The new Venturer SHD7000 is the first HD DVD player in Europe expected to sell for €300 or less. It offers 1080i output, an HDMI interface, and upscaling for standard DVDs. It will be available from numerous major European electronics retailers before Christmas.
The new Toshiba HD-EP30 is the first standalone HD DVD player with 1080p resolution expected to sell for around €400*. That places the HD-EP30 in the same price bracket as many standard DVD players that merely upscale their images, a feature the HD-EP30 also provides. For film enthusiasts who value straightforward configuration, strong image quality, and high-quality sound, Toshiba’s HD-EP35 adds further features. The HD-EP35 includes REGZA Link (HDMI-CEC), supports Deep Colour over HDMI, provides 5.1-channel analogue output, and carries higher-bitrate audio with up to 7.1-channel surround sound. The HD-EP35 is expected to reach European retailers at around €500*. Both the HD-EP30 and HD-EP35 are scheduled for October.
Microsoft’s Xbox HD DVD Player is now available at retail for €179. For millions of Xbox 360 owners in Europe, the device is positioned as a lower-cost route to HD DVD playback and is intended to bring new users to the format.
“HD DVD is already the least expensive and most successful HD format for film fans; the format achieves the highest sales figures and also sells the most related products in the standalone-player segment. But we want every consumer to benefit from the fantastic picture and sound quality offered by HD DVD,” said Ken Graffeo, co-chairman of the European HD DVD Promotional Group. “With the introduction of the new players and prices, anyone with an HD-capable television can now enjoy HD content. In addition, more than 150 new film titles will appear on HD DVD during the coming quarter, supported by almost 30 prominent European film studios and Hollywood studios including DreamWorks Animation, Paramount, Universal, and Warner Bros.”
Price is an important factor in broad market adoption of a media format, but some consumers give priority to maximum quality. The DV-HD805, the first HD DVD player from premium brand Onkyo, targets that audience. It supports HDMI 1.3a and 1080p/24 output at the cinema rate of 24 frames per second. The unit can therefore reproduce high-definition video at 1080p. It also supports audio streaming for the lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio surround formats, as well as Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio.
Let’s get this collection started…
Alongside the player prices, a promotional offer lets consumers begin an HD DVD film collection when they buy a standalone or Xbox player.
Buyers of a Toshiba standalone HD DVD player receive a free package of five films from Warner, Universal, Paramount, and European film studios. Buyers of Microsoft’s Xbox HD DVD Player receive a selection of three films.
“These promotions are a first-class opportunity to get aboard the HD DVD train. The format is the least expensive and richest in features, thanks to interactive functions such as picture-in-picture and the standard network connection on every player,” said Olivier van Wynendaele, assistant general manager for HD DVD at Toshiba Information Systems Europe. “We are now also helping film enthusiasts start their HD DVD collections, without any additional costs.”
New US blockbusters and music titles on HD DVD
Universal will release season one of the globally successful Heroes television series exclusively on HD DVD. The box includes bonus material implemented with HDi, a Microsoft-developed software technology that enables interactive HD DVD features. These include “Minder Reader,” “Character Connections,” “Genetic Abilities,” “Helix Revealed,” and standard HD DVD features such as picture-in-picture commentary.
Paramount Studios announced Star Trek: The Original Series on HD DVD for Europe. The Paramount and CBS release brings the Star Trek universe to viewers’ homes with digitally remastered space scenes, bonus material, and interactive features.
Kinowelt Home Entertainment will release Terminator 2 as an Ultimate HD DVD Edition with interactive features and new bonus material. Its additions include picture-in-picture functionality, interactive storyboards and scripts, bookmarks, quizzes, bonus videos, and dynamicHD internet features.
Herbert Grönemeyer will become the first German musician to release a live album on HD DVD. EMI Music will issue the recording of his Cologne concert from June, staged by photographer and video director Anton Corbijn. It is described as the first live music recording with interactive features and extras accessible over the internet. Grönemeyer explained his enthusiasm for his first HD DVD: “It has the same picture and sound quality as a master tape and also offers greater creative possibilities, such as interactivity and additional material available online. It is a fascinating new platform for artists.”
Graffeo added: “These new offers make HD DVD increasingly attractive. HD DVD is the best choice and will continue to succeed with its outstanding features, new support from studios, and lower production costs.”
