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HD VMD: The third format that would not die

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

January 8, 2008, 12:28 PM

Just when you thought the high-def format war was over, the red-laser high-def format HD VMD pops up once again, like a third-tier political candidate, to start it up all anew.

New Medium Enterprises used the backdrop of CES 2008 to announce that its HD VMD players would be shipping into the US market. Unlike Blu-ray and HD DVD, this format uses the old red-laser technology found in standard DVD to produce a high definition picture.

The player would be priced at $199 and would be available through Amazon, PCRush.com, and NMEStore.com. It would ship with two movies, Mother Ghost and Cutting Room.

Herein lies the problem for HD VMD. The format has no major studio support. Only SME Entertainment was listed as a partner, which said it would bring "rare and classic" films and television shows to HD VMD.

A check of NME's site shows only a handful of movies that could have mass appeal: Alexander, Apocalypto, Blade Trinity, Passion of the Christ, Pulp Fiction, and Saw are ones that most may have heard of.

That could be the biggest drawback to the platform regardless of price: although it sports the same 30 GB capacity that is currently available with HD DVD.

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By gigi

edited Feb 21, 2008 - 12:19 PM

this sounds like a perfect pc data backup tool. i definitely like to check this one out.

Score: 0

By paradeofsickos

edited Jan 24, 2008 - 6:19 AM

It does have some studio support, but you must remember that this is a very new format to the American market. If I'm not mistaken, both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray had laughable libraries in the beginning too. I'm pretty excited about this new format myself. The players run about as much as some low-end HD-DVD players, but the movies themselves retail for $18 each. I don't see either of the HD formats going that low anytime soon. These are full 1080p movies by the way. Factor in the incredibly cheap HD movies and the standard DVD upconverting ability of the HD VMD players -- not to mention the upcoming PC drives, software, surround sound systems that are all listed on the NME website -- and it sounds like a VERY promising format.

Score: 0

By jcolemanuk

edited Jan 12, 2008 - 12:53 PM

HD VMD is a very good option for PC owners. I contacted them last week and it looks as if the PC drive / rewriter will be on sale around March / Apr. So good news for I need to backup my data cheap.
Lets face it we don't want to pay a lot for the media.

I need to backup my PC cheaply, HD is just a great added option

Score: 0

By MPrck

edited Jan 9, 2008 - 5:35 PM

If they made a deal with Asian film makers, like those films, and drama's at Yes Asia, Then I would buy only this product. Forget Blueray or HD DVD, if you have the best content in the world, which are Asian films, then you have a real winner.

Score: 0

By hmeister

edited Jan 9, 2008 - 9:26 AM

The tall hill to climb is obvious. What can be said on their behalf?
1) As a red laser based technology, NME has a permanent cost advantage for player manufacture. Both Blu laser technologies must include a red laser for backward compatibility.
2) Cost of disc manufacture is a third to a half of blu based discs.
3) Since VMD can go 10 layers deep, disc capacity can easily be increased up to 200GB.
4) Their web site indicates several content deals with studios outside the U.S. Even in the U.S. Hollywood market share is barely 50%. Outside the U.S. it is far less. Perhaps,thet will find their footing in other markets.

Score: 0

By nt300

posted Jan 9, 2008 - 1:49 AM

I rather get one of these vs. an incomplete Blu-Ray player. I already own an HD DVD player.

Score: 0

By lotherius

posted Jan 9, 2008 - 12:44 AM

I have a stack of laserdiscs and a player.....

Score: 0

By Sven123456789

posted Jan 8, 2008 - 6:37 PM

Beta cost more than vhs. And had a 2 hour time limit in recording. Give the people the cheapest product that is at least equal in recordable space and people would buy it. Curious to see if any big studios would back this.

Score: 0

By fernz33

posted Jan 8, 2008 - 7:57 PM

I doubt any studios would. If Warner is already afraid of missing this High Def format boat, there is no way they'll support this.

Sorry Ed Oswald, you'll have to sooner or latter Do Blu.

Score: 0

By MikeTechno

posted Jan 8, 2008 - 6:32 PM

Can you say DOA?

Amazing how some people just love to flush millions of dollars down the toilet as fast as they possibly can in this industry, isn't it?

Score: 0

By fernz33

posted Jan 8, 2008 - 3:46 PM

No big studio support...

"That could be the biggest drawback to the platform regardless of price:..."

Gee you think?

Score: 0

By HoIIywood__

posted Jan 8, 2008 - 3:26 PM

If HD DVD was always doomed, I don't think there is even a word to describe this format...

Score: 0

By yountmj

edited Jan 8, 2008 - 11:02 PM

...

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Jan 8, 2008 - 11:16 PM

My thoughts exactly

Score: 0

By NULLedge

posted Jan 8, 2008 - 4:34 PM

yea, hi. i can see your clever disguise by the font change. can we drop it now?

Score: 0

By drumcat

posted Jan 8, 2008 - 1:12 PM

Whatever. They're all Betamax.

Score: 0

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