video looks to be pushing the launch of its dual-format high-definition disc, Total HD, into 2008, from the second half of this year, as was originally planned.While Warner does not give an explanation for the delay, its possible that they're waiting to see who wins the format war. If Blu-ray titles continue to outsell HD DVD, there might not even be a need for Total HD. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Studio VP of sales and planning and operations Dan Miron said at a session during the Entertainment Supply Chain Academy conference here today that Warner will release its first titles in Total HD in early 2008.
Separately, Warner senior VP of marketing management Steve Nickerson said the studio hasn't yet set a launch date but acknowledged it's unlikely it will be in the fourth quarter.
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Toshiba is sticking with the $299 price-point for its bottom-line HD DVD player after seeing a sales jolt when it introduced the lower price in May as part of a limited-time offer.With more affordable Blu-ray players on the way, its going to be an interesting holiday season. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
The company said during a press event in New York Thursday that promotional prices introduced in May on its two lower-priced players would go into permanent effect July 1.
The entry-level HD-A2 player will stay at $299 and the HD-A20 at $399. The top-line HD-XA2 remains $799.
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Once the promotion starts, you'll be able to get complete details at BluraySavings.com. If you can't wait that long, a copy of the ad, as well as a list of available titles, can be found here. Add a comment
