Dreamworks Stuck with HD DVD

By Nick Mokey February 27, 2008

Dreamworks Stuck with HD DVD

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.

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Managing Editor

As Digital Trends’ Managing Editor, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team delivering definitive reviews, enlightening…

Deals

Black Friday: Get this HP Full HD projector with Roku for just $137

The HP CC200 with accessories and a projected Roku homescreen.

The early, cool nights that define the end of fall mean one thing: It's time for a projector! Far from the campy, flickering things your teachers used back in high school, the modern projectors that you can spot throughout our Black Friday projector deals are crisp and come with about as many features as a TV. The HP CC200 is no different, coming with Roku and a whole host of features we'll get into more in a second. Plus, as part of the ongoing Walmart Black Friday deals, you can get the HP CC200 for only $137. That's $62 off the standard $199 price and a deal worth bragging about.

Why you should buy the HP CC200 projector
When looking for the best projectors, you have to start with the machine's capabilities. For the HP CC200, that's going to be focused on image quality, sound, image innovation, and entertainment options. As a Full HD projector, you'll get crisp imagery from it. Built-in 6-watt stereo speakers will give you an immersive experience without forcing you to splurge on separate speakers. That nasty blue light that you keep hearing about? The HP CC200 has tech that filters it to keep your nighttime viewing comfortable and healthy. Finally, you can access the entertainment you want from many places with the HP CC200. It has built-in Roku, but the projector can also connect to external devices via USB and HDMI. You can even use the second USB for your keyboard or mouse to help control the action. In short, with the HP CC200, you're never short on options.

Deals

This HD projector is $75 in Walmart’s anti-Prime Day sale

Today's Best HD Projector Prime Day Deal

A home theater setup.

Choosing a home theater projector can seem like a tricky proposition, especially if you want to get one while it's on sale. If you're bummed you missed out on July's Prime Day deals, there is no need to worry. Walmart is competing with Amazon's recently announced Prime Early Access Sale by having its own Walmart Rollback Sale. This Onn HD projector Prime Day deal is a particularly juicy bargain, with a $64 discount knocking the price down to just $75. If that price doesn't convince you, maybe we can. Read on to see why you should consider scoring this HD projector Prime Day deal before it's gone.

Why you should buy the Onn 720p Home Theater Projector
Prime Day may officially be an Amazon thing, but plenty of other retailers are getting into the action, and there are some pretty great Walmart Prime Day deals on all sorts of electronics. That, of course, includes plenty of home theater equipment, but if you don't want to shell out the cash for a TV, then this HD projector Prime Day deal is another option. The Onn 720p projector transforms practically any room into a theater. It can throw an image as large as 150 inches at a distance of up to 16.5 feet, making it suitable for parties, family movie nights, or just a cozy viewing session at the end of a long day.

Audio / Video

Google’s new Chromecast is cheaper, tops out at HD resolution

Chromecast with Google TV.

Google, as had been rumored, today announced a newer, cheaper Chromecast with Google TV, and one that tops out at HD resolution and does not support better 4K UHD resolution.

The new $30 dongle looks and acts just like the $50 model, only this one is limited to 1080p and 60 frames per second. It still supports HDR, however, that's limited to HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG, and it lacks Dolby Vision.