AfterDawn: News

HD VMD shipping in U.S.

New Medium Enterprises (NME) announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week that HD VMD players would be shipping to the United States. The players, which offer Full HD 1080p video are available from PCRush.com and NMEStore.com at a very affordable price of just $199. All orders for HD VMD players in January will come with two complementary titles, "Mother Ghost" starring James Franco and cult hit "Cutting Room."

HD VMD's ground-breaking innovation is its patented multi-layer disc, which allows for the utilization of proven red laser technology to provide high definition, versus blue laser technology used by HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc. The players are also capable of Upscaling standard-definition DVDs to high definition.



"We are excited to be delivering upon our promise to deliver high quality, affordable high definition to consumers," said Alex Potter, director of U.S. operations, NME. "We remain committed to delivering great HD products and compelling content to the global consumer market." NME also this week announced its worldwide distribution deal with SFM Entertainment for the release of rare and classic film and TV titles never before seen in HD on NME's disc format.

HD VMD red laser multilayer disc plans include storage of up to 30 GB of content on a single side disc.

Source:
Press Release

Written by: James Delahunty @ 13 Jan 2008 20:13

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• 13 comments

• Ason12

  Too little, and way too late!

  13.1.2008 21:10 #1

• sssharp

  Wouldn't this be wacked. A new format shows with this new disc and all studios dump blue laser for red. The hd dvd is just 130 bucks with 7 movies from amazon so the price is a little high at this time.

  13.1.2008 22:04 #2

• jove

  it will be interesting to keep reading news on this thing! ha if hd dvd with its money and support and success couldnt beat blu ray, good luck to them...

  14.1.2008 02:18 #3

• nobrainer

  Originally posted by Ason12: Too little, and way too late!lol you think its decided what format is going to prevail?
  
  the only way it won't gain success is if the MPAA DRM advocates (Sony, Fox & Disney) boycott the format just as they did with HD-DvD.
  

  The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  
  The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  
  The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.

  14.1.2008 04:19 #4

• duckNrun

  Quote:Originally posted by Ason12: Too little, and way too late!lol you think its decided what format is going to prevail?
  
  the only way it won't gain success is if the MPAA DRM advocates (Sony, Fox & Disney) boycott the format just as they did with HD-DvD.Of course it's already decided.... just ask all those analysts and PR peeps.
  
  lol

  14.1.2008 10:03 #5

• atomicxl

  I have to LOL @ this. They are a bit late to be introducing yet another HD Disc format. I can't see this competing very well. HD-DVD is basically dead and it had studio exclusives and support from a good number of studios at one point. This platform has neither. And the price is only $100 from a player/format that does have all the support.

  14.1.2008 15:45 #6

• nobrainer

  Originally posted by atomicxl: I have to LOL @ this. They are a bit late to be introducing yet another HD Disc format. I can't see this competing very well. HD-DVD is basically dead and it had studio exclusives and support from a good number of studios at one point. This platform has neither. And the price is only $100 from a player/format that does have all the support.where this could win is price as red laser technology is very cheap!
  

  The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  
  The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  
  The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.

  14.1.2008 16:10 #7

• banned2X

  Originally posted by atomicxl: I have to LOL @ this. They are a bit late to be introducing yet another HD Disc format. I can't see this competing very well. HD-DVD is basically dead and it had studio exclusives and support from a good number of studios at one point. This platform has neither. And the price is only $100 from a player/format that does have all the support.I am a huge fan of blu-ray. It's just technologically better.........besides...........IT'S SONY. I love Sony. Good quality. I like HD-DVD too.
  
  Basically dead??????? Maybe like your braincells. Not dead and not going to die either. Been saying it for a while; Dual format players are going to be needed, practical and necessary to take part in the purchase of EVERYTHING good out there.

  14.1.2008 16:24 #8

• atomicxl

  Originally posted by nobrainer: Originally posted by atomicxl: I have to LOL @ this. They are a bit late to be introducing yet another HD Disc format. I can't see this competing very well. HD-DVD is basically dead and it had studio exclusives and support from a good number of studios at one point. This platform has neither. And the price is only $100 from a player/format that does have all the support.where this could win is price as red laser technology is very cheap!Thats the same HD-DVD argument... but at least HD-DVD had alot of major studios supporting it. Who is supporting this as far as movie studios go?

  15.1.2008 17:37 #9

• RNR1995

  I am a huge fan of blu-ray. It's just technologically better.........besides...........IT'S SONY. I love Sony. Good quality. I like HD-DVD too.
  
  Sorry dude but HD-DVD is technically better
  How can you support a format who's spec forces DRM on you?
  So when you finally get to record in Blu-Ray your own discs will have DRM?
  HD-DVD is cheaper and it works, not like trying to play the new Blu 1.1 on something?? AND $ony, how can you support a company that infected peoples PC's on purpose just so you could not COPY MUSIC THAT YOU OWN!!!!!!!!!
  F $ony.........

