Toshiba responds to Paramount announcement
As we mentioned earlier, Paramount (and others)
who previously were set to release movies only in the HD-DVD format,
have announced they will be going both ways and dual-releasing on Blu-ray. This is a strike against the HD-DVD camp, as with both formats still unreleased and much controversy over their capabilities, potential content availability may be the best measuring stick.
Toshiba's not sweating it though, in fact, they're not sweating it so much they put out a press release at 3 AM EST to let people know that HD-DVD is still here, and they're still strong.
What do you think, is the war over before a single shot is fired and Toshiba is just in the process of copping pleas, or is this pretty inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, especially with HD-DVD's first mover advantage?
Check the full release after the jump.
From Toshiba.com:
Our understanding is that Paramount Home Entertainment also continues
to support HD DVD, a position established in comments from Paramount officials
in press reports. We see Paramount's continued commitment to releasing
HD DVD titles as proof that the studio still recognizes HD DVD's advantages:
accelerated time to market, greater proven capacity, lower expected price,
and enhanced consumer features. We look forward to continuing to collaborate
with the studio in this important product area.
We understand that studios want to see precisely what will happen in
the CE and IT industries, and that they will want to support all potential
markets for their products.
However, once HD DVD comes to market at the end of 2005 in Japan, and
early next year in the United States as planned, it will not take long
to know which format really delivers the benefits of high definition to
the consumer.
In terms of development, HD DVD is far in advance of Blu-ray. Volume
production of discs will see decisive cost and productivity advantages
in favor of HD DVD. On the strength of these facts, we are convinced that
Hollywood studios and other content holders will eventually opt for commercialization
in the HD DVD format.
The HD DVD format is the only next-generation DVD format defined by the
DVD Forum, the international organization that determines DVD specifications.
The Forum has approximately 240 member companies around the world, including
major Hollywood studios and leaders in the CE and IT industries. The HD
DVD format was arrived at only after extensive, open discussions and technical
evaluations among the membership. Moreover, development of HD DVD is in
the final phase, and we are proceeding with necessary preparations for
commercialization.
HD DVD features compatibility with current DVD, and to this adds advanced
characteristics, including efficient manufacturing of discs and hardware,
cost efficiency, superior connectivity with PCs through iHD software.
As HDTV and large-sized flat panel TVs continue their market penetration,
HD DVD alone offers the ability to meet rapidly increasing consumer demand
for high definition DVD content in a timely manner. Last but not least,
HD DVD will adopt AACS, created by major IT and CE companies, and so realize
Hollywood's most pressing concern: robust content protection –
a great benefit to content holders.