HDTV Info

Independent Films Can Enjoy Blu-ray Too

With all the talk about the major studios backing Blu-ray, HD-DVD or both, it seems that independent films have been left out of the HDTV DVD equation altogether. 

That was, of course, until Hollywood producer John Daly and Erick Hansen (of Blue Ray Technologies - note the spelling) formed a company, Edge of Light Media, to make and distribute Blu-ray HDTV DVDs for independent film makers.

"It is a solution for indies, because they can't raise the money to have a big Blu-ray release," Hansen said.  He also said that the L.A.-based Edge of Light Media will not support HD-DVD.

Edge of Light also will help distributors of old TV shows and other non-studio fare to get their content on Blu-ray.  Hansen said the older shows look dramatically better in high-def: "It's like a Model T versus a brand new Mustang."

National Geographic Releases First HDTV DVD Film

National Geographic has announced that on March 27, it will release its first documentary in HDTV DVD.  The film is called Relentless Enemies, a 90-minute documentary that chronicles the struggle of lions and buffalo in Botswana.

Blu-ray and HD-DVD editions will cost $34.99 each; National Geographic will charge $19.99 for the standard definition DVD.

Last year, National Geographic launched a high-def channel but has struggled to find spots in cable and satellite lineups due to bandwidth limitations.  Even though Comcast has signed a carriage agreement with National Geographic HD, the cable operator is only offering NG HD via its On Demand service in several markets.

New HD Trailer: The Namesake

Apple just released a new HD Trailer for a flick entitled: The Namesake

The movie tells the story of an Indian family attempting to assimilate into American Life in New York City and the trials and tribulations they encounter along the way.

007 HD Mania!

For those of you lucky HD fans who subscribe to Voom, they are having a James Bond FILM FEST in June during which they will be showing 17 of the James Bond film titles in glorious HD. These are the titles being screened:

* Dr. No (1962)
* From Russia With Love (1963)
* Goldfinger (1964)
* Thunderball (1967)
* You Only Live Twice (1968)
* On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
* Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
* Live and Let Die (1973)
* The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
* The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
* Moonraker (1979)
* For Your Eyes Only (1981)
* Never Say Never Again (1983)
* Octopussy (1983)
* A View to a Kill (1985)
*The Living Daylights (1987)
* License to Kill (1989)

The Night Rider himself, David Hasselhoff will be serving as the FILM FEST's host.

For those of you in the market for a new HDTV, I quite fancy this 50" Samsung Plasma.