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Technology - Reuters |
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Artisan, Microsoft Unveil High-Definition 'T2' DVD
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - When
"Terminator" star Arnold Schwarzenegger uttered his famous movie
line "I'll be back," he likely had no idea it would be in digital
form. Film studio Artisan Entertainment (news
- web
sites) Inc. and software giant Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT
- news)
on Thursday unveiled the first DVD to be released especially for digital
high-definition computer and television monitors, "T2: Extreme DVD"
The two-disc DVD contains one standard DVD of
hit 1991 Schwarzenegger movie, "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," for
playback in a normal DVD player. The second disc, however, contains a
high-definition version of the movie to be played on a computer DVD ROM drive
and high-end monitors. People who own home theater systems with the
correct cabling and high-definition TV monitors, too, can view the special
version of "T2." "There are a lot of high-def capable
systems out there, but not a lot of pre-recorded content to enjoy," said
Randy Wells, executive brand director for Artisan Home Entertainment.
"When you see a great movie on DVD in high-def ... you notice things you
didn't notice before." For years, electronics manufacturers have
touted the super-sharp picture quality that high-definition monitors can
bring film and TV viewers, but due to many technological and financial
reasons, Hollywood has yet to deliver much content aimed for owners of
"high-def" equipment. Slowly, that is changing and the major TV
networks will sometimes broadcast top-rated shows, such as professional
football's Super Bowl, in high-definition. However, the massive amounts of digital data
needed to format a movie into a high-definition version had prohibited the
making of high-def DVDs. Microsoft's new Windows Media 9 software
solved data compression issues, said Erin Cullen, product manager with
Microsoft's Windows Digital Media division. Cullen admitted the computer system
requirement for playing the high-def DVD is high, but added that equipment
prices are dropping quickly. She said in some cases a system that could play
the high-def DVD can be bought for less than $1,000. Artisan's Wells, too, said that the high-def
DVD is targeted to a small market of users, but that there "truly is a
viable market out there" that it is growing rapidly. Both the high-def and standard DVDs contain
additional features including 16 minutes of additional film, director James
Cameron's commentary, and behind-the-scenes footage. With a suggested retail price of $29.98, the
two-disc set hits stores on June 3, about a month ahead of Schwarzenegger's
new movie "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines."
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