Warner going PSP

As Mini-DVD format founders

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 11/1/2005

NOV. 1 | Last to the party, Warner Home Video finally has confirmed it will release movies on Sony's PlayStation Portable handheld videogame console.

Warner’s jump into the market with titles including Dukes of Hazzard on Dec. 6 means that nearly all DVD majors support the new PSP format, called UMD.

DreamWorks Home Entertainment has committed titles to the rival Game Boy portable gaming system. It has not yet released films for the PSP.

Priced at $29.95, Dukes of Hazzard for the PSP launches simultaneously with the DVD. Aqua Teen Hunger Force Vol. 4, for $29.98 PSP, also streets Dec. 6. Both prebook on Nov. 1.

Warner was slow to embrace PSP in large part because of a focus on its own Mini-DVD handheld system. But Mini-DVD hasn’t been able to match the clear success of PSP.

A Warner spokeswoman said the studio is still committed to Mini-DVD. Mini-DVDs currently listed at Amazon.com include The Flintstones, Gilligan’s Island and The Incredible Mr. Limpet.

Time Warner sister unit New Line Home Entertainment, which Warner distributes, signed on to the PSP format in July.

A second Warner PSP wave will hit on Dec. 20. Priced at $29.95 will be Batman Begins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Constantine and House of Wax. Enter the Dragon, The Matrix and Terminator 3 will be $19.98 apiece. Orders for this batch are due Nov. 15.

“Warner Home Video is excited to offer consumers and fans of our films the opportunity to own their favorite titles on UMD for PSP,” WHV president Ron Sanders said. “And we are pleased to be able to launch with such an impressive lineup.”

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