Revisions to Universal Studios HD DVD Release Schedule

August 15 (all of which were previously scheduled for August 8)
>> National Lampoon’s Animal House (HD DVD / DVD Combo)
>> Ray
>> Unleashed (HD DVD / DVD Combo)

Editor's update: Previous list of titles were not originally scheduled for August 8, they were scheduled for August 22, which remained unchange. The above list of titles were those previously scheduled for August 8 and now, due on August 15. The HD DVD Release List is correct.

Backdraft (Anniversary Edition) will be released on HD DVD and DVD on September 19 instead of September 12.

These changes are also reflected on my HD DVD Release List. (look under the section for Universal Studios Home Entertainment).

If the recent revisions are any indication, these dates are still possibly subject to changes. Hence, please refer to my release list for any possible updates.

Universal Studios Announces Early HD DVD Titles for October

[27 June 2006] Original post
[30 June 2006] Release date updated: Officially amended from Oct 3 to Oct 10.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced HD DVD titles scheduled for release on October 10, namely Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Both will be released on the HD DVD/DVD Combo format disc. The supplemental materials included for the upcoming HD DVD release will be similar to the DVD editions. No HD DVD exclusive extras.

>> Army of Darkness (HD DVD / DVD Combo)
HD DVD Side
- 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
- Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (English & Spanish)
- English [SDH], French & Spanish subtitles
SD DVD Side
- 480p Standard Definition 16x9 1.85:1
- Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (English & French)
- English [SDH] & Spanish subtitles

>> Fast Times at Ridgemont High (HD DVD / DVD Combo)
HD DVD Side
- 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
- Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English) & Dolby Digital Plus 2.0 (Spanish)
- English [SDH], French & Spanish subtitles
SD DVD Side
- 480p Standard Definition 16x9 1.85:1
- Dolby Digital 5.1 (English) & Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (Spanish)
- English [SDH], French & Spanish subtitles

Firmware Update (v1.4) Available Now from Toshiba

Toshiba America has released the second firmware update for HD-A1, HD-D1 and HD-XA1 sold in U.S. to version 1.4 since the HD DVD players debut in April.

The firmware update addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related problems identified by Toshiba

The firmware update can be obtained over the internet using the Ethernet port on the back of the HD DVD Player. There are instructions for configuring the Ethernet port on pages 44-45 of the owner's manual. Page 57 of the owner's manual describes how to download the firmware update.

For owners who do not have an Ethernet-based broadband connection for their player or prefer not to use one, they may contact Toshiba Customer Solutions at (800) 319-6684 and request that a firmware update disc be sent by mail.

Please note that for owners who sent Toshiba the Firmware Update Request card included with their player, they will receive an update disc by mail from Toshiba as soon as it becomes available.

Please first refer to the webpage Firmware Update Information for Owners of Toshiba HD DVD Players: Models HD-XA1, HD-A1, and HD-D1 for full details and upgrading instructions direct from Toshiba before attempting to upgrade the firmware.

Warner's HD DVD Debut for Japanese market on June 30

Warner Home Video (Japan) has announced the availability of its first HD DVD title, The Last Samurai, in Japan on June 30.

The feature film will be presented in 1080i High Definition 16x9 2.40:1 with Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 audio tracks (Both English and Japanese). Japanese and English subtitles for both original theatrical audio and Japanese voice-over are included.

Other than the presentation, the bonus materials will be similar to the U.S. HD DVD release (Details here) which is available now.

Universal Studios Announce New HD DVDs for September

[20 June 2006] Original post.
[23 June 2006] Updated with amendement to the release dates.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment seems to be pulling no stops with respect to its support for HD DVD format, with new titles added to the September HD DVD release slate. USHE is finally including Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio tracks for some of its Sept HD DVD releases, namely End of Days & Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which will be released on Sept 26. On that same day, USHE will unveil the next wave of titles on HD DVD/DVD Combo format discs, namely Dazed & Confused and George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead (Unrated Director's Cut).

