HD VMD Players Make US Debut

[jed]

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh..._US_Debut/1053

HD VMD Players Make US Debut

Two high-def disc formats not enough for you? The long-awaited Versatile Media Disc (VMD) is now officially available in the United States.

The third high-def disc format was originally announced back in 2006, but had evaded US release until now.

Gadget blog Technabob was first to note the inconspicuous US market debut for VMD on Amazon.com, where three VMD players are being sold direct from the manufacturer, with prices starting at only $189.

As we've previously reported, the upstart 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 New Medium Enterprises, the UK technology company that developed VMD, the format's real sell 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.

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

The company has yet to announce 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 of 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.')

Related links:
Amazon Listing for VMD Players [Amazon.com]
HD VMD Players Hit Stores For Under $200 [Technabob]

[upgrayedd]

And I say about time! This will be the Ross Perot of this race.

[ccphilly1984]

wow... so half of the people on the forums are going to add an hd-vmd logo to their avitars? i think people are confusing these with hd dvds (the amazon listing had customers who bought this also bought)... so people will be looking forward to the movies and find out hey got a shit player... then they will buy a toshiba or venturer player... this format is a ross perot in favor of hd dvd...

[tranzparentl]

are there actually any HD VMD movies released in the US??

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by tranzparentl

are there actually any HD VMD movies released in the US??

my thought exactly...

non listed on amazon...

congrats, you just bought an expensive DVD player because there is no media for it... lol

[bezzer69]

I hope this format falls flat on its face, its bad enough with two formats let alone three!

[ericede]

I only have one question. What color represents VMD?

Now being neutral might make a very unappealing color,and I'd love to see just how neutral people really are.

"I'm Chartreuse!!"

[Solstice X]

Looks like a stillbirth format. No need to worry as this won't be a factor in the hidef war.

[Liqwid]

This is what they have now. They state 'The Lord of the Rings', so I will presume that this is the animated version.

* Hostage
* We Were Soldiers
* Apocalypto
* Lucky Number Slevin
* Valiant
* Saw II
* Saw III
* Lord of War
* 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
* Defeated
* 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

http://www.nmeinc.com/

[ccphilly1984]

wow... a whole lot of movies i never heard of or could find for sale... this should be a great addition to the Edsel collection right next to the virtual boy and turbographix16 and the crystal pepsi

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by ccphilly1984

wow... a whole lot of movies i never heard of or could find for sale... this should be a great addition to the Edsel collection right next to the virtual boy and turbographix16 and the crystal pepsi

how bout the EDO? atari jaguar?

[ARPRINCE]

It takes a third format to finally unite both the BLU-RAY and HD DVD camp. Now, we have HD VMD to thump on besides one another!

[DanzBorin]

Maybe I'll abandon BD and HD DVD and get this... just so I can argue more... lol

[TheWrathofBambi]

what? a 3rd format? maybe if they would have released this along time ago when HD DVD and blu ray came out. But by now people have already adopted one or the other... why do they think we need a 3rd one? im sure by the next year HD DVD and blu ray prices will be droped enough that this format wont even be noticed! i honestly dont know what theyre thinking...

[Batjokeriddle]

Just wondering the player says that it plays x264 can you burn bluray rip to DL disc and play on this player if so i might pick one up