First HD DVD/DVD Twin disc hits U.S. in June, along with new HDi features
Add one more dual format disc type to the pile, as Bandai Visual will bring the HD DVD/DVD Twin disc to the U.S. June 26, with the release of its bestselling OVA Freedom, and will also be one of the first releases to include HDi network capabilities. As opposed to the combo releases so far that have HD DVD on one side, and DVD on the other, the Twin disc allows up to three layers of either HD DVD or DVD content on the same side of the disc, no flipping necessary. Your old-school DVD player might have trouble with the disc, so its been limited to Japan-only releases so far. Bandai's been working with Microsoft and Memory-Tech to tweak the VC-1 codec for Japanese anime, and the company says after this they will start releasing other HD DVD and Blu-ray titles in Japan and overseas. The SRP for Freedom Vol.1 (of 6) is $39.99 and while we don't know much about the series beyond its mix of CGI and 2D animation, it does heavily represent that most holiest of foods, ramen.
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Muu @ Mar 20th 2007 4:34PM
Resampling the original to HD resolutions doesn't cost them too much money, and it still does look better, even if the effect is minimal (you may be able to find some samples of this over at Divx Stage6). I think what they're trying to do now is to provide an incentive for people to buy legit; the pirates will still continue to do their work regardless, but to the people teetering between piracy and legitimate purchases, it may be worth paying rather than downloading a 20GB HD rip.
paloooz @ Mar 20th 2007 5:07PM
Well that's a lie. I just bought Superman Returns on HD-DVD/DVD like 2 weeks ago at BestBuy.
djmattyb @ Mar 20th 2007 9:08PM
Hey paloooz you're talking about a combo release. HD-DVD on one side and DVD on the other. This story is about the Twin Disc format where you don't have to flip the disc.
Sean D. @ Mar 20th 2007 5:23PM
What paloooz said...
http://www.amazon.com/Superman-Returns-Combo-DVD-Standard/dp/B000JVT092
macona @ Mar 20th 2007 5:47PM
Freedom seems to be interesting so far. Uses cell shaded CG.
After a cataclysm on earth makes the planet uninhabitable a colony on the moon thrives while being told the earth is dead... Or is it?
You can download the first two eps on http://www.baka-updates.com/releases.php
Hi Def for anime is actually pretty great, especially with the newer series. The detail in recent series is amazing. Make stuff even 5 years old look bland.
Dustin Solis @ Mar 20th 2007 6:38PM
ACK! $40 for a half-hour episode? I'll admit I love HD, but I think I'll pass.
Mak @ Mar 20th 2007 7:22PM
"Your old-school DVD player might have trouble with the disc"
Totalfixation @ Mar 20th 2007 7:49PM
well i wouldn't say that, the new episode of south park in HD seem to be a big improvement. I say that with a big laugh, because the animation on that alone is crap.
Eric V @ Mar 20th 2007 9:48PM
Wait you mean South Park in HD didn't improve its animation?
Totalfixation @ Mar 21st 2007 12:03AM
Eric V @ Mar 20th 2007 9:48PM
Wait you mean South Park in HD didn't improve its animation?
It did, what i meant was that south park animation is crappy looking, but thats its theme of animation.
lettcco @ Mar 21st 2007 12:37PM
Hi def for anime and cartoon is kinda pointless, isn't it? hand drawing benefits very little when going Hi def...Unless a lot of CG is involved.
SpaceButler @ Mar 21st 2007 1:08PM
Absolutely not. Hand drawing is filmed on cels, and film has over 4000 lines of color. Its more high def than high def. For reference, on the Casablanca and Robin Hood HD-DVD's, warner brothers included some loony toons cartoons that were traditionally animated, and the high def advantage was clear.
Eric V @ Mar 20th 2007 5:11PM
Video is video. If it's low resolution it'll be blocky/pixelated on an HDTV. It doesn't matter if it's hand drawn or not; it all comes out digital in the end.