HD-DVD Comes Out Swingin' with Initial Title Lineup
Posted Thu Jan 5, 2006 at 07:59 AM PST by
Blu-Ray
may have fired the first salvo
in the high-def format war at yesterday's CES 2006, but the HD-DVD camp
is not backing down from the fight. Universal, Warner, New Line and HBO
unveiled
their initial HD-DVD offerings today, which appeared to trump Blu-Ray
in terms of diversity, day-and-date with DVD support and speed to market,
with the first titles expected by mid-March.
While
all of the studios supporting either high-def DVD format unveiled about
10 to 20 titles apiece, initial impressions give HD-DVD the edge. The
obvious catalog action blockbusters like 'The Lord of the Rings'
and 'Matrix' trilogies are there, but so is comedic fare like 'The
40-Year-Old Virgin.' Combine that with strong same-day-as-DVD titles
as 'Superman Reborn' and 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,' and it makes for a strong opening blitzkrieg. Having HBO under the Warner
umbrella also means TV DVD will be better represented than it has been
with Blu-Ray, with HBO pledging such top shows as 'The Sopranos'
and 'Deadwood' by year end.
HD-DVD's
showing was also boosted by the first genuine surprise of CES 2006: the
newly-formed Weinstein Co. announced
exclusive
HD-DVD support. With an upcoming lineup of titles including 'The
Matador,' 'Scary Movie 4,' 'Young Hannibal,' 'The
Passion of the Clerks,' that's nothing to scoff at.
However, Blu-Ray has a counterpunch of its own still left for CES 2006.
Disney will unveil their exclusive plans for the Sony-backed format with
a gala event tonight, which could tip the scales back in the Blu-Ray's
favor.