This new HD-DVD format will be capable of  storing a maximum of 40 GB (compared to DVD's paltry 4.7 GB) of information and will also be backwards compatible with existing DVD discs. The passage of the spec now clears the way for true HD prerecorded content to be made available on a disc-based platform, although many hurdles still remain. Copy protection, always the thorn in any new format's side where Hollywood content is involved, is still a major hurdle to surmounted, as is the inevitable competing format. Despite the Forum's decision to back the Toshiba and NEC format, nine major hardware manufacturers (including Philips, Pioneer, Sony and Thomson) are still going ahead with their own "Blu-Ray Disc," an alternative HD format capable of 50 GB of storage capacity.

Likely a major selling point for the Forum is that the Toshiba spec is able to use existing DVD replication equipment, which should also help entice studios as it should (theoretically) keep costs lower. Of course, it is no surprise that the two blue laser formats are incompatible with each other, so expect a "format war," or at least until the studios throw their weight into the ring and decide which (or perhaps both?) of the formats they will support. However, in the Forum's favor is the DVD brand name, now a mainstream moniker recognized by billions of consumers worldwide. Without the support of the Forum, Blu-Ray products cannot use the DVD label, making the mass acceptance of any non-DVD sanctioned format a likely uphill battle.

While such predictions remain optimistic, both groups say they plan to begin producing prototype next-generation HD players in 2003. 

Street date alert - 1:44pm

Just in from Fox Home Entertainment are street dates for three of their recent theatrical hits: The Banger Sisters (January 28th), Brown Sugar (February 11th) and Sordid Lives (February 18th). Watch this space for more details...

Finally coming from Universal are some of the real catalog titles, with six 80's favorites due on January 7th: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, CB4: The Movie, Born in East LA, American Me, North Shore, and the Patrick Swayze in drag comedy To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar! Retail is $19.95 each, and stay tuned for specs to be announced soon...

More TV on DVD - 1:44pm

Yikes! They just keep on a-comin'! Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment has just announced another wave of classic TV making its way to DVD on February 4th. Titles include The Complete Second Seasons of All in the Family and Sanford & Son, and making its DVD debut, Good Times: The Complete First Season. Like most Columbia TV box sets, these are featureless with no extras aside from episode synopses, and all are presented in full frame and mono only. Retail is $39.95 a pop.

Also arriving on the 4th is - Married... with Children - The Most Outrageous Episodes! - Volume #1. This five-episode collection retails for $24.95 and also comes presented in 4:3 full screen with 2.0 stereo tracks and zero extras. No word yet on whether Columbia will be releasing complete season by season collections of the show, but stay tuned...

Also just announced from Columbia TriStar are two big batches of price reductions, which go into effect on February 4th. Newly priced at $14.95 are: America's Sweethearts, As Good As It Gets, Center Stage, Girl, Interrupted, Legends of the Fall - Special Edition, Second Jungle Book and The Wedding Planner (or in the case of J.Lo, the divorce planner?). Reduced to $19.95: Ali, Big Night, Life Without Dick, Mothman Prophecies, Not Another Teen Movie, Resident Evil - Special Edition and True Blue.