Unlike Blu-ray players, one feature included on every HD DVD player is the guaranteed ability to connect to the Internet. Universal Studios Home Entertainment has begun making better use of this standard HD DVD player feature by unveiling an online Internet infrastructure to offer improved web-enabled capabilities for its upcoming web-enabled HD DVD titles, including community building and the ability to make online purchases directly from the HD DVD player. Users can set up an online account that will contain user preferences and be remembered when ever a Universal web-enabled HD DVD title is loaded.
Universal's upcoming HD DVD titles will include the following web features: U-Shop - access to online shop including exclusive items only available with the loaded title. Features/Download Center - download exclusive trailers, content and games, such as interactive content made later available that did not come bundled with the loaded title. Best Buddies/My Scenes - share favourite clips with other buddies online to download to their player. Customer support - support for the loaded title, such as to find issues relating to error codes. For PC-based interaction, Universal studios has launched a new website, www.UniversalHiDef.com.
According to Universal, the popularity of online interactive features is evident from the recent HD DVD release of Heroes Season 1, with nearly 40% of purchasers of the 7-disc HD DVD set registering an account to access online content for their title.
The source press release can be viewed here.
