HD VMD player launched in India

High-def format competitor for sale in U.S. later this year

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 10/26/2007

OCT. 26 | New Medium Enterprises has launched in India its HD VMD Multilayer Player, which aims to be high-definition hardware competition to Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD.

The company also started selling an HD VMD Bundle box, featuring the player and five HD VMD titles. Bollywood film distributor Eros is among content partners committed to supplying titles in HD VMD in India.

Exact titles in the hardware/software product bundle were not specified. It is priced at the U.S. equivalent of about $293.

HD VMD is a red-laser high-def technology, which utilizes more traditional DVD manufacturing than the blue-laser Blu-ray and HD DVD formats. That similarity to DVD is considered to help keep HD VMD production costs relatively low.

Blu-ray and HD DVD have been ramping up their respective worldwide install bases since last year. To this point, HD VMD is first pressing into territories outside of the U.S.

But there are plans for U.S. retailer www.PCRush.com to start selling NME’s HD VMD player this year.

“The leading TV brands in India have started HD LCD TVs in a big way with massive advertising campaigns,” said Vijay Shanker, NME India CEO. “The launch of HD VMD players and movies are perfectly timed to complement the consumers’ quest for a total high-definition home theater system.”