momaw Posted March 19, 2007 Posted March 19, 2007 Online Interactivity to Spearhead Universal's 2007 HD DVD AssaultMon Mar 19, 2007 at 02:50 AM ET Universal Studios Home Entertainment is betting that interactivity will boost HD DVD in the next-gen battle against Blu-ray, with the studio planning to release three major titles in 2007 with web-connected features. Currently, no studio supporting HD DVD has taken advantage of the Ethernet capabilities found on all Toshiba first- and second-gen HD DVD players. That is due to change by year's end, when Universal will unveil three, as-yet-untitled releases to take advantage of the format's web connectivity. The news came courtesy of Kevin Collins, Microsoft director of HD DVD evangelism, who outlined the studio's plans to Video Business. Microsoft, along with Toshiba and Universal, have so far been the primary backers of the HD DVD format since it's launch last year. "We are still scratching the surface of what we are capable of doing, but Universal is leading the format in terms of exploring all the different aspects that are out there now," said Collins. "By the holidays, there will be a lot more features." To date, Blu-ray titles have featured relatively little interactivity, as its BD-Java technology is still being tweaked for implementation on future titles. Nevertheless, HD DVD sales recently began to lag behind Blu-ray, with the format's disc releases selling fewer units than its rival over the last couple of months. Hoping to reverse the trend, Universal will continue to promote existing HDi-based interactivity on two key upcoming HD DVD titles, 'Children of Men,' due March 20, and 'Smokin' Aces,' which streets April 17. The studio promises features even more advanced than those seen on earlier HDi-enabled hits like last September's 'The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.' On 'Children of Men,' viewers get a chance to see the film’s featured video billboard advertisements in their entirety. The HD DVD will allow users to click on each of the approximately ten billboards and watch the complete ads. 'Smokin' Aces' will integrate Google Earth to identify specific locations of assassins during the film. Source Some nifty features in there. I particularly like the google earth link up. Make me wonder, what do you guys think could make for some great special features with the Ethernet access? Hopefully I can get through a thread without getting flamed
sulimo Posted March 19, 2007 Posted March 19, 2007 I have to admit I really don't get why both groups are so hyped up about interactivity. Beyond having something extra on the feature list to sell people on the formats. All I want is to be able to play the bloody movie. Much like all I want is a bloody phone.
momaw Posted March 19, 2007 Author Posted March 19, 2007 I have to admit I really don't get why both groups are so hyped up about interactivity. Beyond having something extra on the feature list to sell people on the formats.All I want is to be able to play the bloody movie. Much like all I want is a bloody phone. True, I have to agree there. But if they think extra features are where the moneys at, lets see what they can do. If they think extra features are going to make or break each format, they might wanna, you know, advertise them.
kamma Posted March 19, 2007 Posted March 19, 2007 certainly doesn't sound like universal are shaky in their commitment to HD-DVD as some here have hinted at, if anything it sounds like they have universals full and undivided support great news
Hussla Posted March 19, 2007 Posted March 19, 2007 It's weird I must be the only person who doesn't give a toss about interactive features. I just want to be able to watch the movie with the best sound and the best picture. Otherwise subtitles are useful as well as I enjoy deleted scenes. Really I cant see the point in anything else.
mrplou Posted March 19, 2007 Posted March 19, 2007 They should sell the raw movie for $20 and the version with all the crap for $30.
momaw Posted March 19, 2007 Author Posted March 19, 2007 Well, since they are charging twice the price of regular DVD's, I wouldn't mind something extra for my money.
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