Intervideo’s WinDVD 8 launched in the US

High Definition DVD is getting closer and closer to being a reality on your PC. WinDVD 8 has officially been launched in the US and will be compatible with Vista and XP. Well Sorta, neither edition of WinDVD will be ready for the new HD CODECS out of the box. You will have to purchase an HD Upgrade Pack at an additional cost.

From the article:

Universal Player
A universal player, the Platinum version can be used to play back the latest high-definition file formats, such as MPEG2-HD, VC-1, WMV-HD and H.264 HD, as well as all the standard-definition formats like MPEG-4, Real®, QuickTime and WMV (Windows Media Video). WinDVD 8 also extends its support for DivX® multimedia technology to deliver high-quality interactive video.

UPnP Client and Server
Now WinDVD 8 Platinum supports UPnP home networks as Server or Client. Installing the UPnP Server that comes with WinDVD 8 Platinum, you can set up folders, set permissions, and make content available through the network. The Client plays back content from other UPnP-certified devices within a network. Both WinDVD 8 Gold and Platinum versions can serve as UPnP Client and work with other UPnP Servers available on the market.