Screen Digest has reported that the DVD Forum approved TL51 HD DVD on August 31.

TL51 increases the capacity of HD DVD from 30 gigabytes on current dual layer discs to 51 gigabytes on the newly approved triple layer discs. No announcement has yet been made, but the word is that second and third generation Toshiba HD DVD players will be able to play the new triple layer discs with a firmware upgrade. Sony has used the disc capacity of Blu Ray as one of the rallying points in their marketing of the Blu Ray format, and now Toshiba can do the same as the new HD DVD discs top Blu Ray's maximum disc capacity by one gigabyte.

The new triple layer discs will also be used in hybrid discs, which allow for standard dvd and HD DVD on the same side of the disc. The hybrid disc will use one layer at 5 gigabytes for the standard DVD content, and two layers at 34 gigabytes for the HD DVD content.

Canada based Venturer Electronics today announced their first HD DVD player for the North American market.

The Chinese-made Venturer SHD7000 will feature 1080i playback of HD DVD media via HDMI. Standard definition DVDs will be upscaled to 1080i via HDMI as well. Onboard audio support includes decoding of Dolby Digital+ and Dolby TrueHD, as well as compact disc playback. An ethernet connection is also provided for support of HD DVD's online interactive features. No suggested retail announced at this time, but with the entry level Toshiba at around $200 and the Xbox360 HD DVD add-on selling for $180, speculation leads to a unit that will sell for less than $175, perhaps close to $150. The SHD7000 will be available for purchase this holiday shopping season. *addendum 29Aug07 This just in, suggested retail price of $199.

It remains to be seen whether Walmart and similar budget-conscious retailers will sell the unit at a lower price.

Amazon is making buying a new HD DVD player an even sweeter deal until September 23.

In addition to the 5 free disc rebate Toshiba is offering until September 30, Amazon is giving customers who purchase a Toshiba HD DVD player an additional three HD DVD discs. This essentially makes all but the top of the line Toshiba HD-XA2 free. The entry level Toshiba HD-A2 is currently Amazon's #1 seller in Electronics. Not just in DVD Players, but all Electronics.

Obviously demand is already high for HD DVD players, and Amazon is making it even more attractive with the 3 disc offer.

Long anticipated, the HD DVD release of the first season of the Sci Fi TV series Battlestar Galactica has finally been set for December 4.

The six disc set will list at $99.98, and will include the original pilot mini series, as well as the entire first season. The set will include a lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track, in addition to the standard Dolby Digital + track. Exclusive to the HD DVD set will be picture in picture commentary by series creator Ronald D. Moore. In addition, the HD DVD receives an exclusive extra, Encyclopedia Galactica, which promises an interactive experience involving ships and locations from the series.