Blogger's Update: If you've noticed,the Sept 19 release date has been amended to Sept 26, which is now the official new date. This amendment actually makes sense because if you look at Universal Studios' August HD DVD line-up, they are released either on August 8 or August 22, which is simply two weeks apart. Similarly, following that release pattern, it does make sense for this small amendment.

September 12:
>> Backdraft (Anniversary Edition)
>> Traffic
>> Seabiscuit
>> Red Dragon

September 26 (New date, originally Sept 19):
>> Dazed & Confused
>> End of Days
>> Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
>> George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead (Unrated Director's Cut)

More details in the post below.

Details of Newly Announced Universal Studios' HD DVDs

Video and audio specifications of the new HD DVD titles announced by Universal Studios Home Entertainment are as follows. Supplemental materials should be similar to their DVD editions. HD DVD exclusive extras for all titles to be confirmed.

September 12:
>> Backdraft (HD DVD)
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (French & Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French & Spanish

>> Red Dragon (HD DVD)
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English, French & Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French & Spanish

>> Seabiscuit (HD DVD)
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English, French & Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French & Spanish

>> Traffic (HD DVD)
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English) & Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (English)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French & Spanish

September 26:
>> End of Days (HD DVD)
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (English), Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French) & Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French & Spanish

>> Dazed and Confused (HD DVD / DVD Combo)
HD DVD Side
- 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
- Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English) & Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (French & Spanish)
SD DVD Side
- 480p Standard Definition 16x9 1.85:1
- Dolby Digital 5.1 (English), DTS 5.1 (English), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (French & Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French & Spanish

>> Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (HD DVD)
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (English), Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English) & Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (French & Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French & Spanish

>> George A. Romero's Land of the Dead: Unrated Director's Cut (HD DVD / DVD Combo)
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1 & 480p Standard Definition 16x9 2.35:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS 5.1
Subtitles: English [SDH], French & Spanish

Finally, Universal Studios Home Entertainment is including Dolby TrueHD tracks on its HD DVD releases. I wonder how the Dolby TrueHD track sounds for King Kong if King Kong is to be on HD DVD before the year ends...

HD DVD Small Talk - All the Speculation & Rumors

Warner's Poseidon is coming to DVD on August 22. It will come in 2 editions (the single-disc for $28.99 SRP and the two-disc Special Edition $34.99 SRP). Given that the 2-disc DVD edition is more likely to make it on the HD DVD release, we may see either HD-30 (SS-DL HD DVD) or a HD-30/DVD-9 Combo format disc being used if Poseidon is indeed announced as one of the upcoming fresh-from-theater titles on HD DVD.

Similar speculations could also be made for V for Vendetta. The DVD (both single and dual discs) are due August 1.

You can be sure that if those titles are announced on HD DVD, you'll see the details here.

Warner Announces New HD DVDs for July 11

Two new HD DVD titles The Dukes of Hazzard (Unrated) & Enter The Dragon is scheduled for release by Warner Home Video on July 11. Both with SRP of $28.99 .

The Dukes of Hazzard (Unrated) will be the second Warner HD DVD title with the In Movie Experience (IME) feature and the third HD DVD title announced to have such feature (that is, Picture-in-Picture visual commentary). The previous ones were Constantine from Warner Home Video and Bourne Supremacy from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

IME raises the bar of interactivity, allowing viewers to enjoy new ways of accessing interviews and other material - while the movie is running - to find out more about the filmmaking process. The IME for "Dukes of Hazzard" takes you on a trouble-making, car-crashing, barroom-brawling in-movie viewing experience.

Both will contain 1080p High Definition 16x9 OAR transfers with the usual inclusion of Dolby Digital-Plus audio tracks. All bonus materials on the Standard Definition versions of both these titles will be included on the HD DVD versions. Stay tuned for more...

HDMI 1.3 Specifications Are Finalised

Read here for the full details.

Universal and Toshiba Entertainment Announced New HD DVD Titles for Japanese market

Universal Studios (Japan) has announced Doom, Apollo 13, Jarhead, Van Helsing, Serenity, and Bourne Supremacy on HD DVD in Japan this Fall.

