14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has applauded the contribution of its technology to increase the momentum behind HD DVD. The Redmond company's VC-1 codec has been adopted by three major Hollywood studios: Warner, Universal Studios and Paramount Entertainment, but it's also at the basis of the Xbox Live Marketplace for high-definition videos.
To complement the VC-1 codec, Microsoft is delivering HDi capabilities and advanced interactivity in HD DVD. Microsoft's implementation of the interactive layer in HD DVD was - according to the Redmond Company - the backbone of interactive user experiences independent of HD DVD players or drives. Via the HDi environment, developers have been able to seamlessly integrate interactive experiences in concert with the HD DVD content, including GUIs and picture-in-picture materials, with no impact to the quality of the playback.
"But these experiences are just the beginning; studios have announced plans to expand their interactive offerings in 2007 with Web-connected interactive experiences. The ability to download new trailers and share favorite bookmarked scenes with other HD DVD owners are just a few of the features", revealed Microsoft.
"With HDi technology, we were able to take a new approach to creating a living-room experience that simply isn't possible with today's DVDs," said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "The HD DVD format is redefining not only what consumers should expect from the next generation of optical formats, but also how content creators approach the creative process of making movies. Microsoft's expertise and contributions will continue to aid in helping us realize the full potential of what can be done."
And the last, but not the least of Microsoft technologies contributing to the momentum of HD DVD is the Windows CE 6.0 platform. The Redmond Company has announced at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, collaborations with Broadcom Corp. and Meridian Audio Ltd. to continue the support of HD DVD.
"Our expertise in software, advanced video compression and systems integration is bringing the promise of HD DVD to a wider mainstream consumer audience," said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of the Consumer Media Technology Group at Microsoft. "Heading into 2007, Microsoft's commitment is to help our partners continue to bring the highest-quality content to consumers, help them push the envelope with interactivity, and continue to drive down manufacturing costs."