TECH INSIGHT
HD DVD versus Blu-ray
HD DVD versus Blu-ray
discover the ultimate winner
Like the war between VHS and Betamax in the 1980’s, and the more
recent conflict between DVD-RW and DVD+RW, another battle of
competing video formats is now underway. Two new technologies,
HD DVD (High Definition DVD) and Blu-ray, have stepped into the
ring to compete for consumer acceptance.
The rivals have several similarities, so you may find it difficult to pick
a clear favourite at first glance. A detailed comparison of the two
contenders, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, will help
you determine the ultimate winner.
HD DVD versus Blu-ray
discover the
ultimate winner
What do the competitors have in common?
Other common features include:
The two technologies share several features. Both formats
have more storage capacity than the current DVD standard.
•
Both formats support the Mandatory Managed Copy
(MMC) function. This lets you make at least one copy of
a HD disc to send to a home server, hard disc or portable
player.
•
Both have full backward compatibility. This means you can
view current DVDs on new HD DVD equipment.
•
Both use blue laser technology to read and write HD
content. Blue laser has a lower wavelength and smaller
focus than DVD’s red laser. Because of blue laser’s ability
to record smaller and higher-density pits, HD discs can
store more information than DVDs.
•
Both utilize the same video codecs (MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC
and VC1) for data compression.
•
Both support the Advanced Access Content System
(AACS) for content protection to prevent unauthorized
reproduction of HD content.
This offers major advantages:
•
HD (High Definition) content is possible. It will become
the new standard for digital entertainment because of its
superior image and sound quality. When you view HD
content, you will experience high-resolution images and
lifelike realism.
•
An entire HD movie can be stored on the single side of a
disc. This lets you view a movie without changing discs
partway through.
•
Plenty of room is available for special features such as
never-seen-before footage.
TECH-2006-04-HD DVD versus Blu-ray-EN
HD DVD versus Blu-ray
discover the
ultimate winner
Spotlight on the differences
The competing formats differ significantly in several areas.
Check the features and advantages, and then decide for
yourself which technology has the edge.
Blue laser method, disc structure and manufacturing costs
To achieve extra capacity on HD DVD, blue laser writes with
a slightly higher aperture setting than for DVDs. Data is still
0.6 millimetres (mm) below the surface, but is more tightly
spaced. Blu-ray uses a significantly higher aperture setting
for its tightly focused laser. This writes very closely spaced
data, but only 0.1 mm below the surface.
Blu-ray discs are, therefore, more susceptible to damage
from handling and require a protective coating.
Since the HD DVD disc structure is similar to that of DVDs,
the manufacturing process requires no significant change.
Mass production is simpler and less expensive than for
Blu-ray, and products can be sold at a lower cost.
Storage capacity
HD DVD’s data storage capacity is 15 GB per layer, compared with 25 GB per layer for Blu-ray.
HD DVD’s HD content capacity is 4 hours for 15 GB discs,
and 8 hours for 30 GB discs. Blu-ray’s HD content capacity
is over 4 hours for 25 GB discs, and over 9 hours for 50 GB
discs.
Studio support and HD movie availability
HD DVD is supported by Universal Studios Home
Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment,
New Line Cinema, Warner Home Video and HBO.
Warner Home Video was the first to deliver HD DVD videos
(April 18th launch of Million Dollar Baby, The Last Samurai
and Phantom of the Opera). The studio will release 17
additional titles in the coming weeks. Paramount titles
will ship May 30th.
Blu-ray is supported by Walt Disney Pictures, Twentieth
Century Fox, Warner Bros, Sony Pictures, Lions Gate
Home Entertainment and MGM. Blue-ray videos will not
be released until May 23rd. Some titles announced: Hitch,
50 First Dates, The Fifth Element, House of Flying Daggers
and The Last Waltz.
Interactive High Definition (iHD) support
HD DVD supports iHD, a standard developed jointly by
Microsoft☼® and Walt Disney Co. It is an XML-based interactivity layer that will be integrated with Microsoft’s upcoming
Windows® Vista™ operating system in late 2006, offering
greater interactivity with movies. For example, graphical
menus can be super imposed over a movie while it is
running.
Blu-ray adopted Java-based BDJ as its interactive layer.
Its relative complexity and lack of compelling features
makes it less desirable for studios.
TECH-2006-04-HD DVD versus Blu-ray-EN
HD DVD versus Blu-ray
discover the
ultimate winner
Future-proof
HD DVD discs can easily be produced as dual-format
“hybrid discs”, with standard definition (SD) content on one
side and HD content on the other. You can buy a dual-format disc and play it on your current SD DVD player until you
purchase a HD DVD player. Blu-ray production of a similar
hybrid disc is under discussion.
Support by DVD Forum
The DVD Forum adopted the HD DVD format as the new,
post-DVD standard. The Forum is an international
association of hardware manufacturers, software firms
and other users of DVDs. Its purpose is to exchange and
disseminate information about the DVD format and its
technical capabilities and innovations.
Support by Intel & Microsoft
First-to-market & cost of hardware
HD DVD is backed by computer giants Intel and Microsoft. Full native support for HD DVD will be integrated into
Microsoft’s next-generation Vista operating system. Also,
Microsoft will start selling an add-on HD DVD drive for
its Xbox 360 gaming console later in 2006. Blu-ray was
scheduled for inclusion in the new Playstation3 consoles,
but the PS3 launch date has moved back from spring 2006
to November.
HP and LG now support both standards
Hewlett-Packard (HP), the world’s second largest PC
maker, initially supported only Blu-ray technology, but then
decided to support both Blu-ray and HD DVD. Similarly, LG
Electronics, one of the world’s biggest optical-drive makers,
was a firm supporter of the Blu-ray format, but now
supports HD DVD as well.
©2006. Toshiba Europe GmbH. While Toshiba has made every effort at the time of publication to ensure the accuracy of the information provided
herein, product specifications, configurations, prices, system/component/options availability are all subject to change without notice. For the
most up-to-date product information about your computer, or to stay current with the various computer software or hardware options, visit
Toshiba’s Web site at www.toshiba-europe.com.
The first HD DVD player, Toshiba HD-A1, went on sale in
North America on April 18 for a price of 400 €. On the same
day, the first HD DVD movies from Warner became available. Blu-ray players and Blu-ray videos will not be available
until May. Samsung and Pioneer will distribute the first
players, with prices between 800–1450 €.
And the winner is…
When you consider the features and add up the advantages,
you will agree that HD DVD is the leading technology.
With its first-to-market advantage, lower manufacturing
costs and product prices, future-proof design, more rugged
disc, and greater interactivity, HD DVD technology is clearly
the ultimate winner.
TECH-2006-04-HD DVD versus Blu-ray-EN