|
|
|
Receive instant notification of HDTV Bulletins:
Register Now to receive notification of HDTV Bulletins via email as soon as they are published.
Warner Home Video Announces Creation of Total Hi Def Disc BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Home Video (WHV), distributor of the largest film library of any studio, today unveiled its groundbreaking "Total Hi Def" disc, which plays the HD DVD format on one side and the Blu-ray Disc format on the other, at a presentation hosted by Warner Bros. Entertainment Chairman and CEO Barry Meyer at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. "Warner Bros. has a history of embracing and promoting new technologies, from producing the first sound movies to being early pioneers in 1950s television to the creation and proliferation of DVDs," Meyer said. "We understand the benefits to our business-and to consumers-that technology affords us." While consumers rave about the quality of high definition when they see it, a confusing format dilemma will result in slower consumer adoption of HD technology. Until now, consumers have been forced to choose one high-definition format-not knowing if their favorite titles would be produced in their specific format or how long that specific format would survive. "The Total Hi Def disc is about giving consumers complete choice, providing creators and artists the greatest possible distribution of their work, and helping retailers thrive in the marketplace," said Kevin Tsujihara, President of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. "By eliminating potential apprehension over formats, we believe this new disc could help consumers fully embrace the greatest home entertainment experience available." If broadly adopted by the industry, the Total Hi Def disc would eliminate consumer confusion by including both formats on a single disc. Tested with leading manufacturers and replicators, the Total Hi Def disc would also simplify point of sale issues for retailers by reducing the shelf space required to carry two versions of the same content. "The research clearly shows that people are thrilled with high-definition devices and the stunning home entertainment experience they provide," said Ron Sanders, President, Warner Home Video. "Now Total Hi Def provides the complete package with all the benefits of HD DVD and Blu-ray on a single disc." Warner Bros. announced that discs in Total Hi Def will be available in the second half of 2007, and titles will be announced in a time frame consistent with the company's standard trade announcements for home entertainment titles. The physical structure of the disc is 1.2 mm the same as DVDs, HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. The Total Hi Def disc has the ability to contain both single layer and dual layers for both formats enabling either 15 GB or 30 GB on the HD DVD side and 25 GB or 50 GB on the Blu-ray side.
About Warner Home VideoWith operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment. Contacts Warner Bros. Home Video Edelman Public Relations
Posted by Shane Sturgeon, January 10, 2007 11:45 AM
Reader Commentary Well that is great news! I just had to decide which version of HD disc I wanted to watch over at Netflix and went with HD DVD when available due to audio. I did not have time to research which one is better so having both on the same disc sure would make my 'phile life easier... ... I am preparing an article that will touch in this as well, but more in-depth. Specifically, I've confirmed with WHV that Total Hi Def will be limited to 2 layers of each format. Sure, that's enough for now ... but TDK and Toshiba are already promoting their 4-layer Blu-ray and 3-layer HD DVD, respectively. Also, I'm trying to get more information about where the price point will be both for consumer purchase and for content producers wanting to produce media in this new "format". I am told there is some increased cost to entry, but that it is "not prohibitive". - Shane... I've confirmed with WHV that Total Hi Def will be limited to 2 layers of each format. Rut ro... What about the future potential of Deep Color...? Why is there a limitation? it is a double sided disc... Hmm... maybe disc thickness and they are using the whole thickness for more layers?... Article coming, but quick response is: "THD disc have single and dual layer capabilities now. As with any technology, they (WHV) will continue to evaluate it for any opportunities / enhancements." The limitation is that the HD DVD recording layer is only .6mm from the Blu-ray layer, in single disc capacity. Adding additional layers (and spacing) causes the two recording layers to run into each other physically after 2 layers of each format. I'm not a professional in laser optics, so I don't know if those spacing layers are fixed, or if they can vary. I also don't know if either format specifies or requires a minimum amount of space between layers ... so this math may vary somewhat. - Shane... It sounds like a dual sided disc and that means they have half the depth to work with for each side. The physical structure of the disc is 1.2 mm the same as DVDs, HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. Which it has to be for numerous reasons related to transport compatibility. Seems they keep finding magic so one would think they will figure it out... I look forward to any comment related to why this is so special from a technical standpoint. What is the difference between dual sided HD DVD/SD DVD and HD DVD/Bluray. Seems far more remarkable that someone had the balls to suggest it! If adopted by the others this could be one of the best moves in history. It makes HD disc becoming a market reality far more likely and it could eventually replace the SD DVD altogether. That is what may muddy waters. The idea for both was to do SD/HD dual disc to ease that area of concern with retail and rental. I gurantee there are many who don't see this as a good thin... More in Category: Blu-ray
About Shane SturgeonShane Sturgeon is the Co-Publisher and Chief Technologist of HDTV Magazine, an industry publication with HDTV roots going back to 1984, when Dale Cripps founded The HDTV Newsletter. Today, HDTV Magazine is a leading online resource for HDTV news and information and captures the eyes and imaginations of over 3 million visitors annually. Mr. Sturgeon has a background in information technology and has served in various consulting capacities for Fortune 500 companies such as J.P. Morgan Chase, Verizon Communications, Proctor & Gamble and Nationwide Insurance. He has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Wright State University. |
advertisement
Authors
Categories
Other Recent Discussion
|
||||||||
Local Guides
- All Guides
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- DC
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
© 1998 - 2012 HDTV Magazine, Ltd.
Home | Advertise (FM Tech) | Contact Us | About HDTV Magazine | Help |
RSS Feeds
v3.0
