Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation said today they will release their DVD titles exclusively on HD DVD ahead of what they say could be the biggest holiday season ever for DVDs.
Paramount had sold titles in both the new high-definition formats - HD DVD and Blu-Ray - but settled exclusively on HD DVD after deciding that it offered better quality, lower-priced players and lower manufacturing costs, Kelley Avery, president of Paramount Home Entertainment, said.
"This has been the biggest summer on record for movies, it will be the biggest fourth quarter for popular movies for consumers," Avery said. "At the same time, we have HD DVD players that are truly affordable."
HD DVD and Blu-Ray are waging a battle to dominate the next generation of DVD players that promise better pictures, sound and in some cases more content in the multibillion-dollar home- entertainment arena.
So far, most of the major Hollywood studios are selling Blu-Ray titles, and HD DVD sales have lagged. But some HD DVD supporters hope to broaden their appeal to consumers based on cost.
Paramount's first releases under the exclusive HD DVD program include Blades of Gloryon August 28th, and the summer blockbusters Transformersand Shrek the Third,due for release later this autumn.
DreamWorks, maker of the blockbuster Shrekanimated movie franchise, had not committed exclusively to either high-definition format but was swayed to HD DVD by the lower-cost player, chief executive officer Jeffrey Katzenberg said.