Although it’s only coming to the US so far, Universal has announced its intentions to release the world’s first DVD/Blu-ray flipper disc, with a standard definition version of a movie on one side, and an HD edition of the other. And what are the first releases they’re going to be trialling this with?
Well, it’s the Bourne Trilogy, which will arive on these innovative flipper discs in America on January 19th, 2010 (while the trilogy has been available in a Blu-ray box set in the US before, these will be the first individual movie releases in the format).
It’s certainly an interesting move, as while quite a few companies have released combo-packs that include a DVD and Blu-ray on two separate discs, this is the first time anyone has brought out a flipper. Indeed, until relatively recently it wasn’t thought possible. In the early days of hi-def, the technology was worked out for an HD-DVD and DVD flipper, but when they tried it with Blu-ray, it made the discs too thick to be used in most players. However it seems Universal has found a way to overcome the technical hurdles and are now ready to bring it to the public.
With many feeling the ability to have both DVD and Blu-ray versions of a film in the same pack is the key to uptake of the new format – both so that people start buying Blu-rays before they get a player, ready for the upgrade, and also because many people now have multiple DVD players in their house, but only one BD player – it’s certainly an interesting move, and could be the sign of things to come. If it works out in the US, we wouldn’t be surprised if these DVD/Blu-ray flippers make their UK debut early next year. (Via: /Film)