29 November, 2004 Tokyo -- Toshiba Corporation disclosed
today that the company has received separate commitments of support from
Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, New Line Cinema, and Warner Bros.
Studios, respectively for the next-generation, high-definition DVD disc format,
HD DVD.
HD DVD is the newly developed high definition DVD disc standard being
developed at the DVD Forum, which represents over 230 consumer electronics,
information technology, and content companies. HD DVD innovations include higher
resolution video and audio available on a suite of disc capacities adaptable for
longer or shorter programs '“ along with advanced navigation, web connectivity,
and new consumer options. HD DVD supports such essential features as advanced
content access and robust content security technology, which are critical to the
studios. A single, dual-layer HD DVD ROM disc, which has a 30-gigabyte capacity,
can hold as much as eight hours of high-quality, high definition movie content.
HD DVD is based on the same physical disc structure as DVD, which secures easy
backward compatibility with today's DVD, and enables manufacture of highly
reliable hardware and discs at a reasonable cost.
Mr. Tadashi Okamura, President and CEO of Toshiba Corporation, said: "We are
delighted that the HD DVD format has been independently endorsed by Paramount
Pictures, Universal Pictures, New Line Cinema, and Warner Bros. Studios. We
sought to contribute to development of the format through a close dialogue with
Hollywood studios and extensive technical discussions within the DVD Forum, an
approach that has been validated by these endorsements.
"HD DVD offers the necessary combination of picture quality, content security
and advanced features, including interactivity, plus reasonable manufacturing
costs. We believe this is why HD DVD is gaining broad acceptance and has won the
support of each of these four leading studios," Mr. Okamura continued.
"Endorsement of HD DVD by these leading Hollywood studios is a great impetus to
assuring the timely launch of HD DVD and to assuring that consumers have a range
of attractive choices in both hardware and software. Major Hollywood studios are
expected to release a number of movie titles, including new releases, to support
the smooth progress of HD DVD in its initial year. Hundreds of other titles will
also be available from other international content holders."
The DVD Forum has been working on the fine details of the HD DVD
specifications for almost two years, including physical, file format and
application specifications for recordable and ROM discs. The DVD Forum approved
the version 1.0 physical specifications for HD DVD-ROM in February 2004,
followed by version 1.0 of the HD DVD-Rewritable format in September 2004.
Completion of the HD DVD-R, a one-time recordable format, is also expected by
year end. "Every facet of HD DVD development is on track," said Yoshihide Fujii,
President and CEO, Toshiba's Digital Media Network Company. "As we enter the age
of high-definition broadcasting, consumers increasingly want HD content for
their high definition, large-screen displays, and HD DVD naturally fits in with
this trend. HD DVD will open up new horizons in visual entertainment."
"With the emergence of a wide range of advanced digital devices, assurance of
robust content protection is of primary importance to the sound development of
both the hardware and software industries." said Mr. Fujii. "We intend to
reinforce close collaboration and dialogue with other hardware manufacturers,
content holders and software distributors to meet this objective." The HD DVD
format will enable the most advanced content protection technology; AACS
(Advanced Access Content System), currently being developed by major
international CE, IT companies and Hollywood studios, is expected to be
selected.
HD DVD players are expected to become available in late 2005 and widely
available in 2006. Toshiba plans to launch its first HD DVD products, a CE
player and recorder, in the fourth quarter of 2005. The company also plans to
release notebook PC with a built-in HD DVD drive at the end of
2005.
Source: Toshiba Japan
