While Blu-ray sees its highly-promoted launch this week, Universal continues
to aggressively support HD DVD, announcing six new high-profile titles for release
this September.
Due on September 12 are '
Red
Dragon' and the Oscar-nominated '
Seabiscuit.'
Each HD-30 (dual-layer) disc will feature 1080p video and Dolby Digital-Plus
soundtracks, plus all of the same supplements as the standard DVD releases.
A week later on September 19 comes two more HD-30 releases, the Arnold Schwarzenegger
apocalyptic drama '
End
of Days,' and the Hunter S. Thompson biopic '
Fear
& Loathing in Las Vegas,' plus a pair of hybrid HD DVD/DVD combo discs,
'
Dazed and Confused'
and '
George A. Romero's
Land of the Dead.' Each will also be presented in 1080p and Dolby Digital-Plus,
and include comparable extras to their standard DVD releases.
These six new announcements join '
Traffic'
and '
Backdraft,'
which the studio previously announced for a September 12 HD DVD release.
The studio has not yet announced what, if any, exclusive HD bonus content may be included on its
September releases. Note that neither 'Traffic,' 'Dazed & Confused' nor
'Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas' will feature any of the extras found on the
Criterion Collection DVD versions.
Universal has set a $28.99 retail price for its standard HD DVD releases, with
the hybrid HD DVD/DVD titles listing for $34.95.
All titles have been added to our comprehensive
HD
DVD Release Schedule.