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HD DVD owners will now have access to exclusive web content

29 June 2007 17:17 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 4 comments

Today, Toshiba announced that they had added functionality that will allow users of HD DVD standalone players to access exclusive web content.

The new functionality will allow the players to access and download exclusive content from the movie studio's servers. After it is downloaded, it is saved within the storage of the player for access.

Using the new functions, movie studios can choose to "lock" certain extra features on the HD DVD itself which users can only unlock by downloading a key.

"While others may talk about interactivity, HD DVD has proven time and time again that it offers true interactive features and capabilities for consumers which can make the enjoyment of movies a new experience every time they're viewed," Toshiba Digital AV marketing chief Jodi Sally said.

If you already own a standalone player, the new functionality can be turned on through a firmware update. Toshiba also said that an upcoming firmware update will give owners of the HD-XA2 and HD-A20 players the ability to play their movies at 24fps at 1080p which is the same framerate at which movies are usually captured.

Finally, Toshiba reiterated that they now hold 70 percent of the standalone market, most likely due to very successful promotions the last two months.

Source:
BetaNews

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error5 (Senior Member) 29 June 2007 17:51
Some additional details fron chron.com: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4932744.html Quote: The first Internet-enabled disc _ a Japanese animated feature titled "Freedom" _ was released Tuesday. Buyers who connect their HD DVD player to a broadband Internet line will be able to download a high-definition trailer for another movie, change menu styles and download additional subtitles. The HD DVD version of "300" will allow users to re-edit the movie, selecting and ordering the scenes as they see fit, and upload their edit to a server hosted by the studio, Warner Bros. The edit will be accessible to other users, who can download it to their players and see the movie in its new form. "Blood Diamond," out July 3 on HD DVD, will allow watchers to participate in online polls after watching. [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 30 June 2007 4:53
[quote]Finally, Toshiba reiterated that they now hold 70 percent of the standalone market, most likely due to very successful promotions the last two months.[quote] All we get from the two sides is the fact that they are leading due to their own promotions. The only way we know if one is really leading and wining is like when DVD came and took over VHS :) Edited by DVDBack23 "the mediocre teacher tells. the good teacher explains. the superior teacher demonstrates. the great teacher inspires."- William Aruthur Ward [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 30 June 2007 4:54
error5 (Senior Member) 30 June 2007 7:46
Quote: The only way we know if one is really leading and wining is like when DVD came and took over VHS :) Remember it took DVD 5 years to overtake VHS and 10 years to make VHS obsolete. Things don't happen overnight. [ + quote]
hughjars (Inactive) 30 June 2007 8:06
Quote: All we get from the two sides is the fact that they are leading due to their own promotions. - Well in fairness to Toshiba why should they count every PS3 as a BD player? It's not as if Toshiba are in the same games market offering a games console that also does HD DVD. Toshiba are only interested in and present in the a/v market (which is absolutely not the same thing as the target market the PS3 is in). In terms of stand-alone players they are telling the truth, HD DVD leads BD by a mile. When you count every PS3 as a BD player then they do not......but we can plainly see from the numbers of BD movie discs the PS3s are shifting that not every PS3 is a BD player anyways. It is though an interesting contrast, just as BD turns on the BD+ anti-consumer DRM extension HD DVD adds more functionality. [ + quote]