Cheaper High Def Play - New HD format

[John Kang]

In an article in Video Business magazine, pg 8.

New Medium Enterprises are marketing a high def dvd format it calls a VMD (Versatile Multilayer Disc to the US this fall.

The players will start at around $150.00 and is based on China's EVD format using a red laser.

NME has pledged that 100 titles will be out for sale at around $25.00.

The red laser format uses a very high compression to squeeze hd movies on regular dvds. (I'm guessing H.264)

Players at $150, I'm guessing will be more popular with the regular Joe's if the quality of the compressed HD is good.

Blu Ray players priced at $1000 and HD-DVDs at 499-1000, Xbox360 at $400 not including the HD-DVD yet, and PS3 at $499 and $599 if you want HDMI support. Sheesh.

[Pierre Barberis]

Any info about the protection scheme associated with this format ?

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Originally Posted by Pierre Barberis

Any info about the protection scheme associated with this format ?

Unfortunately, there isn't much in the way of protection and it will be a tough road to get Hollywood on board. Additionally, EVD is a dead-end format based on current DVD tech. EVD is in reality the VCD (Video CD) format of the DVD era. It's taking extra high compression with few industry controls and squeezing an inferior product onto common media. Just as VCD failed to woo consumers in the early days of expensive DVD players, I wouldn't count on EVD getting very far either. However, I wouldn't be surprised if it does gain a cult following just as VCD did and we'll see EVD player software for the PC become common and we may even see some HD-DVD and even upconverting DVD players start to support the format.