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Damon Albarn making next Gorillaz album completely on an iPad
Musicians love the iPad -- it's a powerful computer with an intuitive interface, and that turns Apple's tablet into one of the best musical instruments (both real and virtual) around. Now, Damon Albarn, formerly of Blur and now frontman for the band Gorillaz, has become a fan as well. He tells NME that he's making a brand new record completely on the revolutionary and magical device. "I hope I'll be making the first record on an iPad," he said. "I fell in love with my iPad as soon as I got it, so I've made a completely different kind of record." That sounds interesting -- the album is apparently an official Gorillaz album (Albarn frequently collaborates with all kinds of artists for the "band's" music), and Albarn says it should be out sometime soon, "before Christmas." We'll have to look forward to it -- all of the iPad music we've heard so far sounds great, and it'll be intriguing to see what kinds of decisions Albarn makes just by working on an iPad. [via 9to5Mac]
HD VMD clears up European Union, spring break related rumors
Alleviating worries that mere format war irrelevance had gotten our friends in the VMD camp down, a statement was issued today regarding stories "emerging" on the internets alleging EU officials had confiscated money from Microsoft and/or Sony, and given to NME to subsidize its fledgling red laser HD disc (Hadn't heard about it? Neither did we.) NME, the backers of HD VMD, would like everyone to know that not only is that completely false, it also did not have sex with Brad at Cabo San Lucas, as had been reported. With that rumor smashed we can go back to eagerly anticipating our pre-ordered Lazy Town HD VMDs, just 499,999 more to go!
NME says format war still on, it totally made out with a girl last summer in Niagara Falls
Just when the members of the Blu-ray Disc Association were settling down to enjoy the fruits of victory, another challenger has entered the ring -- oh wait, it's just NME, makers of VMD, so it's really more like "remained in the ring and basically ignored." The company just issued a press release saying "All indications are that VMD can fill the void left by HD DVD," and that "The way is now clear for VMD to be embraced by the industry." We suppose that's true -- the Asian bootlegging industry really hasn't weighed in with a format choice yet, has it? In any event, VMD players have apparently been shipping to the US for a month now, so all you HD DVD fans out there looking to back yet another losing horse can probably find one -- start at the shadiest retailer you can think of, and then move downwards.[Thanks, Chris]
HD VMD predicts 500,000 units sold worldwide in '08
If you missed out on (read: forgot, don't feel bad, we did too) Global VMD Day last month, allow VideoBusiness to bring you up to speed on the plucky red laser HD format. NME thinks with its low production costs and movie prices -- about the same as a standard DVD -- it can move 500,000 of the 1080p standalone players worldwide this year. The company has had some success dealing with international distributors, resulting in high profile movies like Apocalypto available on the format in Australia. In the U.S., the only studio noted is Anthem Pictures, which plans to release three titles a month. With HD DVD prices plunging and Blu-ray's expectations soaring its tough to see HD VMD competing with the big boys.
HD VMD Day is January 22, celebrate the one true red contender in the HD war
Still not sure if HD VMD is a viable or even notable contestant in the next-gen disc wars? Find out more during "Global VMD Day", January 22nd, hosted at NME's first manufacturing line in The Netherlands. For the price of one transcontinental plane ticket (or intra-continental for our European friends) attendees can enjoy a celebration of all things HD VMD, learn about new supporters of the format and experience tech demos. You're an HD enthusiast right? Be a pal and hop the next Concorde to Europe, then let us know if VMD is a contender or pretender.[Via CNN Money]
PC Rush orders up 10000 HD VMD players: any takers?
If you'll recall, New Medium Enterprises proudly announced that it had landed a tried and true US distributor for its HD VMD player way back in February, and now the firm is letting everyone know that PC Rush will be taking delivery of 10,000 multilayer players. Starting next month, the e-tailer will be offering up the 1080p players online, and it's also noted that the devices will reach unspecified brick and mortar outlets courtesy of Distenex, a sister company of PC Rush. Granted, these very players were previously available to US customers via Amazon, but now it seems that orders are no longer being accepted. We still have no idea who here will actually head out (or hop online) to pick one of these up this holiday season, so we'll start by asking you -- anyone gonna shrug off HD DVD / Blu-ray and hop on the rebel's bandwagon?
