Despite HD DVD's weak start, the number of HD DVD titles is slowly growing as Warner home video continues to add new titles to its HD DVD line-up. They have just announced their first interactive title, 'Constaine" with in-move-experience along with two other titles to help push HD DVD. Microsoft is using the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) to help promote the format by presenting various hardware and software supporters who commit to supporting the HD DVD format.
While HD DVD may seem to be at an advantage with lower cost players than the upcoming Blu-ray format, they still have a fairly serious drawback by not having 1080p support on the currently available player or even on Toshiba's upcoming $800 player. Blu-ray, which is due for launch in the last week of June, will feature 1080p on its first players. On the other hand, HD DVD may likely have a decent lead once the Blu-ray format finally launches, particularly with several more titles from Warner Home Video due for launch on June 6th. Their titles 'Constaine" and "The Perfect Storm" will be priced at $29 and another title "Firewall" will be available as a HD DVD/DVD hybrid for $40.
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Constantine and The Perfect Storm will sell for $29; Firewall will be available at $40, WHV said. If WHV continues its pace and more publishers decide to join the parade, then there should be about at least three dozen HD DVD titles available at the time Blu-ray debuts. |
HD DVD may be setting itself at a serious disadvantage if it does end up taking on region coding, particularly if Blu-ray stays clear of this. Unlike existing DVD players, due to the more advanced anti-piracy features involved in these next generation players, chances are that if region coding is introduced, manufacturers will not be able to embed 'hidden menus" to deactivate region coding like they do with current DVD players on the market.
Source: Toms Hardware Guide
