Burbank, CA – After a lengthy evaluation of the two proposed formats for next-generation high definition video discs, Warner Bros. and its Time Warner sister divisions New Line Cinema and HBO will support the DVD Forum’s standard – HD DVD, it was announced today by Jim Cardwell, President, Warner Home Video and Kevin Tsujihara, Executive Vice President, New Business Development and Strategy, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

“The DVD Forum reviewed HD DVD specifications for almost three years, including physical, file format and applications for recordable and ROM discs,” said Tsujihara. “After extensive research and careful consideration of the technological and business attributes of each proposed platform, we have determined that HD DVD has the highest quality of performance and offers key advantages in the areas of durability and reliability.”

"Warner Home Video’s strategy is to offer our broad range of programs on the most compelling platforms; HD DVD delivers the next-generation technology and the right combination of consumer and multi-industry benefits," said Cardwell. “As content suppliers, we want to offer consumers the best video and audio quality available, with advanced content access, new navigation features and enough capacity that programming options are almost limitless. HD DVD offers numerous consumer benefits as well as a robust, renewable DRM that protects content from unauthorized replication or transmission.”

“By selecting this format today, we will take the home entertainment experience to the next level, bringing consumers an unrivalled, and heretofore unavailable, sight and sound experience,” added Marsha King, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Warner Home Video.

“HD DVD innovations include higher resolution video and audio available on a suite of disc capacities adaptable for longer or shorter programs. HD DVD is also supported by advanced security technology and proven manufacturability,” added Chris Cookson, President, Warner Bros. Technical Operations and Chief Technology Officer, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

About Warner Home Video:
Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company, has operations in 90 international territories, with the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video’s library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment library (including the classic MGM library), Castle Rock, HBO and New Line Cinema.