Posted Wed Mar 21, 2007 at 03:58 PM PDT by
Bandai Visual today becomes the first North American anime studio to throw its hat into the next-gen ring, announcing its debut HD DVD title 'Freedom: Vol. 1' for release this summer.
The first in the popular sci-fi anime series, 'Freedom: Vol. 1' will see a simultaneous debut in the U.S. and Japan on June 26. The title will be packaged as an HD DVD/DVD combo release, and distributed in North America by Bandai Visual USA through their distributor Geneon Entertainment
Bandai Visual intends to "utilize the expanded technological capabilities of the HD DVD format" to present viewers with high added-value on its titles
Full specs are not yet available for 'Freedom,' but the release will include a 1080p/VC-1 encoded transfer, and make use of the HD DVD format's HDi authoring environment, which suggests cutting-edge features including picture-in-picture video and more.
After 'Freedom Vol.1,' Bandai Visual will start releasing other HD DVD and Blu-ray titles in Japan. They have not yet announced any Blu-ray titles for North American distribution, including 'Freedom: Vol. 1.'
We'll keep you posted as more details come in for 'Freedom,' as well as future Bandai Visual announcements.
We've also added a new listing for 'Freedom: Vol. 1' to our complete HD DVD Release Schedule, under June 26.
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