300 Captures First High-Def Disc Awards

Warner Home Video's 300 dominated the first ever High-Def Disc Awards, held Dec. 4 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, taking High-Def Title of the Year (Blu-ray Disc) and Best Bonus Feature honors (HD DVD).

The High-Def Disc Awards dinner was part of High-Def 2.0, a one-day conference presented by HOME MEDIA MAGAZINE in cooperation with THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER and the Entertainment Merchants Assn.

A panel of critics and bloggers determined the best titles in 11 categories.

The HD DVD version of 300 won the bonus feature award for Bluescreen Picture-in Picture, allowing viewers to watch the vfx depicting the ancient battle between Spartans and Persians simultaneously with the movie.

RATATOUILLE (Blu-ray), from Walt Disney Studios Home Ent., took the animated title of the year. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST (Blu-ray), also from Walt Disney Studios Home Ent., won for best picture quality.

Sony Pictures Home Ent.'s CASINO ROYALE (Blu-ray) won for best live-action title, while Sony's CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (Blu-ray) was named best collection/multidisc set for its seamless branching that allows three different versions of Steven Spielberg's classic sci-fi film on a single disc.

TRANSFORMERS (HD DVD) from Paramount Home Ent., captured best audio quality.