HD DVD Delivers Immersive High-Definition Home Entertainment

More than 20 million households will have High-Definition Television (HDTV) by the end of this year(1), but what good is that razor-sharp picture and extraordinary surround sound if there's not much high-def content to watch? HD DVD makes the most of HDTVs by delivering the latest films, as well as old favorites, in high-definition, with unparalleled picture and sound that immerses viewers in the movie-watching experience. HD DVD is "The Look and Sound of Perfect(TM)."

HD DVD is the only format approved by the DVD Forum that takes the best features of DVD -- the most successful audio/video product ever -- and enhances the cinematic experience with six-times better resolution and significantly better sound quality than regular DVDs. This translates into more explosiony-explosions in movies such as the "Bourne Supremacy" and more bloodcurdling screams in movies such as "Constantine." In addition, movies in HD DVD offer the bonus content you've come to expect from DVDs as well as unprecedented interactive capabilities available via Microsoft's HDi technology such as zooming, picture-in-picture director's commentaries and bookmarking of favorite clips.

"When it comes to HD DVD, seeing is believing, so we know consumers will be blown away when they experience movies in this format," said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "HD DVD lets you truly experience your high-definition TV to its full potential."

That's why HD DVD, supported by top consumer electronics, entertainment, IT, and disc replication companies, is hitting the road this fall to help consumers experience first-hand the next generation in home entertainment.

The HD DVD Mobile Experience will tour cities across the country allowing consumers to plunge into the new world of high-definition and experience the very latest in HD technology. The centerpiece of the attraction is an 18-wheeler that will allow participants to step into "The Look and Sound of Perfect." In 1,200 square feet surrounding the trailer, individuals will explore the many ways to experience HD DVD, including a home theater system with the sharpest, most realistic picture and surround sound, the newest HD DVD-enabled laptops and PCs, and a gaming environment offering a sneak-preview of the much anticipated external HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 (available later this year). Every display at the HD DVD Mobile Experience will showcase the intense scenes, from high-speed chases to close-call rescues to futuristic fights, from some of the 150 Hollywood movies expected to be available in time for the 2006 holiday season.

In addition to the interactive, high-tech exhibits, one visitor to the HD DVD Mobile Experience in each city will have the chance to unlock "The Look and Sound of Perfect" and walk away with an HD DVD home theater system. Other prizes include gift cards to top home electronics retailers, HD DVD movie titles and more.

For tour dates and locations and for more information on HD DVD, visit http://www.thelookandsoundofperfect.com/.

ACADEMY AWARD® AND GOLDEN GLOBE® AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS KIM BASINGER STARS IN “THE MERMAID CHAIR,”

A LIFETIME ORIGINAL MOVIE EVENT
TO AIR IN SPECIAL THREE-NIGHT PREMIERE
SEPTEMBER 9, 10 AND 11

LOS ANGELES – Academy Award® and Golden Globe® Award-winning actress Kim Basinger (“L.A. Confidential,” “8 Mile,” “The Door in the Floor”) stars in “The Mermaid Chair,” a two-hour Lifetime Original Movie event, based on the #1 New York Times Best Seller, The Mermaid Chair, by Sue Monk Kidd. “The Mermaid Chair” tells the haunting story of a married woman who falls in love with a Benedictine monk and the crisis and self-awakening it ignites within her. “The Mermaid Chair” airs in a special three-night premiere beginning Saturday, September 9 at 9PM, followed by encore presentations on Sunday, September 10 at 8PM and Monday, September 11 at 9PM on Lifetime Television. All times are ET/PT.

