• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray Disc (BD-ROM)

D

Digobick

Platinum Member
There's been a lot of talk lately about the two competing high-capacity DVD formats, so I thought I'd make a list of what each format has going for it:

HD-DVD
  • Movie Studio Support: Warner Bros. (Non-Exclusive), Paramount Pictures (Non-Exclusive), Universal Studios (Non-Exclusive), New Line Cinema (Non-Exclusive) (Source)
  • Computer Support: Toshiba, NEC
  • Major Manufacturer Support: Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo, Thomson (RCA), Canon, Kenwood, Maxell, Mitsumi, Plextor, Teac, DVD Forum (although not all members of the DVD Forum support HD-DVD...here's a more accurate picture)
  • Capacity: Read-Only - 15GB (Single Layer), 30GB (Dual Layer); Recordable - 20GB (Single Layer), 40GB (Dual Layer) (Source)
  • Video Resolutions Supported: 1920 x 1080 HD (24p), ???
  • Data Transfer Rate: 36Mbps (Source)
  • Video Codecs Supported: MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile, MPEG-2, VC-1 (Microsoft's VC-9)
  • Audio Codecs Supported: Dolby Digital Plus (core format), LPCM, MLP Lossless, DTS-HD (Source 1) (Source 2) (Source 3)
  • Compatibility: Dual lasers needed for backwards compatibility with current DVDs and CDs
  • Cost: Same as current DVDs
  • Intangibles: Dual Format DVD/HD-DVD discs developed
Blu-Ray Disc (BD-ROM)
Latest News:
  • Apple Sides With Blu-Ray Disc in Format War (March 10, 2005)
    Apple Computer has sided with the Blu-ray Disc Association, as it enters the debate over which specification will become the next-generation DVD format.

    The association, which includes the likes of Sony, Dell and Hewlett-Packard, on Thursday announced Apple as its latest member following a bimonthly meeting in South Korea hosted by electronics maker Samsung. Apple will lend its expertise in high-definition and DVD authoring to the development of the Blu-ray Disc specification, which is backward-compatible with DVDs and allows for the storage of up to 50GB of data. Current DVDs can hold up to about 8.5GB of information.
    Click to expand...
  • Next-Generation DVD Formats Rally Support (Jan 6, 2005)
    The Blu-ray Disc Association introduced game publishers Electronics Arts and Vivendi Universal Games, along with tech companies Sun Microsystems and Texas Instruments, as the newest members of their group. The companies will support the development, promotion and marketing of the Blu-ray Disc format.

    HD DVD entertainment partners stood up to support the HD DVD format Thursday and announced movie and TV series titles that would be available on HD DVD discs by the end of the year. Paramount Home Entertainment, Warner Home Video, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, HBO and New Line Cinema said that about 100 titles, including the "Harry Potter" movies, the "Batman," "Superman," "E.R.," "The West Wing" and "The Sopranos" franchises, would be available on HD DVD discs.
    Click to expand...
  • JVC Develops DVD/BD-ROM Disk to Ease Transition (Dec 27, 2004)
    Hoping to ease the transition from DVD to Blu-ray Disc, JVC has developed a Blu-ray/ DVD Combo ROM Disc, containing two DVD layers and one BD layer.
    Click to expand...
  • Thomson (RCA) to enter HD DVD market (Dec 10, 2004)
    The firm is hedging its bets by manufacturing both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, but its players will support only the latter format.
    Click to expand...
  • Disney to support Blu-ray Disc (Dec 08, 2004)
    Disney--along with its home-video division, Buena Vista Home Entertainment--announced late Wednesday that it will release movies on the Blu-ray format in North America and Japan when the discs become available. Manufacturers and disc makers said players and discs should start hitting the market in late 2005 or early 2006.
    Click to expand...
  • Toshiba, Memory-Tech unveil new disc (DVD/HD-DVD) (Dec 07, 2004)
    In an effort to ease the transition to higher-capacity disc technology, Toshiba and Memory-Tech have developed a dual-layer disc that supports DVD and HD DVD formats.

    A smooth shift from the old technology should make it as convenient as possible for consumers and device manufacturers to upgrade from DVDs to the next-generation DVD format without having to toss their old discs.
    Click to expand...
Let me know if you find any mistakes, and I'll try to update this as needed.
 
Nice compilation Digobick.