NME's HD VMD players hit for under $200
Considering that the war between HD DVD and Blu-ray is still raging, we'd really be hesitant to jump on board NME's bandwagon. Nevertheless, New Medium Enterprises' proprietary HD VMD players are starting to show up for under two Benjamins, but of course, there's only a handful of notable films available on the format (for now, at least). Those still interested in giving it a whirl can jump on the ML622S ($189) or ML777s ($199) right now, but don't blame us if the content you're dreaming of never makes its way over to HD VMD.[Via Technabob]
NME fleshes out 40GB HD VMD discs, hardware, still prepping for launch
New Medium Enterprises has been trying to get its VMD platform for high def optical discs out the door since late 2004, but we haven't heard much solid. In the grand tradition of vaporous, cut-rate consumer electronics, NME's publishing some puffy PR with terms like "The New Definition of High Definition" and "True High Definition". What are they offering? Well, supposedly a budget player's in the works that will play 1080i/p video for €179 ($250), upscale DVDs, and offers 45Mbps video (codecs go unmentioned) and 7.1 surround, region-free media, and a totally blockbuster lineup of Bollywood and Hollywood titles, including Mel Gibson classic "Apocalypto," and "Passion of the Christ". Color us totally impressed. No, really.
HD VMD signs first U.S. distributor, preps for 2Q launch
If you're looking for an alternative to the Blu-ray and HD DVD format war, don't forget VMD, which has just announced it's first distribution deal with a U.S. retailer, PC Rush. NME plans to make two players available in the second quarter of this year, the HD VMD Player Duo for $199 and the HD VMD Player Quattro for $249. The 40GB multilayered, red-laser based format hopes to bring HD content home for prices similar to standard DVDs, but we still have to see what kind of content will be available when players hit the shelves.
VMD gets Bollywood pack-in titles for January '07 launch
Everyone's favorite third high definition disc format got a boost today as it announced deals with six Indian film distributors. When the first HD VMD player launches in January of next year, it will be available with a bundle of 10 high definition Bollywood movies for $299 through various Indian retailers. New Medium Enterprises has already secured deals for content in Germany and China, now with the addition of the booming Indian film market VMD hopes to provide high definition content at prices HD DVD and Blu-ray won't be able to match.
HD VMD format gets support from German film distributor
That other high definition disc format, VMD has announced some of the content customers can expect at launch in 2007. German independent distributor VCL is launching with familiar titles like Sleepy Hollow, Paparazzi, Reefer Madness and Hostage in January. No word on price, specific dates or features are available yet. The company behind VMD, NME Inc. has previously indicated it plans to support the low cost format with Bollywood titles and Broadway shows. Using older red laser technology and a multilayered structure, VMD aims to provide HDTV content at a much lower price than Blu-ray or HD DVD. We'll likely find out more about the company's plans at CES 2007 and get a look at the first player.[Via Home Media Retailing]
Third HD format VMD launching for $175 at CES
NME, the same company that recently claimed to solve the Blu-ray / HD DVD debate by creating a disc that holds both, has now specifics of, and hardware for, its alternative HD format. VMD is targeted as a low cost high definition DVD, using red lasers -- just like DVD and CD -- instead of the blue lasers in Blu-ray and HD DVD. Much delayed, the standalone player is now expected to launch at CES in January, with a price of just $175, compared to the $500+ price of competing formats. With all the major studios backing Blu-ray and/or HD DVD, we hope you like Bollywood's greatest hits and old Broadway performances, as NME is targeting Eastern markets first. Unlike the US, Video CDs and other delivery options have flourished alongside DVD internationally and VMD hopes to take the same route for HD. No word on if it has achieved the multilayer 100GB+ discs promised, but at this price, we'll keep an eye out for NME in Las Vegas.
HD DVD, Blu-ray and DVD all-in-one disc draws closer
The end of the HD DVD / Blu-ray format war has been declared again, but from a most unlikely source. Recently Warner patented an all-in-one disc to contain a movie in both competing formats plus DVD, and now New Medium Enterprises has followed that up by claiming it's patented a technology capable of actually manufacturing it. Making its claim even more incredible is the fact that NME is the architect of a third competing format, Versatile Multilayer Disc (VMD), that already consists of multiple DVD layers. It claims the discs will cost 9 cents apiece to make, compared to 6 cents for standard DVDs -- of course that doesn't include the potential licensing cost for three versions of a movie and three different disc formats, along with the new players NME indicates you may also need to read these multilayer discs. The company still hasn't gotten its 100GB VMD to market after many exhibitions, but with prototypes slated for availability in the first quarter of 2007, we should find out soon enough if this is just hype or if we can finally buy high-def DVDs without picking the next Beta.
