Dreamworks Stuck with HD DVD

By Nick Mokey Published February 27, 2008

Dreamworks Stuck with HD DVD — Image used with permission by copyright holder

While seemingly every movie studio, retailer, and rental store has jumped on board with Blu-ray in the aftermath of the format war, it turns out it will not be quite as easy for former HD DVD ally DreamWorks animation. According to Reuters, the company is still legally bound to the format by lucrative contracts it inked with Toshiba before the format’s fall.

“As you know, we have been well-compensated for our support,” DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katenberg told Reuters. “It really is in their court at this point to really declare what the next step will be.” The studio’s agreement dates back to August, when it entered a deal, together with Paramount, to distribute movies exclusively on HD DVD in exchange for what the New York Times says was $150 million in combined incentives.

Recommended Videos

Bee Movie will be the studio’s first release since Toshiba closed the door on HD DVD, leaving DreamWorks to guess what the right course of action will be. According to Katzenberg, the company has consulted Toshiba for help and awaits a response.

Yet with a hefty sum paid for another 12 months of support, it’s unlikely Toshiba will cave without some sort of compensation. DreamWorks may still have a period of HD DVD releases ahead, but experts predict the situation will be sorted out by the 2008 holiday season.

Former Editor in Chief

As Digital Trends’ Editor in Chief, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team covering every gadget under the sun, along with…

Audio / Video

Meta’s new image and video AI tools let you turn Instagram into your creative mood board

Two models, one launch, and an Instagram trick nobody else has.

Art, Collage, Face

Meta has been cooking something up, and today, it finally put it on the table. On July 7, 2026, Meta Superintelligence Labs launched Muse Image and Muse Video (in preview), its first in-house media generation models.

The rollout comes with a few features that are genuinely hard to argue with.

Audio / Video

Marshall refreshes its Acton and Stanmore speakers with better bass and repairability

The new Acton IV and Stanmore IV bring improved acoustics, Auracast support, and a more repair-friendly design.

Marshall launches Acton IV and Stanmore IV

Marshall has refreshed two of its most popular wireless speakers. The company has officially unveiled the Acton IV and Stanmore IV, bringing a series of meaningful upgrades that go beyond simply making them louder. While improved bass and cleaner sound are part of the package, Marshall is also making a welcome push toward repairability, allowing owners to replace several external components instead of replacing the entire speaker.

Better sound, smarter design

Audio / Video

I was skeptical of clip-style open earbuds. After trying my first pair, I don’t want to go back

No pressure, no plugged-up feeling, no fatigue. After months of all-day wear, open-air audio earclips have earned a permanent spot in my routine.

Baseus Bowie MC2 earclip earbuds.

I am not what you would call an audiophile. I don't obsess over terms like LDAC and DSEE upscaling. For me, they're just another utilitarian gadget to get the job done. Somewhere along the way, however, I stopped judging earbuds purely on how they sound and started paying closer attention to how naturally they fit into an ordinary day.

So much of this category now chases bass, noise cancellation, and a spec sheet full of features that comfort has quietly become an afterthought. I recently got a chance to try the Baseus Bowie MC2, my first pair of earclip-style earbuds. It came as a revelation for me. I picked them up from Amazon at $40, so it wasn't a big hit on my wallet either. The leap of faith, I'd say, was well worth it.