In the movie, Basinger plays Jessie Sullivan who, after her daughter leaves for college, finds herself restless in her life and 20-year marriage. When Jessie’s mother commits an inexplicable act of self-mutilation, Jessie is forced to return to her childhood home on Egret Island, a tiny barrier island off the coast of South Carolina. Her homecoming reignites the volatile relationship Jessie has with her mother and reawakens nagging questions about her father’s death years earlier. Soon, she meets Brother Thomas, a Benedictine monk from the neighboring abbey with whom she shares an immediate and powerful connection. As the relationship unfolds, Jessie unlocks the roots of her mother’s tormented past and the secrets around her father’s death while undergoing a spiritual, artistic and erotic awakening. Her experiences on the island lead Jessie to discover her true self and what she really wants from her life

“I saw this as a great opportunity to bring such a beloved book to life,” said Basinger. “By premiering it on Lifetime, I think we are giving it the best possible chance of being exposed to one of the largest television audiences.”
Executive Producer Randy Robinson feels that the movie is about being true to yourself. “On the outside Jessie might lead an idyllic life, but it doesn’t mean she isn’t lost both spiritually and emotionally. She needed to go through a very difficult personal crisis to become a healthier, happier, more spiritually balanced person.”

Author Sue Monk Kidd said, “I think a woman wants love and freedom at the same time. When I was writing the book, I was exploring that concept. I think a lot of women can relate to it.”
“The Mermaid Chair” is co-produced by Randwell Distribution and Nomadic Pictures for Lifetime Television. Randy Robinson (Lifetime’s “The Pact” and “Lies My Mother Told Me”) is the executive producer. Emmy® Award winner Steven Schachter (“Door to Door,” “The Wool Cap”) is the director. Schachter won two Emmy® Awards in 2003 for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special and Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special for “Door to Door.” He received an Emmy® nomination for Outstanding Made for Television Movie in 2005 for “The Wool Cap.” The teleplay is by Suzette Couture (“Million Dollar Babies,” “The Book of Ruth”).

Sue Monk Kidd has written two novels. The Secret Life of Bees, published in 2002, became a genuine literary phenomenon. It has sold over 4.5 million copies, spent over 100 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List and is currently being adapted into a movie. Kidd’s second novel, The Mermaid Chair, released in the spring of 2005, has already sold over 1.5 million copies and has spent over 30 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List. It was awarded the 2005 Quill Award for General Fiction.

Lifetime is the leader in women’s television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment, and Lifetime Online are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.
 

New Generation of Camcorders Records Memories Directly on DVD

From weddings to graduations to new babies, memories fade, but videos of the occassion preserve the moment. DVD camcorders, which combine the versatile capabilities of a camcorder with the unbeatable convenience of DVD media, are the perfect solution.

Because these dream machines record directly on mini DVD media instead of using camcorder tapes, viewing your footage on a big screen is as simple as taking the disc out of the camcorder and putting it in a DVD player. There's never any need to copy the footage to tape or connect your camcorder to the TV with messy cables. Imagine how easy it will be to share your footage with family and friends!

Videography has come a long way in the past few decades. Before digital camcorders, there were VHS camcorders, and before that, home movie buffs had to use cumbersome 8mm film. Each development in technology made it easier to capture memories, as cameras and media became smaller and produced clearer images. For the home videographer, DVD camcorders and mini DVD media represent a major technological leap forward, greatly simplifying the whole process of capturing, preserving and enjoying memories.

Because the discs are recorded in real-time and frequently must be handled in less than ideal field environments, the new DVD camcorder format demands tough, reliable recording media. Fortunately, long time recording media leader, TDK, has come up with a solution.

Designed specifically for DVD camcorders, the company's ScratchProof Mini DVD is tough enough to withstand whatever comes its way. The discs are up to 100 times more scratch resistant than standard DVD media, and they also resist smudges and dust, common contaminants that can interfere with the performance of optical recording media. Anti-UV protection further ensures the discs' worthiness for heavy duty use in the field, where discs may be exposed to direct sunlight. Hard coating surface technology ensures your DVD discs can survive everything from accidental mishandling to food and beverage spills and an unrelenting environment.

Mini DVD media can be played in virtually any home DVD player or computer DVD drive. The discs are widely available in recordable DVD-R and rewritable DVD-RW formats. For recordings you want to preserve for the long-term, using DVD-R media is recommended, while DVD-RW is the way to go if you want to re-record on the same disc. DVD-R and DVD-RW discs provide universal compatibility with DVD camcorders, so you can't go wrong with either choice.