Toshiba Entertainment has announced 2 English titles and 1 Korean (Volcano High) title on HD DVD, September 22 in Japan. What is interesting is that these 3 titles are using MPEG-2 encoding with running times just shy of 120 minutes (2 hours) on a HD-30 disc. All will feature Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 encoding for both the original language and the Japanese audio tracks. Wonder how will they look when compared to the reportedly more efficient VC-1?

Source: AV Watch (Japanese website)

Full Details of June 27 HD DVD

Lethal Weapon (HD DVD)
Release Date: 27 June 2006
Editions released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-30 (SS-DL)

Feature Film Presentation Specs
Video: 1080p High Definition 16x9 1.85:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English) & Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (French)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

HD DVD Supplemental Materials
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Stereo/Mono sound
No Subtitles.
No HD DVD exclusive extras.

>> Additional Scenes
>> Theatrical Trailer

News on HD DVD Recordable Format front

[June 8, 2006] Original post.
[June 22, 2006] Updated with new infomation from MKM on HD DVD-R DL blank media.

Hitachi Maxell and Mitsubishi Kagaku Media Co., Ltd (MKM) have both announced the availability of HD DVD-R (15GB) 1x blank media in Japan starting July 5.

[June 22, 2006] MKM has announced that the HD DVD-R DL (30GB) 1x blank media will be available in Japan late July.

Hitachi Maxell expects its HD DVD-R DL (30GB) blank media to be at retail in Japan around September.

The single layer HD DVD-R (15GB) blank media can record up to 75 minutes worth of HD broadcasts/video encoded at 24Mbps.

The dual layer HD DVD-R DL (30GB) blank media can record up to 150 minutes worth of HD broadcasts/video encoded at 24Mbps.

At 1x speed, both the HD DVD-R 1x and HD DVD-R DL 1x blank media can be recorded at standard data rate of 36.55 Mbps.

On the HD DVD-RW front, at the DVD Forum's 34th Steering Committee Meeting, the DVD specifications for:

>> High Density Re-recordable Disc (HD DVD-RW) Physical Specifications, Version 1.0, and
>> High Density Re-recordable Disc for Dual Layer (HD DVD-RW for DL) Physical Specifications, Version 2.0

has both been approved. So it is likely that we will be seeing the HD DVD-RW blank media soon before the year ends...

As for the market outside of Japan, it is reported that MKM/Verbatim will ship the HD DVD-R blank media when the supported hardware is available in those areas.

Cyberlink's HD DVD solutions being shipped with LG and Acer HD DVD Laptops

CyberLink has announced its HD DVD solution is being shipped with LG's and Acer's HD DVD equipped notebooks.

CyberLink Corp., the company which makes the widely known PowerDVD line of DVD-Video playback applications, has announced that its creativity and burning software suite CyberLink HD DVD Solution is being shipped with LG's HD DVD notebooks.

CyberLink HD DVD Solution features award-winning DVD player software PowerDVD, which now supports high-definition video playback from HD DVDs from Hollywood.

CyberLink HD DVD Solution also includes data burning software Power2Go, archiving software PowerBackup, and packet-writing software InstantBurn. Users can enjoy creating stylish menus before burning their videos and photos to DVD using authoring software PowerProducer.

On the other hand, the Acer Aspire series notebooks 5670, 9110, 9510, and 9800 will include all-in-one entertainment software developed by CyberLink, branded as Acer Arcade™. Depending on the notebook model, Acer Arcade lets users access their photos, music and videos, play DVDs and watch digital TV via the same intuitive interface. The latest version of Acer Arcade also supports the playback of HD DVD discs, allowing users to enjoy the richer details and improved features of Hollywood HD DVD releases.

Source: Here and Here

My take: This press release seems to confirm that LG Electronics and Acer is indeed planning to ship and sell HD DVD-equipped laptops. So, Acer, Asustek, LG Electronics, Toshiba and Fujitsu have shipped or are indeed planning to ship HD DVD-equipped laptops to retail soon.

