Microsoft Announces Use of HDi Logo by Toshiba and Major Hollywood Studios
Microsoft's implementation of HD DVD's interactivity layer to be promoted
on HD DVD hardware and packaging for software.REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Microsoft Corp.today announced that its trademarked
HDi logo will soon appear on all
Toshiba HD DVD players. In addition,
Universal Studios Home Entertainmentand
Paramount Home Entertainment will include the
HDi logo on packaging for
HD DVD movie titles beginning in the fourth quarter of this year. HDi
technology is Microsoft's high-performance implementation of the
interactivity layer for the HD DVD format, which has taken the
movie-viewing experience to an entirely new level with such advanced
features as network connectivity and community scenarios. HDi is also a
trademark of Microsoft, as recognized by the United States Patent and
Trademark Office in its July 2007 notice of allowance for trademark.
(Logo:
http://www.newscom.c...000822/MSFTLOGO )
As Microsoft's implementation of the mandatory interactive layer in HD
DVD, defined as Advanced Navigation by the DVD Forum, HDi immediately began
delivering unprecedented and unique experiences for consumers when it was
launched in April 2006. Early movie titles such as "
The Fast and the
Furious: Tokyo Drift," "
Miami Vice" and "
Mission: Impossible III" received
immediate acclaim for their interactive HD DVD experiences -- from
picture-in-picture director's commentary to graphical interfaces with
tailored movie specifications -- all available without stopping the movie
playback experience.
"With Microsoft's HDi technology, Toshiba is able to offer consumers a
consistent movie-watching experience in a way that simply isn't possible
with today's DVDs or available with any other format right now," said Jodi
Sally, vice president of marketing for Toshiba America Consumer Products.
"Advanced navigation using Microsoft's HDi technology has been offered on
all of Toshiba's HD DVD players -- from the models introduced last spring
to our third generation of models that are shipping today."
Based on easy-to-program Web standards, HDi provides studios with a
familiar and simple development environment, resulting in a digital canvas
of unlimited possibilities. With support for interactivity mandatory on all
HD DVD players, HDi allows for advanced features that can be played back on
any HD DVD player or drive.
"For studios to truly enhance and change the way people watch movies,
HD DVD provides the features and the flexibility we need to offer a
personalized experience," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of
Universal Studios Home Entertainment and co-president of the North American
HD DVD Promotional Group. "Web-enabled network features made possible
through HDi are particularly compelling because they bridge the gap between
physical media and the Web-based world of the MySpace generation."
Studios supporting HD DVD are already delivering on promises of
expanding their offerings with Web-enabled network (interactive) features
on shipping titles such as "
300" and "
Blood Diamond" from
Warner Bros.,
"
Heroes: Season 1" from
Universal and the upcoming "
Transformers" from
Paramount. The ability to download new trailers, buy ring tones and other
merchandise, and share favorite bookmarked scenes with other HD DVD owners
are just a few of the features now available on discs from studios
supporting HD DVD. Universal recently announced that all day-and-date
titles moving forward will include Web-enabled network features powered by
HDi.
"As the market for high definition evolves, consumers will want more
out of the next generation of DVD than just superior picture and sound --
they'll also want to personalize their experience and tap into fan
communities for their favorite movies and TV shows," said Amir Majidimehr,
corporate vice president of the Consumer Media Technology Group at
Microsoft. "Using Microsoft® HDi, studios can bring these interactive
experiences to life in a way never seen before. We're helping our studio
supporters push the envelope with new features that are not only redefining
how people experience movies at home, but also changing the way studios
approach the filmmaking process."
Microsoft HDi technology powers the interactive capabilities in every
stand-alone HD DVD player on the market as well the HD DVD drive for Xbox
360®. More information about HDi can be found at
http://www.thisishddvd.com.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.
Redigerat av diabolo, 04 oktober 2007 - 00:15.