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- From May 20 through June 9, movie enthusiasts that purchase an HD-A2 HD DVD player will receive a $100 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
- 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.
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More information, including a full list of features, can be found on Panasonic's website. Add a comment
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.
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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.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
"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.
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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
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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
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New Medium Enterprises (NME)(OTC Bulletin Board: NMEN), the company bringing affordable HD homeentertainment to the globe through HD VMD (Versatile Multilayer Disc),announces title releases on the HD VMD format into the US market followinga recent partnership with independent distributor and production companyAnthem Pictures. Anthem Pictures, one of the most respected independentproducers and distributors within the industry, has developed world-widerecognition through its large distribution network selling in every countrywith recent releases such as Mother Ghost starring James Franco (Spiderman1,2 & 3) and Kevin Pollack (The Usual Suspects, Casino), Soldier of God andfuture release Two:Thirteen. Catalogue titles include Zalma King's Red ShoeDiaries starring David Duchovni (X-Files).I think NME has made a smart move by catering to smaller, independent companies like Anthem Pictures. For these companies, HD VMD offer an affordable alternative to Blu-ray and HD VMD. Nevertheless, is HD VMD is going to succeed, they're going to need the support of Hollywood's major film studios. If you'd like to read more, NME's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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Under the system, the DVD manufacturer would overlay each disk with a thin electro-optic layer, conceived by Kestrel. Atkins said the layer functions "like a shutter," barring a DVD player's laser from reading the disk. An RFID inlay comprising the RFID chip and an RF antenna is embedded in the disk.At this point, its questionable whether or not the benefits of the security mechanism outweigh the added costs. Nevertheless, the solution will enter "advance trials" in mid-2007 and is expected to appear in commercial optical disks by the end of the year. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
DVD disks incorporating the mechanism would remain unreadable until passed through an RFID reader at the point of purchase. The reader would check a unique number embedded in the disk's RFID chip to confirm the sale. The RFID chip on the DVD would then power up, creating a short electric impulse that would change the optical behavior of the disk's electro-optic film layer and make the layer transparent. Any DVD player could then read the disk.
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Simplay Labs, LLC, the leading provider of testing technologies, programs and interoperability design standards for the high-definition (HD) consumer electronics industry, today announced that Samsung's BD-P1200 Blu-ray Disc(TM) Player is the first high-definition DVD player to pass the Simplay HD(TM) Testing Program.The BD-P1200 isn't the first product from Samsung to wear the Simplay HD logo. The Samsung R155 DVD recorder and the Samsung LN-T3253H 32" LCD HDTV have also passed testing. If you'd like to read more about the Simplay HD Testing Program, Simplay Labs' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
The Simplay HD Testing Program helps consumers identify HD components, such as HDTVs and next-generation DVD players, that will work together to provide a consistent "plug and play" user experience and maximize users' access to premium HD content.
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The sources explained that global supply of HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) pick-up heads (PUHs) is still tight because yield rates on blue-laser laser diodes are quite low and the world's major suppliers of such PUHs, including Sony and Matsushita (Panasonic), have assigned their production capacities for own use first. Since PUHs and chipsets together account for 60-70% of the production costs of HD DVD and BD players, the shortage of PUHs renders it almost impossible to minimize the production costs to below US$299 this year, the sources noted.While HD DVD players prices have not fallen below $300 yet, you can pick up the Toshiba HD-A2 from Amazon for about $326. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
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While the studio had been mum on the topic for over a month, today they issued a statement to High-Def Digest acknowledging the problems, and initiated a disc replacement program for affected consumers. The studio's full statement follows below:While I must commend Universal for offering replacement discs, they should have responded to the problem much sooner. If you'd like to read more, head on over to High-Def Digest. Add a comment
"Universal is currently investigating reports that Children of Men, The Good Shepherd, and select other discs not playing properly in some HD DVD players. While we believe this is limited to a small number of HD DVD discs, Universal is offering a replacement service for any customers who are experiencing this problem. We are still investigating the cause and will provide further updates as we get them. Any customer problems should be directed to USHE.ConsumerRelations@worldmarkinc.com."