HD DVD Small Talk - HD DVD Release Slate

With 27 HD DVD titles from Warner Home Video and Universal Studios Home Entertainment already released to retail, what are the very likely titles that we may see on HD DVD besides those announced?

Will Paramount's first HD DVD titles really be released on June 27? It seems no real announcement is available from Paramount Home Entertainment as yet. But the HD DVD Promotion Group's release list which was first updated on June 8 with this piece of information (that Paramount's first HD DVDs will debut on June 27) was again updated on June 9, June 13 and June 15 with the June 27 date remain unchanged. Also, with Warner releasing only one title Lethal Weapon and none from Universal Studios on that day, it just seems very likely that Paramount may indeed have some HD DVD titles out on that day.

The Weinstein Company's Scary Movie 4 may also be expected on August 15... according to the same release list. If it is true, it will be Weinstein's first HD DVD title.

I, for one, am definitely looking forward to LOTR trilogy to be on HD DVD soon...

Next Tuesday June 20 HD DVDs

Syriana (HD DVD)
Release Date: 20 June 2006
Editions released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-30 (SS-DL)

Feature Film Presentation Specs
Video: 1080p High Definition 16x9 2.4:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French) & Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

HD DVD Supplemental Materials
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Stereo sound
No Subtitles.

>> Additional Scenes
>> Documentary Weaving Reality into Drama*
>> A Conversation with George Clooney
>> A Conversation with Matt Damon*
>> Make a Change, Make a Difference
>> Theatrical Trailer

* denotes HD DVD exclusive supplemental materials.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (HD DVD)
Release Date: 20 June 2006
Editions released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD/DVD Combo (Dual-Sided)

Side A - HD DVD: Feature Film Presentation Specs
Video: 1080p High Definition 16x9 2.4:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French) & Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

Side A - HD DVD Supplemental Materials
None. No HD DVD exclusive extras.

Side B - DVD: Feature Film Presentation Specs
Video: 480p Standard Definition 16x9 2.40:1
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 (English & French) & Dolby Digital 2.0 (Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

Side B - DVD Supplemental Materials
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Stereo Sound
No Subtitles.

>> Commentary by Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer and Shane Black
>> Gag Reel
>> Theatrical Trailer

HD DVD Quick Update - Universal Studios Announced Traffic on HD DVD Sept 12

Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) has added a new title, Traffic, to its HD DVD release slate for Sept 12. The other HD DVD titles from USHE that will be released on the same day will include Backdraft. The main feature of Traffic HD DVD will be presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1 with Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 & 2.0 (English) audio tracks. English [SDH], Spanish and French subtitles included.

More details coming as soon as I get my hands on them...

Many thanks to some of the readers of my blog for the heads-up...

Universal Studios' First Titles on HD DVD/DVD Combo discs

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced first two titles that will find themselves released on the HD DVD/DVD Combo Format discs from August 8. On that same day, Ray HD DVD will also be released.

The HD DVD / DVD Combo Format discs are dual-sided with one side containing the high definition version of the movie and the other containing the standard definition (or DVD) version of the movie.

The titles are:

>> National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
HD DVD Side
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

DVD Side
Video: Standard Definition Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 (English) & Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (English)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

>> Unleashed (2005)
HD DVD Side
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English) & Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

DVD Side
Video: Standard Definition Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 (English) & DTS 5.1 (English)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

All supplemental materials from the DVD editions of these titles will also be included on the DVD side of these HD DVD / DVD Combo Format discs. Stay tuned for more details...

Universal Studios lowers prices of released HD DVD titles from August 8

Universal Studios Home Entertainment have officially lowered the prices of their HD DVD titles released between April and July, from $34.98 SRP to $29.98 SRP, effective this coming August 8.

