'MEDIA-TECH 3rd Generation Forum' -- HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc Presentations at MEDIA-TECH Expo in Las Vegas

15-Apr-05

The race of the two competing third generation optical disc formats, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc, will enter its next round at the upcoming MEDIA-TECH Expo in Las Vegas, May 10 - 12. In the ""MEDIA-TECH 3rd Generation Forum,"" both camps will present their technologies. The Blu-ray seminar will take place on May 10, while HD DVD is scheduled for May 11.ìThis highlights the fact that MEDIA-TECH Expo 2005 is truly viewed as the place where the latest technology should be unveiled,"" says MEDIA-TECH Association Managing Director Bryan Ekus. ""Our '3rd Generation Forum' will provide a huge amount of information on, and demonstrations of, these next- generation formats, and we are sure that they will be a major attraction for all attendees.""The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) has just finalized the schedule for its presentation. Titled ""BD Manufacturing Technology,"" the BDA workshop will feature presentations by several different companies. They will touch on all aspects of the production and replication of Blu-ray Discs, both prerecorded and recordable, as well as the important topic of copy protection. These technical presentations will be complemented by Q&A sessions and the chance for individual questioning.In addition to the Forum program, the BDA will showcase their products at the Blu-ray Disc Pavilion at Booth 31.029. The pavilion will be fully equipped with prototype players from Sony, Panasonic and Philips, as well as HDTV displays, allowing many visitors to see these high-density formats with their sharp pictures and clear sound in operation for the very first time.Meanwhile, the HD DVD Promotion Group will present its technology at the ""MEDIA-TECH 3rd Generation Forum"" on Wednesday, May 11. Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo and Memory-Tech are coordinating this workshop.These companies will send key representatives to the Forum and will also invite speakers from Hollywood studios, disc manufacturers and replication machine vendors. Besides touching on the issues regarding the production of HD DVD, the program will include HD DVD prototype player demonstrations. Toshiba HD DVD players and HD DVD drives from NEC will be hooked up to an HD projector and a 5.1 Channel audio system, providing for a movie theater-like atmosphere. The footage comes from Hollywood movies, optimized for HD DVD usage.