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BLU-RAY NEWS TAGGED "DVD INTERNATIONAL"

'HD Basics' Gets 2008 Blu-ray, HD DVD Date

Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Street Date Changes, DVD International (all tags)

After hitting an early speed bump, A/V guru Joe Kane's 'Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics' calibration disc finally has a new street date.

A brand new calibration disc from Kane tailored specifically for the high-def market, 'HD Basics' was originally announced for Blu-ray and HD DVD with a street date of October 30, but three weeks before its scheduled release, it was suddenly pushed back to an unspecified date sometime in 2008. Now, amidst high expectations from early adopters, 'HD Basics' finally appears to be back on track, with a new date of March 25, 2008.

Specs and features for both next-gen versions remain unchanged, as well does the suggested $34.95 list price.

For further info on 'HD Basics,' you can read the original press release in full here.

We've also set up dedicated threads where you can discuss Joe Kane's latest in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'HD Basics' Blu-ray release and the 'HD Basics' HD DVD release.

Related links:
HD Guru Joe Kane Releases "DIGITAL VIDEO ESSENTIALS: HD BASICS" [Press Release]

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics (Blu-ray)
Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics (HD DVD)

Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics' Bumped to 2008 (Oct 12, 2007)
New Edition of 'Digital Video Essentials' Bound for Blu-ray, HD DVD (Aug 16, 2007)

'Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics' Bumped to 2008

Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Street Date Changes, DVD International (all tags)

Hitting its first release date snag, Joe Kane's latest calibration disc has been bumped to "sometime" in early 2008, according to its distributor.

As we've previously reported, 'DVE: HD Basics' is set to be Kane's first dual-format release, as well as his first calibration disc tailored specifically for both novice and more experienced home theater enthusiasts alike.

Alas, while the title was originally announced with an October 30 Blu-ray and HD DVD release date, in a familiar refrain for those who followed the series of delays leading up to this April's release of 'Digital Video Essentials' on HD DVD, Kane's latest is now delayed by at least two months.

DVD International, Kane's distributor, says all versions of 'HD Basics' have been pushed back "until sometime early next year," with no new firm date set. No reason was given for the delay, and the distributor had no information on whether any of the disc's previously-announced specs would be changed. List price, however, remains $29.98

For further info on 'HD Basics,' you can read the original press release in full here.

With no new date in sight for 'HD Basics,' we've moved the title to the "Release Dates Postponed" section of both our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule. We'll let you know as soon as a new date is officially confirmed.

We've also set up dedicated threads for 'HD Basics' in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics' Blu-ray release and the 'Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics: ' HD DVD release.

Related links:
HD Guru Joe Kane Releases "DIGITAL VIDEO ESSENTIALS: HD BASICS" [Press Release]

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics (Blu-ray)
Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics (HD DVD)

Earlier on High-Def Digest:
New Edition of 'Digital Video Essentials' Bound for Blu-ray, HD DVD (Aug 16, 2007)
'Digital Video Essentials' Finally Ready for HD DVD Release (Apr 16, 2007)

HDScape Titles Set for Blu-ray Release This October

Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 07:55 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, DVD International (all tags)

DVD International has issued full specs and an October street date for the Blu-ray release of its HDScape library of scenic high-definition titles.

Released earlier this year on HD DVD, the eight-strong HDScape catalog will make its Blu-ray debut on October 30, making good on DVD International's recent pledge to support both high-def formats.

The titles included are: 'Antarctica Dreaming,' 'Exotic Saltwater Aquarium,' 'Fireplace - Visions of Tranquility,' 'HDWindow - Hawaii,' 'HDWindow - The Great Southwest,' 'Serenity - Southern Seas,' 'Stargaze II,' 'Visions of the Sea,' and the value-priced compilation disc 'Blu-ray Sampler.'

Each title will be presented in 1.78:1 widescreen and 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video. Most of the discs will also boast a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround (48kHz/16-bit) track, except for 'Exotic Saltwater Aquarium' and 'Fireplace,' which will be Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround only.