In chronological order (HD DVD release dates), the titles affected in this price reduction are:
>> Serenity
>> Apollo 13
>> Doom
>> Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)
>> Cinderella Man
>> Jarhead
>> The Bourne Supremacy
>> The Chronicles of Riddick (Unrated Director’s Cut)
>> U-571
>> Van Helsing
>> Happy Gilmore
>> The Rundown
>> Friday Night Lights
>> Pitch Black

Source: DVD Times

HD DVD Ready for Europe by Christmas season

Some highlights:

"Olivier Van Wynendaele of Toshiba Information Systems UK told delegates at the MEDIA-TECH Expo in Frankfurt (June 30) that Toshiba's 12-month European launch strategy for HD DVD, beginning before Christmas, will have two distinct halves: the first six months will target early adopters, predominantly male, who like to have the latest technology and are likely to own an HD Ready TV set.

After six months, the number of titles on the market is expected to be large enough to convince consumers to switch from DVD to HD DVD, he added. The format will then be aimed at a mass audience, less likely to own HDTVs but more interested in being able to watch the latest movies."

The full article can be read here.

Warner's HD DVD Titles for the rest of June

Guess what? Warner Home Video finally gave some advance HD DVD release announcements now instead of the usual 1 week notice before the title is expected to be available at retail.

On June 20
>> Syriana (HD DVD) / $34.99 SRP
- The "Syriana" HD DVD contains two exclusive featurettes, "Weaving Reality Into Drama" and "A Conversation with Matt Damon."

>> Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (HD DVD/DVD Combo) / $39.99 SRP
- All bonus materials on the Standard Definition versions of this title will be included on the HD DVD version.

On June 27
>> Lethal Weapon (HD DVD) / $28.99 SRP
- All bonus materials on the Standard Definition versions of this title will be included on the HD DVD version.

The list of all currently released and upcoming HD DVD titles is updated and can be found here.

Some tidbits:
>> Syriana seems to be the first fresh-from-theatre title that is given the HD DVD only treatment instead of the HD DVD/DVD Combo format which was used on other fresh-from theatre titles such as Firewall.

>> According to this press release, only one HD DVD title from Warner on June 27, and Universal Studios does not seem to be releasing anything on that day. It seems to further confirm that on June 27, we may indeed see Paramount's first HD DVD titles as reported earlier.

Full details of June 13 HD DVDs

16 Blocks (HD DVD / DVD Combo)
Release Date: 13 June 2006
Editions released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD/DVD Combo

Side A - HD DVD: Feature Film Presentation Specs
Video: 1080p High Definition 16x9 2.40:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

Side A - HD DVD Supplemental Materials
None. No HD DVD Exlusive Extras.

Side B - DVD: Feature Film Presentation Specs
Video: 480p Standard Definition 16x9 2.40:1
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 (English & French)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

Side B - DVD Supplemental Materials
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Stereo Sound
No Subtitles.

>> Alternate ending: Includes shocking alternate ending not shown in theaters with the option of viewing it individually or integrated with the film via seamless branching
>> Deleted scenes with Commentary by director Richard Donner and writer Richard Wenk
>> Theatrical Trailer


Happy Gilmore (HD DVD)
Release Date: 13 June 2006
Editions released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-15 (SS-SL)

Feature Film Presentation Specs
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French) & Dolby Digital-Plus 2.0 (Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

HD DVD Supplemental Materials
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Dolby Digital Sound
No Subtitles.
No HD DVD exclusive extras for this release.

>> Deleted Scenes
>> Outtakes

The Rundown (HD DVD)
Release Date: 13 June 2006
Editions released: Standard (1-disc) HD DVD / HD-30 (SS-DL)

Feature Film Presentation Specs
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English, French & Spanish)
Subtitles: English [SDH], French and Spanish

HD DVD Supplemental Materials
Presented in 480i/p Standard Definition with Dolby Digital sound
No Subtitles.
No HD DVD exclusive extras for this release.

>> Feature Commentary by Director Peter Berg and The Rock
>> Feature Commentary by Producers Kevin Misher and Marc Abraham
>> Featurettes:
- Rumble in the Jungle
- The Amazon, Hawaii Style
- Appetite for Destruction
- The Rundown Uncensored
- Running Down the Town
- Walken's World
>> Deleted Scenes
>> Cast and Filmmakers

Paramount's HD DVD Titles Coming...

