Why didn't manfacturers go with this instead?

[jtvang125]

Use the existing dvd discs but instead of using mpeg-2 compression, use x.264 or h.264. Throw in a decoder chip inside the dvd player to handle this codec and use existing dvd red lasers to save on the cost. A dvd5 or dvd9 using these codecs can hold very good quality HD content at hidef resolutions without the high cost. Obviously it won't be on par with true hddvd or bluray due to the higher compression but still looks way better than dvds using mpeg2.

This cheaper alternative could hold us over until the hdtv market matures a bit more (more adoption). What do you guys think?

 

[Quasmo]

They are.

 

[Quasmo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.264
look under applications.

 

[jtvang125]

I see it being used for hddvd, blu-ray and broadcasting but I didn't see anything on using the codec on dvd discs instead of the standard mpeg2 currently used.

 

[Slugbait]

Too confusing, and way, way too late.

First, the average consumer who doesn't have an HD drive has to be careful not to pick up one of two different formats that are incompatible with their player. Now with a fourth format available, they see this movie, it doesn't say "HD-DVD" or "Blu-ray", it instead says "DVD" so they buy it...and it's incompatible with their player.

Second, now they have to buy a second DVD player that will play h.264. Assuming it would cost about $125, for about the $75 more they could buy an HD-DVD drive.

Third, we're 17 months away from the switch. At that time, HDTV sales should increase significantly. Now the video quality from that almost-new h.264 player isn't up to snuff in comparison to a $98 HD-DVD player. And all those h.264 movies they bought? No bids on eBay...

 

[nullpointerus]

Slugbait, the question was, "Why didn't manfacturers go with this instead?" which is not the same thing as asking, "Why don't manufacturers go with this now?"

 

[theprodigalrebel]

IIRC, most DVD movies (MPEG-2) are encoded at around 5Mbps and the Superbit DVDs go up to ~7.5Mbps. What bitrate would H.264 require to make it indistinguishable? Around half of MPEG-2?

 

[jtvang125]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
IIRC, most DVD movies (MPEG-2) are encoded at around 5Mbps and the Superbit DVDs go up to ~7.5Mbps. What bitrate would H.264 require to make it indistinguishable? Around half of MPEG-2?

A 4.5gb x.264 rip at about 4-5Mbps bit rate is damn good. Even better than a superbit dvd. I recently saw a 2.5gb rip (cant remember bitrate) of Spiderman 2 and it was just as good as the dvd if not a little more.

 

[Modelworks]

If you look back at when the hd-dvd/blu-ray specs were being designed/finalized there weren't alot of options for h.264 decoding in hardware and what was available was costly.
Also you can't lock down a format thats open , which is where the money is

 

[Rio Rebel]

IMO, the answer is that they couldn't sell it to replace or compete with DVD's. The existing HD-DVD and BD formats are going to struggle to gain acceptance, because the unfortunate (VERY unfortunate) truth is that most people simply don't care about the increased resolution. We are already seeing hype about the "extras" on the new disks, when we haven't even fully taken advantage of the potential for better audio or the increased subtitles that could be available.

In the end, you have to sell it to the average consumer, and it has been hard to do that on audio/video quality alone.

 

[Modelworks]

This is true as well.
I have family members who I have shown hdtv , who have looked back at me and asked " So whats the difference again ?"

 

[Aikouka]

I see 4.0GB 720p rips of Blu-Ray discs available all the time with AC3 5.1 audio.

If that answers your question on what could be fit on a DVD disc using H264.

 

[erwos]

There are actually specs for doing Blu-Ray and HD-DVD on standard DVD9s. So, yes, your brilliant plan has been thought of. The problem is that the decoding hardware is still expensive - it's not just the hardware for reading the discs.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
I see 4.0GB 720p rips of Blu-Ray discs available all the time with AC3 5.1 audio.

If that answers your question on what could be fit on a DVD disc using H264.

LOL, TPB FTW!