In addition to delivering unprecedented convenience and ease of use, DVD camcorders and mini DVD media capture your memories in stunning detail, and enable you and your loved ones to enjoy once in a lifetime memories year after year.

Memorex Doubles Mini DVD-R Recording Time

Memorex brings double the recording time to its Mini DVD-Rs, with a simple flip of a disc.

Memorex Double-Sided Mini DVD-R media, the latest in Memorex’s broad line of home video products, offers the highest capacity in the Mini DVD format, providing up to one hour of recording time or 2.8GB of storage capacity for preserving precious memories and valuable data.

Ideal for home video enthusiasts and professional videographers alike, Memorex Double-Sided Mini DVD-R discs provide the convenience of one disc for capturing twice the video, photos, music and data. For superior ease-of-use, Memorex Double-Sided Mini DVDs are compatible with most of the direct-to-disc camcorders on the market.

For added protection, both sides of each disc feature Memorex’s DuraLayer Technology, a special scratch-resistant hard coating that protects media from dust, debris and rough handling. Each package also includes a DVD cleaning cloth to keep the discs spotless for peak performance and ultimate longevity during on-the-go recording and frequent disc swapping.

“Consumers are quickly moving to direct-to-DVD recording to capture, save and share home movies. As a result, they’re amassing increasingly more media to keep track of,” said David Dorantes, marketing manager, optical media, for Memorex. “The increased capacity of Memorex Double-Sided Mini DVD-R discs brings convenience to chronicling memories and important data, while offering great compatibility with today’s popular devices.”

Perfect for every movie maker who gets behind a camera, Memorex’s write-once Mini DVD-R recordable discs are ideal for direct-to-DVD camcorders from Canon, Hitachi, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony, and also work in most DVD burners and players.

The discs record at 1- to 4x speeds and provide a compact storage method for multimedia presentations, videos, MP3 files and other data. At 8cm in diameter, these high-performance, high-quality Memorex Mini DVDs offer consumers an exceptional combination of performance and versatility.

Memorex Double-Sided Mini DVD-R media is available now in packages of five discs with mini jewel cases and a cleaning cloth for a suggested retail price of $19.99.

LOVERBOY Comes to DVD September 19th

Synopsis: In the most haunting performance of her career, Kyra Sedgwick plays Emily, a beautiful and brilliant loner obsessed with having the perfect child. Passionately determined, Emily’s desperation will drive her to commit shocking and perilous acts; pushing her closer to the edge of sanity. An unflinching look at one woman’s frightening decent into obsession, love and paranoia, Loverboy features an acclaimed, A-List cast that includes Matt Dillon, Marisa Tomei, Campbell Scott, and Kevin Bacon in this starkly beautiful and unforgettable film.

Selling Points: Phenomenal Cast, Nationwide Theatrical Release and Kevin Bacon Directs
Phenomenal Cast
• Kyra Sedgwick (“The Closer”, The Woodsman, Phenomenon, Something to Talk about)
o Emmy winning, two-time Golden Globe nominee
o Kyra is the star of the gripping, critically-acclaimed, TV series “The Closer” which has a huge following. “The Closer” is the #1 new original series for the year to date among adults 18-49 and 25-54.
• Kevin Bacon (Mystic River, The Woodsman, Sleepers, Apollo 13, A Few Good Men)
o a critically-acclaimed, iconic actor who’s starred in some of the biggest films of all time
o Bacon was chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history.
• Matt Dillon (Crash, There’s Something About Mary, Wild Things, Beautiful Girls, Singles)
o nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 3 time Academy Award winning “Crash”
• Oliver Platt (“Huff”, “The West Wing”, Kinsey, Pieces of April, Bicentennial Man)
o stars in the amazing Showtime drama “HUFF” currently with huge exposure . Also recently seen across the country in “Cassanova” and a series regular on “West Wing.”

