Today's High-Def Headlines

ABC Clicks On Online HDTV Test - Multichannel News
ABC.com Tuesday quietly kicked off a beta-test of its “high-definition” Internet-TV channel with four episodes from the network’s top-rated primetime shows -- but if your broadband connection and PC aren’t fast enough, you won’t see any difference over the regular versions.

Target Adds Sony BD Players - TWICE
Target has agreed to sell Sony Blu-ray Disc players as its exclusive next-generation high-definition disc players this holiday season, Sony said today. The exclusive deal, which will begin this fall and continue “at least through the holiday season,” will feature Sony’s $499 BDP-S300 Blu-ray player, which is scheduled to arrive at Target in October, and the currently available PlayStation3 video game console, which also plays Blu-ray Disc movies.

Microsoft Cuts Price of Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-On - Washington Post
Microsoft Corp. on Thursday said it would trim the price of an HD DVD player add-on for its Xbox 360 video game console and give away movies with the player, in a bid to support the format. Microsoft trimmed the price of the player to $179 from $199, and said it will add five free movies for buyers between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30.

Samsung Unveils Duo HD Deck - TWICE
Samsung formally introduced its latest HD optical disc player line on Wednesday, including the company’s previously announced first dual-format HD DVD/Blu-ray player. The new dual-format player — dubbed the BD-UP5000 Duo HD player (shipping in the fourth quarter at a $1,049 suggested retail) — is the new flagship of Samsung’s high-definition player line.