Gizmodo
As if 1080p video, full-resolution audio, net connectivity and multi-tuner signal decoding wasn't enough, Toshiba's HD DVD team had even cooked up a system of embedded animatronic control before the format was put out of its misery. In this video left over from CES 2008, this little mechanical jazz band playing the Duke Ellington classic "Take the A Train" is controlled by, that's right, an HD DVD disc. Here's how:
As if 1080p video, full-resolution audio, net connectivity and multi-tuner signal decoding wasn't enough, Toshiba's HD DVD team had even cooked up a system of embedded animatronic control before the format was 
The disc is encoded with an animation control signal embedded directly into the video channel (sort of like how Dolby ProLogic was just mixed into stereo audio tracks). That signal is interpreted in a separate outboard box, which uses the animation cues to tell the figurines how to move. All in all, a fairly labor-intensive process that would have required the purchase of an additional box, not to mention a collection of tiny plastic chanteuses, cool cats and swingin' daddy-o's. But if you wanted the power of a full miniature jazz band made of plastic in your very own living room, you lost your chance.
We loved you HD DVD. But we can't help but think what could have been if your developers wasted less on this sort of R&D and stuffed a little more of that cash into envelopes aimed at studios like Fox. After all, it might work if the video playing was Star Wars, and those figurines were holding lightsabers. [HD DVD coverage on Giz]
Comments
Son of a bitch. I went Blu-ray because I thought it could run my own personal "Hall of Naked Presidents". First they left me high and dry, and now I see this. How could they have forgotten about the massive home animatronic market. Blu-ray, at least put out a new service pack for my dancing flower and Coke can.
Uh, so let me guess. This technology was intended to activate and control, uh, personal peripheral devices synchronized with porn flicks? I guess it could also power motion devices embedded in special chairs to simulate the thrill of action adventure films as well. Not as much fun though...
What format is this? HD-what?
Wow. The lady singer already knew of the format's demise. Look at her!
THAT was there secret weapon? How did the format war even last as long as it did?
That's pretty cool how each one of the miniature base's had an individual speaker that played their respective instruments :)
Im fairly certain this is why warner went blu.
they saw this and were so ashamed that they went blu.
I see the secret plot has been unearthed. Toshiba was in secret talks with the owners of Chuck-E-Cheese to bring back The Rock-afire Explosion as part of a whirlwind global marketing campaign.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday HD DVD
One more year old...
Who could resist Fatz telling them to buy a new HD DVD player?
that was god awful
Glad I took the B train.
Alas, the secret weapon was too late.
good old HD-DVD. Classic waste of money and time.
poor HD-DVD. you tried. you really tried. but that was so sad
Cute. Just like those singing ghost, goules and Santa's that grate on your nerves while standing in the checkout line at Walgreens, while your girlfriend waits in the car.
That made me actually want a HD-DVD player.
pay no attention to the man behind the curtain
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