MEDIA-TECH 3rd Generation Forum Proves To Be A Big Success

Blu-ray And HD DVD Presentations At MEDIA-TECH Expo Draw Huge Crowds

25-May-05

This year's MEDIA-TECH Expo in Las Vegas provided the setting for the first time that both high-density media camps -- Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD -- aired extensive details on their respective products under one roof. The event was also the place where the first announcement about the new 45 GB HD DVD and the new DVD9 + HD30 Hybrid discs was made. The Blu-ray Disc Association for its part stressed that the format was ready for cost effective manufacturing and will be making an announcement with details shortly.Leading figures from both the Blu-ray and HD DVD organizations were on hand to give in-depth technical presentations covering all aspects of next generation optical media technology and production. In addition, the Blu-ray Disc Association had its own dedicated pavilion, providing the opportunity to see their format in action.""It is a hugely gratifying endorsement of the Expo that these major organizations chose to have such a concentrated presence at the show,"" says Bryan Ekus, Managing Director of the MEDIA-TECH Association. ""We think that this combination of both the production technology and consumer electronic sides of these two eagerly awaited formats served to attract people to the show.""The audiences for each set of presentations was made up of an impressive combination of senior management from companies across the industry spectrum as well as the press and Hollywood studios. Among the representatives for the studios were Thomas Lesinski (Paramount Pictures), Bill Mandel (Universal Pictures), Christopher Cookson (Warner Bros.) and from Warner Home Video, Marsha King, Lewis Ostrover and Stephen Nickerson..From the HD DVD group of presenters, Masato Otsuka, Director R&D at Memory-Tech, a major replicator and developer of optical media technology, was very enthusiastic. ""It is significant that Warren Lieberfarb, the 'godfather' of the DVD format, is strongly in favor of HD DVD. The demonstration of a movie trailer from 'Batman Begins' gave everyone not only an idea of the quality of this format, but proved also the fact that already many major studios are in favor of HD DVD.""Another important message of the HD DVD proponents, says Otsuka, is the fact that unification of the formats is not to be desired. ""There cannot really be a compromise on this as the disc construction is too different. HD DVD is more optimal for the future, as DVD is still growing and provides not only the most important revenue stream for the Hollywood studios but also the most profitable business model. HD DVD has more business opportunities in the long term.""The Blu-Ray Disc Association (BDA) was no less delighted with the results of their own day of presentations. Marty Gordon, Philips Vice President and spokesman for the BDA, expressed his enthusiasm at the time, while fielding questions of unification and also reiterating the statement that there was no announcement to be made about a consolidation of the two formats.""MEDIA-TECH was an important platform for the Blu-ray Disc Association,"" says Gordon. ""The combination of our Blu-ray Disc Pavilion and Workshop helped us to successfully get the word out that Blu-ray Disc manufacturing is ready to go while providing detailed and specific information to the manufacturing community.""The feedback we've received has been quite positive. Our workshop was very well-attended, with standing room only. Both following the workshop and throughout the show we saw an increasing industry recognition that the larger disc capacity and considerable room for growth of Blu-ray Disc will be key to adoption of a next generation optical disc format. Blu-ray Disc offers 50 GB of capacity as a starting point and there have already been laboratory demonstrations of discs with a capacity of 200 GB.""During the Blu-ray Disc workshop, the disc manufacturing community heard from 9 of the 126 companies involved in the Blu-ray Disc format. We look forward to keeping the dialogue going with the disc manufacturing community through important venues such as MEDIA-TECH.""Attendance at the presentations was very gratifying, adds Ekus. ""There were over 200 people in the audience for each day which we believe truly highlights the fact that MEDIA-TECH Expo is considered to be the place where the latest technology should be shown. We are grateful to everyone who took part in these discussions.""

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