HD DVD Web Content

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.betanews.com/article/HD_DVD_Turns_On_WebEnabled_Content/1183132474' target='_blank'>http://www.betanews.com/article/HD_DVD_Turns_On_WebEnabled_Content/1183132474</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Toshiba continued to press forward with its HD DVD format, saying Friday that it had added functionality that allows set-top player owners to access exclusive web content. The new functionality allows the player to download exclusive content from the movie studio's server. Once downloaded, it is saved within the persistent storage of the set-top player for access. Movie studios can also opt to 'lock' extras on the HD DVD itself, which then can be unlocked by downloading a key. Other interactivity features allow for the studios to provide ways for consumers to interact with content providers."</i><br /><br />Basically, instead of having to take the DVD to your computer to access bonus content, the content can now be downloaded directly to your HD DVD player. I remember hearing about this feature a while back, but it looks like it is just now coming into play.

[Damion Chaplin]

Does anyone actually access the extra DVD content on their PC? I've seen web-content on DVDs for years now, but I've never known a single person who actually accessed it. Most of the time it's just an annoyance that I have to dismiss whenever I pop it in my computer.

[Jeff_R]

Mark me down as "nope". Never have, can't honestly see that I ever will. I want to see well-done special features like interviews and how-to docs, not web stuff. If I want info on the film, I go to IMDB.

[mordin]

[quote="Chris Gohlke"]Movie studios can also opt to 'lock' extras on the HD DVD itself, which then can be unlocked by downloading a key.

Is this going to lead to 'extra costs' to access the 'locked content'? Why else would they want to 'lock' content on a HD DVD that a customer has bought? I suppose it could be used as some sort of parental control.