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Last month, we reported that Nintendo would be releasing a special DVD-enabled Wii console in Japan some time during 2007. Today, digital media software company Sonic Solutions further stirred the pot by sending out a release indicating that Nintendo has selected "Sonic CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator to bring high-quality DVD movie viewing to a future version of the company's Wii gaming console."While Nintendo has not announced a price, they have confirmed that the DVD-enabled Wii will come at a higher price. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
According to the release, Nintendo plans to launch this version of Wii some time in the latter half of 2007. What wasn't clear, however, was if this announcement had been confirmed by Nintendo, and if the DVD-enabled Wii would be released outside of Japan. That said, GameDaily BIZ has now received confirmation from Nintendo that the release in the latter half of 2007 is for North America as well.
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Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced that Nintendo, the worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, has chosen Sonic CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator to bring high-quality DVD movie viewing to a future version of the company's Wii gaming console. Nintendo plans to release this version of Wii in the latter half of 2007.Sadly, Nintendo is not planning to offer this new version of the Wii outside of Japan. If you'd like to read more, Sonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Based on the same technology trusted by Hollywood studios, CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator is a robust, software-based DVD playback engine that delivers broad playback compatibility on a variety of platforms. The proven technology offers exceptional picture quality and supports all standard video and audio formats offered in the DVD specification, as well as advanced functions such as anamorphic widescreen video, motion menus, and multiple video angles. "To be involved in Nintendo's ground-breaking gaming console is extremely gratifying and a testament to the efficiency, flexibility and dependability of Sonic's technology," said Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic's Advanced Technology Group. "Game consoles represent a fresh market and platform where we can introduce a new audience of potentially millions to the quality of our brand and the power of our digital media applications."
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Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced the industry's first complete system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution that combines both Blu-ray and HD DVD optical disc formats into a highly integrated, single-chip design. Building upon its successful first-generation Blu-ray/HD DVD SoC solution, Broadcom has developed a next-generation universal player SoC that not only significantly surpasses current chip technology in integration and performance, but will further the advancement of high definition media players. The new Broadcom SoC has an advanced feature set, coupled with a software stack that is compliant with both Blu-ray and HD DVD specifications, providing OEMs with a complete platform for future generation media players that support both disc formats, as well as other home entertainment and network applications.I wouldn't hold my breath, hoping for a hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD player. However, solutions like this should help reduce the costs of single format players. If you'd like to read more, Broadcom's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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Leading chip vendors such as Broadcom, STMicroelectronics and NEC Electronics told EE Times they are developing ICs that allow high-definition optical drives and players to comply with the two competing specifications. These suppliers appear to have specific knowledge that their potential customers—whose names they declined to disclose—will roll out universal players as early as 2007.While its great that these companies are developing chipsets compatible with both Blu-ray and HD DVD, the biggest hurdle will be the optical units as each format stores information at a different depth. Thankfully, companies like Ricoh are already working on this problem. If you'd like to read more, EETimes' entire article can be found here. Add a comment
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In view of the stalemate between HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD), producers of adult films in the US will adopt both for the time being by offering HD DVD and BD movie titles, according to sources in Taiwan's optical disc drive (ODD) industry.I can't imagine there is a huge demand for high-def porn, but you never know. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
US-based Vivid Entertainment, one of the world's largest producers of pornographic movies, plans to release HD DVD and BD movie discs early next year, the sources pointed out. Since the estimated average production cost of US$50,000 for a BD adult movie is much higher than that of US$10,000 for a DVD version and with BD players costing between US$700-1,000, the market acceptance of BD or HD DVD titles is questionable, the sources indicated.
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The BDP-HD1, originally expected to ship in October, will now be available in December. The player has not passed the company's quality control requirements, and it will be available when it does.This is actually the second delay for the BDP-HD1. Pioneer originally intended to ship it back in May. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
"All of the player's specifications had not been finalized in time to meet Pioneer's quality control requirements," the Pioneer spokesperson writes in an email to ElectronicHouse.com.
"The BDP-HD1 needs to pass our testing to ensure it fulfills the high performance expectations associated with Pioneer Elite."
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Speaking to GI.biz, a spokesperson declined to comment on when the new machine will hit the shops, but did confirm, "There are currently plans to release a version of Wii in Japan featuring DVD playback."If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
He added, "There are currently no plans to bring this model to Europe or the US."
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The overwhelming majority (81 percent) of tech enthusiasts remain skeptical about which next-generation DVD technology will be the market standard, according to a recent survey by CNET (Nasdaq:CNET - News; www.cnet.com) and the Consumer Electronics Association. The study, CEA / CNET Tech First Panel: Next-Generation DVD, gained information about early technology adopters awareness of, and interest in, high-definition capable DVD players as manufacturers prepare to release several players that run on varying formats.It shouldn't be too surprising that the other big concerns were price, compatibility and copyright protections. More information on CNET's survey can be found here. Add a comment
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A member of the Xbox 360 HD-DVD team confirmed for me today that the Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive will in fact be recognized by Windows Vista, but it will NOT ship with decoder software. I'm assuming that Intervideo will have a version of WinDVD sometime in the future that supports HD-DVD. Personally, I think the drive should come with the required software to dual-use enable the device (adding value to a non-trivial purchase), but I'm not a PM at Microsoft.Hopefully, InterVideo or CyberLink will release software that is compatible with the drive. If you'd like to read more, the entire report can be found here. Add a comment
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No word on pricing or availability yet. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, Lite-On's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Lite-On IT Corporation (TWE: 8008), the world's leading optical drive supplier, today announced the launch of its new-generation HDD/DVD recorder, the HD-A970GX, in a move to respond to the growing popularity of high-definition video market and to demonstrate its continuing endeavors in the consumer electronics segment...
...With an advanced HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output, HD-A970GX offers you hassle-free connection to the new-generation HDTV or HD-ready TV set with a single HDMI cable. Meanwhile, to bridge the current gap between the lower-resolution analog signals and the expanded display capability of HDTV, the HD-A970GX incorporates a video upscaler to enhance the source picture resolution up to 1080p (Progressive mode). This conversion process allows users to enjoy improved, near high-definition images.
