HD VMD to Make US Debut This Fall

[jed]

just posted:

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/930

The long-anticipated third high-def disc format (yes, you read right) is set to hit US shores this October.

Short for "Versatile Multilayer Disc," the VMD format was originally announced back in 2006, but had evaded US release until now.

Developed by UK technology company New Medium Enterprises (NME), the format's red laser multilayer disc is currently capable of storing 15 to 20 GB on a single layer, with plans to grow that number to 30GB.

But according to its manufacturer, the real sell of VMD is its ability to deliver the same high-quality video and audio as Blu-ray and HD DVD at a fraction of the cost -- both to the consumer, and the content creator.

While disc production costs for Blu-ray and HD DVD are said to run somewhere between $2 to $3 a unit, VMD discs reportedly cost just over a $1/unit to produce, only slightly more than standard-def DVD.

In terms of hardware cost to the consumer, NME says its first player will hit the US market in October at a $199 price point, roughly 30% less than any standalone high-def disc player currently available (although Venturer recently announced plans to release its own $199 1080i HD DVD player in time for the holidays).

Price aside, VMD is likely to face an uphill battle both for recognizable high-def content, and for shelf space at retailers.

The company's press release includes no mention of any US-based content partners, and it seems highly unlikely that any of the major studios will make their films available on VMD disc -- at least in the short term. (Overseas, the company has partnered with a number indie film distributors, most notably including Eastern Europe's Monolith Films which owns regional rights to films like 'Apocalypto,' 'Lord of War,' and '16 Blocks.')

On the retail side, so far NME has only identified one US retailer who will carry its players -- pcRUSH.com

NME is demonstrating its new player this week at the CEDIA Expo.

[hippy fascist]

will this format be exempt from exclusivity deals?

If they could find a way round them this could result in a single format with a complete library.

[Beroman]

Oh my goodness. What in the world do they expect to accomplish with this? The technology sounds good but with no support they are pissing money down the drain.

[biggdavetay]

10 TO 20 GB?? may 30gb down the road. No major Studio Support!! Somebody likes to lose money!!

[HDAlien]

It will fail, their can be only one!

[citrixguy]

Originally Posted by biggdavetay

10 TO 20 GB?? may 30gb down the road. No major Studio Support!! Somebody likes to lose money!!

You don't like it cause you'd have to edit your avatar to add a third logo

[PIHB]

with some studio support, this could do some damage, people like to be cheap, why buy a caddilac when you can buy a ford focus

[deedeedee]

Originally Posted by hippy fascist

will this format be exempt from exclusivity deals?

If they could find a way round them this could result in a single format with a complete library.

All major studios with more than $2.98 in gross sales per year will exclusively NOT use this format ...

What the H. E. double hockey sticks were they thinking releasing another format at this point in the game?

[Master X]

O yeah i cant wait for this...........sigh

[aaronwt]

Originally Posted by HDAlien

It will fail, their can be only one!

There can only be Two!!

[ericede]

Thats nothing! I'm working on a new format that will be out in 2009. Each disc holds 33.7gb and costs almost nothing to produce. The advantage is each disc is made out of a dense graham cracker material that goes great with milk. It will take the world by storm!

[jaycee900]

I agree that this format will fail in europe and the US...however the asian and chinese markets is what this product is more aimed at, i've checked their website out you can see the asian, chinese and indian content lined up, even have PC drives and IPTV among other stuff, its looks very interesting but as said only for those markets above mainly for the price, price matters big time in asia, look at VCD its been around for years!

Anyway a few titles and link to their website. Its also stated that more than 150 titles will hit europe by Q4 2007.

http://www.nmeinc.com/index.aspx

* Hostage
* We Were Soldiers
* Apocalypto
* Lucky Number Slevin
* Valiant
* Saw II
* Saw III
* Lord of War
* Lucky Number Slevin
* Fireplace & Aquarium
* The Ark
* Help I'm A Fish
* El Cid
* Mid Summer Dream
* Passion of The Christ
* Angeles Ashes
* Babel
* 16 Blocks
* Set up
* Hoodwinked
* Oliver Twist
* Princesse
* La Planete Blanche
* Pulp Fiction
* Sahara
* Demande A La Poussiere
* Gosford Park
* The Descent
* Miss Potter
* The Queen
* Butterfly Effect 1
* Butterfly effect 2
* Hitcher
* Black Sheep
* Lord of the Rings
* Diario De Um Novo Mundo
* Inside Out
* Avion
* Welcome to LazyTown
* Dr. Rottenstein
* Hero for a Day
* Defeeted
* Rottenbeard
* Cry Dinosaur
* Secret Agent Zero
* Sleepless in LazyTown
* Happy Brush Day
* Pixelspix
* LazyTown’s New Super Hero
* Sports Day
* Crystal Caper
* Lazy Scouts
* My Treehouse
* Swiped Sweets
* Sportafake
* The Laziest Town
* Soccer Sucker
* Dear Diary
* Miss Roberta
* Sports Candy Festival
* Remote Control
* Sportacus Who?
* Zap it
* Records Day
* Ziggy’s Alien
* Play Day
* Prince Stingy
* Robbie’s Greatest Misses
* Dancing Duel
* LazyTown’s Greatest Hits
* Sportacus on the Move!
* LazyTown’s Surprise Santa
* Sailor et lula
* Scorpion
* Le caïman
* Spy kids
* Scarie movie 2
* Les chansons d'amour
* Khakar Khakar
* Alaipayuthey
* Pammal K Sambantham
* Panchathanthiram
* Ghilli
* Boys
* Kandukondain Kandukondain
* Water
* Bheja Fry
* Bridge to Tarabitha
* Hanuman
* Malamal Weekly
* Constant Gardner
* Jo Jeeta Wohli Sikander
* Page 3
* Parzania
* Iqbal
* China Town
* Sholay
* Andaz Apana Apna
* Hum Aapke Hai Kaun
* Padosan
* Maine Pyaar Kiya
* Kashmir Ki Kali
* Pyaasa
* Sapoot
* International only
* Khanna & Iyer
* Inquilab
* Namak Haram
* Dil Ek Mandir


Great for Lazytown fans then!

[lolbroek]

I'd like to see their market strategy and how they think they can beat out either Blu-Ray or HD or even both. Especially given the fact that consumers right now are already more than enough confused about the current state of the A/V-market!

This is funny stuff.

[citrixguy]

Originally Posted by ericede

Thats nothing! I'm working on a new format that will be out in 2009. Each disc holds 33.7gb and costs almost nothing to produce. The advantage is each disc is made out of a dense graham cracker material that goes great with milk. It will take the world by storm!

Won't that get soggy and ruin the machine?

[KaneRobot]

Tooooooo late.