Nationwide Theatrical Release
• Released by THINK FILM in June which included TV, magazine and radio campaigns.
• Kyra appeared on “Late Night with David Letterman” and “Live with Regis & Kelly” in June. She will be on the cover of TV GUIDE, LIFE Magazine, NY MOVES, Arrive Magazine and inside features of Esquire, O magazine, LA magazine, Woman's day, Entertainment Weekly and Emmy magazine. Kyra will also be doing fast breaking pieces for network news shows and syndicated TV.
• Critically acclaimed: Loverboy was an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival, The Hamptons Film Festival and The Toronto Film Festival.

Kevin Bacon Directs
• Loverboy came at the perfect time for Bacon who, inspired by his experience working with master director Clint Eastwood on “Mystic River” was looking for a story to tell as a director.
• Based on the critically-acclaimed novel Loverboy by Victoria Redel.
• A well written, life-changing film that will resonate deeply with all.

The Critics
• "Kyra Sedgwick's performance is so convincing"- Roger Ebert

• "An Artistic Valentine"- NY TIMES

• "Kyra Sedgwick's performance was exceptionally brave"- Access Hollywood

• "Loverboy is uniformly excellent with powerhouse actors. Bacon's film is funny, wry, dark, leavened unexpectedly with humor and energy."- LA TIMES

The DVD:
• Street Date: 9/19/06
• DVD $27.98 SRP
• Special Features: Audio Commentary with Director Kevin Bacon

'Inside' job: Thriller tops DVD charts

Another thriller topped the national DVD sales and rental charts for the week ending August 13, with Universal Studios Home Entertainment's "Inside Man" coasting to No. 1 and bumping the previous week's topper, Warner's "V for Vendetta," to No. 2 on both charts. A look at VideoScan's First Alert sales chart and Home Media Retailing's video rental chart reveals several surprising hits in these lean days of summer, when big theatrical DVDs are hard to come by.

At the top of the list: Universal's "Bring It On: All or Nothing," the second direct-to-video sequel to the 2000 theatrical hit "Bring It On." The new film debuted at No. 3 its first week in stores, selling more than 750,000 units and generating $12 million in consumer spending, according to Universal. Two TV-DVD packages also bowed in the First Alert top 10: Paramount's "Laguna Beach: The Complete Second Season" at No. 7 and 20th Century Fox's "Prison Break: Season One" at No. 8.

On Home Media Retailing's video rental chart, the easy victory for "Inside Man" came with estimated rental earnings of $9.9 million. "V" added another $7.8 million to its rental treasure chest to bring its two-week take to $17.2 million, or nearly a quarter of its theatrical gross.

"Bring It On: All or Nothing" generated $3.8 million to debut at No. 7 on the rental chart, right behind Paramount's "Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector," which earned $4.4 million.

Bring It On: All or Nothing DVD Rallies Sales Of 750,000 Units and $12 Million in First Week

Winning Performance Cements Universal As Industry Leader In DVD Originals

With the Top Two Live-Action DVD Premiere Debuts of All Time and Underscores The Success of Studio’s Aggressive Strategy

Universal City, California, August 2006 – Bring It On: All or Nothing, the latest DVD OriginalTM from Universal Studios Home Entertainment, scored consumer sales of $12 million in its first week in stores, making it the second-highest debut of a live-action DVD premiere in history, following Universal’s American Pie Presents Band Camp, which sold over a million units in its initial outing. Released August 8, 2006, the third installment of the hugely popular competitive cheerleading comedy franchise sold more than 750,000 units, 50% more than its DVD Original predecessor Bring It On Again in its first seven days.

As a result of Universal’s aggressive DVD Originals initiative, the studio currently boasts the #1 and #2 live-action, non-family DVD-only releases of all time, highlighted by the sensational performances of American Pie Presents Band Camp and Bring It On Again, respectively.

An unprecedented promotional campaign provided marketing support for the release, reaching more than 35 million consumers through partnerships with SoBe, Teen People, Spirit Accessories, Lady Footlocker and others.

“With its combination of top-notch cast and filmmaking talent, music, humor and spectacular, high-energy cheerdancing, The Bring it On franchise continues to demonstrate an overwhelming appeal for its core teen audience,” said Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “This release also marks the fourth consecutive Universal DVD OriginalTM to hit a bulls-eye with consumers by combining feature quality production values, a proven franchise and targeted, aggressive marketing.”

Steve Rash (American Pie Presents Band Camp, Can't Buy Me Love) directs an irresistible cast featuring some of Hollywood’s brightest emerging stars in this all-new installment of the ever-popular, attitude-filled franchise. With a chart-busting soundtrack from today’s hottest recording artists, Bring It On: All or Nothing stars Hayden Panettiere (NBC’s fall drama Heroes, Face of Neutrogena, Racing Stripes, Ice Princess), Solange Knowles-Smith (Johnson Family Vacation) and Def Jam recording sensation Rihanna in her movie debut. Extensive extras, including a hilarious gag reel, high-spirited, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and the cast’s cheer camp training, have made Bring It On: All or Nothing a must-own DVD.

"Sopranos" DVD set coming out in hi-def

"The Sopranos" is poised to become the first TV series to be released on high-definition video discs. HBO Video said Wednesday that its first release on the nascent HD-DVD format will be "The Sopranos: Season 6, Part 1," arriving in stores November 7, the same day as the standard DVD. The high-definition edition will cost $129.99, $30 more than the standard DVD version.

HBO said a Blu-ray Disc version is on tap for next year. HD-DVD and Blu-ray are the rival next-generation optical-disc formats vying to succeed DVD as the nation shifts toward high-definition TV sets. By year's end, there will be 25 million-28 million HDTV households in the U.S., according to Warner Bros. research. Both formats offer a clearer picture -- 1,080 lines of resolution compared with 480 for DVD -- and hold three to five times as much data as standard DVDs.

At an HD-DVD panel Monday during the Entertainment Media Expo in University City, representatives from the three studios supporting the format -- Universal, Warner Bros. and Paramount -- promised more than 150 HD-DVD titles in stores by year's end. Warner has 21 titles on the market and will release as many as 50 more; Universal, the only studio to support only HD-DVD, will have released 60 titles by year's end. And Paramount, which has just 10 titles in the market, will release another 10 by year's end.

Only two HD-DVD players are in the market, both of them from Toshiba. The electronics giant's marketing vp, Jodi Sally, would only say there are "tens of thousands" of players in consumer homes.

Whole TV series coming to DVD in pricey boxed sets

Several notable TV series are going out with a bang on DVD this holiday season, as home video marketers cap successful rollouts of season sets with pricey collections containing the entire series.  One of the most highly anticipated releases is Warner Home Video's "Friends: The Complete Series Collection," which includes all 236 episodes from the sitcom's 10 seasons. The huge boxed set, accompanied by a 60-page commemorative book and retailing at $299.98, hits stores November 14. That's one day shy of a year after the studio released Season 10.

Warner also is releasing "The West Wing: The Complete Series" on DVD on November 7, the same day the studio is issuing the seventh and final complete-season set of the series. The big boxed set, also priced at $299.98, features all 154 episodes on 45 DVDs, along with all the bonus features from the regular season sets plus the original pilot script and an introduction by series creator Aaron Sorkin. Warner research found "strong consumer interest for 'complete season' DVD collections," said Jeff Brown, the studio's senior vp and general manager of TV and franchise.

Not to be outdone, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is wrapping up its series of "complete season" sets of "M*A*S*H" with a 36-disc boxed set that contains all 11 seasons, the "MASH" film and two bonus discs of never-before-seen extras, including a trivia game, a featurette on the show's fan base and a 30th anniversary reunion of cast and crew. The "Martinis and Medicine Collection" is due November 7 at a suggested retail price of $199.98; season 11 comes out individually the same day.

A&E Home Video, too, is following its June 2005 release of the seventh and final season of "Homicide" with "Homicide: Life on the Street: The Complete Series." The package, due November 7 at $299.95, includes all 122 episodes on 35 DVDs, presented in limited-edition "file cabinet" packaging. A bonus disc will include several "Law & Order" crossover episodes -- which have never been released on DVD -- and "Homicide: The Movie."