Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment To Launch

"The Superbit" DVD Collection On October 9

New Encoding and Reallocation Process Produces Highest Quality Image And Sound Available On DVD-Video Format

Initial Releases Include Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Johnny Mnemonic, The Fifth Element, Air Force One, and Desperado.

Setting a new standard for DVD Video performance, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment has announced the October 9 launch of "The Superbit Collection." The Superbit titles utilize a special high bit rate digital encoding process which optimizes video quality while offering a choice of both DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.

In making the announcement, Benjamin S. Feingold, President of Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment stated: "The Superbit Collection will set a new benchmark in audio and video quality for the DVD format. This new process was developed by our outstanding group of engineers and technicians at the Sony Digital Studios and was designed to give consumers a choice between the highest quality audio and video transfer at a competitive price versus our standard, rich package of value added features."

By reallocating space on the disc normally used for value-added content, Superbit DVDs can be encoded at double their normal bit rate while maintaining full compatibility with the DVD video format. The result is picture quality that provides outstanding detail which complements the performance of the latest progressive DVD video players.

The first slate of Superbit titles includes the Oscar winning masterpiece Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, along with Johnny Mnemonic, The Fifth Element, Air Force One, and Desperado.

These titles have been produced by a team of Sony Pictures Digital Studios video, sound and mastering engineers and comes housed in a special package complete with a 4 page booklet that contains technical information on the Superbit process. Each carries a suggested list price of $27.96. A Superbit 3-pack comprised of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Desperado and The Fifth Element will also be released. Suggested list price is $73.95. Continued Mr. Feingold, "Standard DVDs are like fully loaded luxury automobiles. In contrast, Superbit DVDs are like Formula One race cars - built for pure performance. We believe that DVD enthusiasts will be thrilled with this exciting new concept."

The new Superbit DVD Collection will be supported this Fall by a dedicated retail display and a variety of print advertisements and consumer promotions.