There are no extras, nor any other bonus features unique to the Blu-ray releases.

Retail is $24.95 each, except for 'Blu-ray Sampler,' which is being offered for $6.95.

You'll find disc details for the entire HDScape series linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they now reside under October 30.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
HDScape: Antarctica Dreaming (Blu-ray)
HDScape: Fireplace - Visions of Tranquility (Blu-ray)
HDScape: Exotic Saltwater Aquarium (Blu-ray)
HDScape: HDWindow - Hawaii (Blu-ray)
HDScape: HDWindow - The Great Southwest (Blu-ray)
HDScape: Serenity - Southern Seas (Blu-ray)
HDScape: Visions of the Sea (Blu-ray)
HDScape: Stargaze II (Blu-ray)
HDScape: Blu-ray Sampler (Blu-ray)

Earlier on High-Def Digest:
HDScape Adds Blu-ray to its High-Def Menu (Jul 17, 2007)

New Edition of 'Digital Video Essentials' Bound for Blu-ray, HD DVD

Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 03:53 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, DVD International (all tags)

HD guru Joe Kane is readying the successor to his popular 'Digital Video Essentials' calibration tool with the release of 'DVE: HD Basics' on Blu-ray and HD DVD this fall.

'HD Basics' follows 'Digital Video Essentials,' which after a lengthy series of street date delays finally hit HD DVD this past April to much acclaim. 'HD Basics' will not only mark the first calibration disc from Kane tailored specifically for the high-def market, but also his first to be released on Blu-ray.

Designed to benefit HDTV novices as well as experienced early adopters alike, 'HD Basics' provides comprehensive and easy-to-use calibration tests and setup instructions for getting the most out of your high-definition home theater set-up.

"My goal with 'HD Basics' is to help make display device setup easier plus describe what I think consumers should expect from high definition,' said Kane. "This new disc allows users to choose the depth at which they want to learn about high-definition -- or simply begin with calibrating their set. While this is not a watered-down version of 'Digital Video Essentials,' I do feel that entry-level support is just as important as providing details for the more experienced users."

For Kane's full comments and further details on the features of 'HD Basics,' you can read the press release in full here.

DVD International has set a October 30 street date for 'HD Basics,' with a suggested list price of $29.98. The company says registered owners of the previously-released HD DVD edition of DVE will be offered a special upgrade price on 'HD Basics.'

We've added a new listing for 'HD Basics' to our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 30.

We've also set up dedicated threads for Joe Kane's latest calibration tool in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics' Blu-ray release and the 'Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics: ' HD DVD release.

Related links:
HD Guru Joe Kane Releases "DIGITAL VIDEO ESSENTIALS: HD BASICS" [Press Release]

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Digital Video Essentials (HD DVD)
Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics (Blu-ray)
Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics (HD DVD)

Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Digital Video Essentials' Finally Ready for HD DVD Release (Apr 16, 2007)

HDScape Adds Blu-ray to its High-Def Menu

Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 03:01 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, DVD International (all tags)

DVD International has announced that it will bring its entire HDScape library of scenic high-definition titles to Blu-ray disc beginning in late 2007.

Though the distributor has already released its HDScape catalog on HD DVD (an eight-strong line-up that currently includes such titles as 'Antarctica Dreaming,' 'Visions of the Sea' and 'Stargaze'), until now they had eschewed supporting Blu-ray. Now, in a press release out this morning, the company says it will add Blu-ray support by the end of 2007.

"Since its inception almost one year ago, HDScape has become the premier source for scenic high definition content that turns any HDTV into a beautiful work of art. Now is the ideal time to bring our library to the Blu-ray community, so that they can experience just how beautiful high definition artwork can be," said David Goodman, President of DVD International.

The company has not yet announced exact street dates for its upcoming Blu-ray HDScape titles, nor specs or pricing. However, DVD International has confirmed that all of its Blu-ray HDScape will be "recorded and mastered in stunning high definition video," as well as include either Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio.

Given this news, we've added all of the HDScape titles to the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule. We'll keep you posted as more details are revealed!