Europeís DVD Lags

The U.K. and Europe continues to dramatically lag in DVD development with the poorest selection of DVD software in the world, according to Koji Hase, the General Manager of Toshibaís DVD Division and Chairman of the DVD Forum, as reported in Home Cinema Choice, U.K.ís premiere home theatre consumer magazine. Hasse cited an 18-month delay due to confusion over DVD-Videoís audio format and the much more difficult challenge associated with DVD publication, because of language and censorship barriers. As a result, the U.K., for example, has only recently passed 100 titlesóa dismal failure to deliver on the promise of 300 titles in the first year. The extent of the entire European title catalogue is estimated at between 100 and 200 titles. When asked for his opinions on police raids which have seen DVD dealers Region 1 (U.S.) stock confiscated, Hase told Home Cinema Choice that ìhe ëregrets the situation,í but believes once the U.K. market can boast 1,000 titles, demand for Region 1 software will evaporate.î