Universal Studios claims to have the first true HD movie on HD DVD

Universal City (CA) - Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced that the 5 December release of Miami Vice will mark the first HD DVD release of a movie that was shot in full high-definition. With features like Microsoft’s HDi technology and TrueHD lossless sound, Miami Vice will be one of the most technologically superior movies on the HD DVD format, says Universal.

The movie, which is a remake of the classic TV show of the same name, stars Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell as two undercover cops in the city of Miami. The film was shot entirely in digital high definition, according to Universal.

"The primary reason for filming in HD is to allow the audience to feel how the light hits the water, the architecture, the people. Everything you’re looking at becomes more saturated and vivid. High-definition cameras provide directors with a completely new palette to work from and allow us to precisely express our creative vision and intent," said Michael Mann, director of Miami Vice.

However, films shot before the digital age had resolutions of around 5000 x 5000 pixels, significantly higher than any HDTV is actually capable of displaying. So, even though the movie was filmed with the latest digital equipment, in terms of resolution, there may be no clear advantage in the final display.

Update November 2, 2006 - 3:34 PST

However, a Universal spokesperson told us that Mann says that shooting in HD provides better clarity overall and makes the HD DVD release of Miami Vice an especially visually impressive video release. According to Mann, "a new level of depth and clarity, depth-of-field, and a dimensionalized effect" are all possible from shooting the movie with high-definition technology.

Universal officials did not say what camera was used in the shooting of Miami Vice, nor did they specify the process in which the stock footage was transferred to HD DVD format.