Alternative HD format secures backing

A NEW DEAL has been signed by two film distribution bigwigs in France to put out movies on a third kind of high-definition disc, called HD VMD - High Definition Versatile Multilayer Disc.

The companies, Seven 7 and Metropolitan FilmExport, signed the deals with New Medium Enterprises who are the fellas behind the HD VMD technology in France. Twenty titles from each partner will be available on the HD VMD format come this September, with five to follow every coming month afterwards.

The deal is not to be sniffed at: Metropolitan FilmExport has distribution rights for top titles like Lord of the Rings, and is the current French distributor for New Line Cinema films.

HD VMD allows for multi-layering of capacities up to 48GB, is a true HD 1080p format, and supports all HD-compatible screens as well as current disc formats such as CD and DVD.

An HD VMD player will be available to French consumers and will come packing five free HD VMD titles for a price of €299 - a bargain when sat next to Blu-Ray. µ