Hi-Def Formats - Three is a crowd!

[2099net]

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.

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

You know, given how things are at the moment with various Red and Blu supporters, a third entry could start a nationwide Civil War!

Lock up your women and children. A third Hi-Def Media format is coming to town!

[Disney-Fan]

Well, that would make it thrice the amount of products I intend on not buying! DVD all the way...

[DarthPrime]

Been hearing about this format... 2 formats are killing the HD formats, but 3?

This is starting to get out of hand. Has there been any word on what studios are going to support this format? If no one picks it up, it probably want effect HD DVD/Blu-ray at all.

[2099net]

It seems to be mostly European support - Eastern European at that from local distributors.I found this list on the web:

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

As you can see, quite a few big titles on that list, including Lord of the Rings! (But I suppose this could be the animated version). Anyhow, forget Lord of the Rings, VMD has Lazytown!

Seriously, it looks like it could do well in it's chosen battleground of Eastern Europe. It has the price advantage (reportedly) and also the fact that its another Region Free Hi-Def solution. I hope studios like Fox and Disney get with the programme and drop their region encoding from their Blu Ray titles. The average non-US customer obviously doesn't want it.