  19.1.2008 08:21 #10

• Gil29483

  This is a serious problem we the consumer have to take action to keep our liberty to choose from what is best for everyone. Consumers never had a chance to decide or understand what format they preferred. Many consumers got ripped off now that Blue-Ray is going to be the sole format and why do we get only one choice?, because SONY owns owns movie studios and has money and influences in Hollywood decided in their own benefit? Xbox360 customers are very upset. Toshiba sold many HD DVD Players already, so they are scr**ed now. Consumers should always have choices. Sony has a monopoly going on here. It's Microsoft's history repeating itself over again. Sony owns several movie studios and approached many companies with incentives and discounts if companies agreed to go with Blue-Ray format only. Samsung was making a dual player and stopped, then decided to only build the Blue-Ray format players. What about all the computers that have HD DVD drives already installed in them? The owners are in a bad situation now. We went to Mutiformat drives before, so why can't we accomodate different formats again without hurting the consumer's bank account. Sony is not an American company. The U.S. has to have other alternatives. Sony got over on everyone with the PS2, re-done twice Models 3000, then 5000 and smaller version because of design problems and we all had to buy the next units again full price. Our Government has to step in and make laws that protect the consumer, from monopolies like what Sony has just created with Blue-Ray. I say give HD VMD a place in this market. Hollywood should not dictate to consumers. I knew this problem was coming, but when Sony was disappointed with their low PS3 sales, they played dirty. Sony keeps saying they are losing money on every PS3 console, but yet they now have profited in the billions. Recently Sony just anounced a price cut this upcoming Christmas '08. Each Blue-Ray movie costs around $23-$25. Even the blank blue-ray media disc costs just as much blank! One format affects our computers, dvd players, recorders, and camcorders, as well as our Flat screen TVs. Allow others to do business in this arena. Let the consumer make their own decisions. Many consumers are angry and confused. They are not going to pay these Sony prices. Sony has other deveolments that willl later be a part of their monopoly. A foreign company should not be the sole DVD Technology for the U.S.A. It's never to late to make things right. The Courts need to decide what is in the best interest for Consumers. The stand alone Blue-Ray players need added Audio hardware to acquire the Audio quality in HD. The PS3 is the only console that can have firmware updates, but the gamepad has to be used to play and use features in Blue-Ray Movies. Stand Alone players will need remotes like "Harmony" to use advanced features. A Harmony remote costs $79-$99 dollars. We must have other choices that give us the same results: watching High Definition Movies using players that are affordable for everyone. DO NOT LET SONY GET AWAY WITH THIS MONOPOLY. If we boycott Blue-Ray, we will get more choices we all deserve as consumers. High Definition can be acquired from your Cable, Satelite or Broadband TV Providers already available. Write to your congressman where you live to fix this mess. Our economy is not doing well. Imagine what the Sony games will cost. What about repairs and warranties from another country? It all adds up to unaffordable Media Entertainment. Make a difference, Be heard!!!

  10.3.2008 01:55 #11

• Gil29483

  This is a serious problem we the consumer have to take action to keep our liberty to choose from what is best for everyone. Consumers never had a chance to decide or understand what DVD format they preferred. Many consumers got ripped off now that Blue-Ray is going to be the sole format and why do we get only one choice?, because SONY owns owns movie studios and has money and influences in Hollywood decided in their own benefit? Xbox360 customers are very upset. Toshiba sold many HD DVD Players already, so they are scr**ed now. Consumers should always have choices. Sony has a monopoly going on here. It's Microsoft's history repeating itself over again. Sony owns several movie studios and approached many companies with incentives and discounts if companies agreed to go with Blue-Ray format only. Samsung was making a dual player and then stopped, they agreed to only build the Blue-Ray format players. What about all the computers that have HD DVD drives already installed in them? The owners are in a bad situation now. We went to Mutiformat drives before, so why can't we accomodate different formats again without emptying the consumer's bank account. Sony is not an American company. The U.S. has to have other alternatives. Sony got over on everyone with the PS2, re-done twice Models 3000, then 5000 and to a smaller version because of design problems and we all had to buy the next units again full price. Our Government has to step in and make laws that protect the consumer from monopolies like what Sony has just created with Blue-Ray. I say, give HD VMD a place in this market. Hollywood should not dictate to consumers. I knew this problem was coming, but when Sony was disappointed with their low PS3 sales, they played dirty. Sony keeps saying they are losing money on every PS3 console, but yet they now have profited near 2 billion lately. Recently Sony just anounced a price cut this upcoming Christmas '08. Each Blue-Ray movie costs around $23-$25. Even the . blue-ray media disc costs just as much. One format affects our computers, dvd players, recorders, and camcorders, as well as our Flat screen TVs. Allow others to do business in this arena. Let the consumer make their own decisions. Many consumers are angry and confused. They are not going to pay these Sony prices. Sony has other developments that will later play into their monopoly. A foreign company should not be the sole DVD Technology for the U.S.A. It's never to late to make things right. The Courts need to decide what is in the best interest for Consumers. The stand alone Blue-Ray players need added Audio hardware to acquire the Audio quality in HD. The PS3 is the only console that can have firmware updates, but the gamepad has to be used to play and use features in Blue-Ray Movies. Stand Alone players will need remotes like "Harmony" to use advanced features. A Harmony remote costs $79-$99 dollars. We must have other choices that give us the same results: watching High Definition Movies using players that are affordable for everyone. DO NOT LET SONY GET AWAY WITH THIS MONOPOLY. If we boycott Blue-Ray, we will get more choices we all deserve as consumers. Did you know Sony's Audio format is "ATRAC"? Which is used on the PSP and Mini-Disc Walkman. High Definition can be acquired from your Cable, Satelite or Broadband TV Providers already available. Write to your congressman where you live to fix this mess. Our economy is not doing well. Imagine what the Sony games will cost. What about repairs and warranties from another country? It all adds up to unaffordable Media Entertainment. Make a difference, Be heard!!!

  10.3.2008 01:55 #12

• atomicxl

  I think this might have some type of shot with Blu-Ray like DRM that the studios like (if studios don't like it, the format is dead in the water) and if the players have features like a bootleg movie device:
  
  Support for .MKV, .MP4, .AVI DivX, Xvid, WMV and H.264 (have a maximum level, but don't require the level tag for playback since torrent encoders rarely add this for some reason) out of the box. Also support .srt and .ass and .sub subtitle formats. If the player could do that, i'd buy one. At least then i'd have something in my house that could eventually play their format.
  
  Even with that I think only a minority of people would buy it since it can't play the popular hd formats.

  10.3.2008 12:02 #13