Good news for HD DVD fans. To help celebrate Father's Day, Toshiba is offering two in-store instant rebates that will cut as much as $200 off the price of their HD DVD players. Their HD DVD movie mail-in offer will also continue to run through July 31, giving you five free movies on top of the instant rebates.
- From May 20 through June 9, movie enthusiasts that purchase an HD-A2 HD DVD player will receive a $100 in-store instant rebate.

- From June 10 through June 16, consumers that purchase any Toshiba HD DVD player will receive a $100 in-store instant rebate. For individuals seeking the complete home theater package, an HD DVD player can be purchased with any Toshiba 42" (measured diagonally) or larger HDTV for a $200 in-store instant rebate.
It's unknown whether or not these instant rebates can be used at Amazon. If so, you'll be able to pick up an HD-A2 for less than $220. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Panasonic has officially announced its next generation Blu-ray Disc player, the DMP-BD10A. While priced $700 less than their previous player, the DMP-BD10A features 1080p upconversion, BD-J interactive capabilities and an audio upgrade package which includes support for 7.1 channel surround, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD.

Panasonic, one of the industry leaders behind the development of Blu-ray Disc(TM) technology and the market leader in Plasma television, today announced the availability of the DMP- BD10A, Panasonic's next generation Blu-ray Disc player, at a SRP of $599.95. The DMP-BD10A features an audio upgrade package that brings high end surround audio to the viewing experience via the inclusion of 7.1 channel surround, Dolby True HD and 'dts-HD(TM) ' High Resolution Audio decoding technology. The DMP-BD10A also incorporates Panasonic's proprietary EZ-Sync(TM) system for integrated one-touch operation of Panasonic home-theater components. Panasonic's DMP-BD10A further distinguishes itself with the bundling of five mega hit Blu-ray discs. Included with each DMP-BD10A are - "Pirates of the Caribbean, Curse of the Black Pearl" and "Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest" from Disney, "Transporter" and "Fantastic 4" from Fox and "Crash" from Lionsgate.
More information, including a full list of features, can be found on Panasonic's website. Add a comment
Universal has finally responded to reports that they were ending their exclusive HD DVD contact. According to a recent article by heise.de, the company has stated that they've not ended their contract nor do they plan to support Blu-ray. Translated from German:
After representatives of the Blu ray advocate had maintained Pioneer, universal Home Entertainment had stepped out of the exclusive contract with the Hp-DVD-camp and/or its largest representatives on the hardware side Toshiba, announced themselves now to Wayne borrows to word, Executive Vice President Commercial operation the Studios. In a statement opposite it communicated heise on-line that this rumor was “completely wrong” and universal will not change the sides, in order to support in the future the competition format Blu ray Disc.
With Blu-ray dominating the market, it wouldn't surprise me if Universal was testing the water. For now though, it appears that they're sticking with HD DVD. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Similar to their efforts with Blu-ray, the MPEG LA has announced plans to create a joint HD DVD patent license. At this point, the group has put out a call for patents that are essential to the HD DVD Standard.
MPEG LA, LLC, world leader in one-stop technology standards patent licensing, today issued a call for patents and patent applications that are essential to the HD DVD Standard in order to facilitate creation of a joint HD DVD patent license.

"Continuing in its mission to respond to the market's need for fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory access to patents essential to defined technologies, MPEG LA is pleased to accept an invitation to facilitate this effort so that users may have the benefit of a convenient marketplace licensing alternative to assist them with implementation of their technology choices," said MPEG LA Chief Executive Officer Larry Horn.
The MPEG LA will be accepting submissions through the end of June and currently plans to meet with essential patent holders in September. If you'd like to read more, the MPEG LA's entire press release can be found here (PDF). Add a comment
While details are sketchy at this point, the German website, heise.de, has reported that Universal has ended its exclusive HD DVD contract. Translated from German:
In the context of a press meeting representatives of the Blu ray advocate maintained Pioneer that universal Home Entertainment stepped out of the exclusive contract with the Hp-DVD-camp and/or its largest representatives on the hardware side Toshiba. Thus the Studio quit the agreement, the notice is not only not effective allegedly already. If this report should be confirmed, thereby the way would be free for film publications on the competition medium Blu ray Disc for universal (in the long run). Above all however the hp DVD graduation Group would lose their only remaining exclusive supporter after Paramount and Warner under Hollywood Studios.
At this point, Universal has not confirmed nor denied this report. If this is true though, it probably means the end for HD DVD. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment