Author Topic: Blu-ray News (Read 161048 times)

pchin · « **Reply #90 on:** Jun 16, 2007 at 09:32 AM »

Looking forward to Face-Off!

darkwing · « **Reply #91 on:** Jun 18, 2007 at 03:53 PM »

Blockbuster to carry Blu-Ray from now on...

http://avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=862638

LOS ANGELES - Blockbuster Inc. will rent high-definition DVDs only in the Blu-ray format in 1,450 stores when it expands its high-def offerings next month, dealing a major blow to the rival HD DVD format.
The move, being announced Monday, could be the first step in resolving a format war that has kept confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market.

Blockbuster has been renting both Blu-ray and HD DVD titles in 250 stores since late last year and found that consumers were choosing Blu-ray titles more than 70 percent of the time.
"The consumers are sending us a message. I can't ignore what I'm seeing," Matthew Smith, senior vice president of merchandising at Blockbuster, told The Associated Press.
Blockbuster will continue to rent HD DVD titles in the original 250 locations and online, the Dallas-based company said.
The decision was helped in large part by the lopsided availability of titles in Blu-ray, Smith said. All major studios except one are releasing films in Blu-ray, with several, including The Walt Disney Co., releasing exclusively in Blu-ray. Only Universal Studios, which is owned by General Electric Co., exclusively supports HD DVD.
Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc., and Paramount Pictures, which is owned by Viacom Inc., release films in both formats.

pchin · « **Reply #92 on:** Jun 18, 2007 at 04:23 PM »

Definitely a very BIG blow to HD DVD. I can't help but feeling HD DVD is heading down the slope...

Mouldingo · « **Reply #93 on:** Jun 18, 2007 at 05:34 PM »

HD DVD reply to Blockbuster's Blu-ray only decision

The HD DVD Promotional Group called Blockbuster's decision "shortsighted," and attributed Blu-ray's performance at Blockbuster to that format's stronger release slate in the first three months of 2007.

"I think trying to make a format decision using such a short time period is really not measuring what the consumer is saying," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the group.

john5479 · « **Reply #94 on:** Jun 18, 2007 at 07:58 PM »

ahhh lets end this already...one format please!!!!

pchin · « **Reply #95 on:** Jun 18, 2007 at 08:09 PM »

'Harry Potter,' 'Ocean's Eleven,' Direct-to-Disc Premieres Highlight Upcoming Warner High-Def Release Plans

Warner Home Video has an impressive roster of top catalog releases ready for high-def this fall, with the studio reportedly prepping next-gen versions of its blockbuster 'Harry Potter' and 'Ocean's Eleven' series on Blu-ray and HD DVD.

At least, that's according to a new article over at Video Business focusing on the diverse high-def catalog plans of the major studios. The story offers some sizable hints that a number of previously-unannounced major titles are finally on the docket for high-def, as both Blu-ray and HD DVD continue to seek mainstream consumer acceptance.

Among the major titles Video Business is predicting will finally hit next-gen by the end of the year are two blockbuster franchises from Warner. The studio is reported to be planning a roll-out of at least some (if not all five) of the 'Harry Potter' series, as well as all three 'Ocean's Eleven' flicks.

Look for the 'Potter' titles to be released on high-def by the end of 2007, timed to the home video bow of next month's theatrical premiere 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.'

Also on tap are 'Ocean's Eleven' and 'Ocean's Twelve,' which should arrive with the late fall video debut of the 'Ocean's Thirteen.' (The latest -- and supposedly -- last in Steven Soderbergh's star-studded Vegas caper series opened at No. 1 at the domestic box office last weekend.)

In addition, Warner Home Video plans to bow some of the first made-for-DVD titles on either high-def format. Due for release in early 2008 are the horror movies 'The Rest Stop' and 'Sublime,' which will come from the studio's Raw Feed label.

Note that both franchises had long been expected on Blu-ray and HD DVD since the each format's initial launch. Warner has long trumpeted both in many of its early promotional materials as "Coming Soon," and even went so far as to briefly list on its media website the fourth in the 'Potter' series, 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' in preparation for a major announcement last fall, only to subsequently pull the title with no explanation.

According to Warner, the wait for such A-list catalog product on both Blu-ray and HD DVD is a response to the growing installed base of both formats, as well as a clear sign that the studio sees high-def as making further inroads into the mass consumer consciousness.

"It won’t be [just]early adopters in the fourth quarter," Steve Nickerson, Warner Warner senior VP of market management, told Video Business, "but at a point of the early majority, so as you put out product, you need to anticipate the upcoming demographic.”

pchin · « **Reply #96 on:** Jun 18, 2007 at 08:12 PM »

'Flashdance' to Dazzle on Blu-ray, HD DVD This Fall

Paramount Home Entertainment has announced it will bring the classic '80s extravaganza 'Flashdance' to Blu-ray and HD DVD this September.

Set to coincide with a new standard-def DVD special edition re-release of the musical smash (which grossed nearly $100 million at the box office back in 1983), 'Flashdance' will hit Blu-ray and HD DVD concurrently on September 18.

No specs yet, but a batch of new supplementary material is expected, featuring the participation of director Adrian Lyne, star Jennifer Beals and other key members of the cast and crew.

Paramount has set a $29.95 list price for both high-def versions.

'Flashdance' is the latest in what is fast becoming a trend for Paramount, with the studio timing the next-gen release of a catalog classic with a new, feature-laden re-issue on standard-def DVD. Other recent Paramount catalog titles that have received the simultaneous day-and-date treatment include 'Reds,' 'Trading Places,' and the upcoming 'Saturday Night Fever.'

Mouldingo · « **Reply #97 on:** Jun 19, 2007 at 07:50 AM »

Sony Offers New 'Fifth Element' Blu-ray Remaster and "Replacement Exchange Program

Following weeks of rumors, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has finally confirmed the planned release of a remastered version of'The Fifth Element' for Blu-ray, as well as a "Replacement Exchange Program" for consumers unhappy with the original release.

Sony first released 'The Fifth Element' on Blu-ray back in June 2006, as part of an inaugural wave of disc releases timed to coincide with the launch of Blu-ray hardware.

Joined in that opening slate by a number of films, including 'xXx,' 'Hitch' and '50 First Dates,' 'The Fifth Element' received exceptionally poor reviews for both image quality and its almost complete lack of bonus features, which many (including High-Def Digest's own Peter Bracke) felt were not up to snuff for a premiere high-def release.

Now, in an extremely rare move, Sony will not only be re-issuing 'the Fifth Element' on Blu-ray in a newly remastered version due in stores on July 17, but also offering a "Replacement Exchange Program" for owners of the original version who may be unhappy with their purchase.

Sony is currently accepting preliminary consumer information for the exchange program, and will contact interested parties closer to the release of the remastered version on exact instructions on how to exchange their discs. Simply contact the company via the email address or phone number listed below, and provide your name, mailing address, and phone number.

Phone: (800) 860-2878
Email: [email protected]

The new version of 'The Fifth Element' will be presented in upgraded 1080p video (no codec yet available), along with uncompressed PCM and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround tracks. Supplemental features will remain identical to the original, now-discontinued release.

For those wishing to purchase the new version of 'The Fifth Element' at retail when it hits stores on July 17, list price will be consistent with the previous, with Sony offering the remastered 'Fifth Element' at an MSRP of $28.95.

pchin · « **Reply #98 on:** Jun 20, 2007 at 06:25 AM »

Perhaps Universal should follow Sony's Remaster & Replacement Exchange Program. $:-\$

'Freedom 1' Offers First Look at HD DVD Twin-Format Disc

The first US "twin-format" HD DVD/DVD release (the anime title 'Freedom 1') doesn't hit store shelves until June 26th, but our Kenneth Brown got a sneak peak this week, and tells all in his just-posted review.

Not to be confused with double-sided HD DVD/DVD combo discs, twin-format discs can contain up to three layers of recorded content on a single-sided disc. 'Freedom 1' uses two of those layers -- a 15GB HD DVD layer, and a 4.6GB standard-def DVD layer.

Looking at the disc itself, Kenneth says you'd never guess it's anything special. Unlike combo discs, one side has a printed label, while the other side looks just like a normal HD DVD disc. Pop it in an HD DVD player or a standard-def player, however, and the twin-format disc starts to work its magic, auto-detecting the player format and hopping to the proper layer without the user having to make any selection.

As for video quality, Kenneth says this first-ever anime release to hit high-def disc in the US looks excellent, boasting "vivid colors, perfect black levels, and crisply detailed linework." Considering the program's running time of only 25 minutes, arguably that's no great feat for a 15GB HD DVD, but it is an encouraging sign for both Microsoft and the disc's distributor Bandai, who reportedly worked together to tweak the VC-1 encode specifically for anime.

As if a brand-new disc type and a newly-tweaked codec weren't enough, 'Freedom 1' is also notable for its inclusion of several more-advanced HDi-enhanced extras, including a customizable picture-in-picture track, and some additional supplementary features accessible only through your HD DVD player's internet connection.

krazy · « **Reply #99 on:** Jun 20, 2007 at 06:47 PM »

Another (minor) blow to HD DVD:
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Starz/Disc_Announcements/Starz_Home_Entertainment_Announces_Blu-ray_Support_with_Masters_of_Horror/709

aeris30 · « **Reply #100 on:** Jun 21, 2007 at 01:36 PM »

BD+ has been finalized - avalanche of Fox Blu-ray movies expected to follow

pchin · « **Reply #101 on:** Jun 22, 2007 at 08:34 AM »

Warner Plans Line of Direct-to-Disc Horror Sequels for Blu-ray, HD DVD

Warner Home Video has announced a new pact with Joel Silver's Dark Castle Entertainment to produce a series of direct-to-video horror sequels for release on Blu-ray and HD DVD, starting with the sequel 'Return to Haunted Hill' this Halloween.

As part of a multi-year deal with the studio, Dark Castle will produce between two or three films a year for video release on DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD, as well as other digital delivery media, including the Internet.

First up in October (exact street date TBA) will be 'Return to the House on Haunted Hill,' a direct-to-video sequel to the 2000 theatrical hit 'House on Haunted Hill.

While 'Return' will be released to standard-def DVD as well, the next gen versions of the film are set to exclusively include a new interactive "navigational cinema" technology that sounds like a high-tech form of the old "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, allowing the viewer to make seven choices as the story unfolds, leading to over 90 different iterations of the film.

"We are continually looking for fresh and edgy ideas for our films and for our fans to experience," Dark Castle co-founder Joel Silver told Variety.

aeris30 · « **Reply #102 on:** Jun 23, 2007 at 06:19 PM »

Fox Announces 22 Blu-ray Titles for France

Sleeping Beauty for 2008

Mouldingo · « **Reply #103 on:** Jun 23, 2007 at 06:50 PM »

Quote from: aeris30 on Jun 21, 2007 at 01:36 PM

BD+ has been finalized - avalanche of Fox Blu-ray movies expected to follow

"Interestingly, Blu-ray.com has said that "other studios, including those who currently don't support Blu-ray, have shown some interest as well" in BD+, hinting that additional studios may be coming onboard the Blu-ray train. No specifics were given, but you have to wonder how much longer Universal is going to hold out. After this week, HD-DVD is going to have to pull off one hell of a Hail Mary to win."

aeris30 · « **Reply #104 on:** Jun 24, 2007 at 07:50 AM »

Europe Key HD Battleground

aeris30 · « **Reply #105 on:** Jun 25, 2007 at 10:11 AM »

DVD Talk - Switzerland of World War HD

pchin · « **Reply #106 on:** Jun 26, 2007 at 01:26 PM »

First Look Reveals Full Specs for Debut HD DVD Title 'The Contract'

First Look Entertainment has unveiled full specs for their maiden HD DVD release 'The Contract,' which is set to boast several exclusive high-def extras.

First Look originally announced 'The Contract' for a July 24 HD DVD release, day-and-date with the standard-def DVD. Now they have revealed complete tech specs and supplemental details, and the release looks like it will easily hold its own against any next-gen offering from a major studio.

In addition to 1080p/VC-1 video, the HD-30 dual-layer disc will feature DTS and Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 surround tracks (both 1.5mbps). Supplemental material will mirror the standard-def release, including the "Inside 'The Contract' featurette, a still gallery and theatrical trailer.

Exclusive to the high-def version will be a new picture-in-picture video commentary, dubbed the "First Look Inside Look."

Though PIP features have a good number of HD DVD titles, they've so far been reserved for major theatrical hits from the big studios. 'The Contract' represents the first truly low-budget, limited release indie feature to receive such interactive attention on high-def.

First Look has not announced Blu-ray support, and no Blu-ray version of 'The Contract' is currently set for release.

pchin · « **Reply #107 on:** Jun 27, 2007 at 08:32 AM »

Warner to Debut First "Blue Screen" Picture-in-Picture Commentary with HD DVD '300'

Warner Home Video is planning to push the boundaries of high-def technology with the July HD DVD release of '300,' which is set to include the world's first "blue screen" picture-in-picture commentary.

Warner first announced '300' in early May for a July 31 release on both Blu-ray and HD DVD, with initial specs including an In-Movie Experience video commentary track (exclusive to the HD DVD version).

Though IME tracks are common to many HD DVD releases, '300' will be unique in that it will include what Warner is dubbing the first-ever "Blue-Screen Picture-in-Picture Version." Throughout the track, director Zack Snyder will present the pre-CGI-enhanced version to the finished film, allowing viewers to compare the entire movie in both rough and completed forms.

The HD DVD will include several other additional exclusive features, including the "Vengeance and Valor" interactive game, a "Pick Your Favorite Scenes" function allowing users to assemble clips and create a unique montage, as well as other web-enabled downloadable features to be announced.

The remaining specs will be identical to both the HD DVD and Blu-ray versions of '300,' including standard audio commentary, multiple featurettes, a suite of "Webisodes" and deleted scenes.

krazy · « **Reply #108 on:** Jun 27, 2007 at 09:04 AM »

Looks like a summer storm for Blu:

Five Free Blu-ray Movies with Purchase of any BD Player
The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) has revealed an exciting offer for those of you who are still looking to pick up a Blu-ray player. If you purchase a Blu-ray player (including the PS3) between July 1st and September 30th, you will automatically qualify to receive 5 Blu-ray movies absolutely free. Combine this with existing offers (like the 5 free Blu-ray movies with purchase of a Panasonic DMP-BD10A), and you could receive up to 10 free Blu-ray movies with the purchase of a player.

But wait, there's more! If you decide you would like to purchase a PS3, Sony is offering a special deal through their retail Sony Style stores. Purchase a PS3, two games, and an extra controller from now until July 8th, and you will receive a $50 gift card.

Rebate information can be found at the following site: http://www.bluraysavings.com (note: site is not up yet but will by by June 30)

dts-HD 3D · « **Reply #109 on:** Jun 27, 2007 at 04:15 PM »

Quote from: krazy on Jun 27, 2007 at 09:04 AM

Looks like a summer storm for Blu:

Five Free Blu-ray Movies with Purchase of any BD Player
The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) has revealed an exciting offer for those of you who are still looking to pick up a Blu-ray player. If you purchase a Blu-ray player (including the PS3) between July 1st and September 30th, you will automatically qualify to receive 5 Blu-ray movies absolutely free. Combine this with existing offers (like the 5 free Blu-ray movies with purchase of a Panasonic DMP-BD10A), and you could receive up to 10 free Blu-ray movies with the purchase of a player.

Problem is most BD players today are not yet BD-J 1.1 compliant and upcoming features like Picture-in-picture(PiP) and DTS HD MA support are NOT upgradable thru firmware patch.

Come Nov. 1 all those uninformed buyers will scratch their head realizing what they bought is already obsolete. Well, thats one tricky way to boost BD player sales.

pchin · « **Reply #110 on:** Jun 28, 2007 at 08:10 AM »

Universal Brings 'Last Starfighter,' 'For the Love of the Game' to HD DVD this Fall

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced two new catalog titles for release this September -- the cult favorites 'Last Starfighter' and 'For the Love of the Game.'

Due in stores September 18, both 'Starfighter' and 'Game' will boast 1080p/VC-1 transfers and, in a move sure to please early adopters who have been clamoring for more consistent high-resolution audio support from the studio, Dolby TrueHD tracks on both.

Extras will mirror the standard-def DVD versions of each title, including audio commentary, featurettes, deleted scenes and more.

pchin · « **Reply #111 on:** Jun 28, 2007 at 10:08 PM »

Warner Delays Launch of Total HD Until 2008

In a surprise announcement, Warner said Wednesday that it is pushing back the planned fall launch of its first Total HD dual Blu-ray/HD DVD combo releases until early 2008.

The hybrid format, which Warner first announced earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show, was originally planned to hit stores in time for the fourth-quarter holiday shopping season. As recently as this past March, all production and replication hurdles appeared to have been cleared for launch.

The sudden and unexpected news of the delay for Total HD came yesterday during the Entertainment Supply Chain Academy in Los Angeles, where Warner senior VP of marketing management Steve Nickerson confirmed that the studio would be delaying the debut of the hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD format until at least early 2008.

"There is no expiration date on the viability of this concept, so we're not in a rush to do it," Nickerson said. "We'll do it when it makes sense and when it's right."

Nickerson also stated that the studio intends to launch Total HD with between ten and twenty titles, allowing retailers to display them together in one section so they don't get lost amid the growing number of home video formats currently hogging store shelves.

Warner was also quick to point out that it is not planning to abandon either Blu-ray or HD DVD releases in the interim. Despite limited shelf space at retail, the studio believes there is a market for both high-def platforms, one that they will continue to satisfy with dual-format releases.

"Our research shows that there is demand for each of those products [Blu-ray and HD DVD]," said studio VP of sales planning and operations Dan Miron. "We are trying to evaluate [how to best treat] each one of these releases."

The timing of Warner's announcement, as well as the studio's apparent lack of urgency in bringing Total HD to market, may strike some as curious. With Blu-ray continuing to outpace HD DVD in overall disc sales since the start of the year, some industry observers have speculated that if such sales trends continue, the format war could be all but over by the end of fourth quarter 2007 -- long before Total HD has a chance to gain a foothold in the marketplace.

aeris30 · « **Reply #112 on:** Jun 29, 2007 at 10:26 AM »

The 2007 DVDA Excellence Awards Complete List of Winners

*includes HD DVD & Blu-ray discs

Mouldingo · « **Reply #113 on:** Jun 29, 2007 at 08:54 PM »

Jungle Book and Lost on Blu-ray?

In an article discussing how grocery stores are driving down profits for DVD sales, Philippe Roucoule from Buena Vista Home Entertainment mentioned part of their release slate for the rest of the year. These titles include a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Box Set, 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End', 'Jungle Book' (1967), 'Santa Claus 3', 'Lost', 'Desperate Housewives', and 'High School Musical'.

Additionally, they will be releasing some Miramax and Bruckheimer films, though none were mentioned by name, as well as other unannounced Disney titles. While the article takes great care to ensure these titles will be released on Blu-ray (in addition to DVD), we'll have to take this with a grain of salt until the studio announces these titles officially. We suggest you do the same.

Mouldingo · « **Reply #114 on:** Jun 30, 2007 at 09:55 PM »

Galapagos Announced for HD DVD & Blu-ray

BBC Video has announced that they will be releasing the nature documentary 'Galapagos' for Hd DVD and Blu-ray on October 2. Riding the coat tails of the very successful 'Planet Earth' release, 'Galapagos' documents a group of island in which creation and extinction define their very existence. No specs have been announced, but being that this release is via Warner, expect a VC-1 encode and Dolby Digital surround.

The inspiration for Darwin's theory of evolution, the Galapagos Islands are a living laboratory, a geological conveyor belt that has given birth to and seen the death of many species of plants and animals. As the western islands rise up from the sea offering a chance of life, the eastern islands sink back beneath the waves guaranteeing only death. Between the two are the middle islands; fertile, lush land in its prime that contains an incredible diversity of life. Nowhere else on the Earth are the twin processes of creation and extinction of species so starkly apparent... see it all unfold before your eyes in this stunning series filmed entirely in high definition from the BBC and the National Geographic Channel.

pchin · « **Reply #115 on:** Jul 02, 2007 at 08:32 AM »

Toshiba Offers HD DVD Player Firmware Upgrade to Unlock 'Blood Diamond' Web-Enabled Features

Coinciding with Warner's Tuesday bow of the web-enabled HD DVD version of 'Blood Diamond,' Toshiba of America is offering a new firmware upgrade for its second-generation players.

Hitting stores on July 3, 'Blood Diamond' will be the first major studio high-def release to boast exclusive web-enabled content downloadable via Ethernet, including dynamic text and graphic content as well as additional interactive web features. (It follows another web-enabled HD DVD release, 'Freedom Vol. 1,' which hit stores on June 26 from indie distributor Bandai Visual.)

