Sorry if this is old, but, this is the first I've heard of it.

This is ridiculous! Third Hi-Def format, called Versatile Multilayer Disc (VMD).

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh..._This_Fall/930

CEDIA: HD VMD to Make US Debut This Fall
Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 01:34 PM ET

The long-anticipated third high-def disc format (yes, you read right) is set to hit US shores this October.

Short for "Versatile Multilayer Disc," the VMD format was originally announced back in 2006, but had evaded US release until now.

Developed by UK technology company New Medium Enterprises (NME), the format's red laser multilayer disc is currently capable of storing 15 to 20 GB on a single layer, with plans to grow that number to 30GB.

But according to its manufacturer, the real sell of VMD is its ability to deliver the same high-quality video and audio as Blu-ray and HD DVD at a fraction of the cost -- both to the consumer, and the content creator.

While disc production costs for Blu-ray and HD DVD are said to run somewhere between $2 to $3 a unit, VMD discs reportedly cost just over a $1/unit to produce, only slightly more than standard-def DVD.

In terms of hardware cost to the consumer, NME says its first player will hit the US market in October at a $199 price point, roughly 30% less than any standalone high-def disc player currently available (although Venturer recently announced plans to release its own $199 1080i HD DVD player in time for the holidays).

Price aside, VMD is likely to face an uphill battle both for recognizable high-def content, and for shelf space at retailers.

The company's press release includes no mention of any US-based content partners, and it seems highly unlikely that any of the major studios will make their films available on VMD disc -- at least in the short term. (Overseas, the company has partnered with a number indie film distributors, most notably including Eastern Europe's Monolith Films which owns regional rights to films like 'Apocalypto,' 'Lord of War,' and '16 Blocks.')

On the retail side, so far NME has only identified one US retailer who will carry its players -- pcRUSH.com

NME is demonstrating its new player this week at the CEDIA Expo.

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

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=504688

This is getting a little ridiculous.

Unless Lucas himself comes out and releases Star Wars on this format exclusively they're not going to get traction here for movies. Maybe they'll do OK on drives and recordable media.

with no studio support this one is pretty much still born. it makes a diverting headline though.

I think I'm going to use all my available resources to try and bring HD-DIVX to the market.

Still wouldn't have been the third HD Format.... http://www.dvhsmovie.com/

I hope not, I'm out of HDMI ports lol.

I heard Microsoft is going to pay New Line 170 million to go VMD-enclusive.

In the future, I predict great things for this new format in the future.

Now I await for a tri format player

What's the problem with it? Competition is good. Monopoly is bad.

Sorry, but you're going to now be waiting for a Quad-Format player.

Don't forget about my HD-DIVX line I want to bring to the market.

VMD sounds too much like UMD. And we all know where that format is headed.

Say Hello to 5 Months Ago

-or-

Say Hello to the Search Button

Either one fits.

Say hello to CEDIA: September 5, 2007.

Don't forget to hook up to a phone line and an IV so you can donate your plasma to Qwest. One pint required per movie.

Headed? UMD as a movie format has been dead for months, maybe even closer to a year. The only studio still releasing movies on it is...who'd a thunk, Sony.

Say Hello to actually READING what I wrote, where I stated that "I am sorry if this is old, but, I didn't see it posted." I did use the search function, and it didn't come up. Search doesn't always work.

Oh, and Say Hello to me telling you to stop being a prick. I get so sick of people sitting on their high horse, and contributing nothing, but negativity, to the world.

Say hello to 2 years ago actually:
http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/First-H...ayer-Disc.html

There was work on a Tawainese HD disc format a few years ago as well:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11...me_production/

If VMD players and discs are released in the US, then THAT will be the HD format that I jump on.

I don't want yet another HD format, but I'm puzzled by the reactions here. According to their website there are some very high profile titles coming out for this. Lord of the Rings??
Surely they don't mean the old Bakshi version....

From the product website:
http://www.nmeinc.com/

Some of the Launch titles for HD-VMD's:

* Hostage
* We Were Soldiers
* Apocalypto
* Lucky Number Slevin
* Saw II
* Saw III
* Lord of War
* Passion of The Christ
* Babel
* 16 Blocks
* Hoodwinked
* Pulp Fiction
* Sahara
* Gosford Park
* The Descent
* The Queen
* Butterfly Effect 1
* Butterfly Effect 2
* Hitcher
* Black Sheep
* Lord of the Rings
* Spy kids
* Scary movie 2
* Bridge to Tarabitha
* Constant Gardner

Odd to see that some of those are titles from studios supporting BD and/or HD DVD that haven't shown up on either format.

So who is going to buy this and let us know how good it is?