[CES 07] Warner: One World, One Disc
January 12th, 2007 — By Scott WilkinsonTHD Disc Plays it Both Ways
Just as LG has addressed the Blu-ray/HD DVD format war from the hardware side, Warner Home Video announced a software-based solution at CES. Called THD (Total Hi Def), the Warner plan combines a Blu-ray version of a program on one side of the disc and an HD DVD version on the other side, and each side can be either single- or dual-layer.
According to the studio’s market research, such a disc would encourage consumers to buy a player of either stripe; in addition, it would conserve retail shelf space by not requiring stores to carry two versions of the same titles.
Joining Warner in support of the idea is HBO and New Line as well as LG, Cinram (a disc-replication company), and Amazon.com. Once the manufacturing is up and running, the three studios plan to release all new titles on THD discs with exactly the same content (including bonus materials) on each side. When asked if other studios would support the new disc, the spokesperson replied that discussions were ongoing but remained non-committal; surely, it seems unlikely that Sony Pictures and its affiliated studios would sign on.
The first commercial THD discs should be available in the second half of 2007. No specific pricing was revealed, but it was said that they would not be significantly more than current Blu-ray and HD DVD titles.
Makes sense.
Comment by Tom January 12th, 2007 @ 6:50 pmExcept that Sony and its affiliated studios are unlikely to sign on and release titles in THD, making this a less effective solution than the LG combo player.
Comment by Scott Wilkinson January 12th, 2007 @ 10:21 pm