Paramount Home Entertainment has previously removed the May 30/June 20 date for its first 3 HD DVD titles namely Four Brothers, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and U2: Rattle and Hum.

However, the HD DVD Release List made available by the HD DVD Promotion Group and our other sources indicates that these 3 titles will be available from June 27. More details likely to be announced soon by Paramount...

First HD DVD Writable Drive Displayed at Computex Taipei 2006

Toshiba Corp. has displayed the first HD DVD Writable Drive (SD-L902A) and its pick-up head at the Computex Taipei 2006 show. The drive can write almost any optical disc you can find on the market now from CD-R/RW to DVD-/+R DL, DVD-/+RW and DVD-RAM to upcoming HD DVD-R. It can also read almost anything from CDs to DVDs to HD DVD-R. You may want to check out the source webpage (in Japanese) for higher resolution images...

[08 June 06] An image capture of the HD DVD-RW DL disc displayed at the Computex Taipei 2006 from Ritek (Taiwan-based company) is also posted...

It seems to be reported that HD DVD writable/recording drives and blank media may start to be available before the year ends...

Pictures below:

Also, a sneak peek look at a HD DVD-RW DL 30 GB disc from Ritek:

New HD DVDs Announced by Warner and Universal Studios

Warner Home Video has announced that 16 Blocks (2006) will be released on HD DVD, June 13. This title will be the third one to be released on the HD DVD / DVD Combo Format disc offering the High-Definition (1080p) version of the film on one side and the Standard Definition (480p) of the film on the other.

The supplemental materials will include those included for the standalone DVD release also due on the same day, June 13. They are:

>> Alternate ending: Includes shocking alternate ending not shown in theaters with the option of viewing it individually or integrated with the film via seamless branching
>> Deleted scenes with Commentary by director Richard Donner and writer Richard Wenk
>> Theatrical Trailer

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced Backdraft will be coming to HD DVD on September 12. Video and audio specifications similar to the other Universal Studios' HD DVD can be expected and bonus materials from the DVD edition is also included on the HD DVD. More details soon...

First Firmware Update (v1.2) for Toshiba HD-A1, HD-D1 and HD-XA1 sold in U.S.

Previously we first reported here that Toshiba Japan has released its firmware update for the Japanese HD-XA1. We are please to report again Toshiba America has released the first firmware update for HD-A1, HD-D1 and HD-XA1 sold in U.S. to version 1.2 since the HD DVD players debut in April.

The firmware update addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related problems identified by Toshiba.

The firmware update can be obtained over the internet using the Ethernet port on the back of the HD DVD Player.

For owners who do not have an Ethernet-based broadband connection for their player or prefer not to use one, they may contact Toshiba Customer Solutions at (800) 319-6684 and request that a firmware update disc be sent by mail.

Please note that for owners who sent Toshiba the Firmware Update Request card included with their player, they will receive an update disc by mail from Toshiba as soon as it becomes available.

Please refer to the webpage Firmware Update Information for Owners of Toshiba HD DVD Players: Models HD-XA1, HD-A1, and HD-D1 for full details direct from Toshiba.

HD DVD Hardware/Software Playback News

There are a few quick news updates on the HD DVD Hardware/Software Playback News.

Acer Announced New Laptops with HD DVD playback capability

The Acer Aspire 9110, 9510 and the higher-end 9800 will feature the nVidia GeForce Go 7600 family of GPUs and a HD DVD drive. Acer has announced that it will launch the higher-end model later this month... Details here.

So until now, Fujitsu, Acer and Toshiba are officially offering consumers HD DVD playback capability on their notebook computer systems. And most of the announced notebooks are planned for retail before the end of the year.

InterVideo WinDVD HD (HD DVD Disc Player) Features Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital-Plus

InterVideo's HD DVD Disc Player WinDVD HD will be the first to feature software decoding of next-generation audio technologies, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital-Plus; both of which are mandatory on the HD DVD format specifications.