Toshiba is making the update available for its second-gen player models HD-XA2, HD-A20, HD-A2W and HD-D2.

According to the documentation provided by the manufacturer, the upgrade improves network connectivity in anticipation of the web-enabled content on 'Blood Diamond' and any future such enhanced titles:

Certain HD DVD discs may contain or have the capability of downloading studio-provided, Web-enabled network content. To minimize any potential capability and/or connectivity issues, before viewing such content, it is recommended that you perform the firmware update process.

The firmware can be accessed for direct download via the player's Ethernet ports. The upgrade can also be obtained for download at the company website's customer support section, or users can request a copy of the firmware free on CD (sent via traditional mail).

pchin · « **Reply #116 on:** Jul 02, 2007 at 10:31 PM »

Amazon, Microsoft to Help Bring Indie Films to HD DVD

Amazon and Microsoft have announced that they are joining forces to subsidize the authoring of up to 1000 independent films to the HD DVD format.

The unique promotion, dubbed "The 1000 HD DVD Indies Project," will see Microsoft provide free HD DVD authoring services to qualifying independent filmmakers, which Amazon will then package and make available for sale on its website, with royalities flowing back to the filmmaker for each disc sold.

This new HD DVD program is the latest addition to Amazon's CustomFlix CD and DVD service, which produces and ships discs only as they are ordered, eliminating the need for costly inventory. Filmmakers can then set the sale price, and earn royalties for each disc sold.

While CustomFlix has also released select titles on Blu-ray in the past (including the 'Living Landscapes' series), this Micosoft-sponsored promotion is HD DVD specific, as are the accompanying promotional materials.

In quote from the press release announcing the program, Dana LoPiccolo-Giles, co-founder and managing director of CustomFlix had this to say about HD DVD: "From a technical standpoint, we found that the HD DVD format fits our business model perfectly."

barrid · « **Reply #117 on:** Jul 03, 2007 at 04:43 AM »

I like this! The main reason I bought HD DVD is to see Indies and foreign films.

pchin · « **Reply #118 on:** Jul 03, 2007 at 06:54 AM »

Digital Leisure to Unleash 'Dragon's Lair' on HD DVD This August

Lagging behind its Blu-ray counterpart by several months, 'Dragon's Lair' will finally hit HD DVD on August 15 from indie developer Digital Leisure.

The hybrid animated film/video game was one of the big hits of the arcade boom of the early '80s. Combining hand-drawn 2-D animation from the Don Bluth Studios with laserdisc-based technology, 'Dragon's Lair' allowed gamers to pilot the heroic Dirk the Daring on a series of adventures using simple joystick commands.

Digital Leisure has since released the trend-setter on several different home platforms, including standard-def DVD and DVD-ROM for PCs, before finally debuting the Blu-ray version earlier this year on April 9.

pchin · « **Reply #119 on:** Jul 03, 2007 at 06:56 AM »

More HD DVD Titles Released in Q2 Than Blu-ray

Following a dry spell in the first quarter of this year, the HD DVD camp rebounded in Q2 to release more high-def titles than its next-gen rival.

According to industry tipsheet The DVD Release Report, 70 HD DVD titles hit store shelves during the period from April 1 through June 30, compared to 63 Blu-ray titles in the same timeframe.

That's quite a jump for HD DVD, which got trounced in the same metric by Blu-ray over the first three months of the year, releasing only 29 titles (compared to Blu-ray's 69). HD DVD backers have pointed to the format's dearth of new releases in the early part of the year as a primary reason for what quickly became a widening sales lead for Blu-ray.

But while Blu-ray continues to lead in overall disc sales (VideoScan numbers for the week ending June 24 indicate a continued 2:1 sales lead for the format), the good news for HD DVD fans is that Blu-ray's once-growing sales lead appears to have at least stabilized.

Primary HD DVD backer Universal Studios led the Q2 HD DVD push, releasing a total of 33 HD DVD titles on its own. Although the studio has been accused of rushing some of its more recent HD DVD catalogue titles to market at the cost of picture quality, it shows no signs of slowing down with another 23 HD DVD titles already announced for release from now through September.