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HD VMD Players Make US Debut
Wed Oct 10, 2007 at 09:00 AM ETTags: VMD (all tags)
Two high-def disc formats not enough for you? The long-awaited Versatile Multi-Layer Disc (VMD) is now officially available in the United States.
The third high-def disc format was originally announced back in 2006, but had evaded US release until now.
Gadget blog Technabob was first to note the inconspicuous US market debut for VMD on Amazon.com, where three VMD players are being sold direct from the manufacturer, with prices starting at only $189.
As we've previously reported, the upstart format's red laser multilayer disc is currently capable of storing 15 to 20 GB on a single layer, with plans to grow that number to 30GB.
But according to New Medium Enterprises, the UK technology company that developed VMD, the format's real sell is its ability to deliver the same high-quality video and audio as Blu-ray and HD DVD at a fraction of the cost -- both to the consumer, and the content creator.
While disc production costs for Blu-ray and HD DVD are said to run somewhere between $2 to $3 a unit, VMD discs reportedly cost just over a $1/unit to produce, only slightly more than standard-def DVD.
Cost aside, VMD is likely to face an uphill battle both for recognizable high-def content -- and for shelf space at retailers.
The company has yet to announce any US-based content partners, and it seems highly unlikely that any of the major studios will make their films available on VMD disc, at least in the short term. (Overseas, the company has partnered with a number of indie film distributors, most notably including Eastern Europe's Monolith Films which owns regional rights to films like 'Apocalypto,' 'Lord of War,' and '16 Blocks.')
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Amazon Listing for VMD Players [Amazon.com]
- HD VMD Players Hit Stores For Under $200 [Technabob]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Are You Ready for Another High-Def Disc Format?
CEDIA: HD VMD to Make US Debut This Fall
Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 01:34 PM ETTags: CEDIA, VMD (all tags)
The long-anticipated third high-def disc format (yes, you read right) is set to hit US shores this October.
Short for "Versatile Multilayer Disc," the VMD format was originally announced back in 2006, but had evaded US release until now.
Developed by UK technology company New Medium Enterprises (NME), the format's red laser multilayer disc is currently capable of storing 15 to 20 GB on a single layer, with plans to grow that number to 30GB.
But according to its manufacturer, the real sell of VMD is its ability to deliver the same high-quality video and audio as Blu-ray and HD DVD at a fraction of the cost -- both to the consumer, and the content creator.
While disc production costs for Blu-ray and HD DVD are said to run somewhere between $2 to $3 a unit, VMD discs reportedly cost just over a $1/unit to produce, only slightly more than standard-def DVD.
In terms of hardware cost to the consumer, NME says its first player will hit the US market in October at a $199 price point, roughly 30% less than any standalone high-def disc player currently available (although Venturer recently announced plans to release its own $199 1080i HD DVD player in time for the holidays).
Price aside, VMD is likely to face an uphill battle both for recognizable high-def content, and for shelf space at retailers.
The company's press release includes no mention of any US-based content partners, and it seems highly unlikely that any of the major studios will make their films available on VMD disc -- at least in the short term. (Overseas, the company has partnered with a number indie film distributors, most notably including Eastern Europe's Monolith Films which owns regional rights to films like 'Apocalypto,' 'Lord of War,' and '16 Blocks.')
On the retail side, so far NME has only identified one US retailer who will carry its players -- pcRUSH.com
NME is demonstrating its new player this week at the CEDIA Expo.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- HD VMD Debuts in U.S. - Affordable HD Disc Solution Available to Consumers in Q3'07 [Press Release]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Are You Ready for Another High-Def Disc Format?
- VMD Headed to US
VMD Headed to US September 2006
Mon May 15, 2006 at 02:32 PM ETTags: VMD, Technology Forecasts (all tags)
While you're waiting for the price of Blu-ray and HD DVD players to come down, New Medium Enterprises is hoping that you'll drop a Benjamin or two on a Versatile Multilayer Disc (VMD). VMD provides a high def image using Red-ray technology, which compresses more digital information onto a disc than the standard DVD, but less than an HD or Blu-ray disc.
London-based New Medium is partnering with Chinese hardware supplier Beijing E-World to deliver the first VMD-compatible hardware to the US. The first VMD player to hit US markets will be priced at $150 and will be backward compatible with standard DVD content.
While they haven't announced which titles, New Medium is promising 100 VMD releases by September, priced at $25 per disc.
Essentially a third high def format, the proponents of Red-ray technology are hoping to find a foothold in the market with consumers who want high-def playback, but don't want to pay for developing HD and Blu-ray technology. Rather than a shift in format, New Medium conceives of itself as providing the next incremental step in the quality of DVD players.
- Related links:
- Another High-Def Format to Launch [Video Business]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Are You Ready for Another High-Def Format? (Mar 14, 2006)
Are You Ready for Another High-Def Disc Format?
Tue Mar 14, 2006 at 01:14 PM ETTags: VMD, Technology Forecasts (all tags)
We know you need another high-def DVD format like you need a hole in the head, but that's just what London-based New Medium Enterprises is planning to introduce later this year. The company has developed the Versatile Multi-Layer Disc (VMD), a multi-layer disc technology that promises equal or greater storage capacity to existing HD-DVD and Blu-Ray high-def formats, and cheaper player and disc costs.
Wisely, New Medium isn't planning to introduce the format in the U.S. anytime soon, so as to avoid direct competition with HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, which are due to hit the domestic market this spring backed by both strong manufacturer and studio support.
"We don't want to be in collision with the big guys," said COO Eugene Levich, adding that the company will promote VMD first in China and India later this year, followed by Eastern Europe, Russia and South America. "[That's] enough for a small company like us. Those markets are a good chunk of business."
Even if VMD is successful overseas, it faces an uphill struggle here in the U.S, where it has absolutely zero manufacturer and studio support. Still, given the the numerous delays that continue to plague both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, who knows -- at this rate, VMD could just beat them both to market.
- Related links:
- High-Def Without the High Price? [PC World]
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