Things aren’t looking good for HD DVD at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Monday quickly became “Blu-ray Day” at the convention, with Sony and Samsung’s format receiving a flood of highly anticipated titles, including the latest bond flick, Casino Royale.
At least three major studios announced huge support for Blu-ray, including Warner, Lionsgate, and Buena Vista. The worst news for HD DVD may have come from Lionsgate, who promise some forty Blu-ray titles over the course of 2007. HD DVD gets none.
Here are some notable future Blu-ray releases, as announced yesterday:
Lionsgate
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Feb 6: American Psycho, Rambo: First Blood, Reservoir Dogs
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Future 2007: Monster’s Ball, Dirty Dancing, Waiting
Warner
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Feb 13: The Departed (also on HD DVD)
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Future 2007: Matrix Trilogy (also on HD DVD), Harry Potter (all films), Oceans 11, Oceans 12
Buena Vista
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March 20: Chicken Little, Finding Neverland
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April 3: King Arthur, G.I. Jane
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May 2007: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and Dead Man’s Chest
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June 8: Con Air, The Rock
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Future 2007: Cars, Open Range, Remember the Titans
The news isn’t all bad for HD DVD owners, however. Aside from the fact that none of the above releases are particularly earth-shattering in quality, those that near excellence (such as the Matrix films and The Departed) are also set for HD DVD release. In addition, none of the above match The Lord of the Rings trilogy, still rumored as an HD DVD exclusive.
What’s more, consumers will need to be able to afford Blu-ray players in order to view the above flicks. With Toshiba’s timely CES announcement of a $600 HD DVD device with premium capabilities, the balance of power may still be even.
HD DVD and Blu-ray at Gizmo Shop!