Amazon To Offer Indie Films on HD DVD

By Geoff Duncan July 2, 2007

Amazon To Offer Indie Films on HD DVD

Amazon.com and Microsoft had announced a partnership which will make 1,000 independent film titles available via Amazon.com’s CustomFlix DVD-on-demand service in HD DVD format. Under the program, Amazon will waive the processing fees for the first 1,000 films it accepts for production, while Microsoft will supply the technology necessary to encode the films and package extra features on the HD DVD discs.

“This collaboration with Microsoft is a great opportunity for independent filmmakers to reach Amazon customers with their films via the HD DVD format,” said Peter Faricy, Amazon.com’s VP of music and movies. “By working together with Microsoft and leveraging the proven CustomFlix DVD on Demand model, we can lower the barriers to entry for independent filmmakers and dramatically increase the selection we offer our customers.”

CustomFlix is a produce-on-demand movie service: when a customer orders a film, the company produces a one-off disc and its packaging and sends the requested content to the customer. With retail space for DVD and movie titles being so expensive, CustomFlix hopes to offer an alternative distribution channel for film content which might not otherwise be available for purchase. Sundance Channel will be reviewing the HD titles submitted to the CustomFlix HD DVD program for potential broadcast; it will also make its ecology series Big Ideas for a Small Planet available in HD DVD format via CustomFlix.

CustomFlix has not released pricing information on HD DVD titles to be offered through the program, or when the first titles will become available.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Deals

Amazon offers incredible discounts on these Sennheiser headphones and earbuds

sennheiser pxc 550 noise canceling headphones momentum true wireless earbuds amazon deal nc kit 2 1500x1000

Admittedly, Sennheiser isn't the cheapest brand in the market. However, if you're looking into investing in worthwhile audio equipment that sounds great and is guaranteed to last a lifetime, there's no better place to start. After all, the perfect pair of headphones or earbuds can bring you a little extra happiness and comfort. If you're on the lookout for noise-canceling headphones, the Sennheiser PXC 550 are one of the best-in-class. But if it's true wireless earbuds you're after, the incredibly light Sennheiser Momentum are perfect for you. Right now, they're available on Amazon at incredible discounted prices.
Sennheiser PX 550 Noise-Canceling Headphones
-- $180

The Sennheiser PXC 550 noise-canceling headphones are designed for maximum comfort and portability. The earpads are soft, have extra thick cushioning, and are ergonomically shaped to fit the ears snug and tight but won’t hurt with prolonged use. They have a tasteful black matte finish with silver details that look very dapper and businesslike. The earcups fold up for easy storage and they come with their own carrying case. At just around 8 ounces, these are relatively light for over-ear headphones.

Deals

Amazon offers the excellent Sony WH-CH510 wireless headphones for just $50

sony wh ch510 wireless headphones amazon deal 81wydotp4xl sl1500

Want a no-frills pair of wireless headphones with an outstanding battery life that comes at a very reasonable price? The Sony WH-CH510 has you covered. Not only do these wireless cans offer 35 long hours of music playback, but they're also normally $60. They don't offer audiophile-grade sound quality though, but at least they won't hurt your wallet. What's even more incredible is that they're now available on Amazon for a cool 17% off
. Get them for the low price of $50.

The Sony WH-CH510 wireless headphones let you immerse yourself in music courtesy of their on-ear design. Although they don't provide active noise cancelation, the large earcups effectively block out conversations and low traffic noises, but not enough for particularly loud sounds like plane engine rumble. These headphones weigh 9.8 ounces, measure 7.8 x 6.8 x 1.6 inches when fully open, and are made entirely of plastic. The earcups swivel and fold flat for easy storage, making these the perfect companions for traveling. Along the bottom of the right earcup are the control buttons: Two volume control buttons, the power button, and a USB-C port that supports fast charging. There's also a hole for the built-in microphone so you can take and make calls without having to get your phone. That's right. For a pair of headphones worth $50, the WH-CH510 supports voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant. You don't need to take your phone out of your pocket to get a weather update or ask any questions.

Deals

Amazon offers the Bose Soundwear Companion wearable speaker for $150 off

bose soundwear companion wearable speaker amazon discount

If the notion of a neck speaker sounds ridiculous to you, you’re not entirely wrong. A loudspeaker wrapped around your neck, with your music blasting for all the world to hear, sounds about the right amount of outrageous and weird. But then again, Bose makes such a good argument to own one via its Soundwear Companion wireless wearable speaker. It sounds incredible, offers hands-free calling, lasts extremely long, and is super comfy, as long as you’re amenable with the idea that you look like you want attention. You can get this wearable speaker for an astounding $150 off
on Amazon this Columbus Day. Snag it for $149 instead of its usual price of $299.

The Bose Soundwear Companion wireless wearable speaker is shaped like a horseshoe. Its exterior is wrapped in medical-grade silicone reinforced with steel wire that’s not only durable but is also comfortable to wear. It weighs a little over half a pound that you might almost forget that it’s there. It feels extremely well-built, and unlike other neck speakers, this one flexes so you can adjust its fit to your liking. Once you have it on, you’ll find the volume control buttons and the multifunction button on the right side, while the power and Bluetooth buttons are on the left.