When I heard about the movie studio support going to HD-DVD, I kinda figured BLU-RAY may go the way of Beta Max, and bow out early. I had no idea Dell was committed to Blu-Ray though. Dell is an 800 pound gorilla and that should go a long way.

Personally I'm pulling for Blu-Ray. In any event, looks like we got a good battle coming up.
 
I think media/player cost is going to win the day on this one.

The non-Sony owned studios are just going to wait and see how things play out.

Nice breakdown, BTW.
 
Dual format discs are good news, that should provide an interim solution to the format war.

When DL single format becomes a necessity things could get sticky, unless they want to go with flippers.

DL HD on one side, DL BluRay on the other.

Can't say I see that happening though.

Viper GTS
 
this has been discussed before i'm sure, but great compilation of facts.

i had no idea disney was for blu ray.

disney/sony/mgm vs. time warner/paramount/universal

yikes, these are some big players.

also, the only reason time warner backed hd dvd is because of the partnership made with toshiba.
 
This has VHS vs Betamax written all over it.
I think dual-mode players and burners will come out eventually though and the formats will end up coexisting.
 
Originally posted by: binoculaz
also, the only reason time warner backed hd dvd is because of the partnership made with toshiba.
Click to expand...
What partnership is that? I never realized they were parters.
 
Updated: Thomson/RCA - who was formerly in the Blu-Ray camp - now says they will continue to produce discs for both formats, but will only make HD-DVD readers. Nothing earch shattering, but certainly bad news for the Blu-Ray camp.
 
Originally posted by: NightCrawler
This chart is more accurate: http://img10.exs.cx/img10/5258/hd-dvdvsblu-ray.png

Note: Writeable HD-DVD is 20/40 ((((( even though the ROM is 15/30 ))))) and data rate is 36 Mbps

For computers I think HD-DVD will win early due to the production which begins in 2005 and blu-ray which won't show up until 2006 and the fact that HD-DVD is cheaper.
Click to expand...
Fixed the HD-DVD transfer rate and capacity, thanks.

As for your computer comment, I disagree. With the two largest PC makers backing Blu-Ray (HP and Dell), HD-DVD is already fighting an enourmous uphill battle in the computing sector. Also, HP has said Blu-Ray drives will be installed in their desktops and notebooks in late 2005 (the same time-frame as Toshiba).
 
Blu-ray is the better format. I hope all the idiots (the same people who hate letterbox format) don't screw this up for those of us who don't necessarily think of our wallets first and foremost.
 
film studio deals are non exclusive😉

blueray is just superior. it exists already to boot😛 atleast in japan.

as for expense..you think they pass down the savings to us? hahahaah!!🙂
 
Since Nik isint here.... WRONG FORUM!!
🙂

😎:frown:😕:heart::brokenheart::beer::music::wine::lips::camera::gift:
rose.gif
:evil::clock::evil:
rose.gif
:gift::camera::lips::wine::music::beer::brokenheart::heart:😕:frown:😎:frown:😕:heart::brokenheart::beer::music::wine::lips::camera::gift:
rose.gif
:evil::clock::light::clock::evil:
rose.gif
:gift::camera::lips::wine::music:
 
Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Blu-ray is the better format. I hope all the idiots (the same people who hate letterbox format) don't screw this up for those of us who don't necessarily think of our wallets first and foremost.
Click to expand...


Depends on how much computer burners are, if HD-DVD is $200 and Blu-Ray is $400 I think people will be buying the HD-DVD instead. For most people 20 gigs is enough.
 
I just converted all my CDR to DVD, was 700 now only 100. Thank God.
When I get my hands on HD DVD, its time to convert again. 100 becomes 25...
So much for DVD R9 only 8.5gb but very expensive :|
 
Capacity: Read-Only/Recordable - 23.3GB-27GB (Single Layer), 46.6GB-54GB (Dual Layer) (Source 1) (Source 2), 100GB 4-Layer and 200GB 8-Layer discs announced
Click to expand...

holy crap :Q:Q:Q:Q
 
btw, isn't Microsoft lobbying for HD-DVD since the format involves one of their codecs?

(Another reason to NOT go HD-DVD)
 
Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Blu-ray is the better format. I hope all the idiots (the same people who hate letterbox format) don't screw this up for those of us who don't necessarily think of our wallets first and foremost.
Click to expand...
Beta was the better video recording format, and all the idiots who got sucked into the longer recording time hype, screwed it up for everybody. I'm used to the better technology losing now...

Which video tape format did you hi-tech geniuses choose?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top