There has been a technology on the horizon for quite some time, and now it is here. High Definition movies will be available mid 2006 in two formats: Blu-Ray and HD DVD. These two formats both offer similar features on the same sized disc, but they have no plans to be compatible in the same movie player. This has created a split in the movie industry and companies are taking sides.
Blu-ray technology was developed by Sony who has a history for creating incompatible products like Beta-Max video tape (against VHS) and Memory Stick flash memory (against SD). A Blu-Ray Disc is simply the same as a DVD, but the information is more tightly packed together. This was made possible by using a more precise laser to read the disc. The blue-violet laser beam replaces the typical red beam of past technology like DVD and CD formats. The wavelength of the blue-violet laser beam is shorter, allowing it to be focused onto a smaller area. That way the information can be more tightly packed. Blu-Ray claims it can fit five times more information on one disc than there is available on a conventional DVD. This extra space makes it possible to fit HD quality movies and sound that will not fit on currently available DVDs. Blu-Ray players will also be backward compatible, which means that they will play CDs and DVDs as well. It will not support the HD DVD format.
HD DVD uses almost the same technology as Blu-Ray, but it is not as compressed. This only allows for about three times more capacity than a DVD can hold. This is still sufficient space for HD quality movies, and HD DVD promises no difference in picture/sound quality. The technology was created by Toshiba, NEC and Sanyo. Recently, Intel and Microsoft have backed HD DVD which will help in the computer integration of HD DVD. HD DVD players will also be backward compatible with CDs and DVDs.
The two are very similar technologically, however, Blu-Ray seems to have an edge on marketing their product. More studios and electronic companies are using the Blu-Ray format. Blu-Ray Discs also offer more capacity that could carry them further in the long run. There is skepticism about there being two formats, but in a free market society competition is what drives companies to offer better quality at a fair price. This is a sizable advantage for consumers and it will keep the video media industry from having a monopoly on a high demand product. If you are going to shell out $500+ for a player, go with Blu-Ray.
Hd Dvd Vs Blu Ray
All the actions, all the adventures that we have right now can definitely make you say I've got everything I want in an entertainment. But what if there is something your eyes is missing, something perfect, with 6 times resolution of standard dvd. You are about to enter to entire the new world. Collect clips of your favorite scene while the movie is playing. Go behind the scene. Change camera angle High def and fully connected online that allows you to download contents. The future of high definition is here. Everything yow want just got a whole lot better, spectacular high definition feature. You can now own the movies you want with the entire new level of interactivity. Below are the difference between Blu ray disc and HD DVD,
Blu-ray Disc
It is the next generation optical packaged media disc format. It was named as Blu-ray for the reasons that the laser beam which reads the data from the new discs is blue violet instead of red. This so called blue laser disc technology has a shorter wave length than a red laser, that makes it possible to read data with greater precision. The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video, as well as storing large amounts of data. Great privilege of watching
HD DVD
The HD (High-Definition) DVD standard is designed to be the successor to the standard DVD format, and is derived from the same underlying technologies. It is a next-generation optical disc format, featuring a significant increase in storage capacity facilitating support for high definition (HD) video and audio. The HD DVD name is derived from its origination as a high-definition extension of the DVD optical disc format.
Technical Specification
Storage capacity
Blu Ray Disc
25GB single layer
50GB double layer
HD DVD
15GB single layer
30GB double layer
Laser wavelength
Blu Ray Disc - 405nm (blue laser)
HD DVD - 405nm (blue laser)
diameter
Blu Ray Disc - 120mm
HD DVD - 120mm
Disc thickness
Blu Ray Disc - 1.2mm
HD DVD - 1.2mm
Protection layer
Blu Ray Disc - 0.1mm
HD DVD - 0.6mm
Hard coating
Blu Ray Disc - Yes
HD DVD - No
Data transfer rate (data)
Blu Ray Disc - 36.0Mbps (1x)
HD DVD - 36.55Mbps (1x)
Data transfer rate (video/audio)
Blu Ray Disc - 54.0Mbps (1.5x)
HD DVD - 36.55Mbps (1x)
Video resolution (max)
Blu Ray Disc - 1920 x 1080 (1080p)
HD DVD - 1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Video bit rate (max)
Blu Ray Disc - 40.0Mbps
HD DVD - 28.0Mbps
High-Def Market share
From the average consumer's stand-point, there is little difference between the two technologies. Both formats offer support for HD audio and video and they both have the potential to emerge as the sole successor to DVD. Some of the major differences are BD's higher production costs and superior storage capacity of 23.3GB per layer vs HD's 15GB.
Other Interesting facts:
* The Nichi Corporation, who holds the design patents to the Blu-ray's laser system, sits as an associate member of the HD DVD Promotion Group.
* Even though Apple sits on the Blu-ray Board of Directors, its DVD Studio Pro software supports authoring HD DVD media.
* Blu-ray, unlike HD DVD, requires a hard coating on its discs because it's 0.5m closer to the surface. The polymer coating it uses, called Durabis, was developed by TDK and is supposedly extremely resilient and fingerprint resistant.
* The Java platform is mandatory on Blu-ray as it's the standard for menus/multimedia (i.e. all Blu-ray systems must support JVM)
* DVD version of the Xbox 360 is rumored for the future.
* The first consumer Blu-ray device in the US market is expected to be the PlayStation 3.
Both David Stone & Geoffrey Arado are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
David Stone has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Travel, Asthma and Office Furniture. . David Stone's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.
Geoffrey Arado has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Computers and The Internet. Geoffrey Arado recommends the section of dvd.tv which has the best pick on movie releases Visit dvd.tv today and get the best deal in latest movie archive. Geoffrey Arado's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
