James Delahunty
5 Jan 2006 18:48
Backers of the Toshiba-developed HD DVD format have promised consumers 200 movies releases in 2006, with about 50 by May. Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, HBO Video, New Line Entertainment and Warner Home Video gave details of the movie releases at CES. Harry Potter 4, Million Dollar Baby, Sahara and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow were among the list of new movies to be released on the HD DVD format. Some classics such as Full Metal Jacket and Blazing Saddles were also named.
Nancy O'Dell, host of Access Hollywood, said that the five studios represent over half of the movies ever made. Europe's Studio Canal and the Weinstein Co., responsible for hits such as Shakespeare in Love, also will come out with movies in the HD DVD format, according to the HD DVD Promotion Group. "HD DVD is now playing," said Yoshiihide Fujii, CEO of the Digital Media Network Co. of Toshiba. "HD DVD delivers a quantum leap in how consumers view video."
Toshiba also today unveiled the first HD DVD players that are set to be released in the U.S. in March. Also, Bill Gates revealed at CES that Microsoft would be releasing an external HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 console later this year. Now Xbox 360 owners will only have to pay for an add-on to enjoy HD-DVD movies instead of spending at least $499 for one of the first HD DVD players.
Source:
News.com
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