'Alpha Dog' & 'The Hitcher' on HD DVD, May 1

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has indicated that Alpha Dog and The Hitcher will arrive at retail on the HD DVD/DVD Combo disc, this May 1. They will be priced at $39.98 SRP each. The main highlight of this announcement will be the inclusion of Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (Lossless) audio track on Alpha Dog HD DVD.

Let's hope that this marks the beginning of more HD DVD titles from Universal Studios that will contain a lossless audio track such as Dolby TrueHD. Previous attempts of including Dolby TrueHD 5.1 tracks on End of Days HD DVD and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas HD DVD has resulted in some video/audio playback issues with some players when the Dolby TrueHD track is selected.

The specs currently stands as follows. Should there be any further changes, you'd see them posted up on this blog.

Alpha Dog (HD DVD/DVD Combo)

HD DVD Side - Main Feature Presentation

• 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
• Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (English) & Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
• English [SDH] & French subtitles

DVD Side - Main Feature Presentation

• 480p Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
• Dolby Digital 5.1 (English & French)
• English [SDH], French & Spanish subtitles

Bonus Materials

• HD DVD Exclusive Extras
  - U-Control Witness Timeline: Access detailed information about each witness as the story's shocking events unfold, without interruption to the movie experience.
• Extras Present on Both HD DVD & DVD sides:
  - A Cautionary Tale: The Making of Alpha Dog - This exclusive documentary look takes viewers behind the scenes for an inside look at the making of the film.
  - Witness Timeline - Get detailed information on each witness as the shocking events unfold.

*****

The Hitcher (HD DVD/DVD Combo)

HD DVD Side - Main Feature Presentation

• 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.40:1
• Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (English & French)
• English [SDH] & French subtitles

HD DVD Exclusive Extras

• U-Control - Picture in Picture: Access interactive bonus features, including cast interviews and behind-the-scenes movie footage, all while you watch the movie.

DVD Side - Main Feature Presentation

• 480p Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1
• Dolby Digital 5.1 (English & French)
• English [SDH], French & Spanish subtitles

Bonus Materials (On both the HD DVD & DVD sides)

• Deleted Scenes
• Dead End
• Road Kill: The Ultimate Car Crash
• Fuel Your Fear: The Making of The Hitcher
• Chronicles of a Killer