Indie 500 (x2)! Microsoft & Amazon Show High-Def Support with Free HD DVD Setup for 1,000 Indies

In an effort to help allow independent film makers (indies) to delve into the world of high definition DVDs, Amazon.com and Microsoft announced that they have teamed up to introduce the "1,000 HD DVD Indies Project." This project is intended to break down barriers to entry for smaller indie filmmakers to produce and distribute movies in the HD DVD format. The method will involve a new manufacturing-on-demand technology supported by CustomFlix, an Amazon company. As an example, Sundance Channel's original series, “Big Ideas for a Small Planet,” is to be one of the first HD television offerings on Amazon.com.



The "1,000 HD DVD Indies Project" will assist high-definition filmmakers by proving free authoring and setup services for up to 1,000 selected indie titles. Microsoft's technology will be used to make the content and then it will be made available to Amazon's customer base by selling through the CustomFlix Disc On-Demand service. This method produces discs as customers orders are taken, so there is never any inventory to keep. Filmmakers are able to set their own price and earn royalties on all sales. These indies, however, are not limited to this method of distribution and are free to pursue other methods at the same time.

Microsoft and Amazon provide huge brand names to launch the effort. “Amazon’s participation in this project will be a major benefit to independent filmmakers wanting to break into the high-definition market segment,” said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president for the Consumer Media Technology Group at Microsoft. “The use of Microsoft® technology and authoring expertise will ensure that all the HD DVD titles offered by Amazon have impeccable quality, thanks to the VC-1 codec and innovative interactive scenarios with HDi™.”

If you are an independent filmmaker looking for a much-needed break, then get that high definition movie put together! To submit existing work, visit the CustomFlix.com website. There is a simple form to fill out - and it does not require immediate submission of the work itself. If the production is chosen from among the entries, the filmmaker will be contacted via email or phone and have up to 30 days to send a copy of the HD tape (film not accepted). A free proof copy will be made available for approval before any sale of the disc. So pick up that camera and get ready to chant, "lights...camera...action!"