HD DVD Goes Independent

With HD DVD's recent losses in movie sales and rental shelf space, you could say this is a sort of Long Tail strategy for the format.

Microsoft, which has invested in the HD DVD camp with the Xbox 360, has teamed up with Amazon to create the 1,000 HD DVD Indies Project, which will push the HD DVD format to independent movie producers. Amazon will provide HD DVD distribution services to 1,000 filmmakers via their Customflix on-demand service, while waiving the $499 authoring fee. As an extra bonus, the Sundance Channel will be reviewing entries for broadcast consideration.