MUMBAI: It may be the first major push by two big giants to deliver high-definition content on optical media. Warner Bros and Microsoft announced their plans to collaborate on the release of a broad range of next-generation HD DVD discs at the National Association of Broadcasters (Nab 2005) convention in Las Vegas.

This will be done by using Windows Media Video 9, Microsoft's implementation of VC-1, the proposed Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) standard approved by the DVD Forum for HD DVD. Warner Home Video plans to release titles in the fourth quarter of the year.

The companies state that HD DVD represents the first major push to deliver HD content to consumers on optical media in the US. Warner states that the collaboration signifies its continued commitment to provide new digital entertainment experiences for consumers using the best digital media solutions available. Microsoft will collaborate with Warner Bros. to ensure that the video quality of HD DVD titles is unmatched, enabling true home theatre experiences.

Warner Bros. Entertainment CTO Chris Cookson says, "Warner Bros. has evaluated the video quality of VC-1 and found it to be outstanding, making it an ideal format for the delivery of high-definition content. By releasing a wide range of titles in VC-1, we are creating great new opportunities to bring high-definition video to consumers."

Warner Bros library has over 6,500 feature films, 40,000 TV episodes and 14,000 animated titles (including more than 1,500 classic animated shorts). The library includes franchises like Superman, Batman, Friends, E.R. and The West Wing.