| Blu-ray and HD DVD (High Definition DVD) are two | | | | to most minor scratching and wear and tear. |
| conflicting storage technologies for digital media like | | | | Although the underlying technology is important in a |
| high definition movies, games and other audio visual | | | | format war, it is more often the case of the people |
| material. There are a few other technologies | | | | supporting each format that has more influence on |
| emerging but it seems that these two rivals are the | | | | the outcome. |
| big players in the battle for home consumers hearts | | | | Again, it seems like blu-ray has the advantage. |
| and minds. So what are they, which one is better and | | | | Blu-ray is supported by consumer electronics |
| who is likely to win the latest technology format war. | | | | companies Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp and Pioneer |
| Blu-ray was created by the Blu ray Disc Association, | | | | and a number of others. This suggests that they will |
| an association of major consumer electronics | | | | produce products that are exclusively devoted to |
| producers, like Sony and Panasonic, as a high capacity | | | | using the blu-ray technology. The most recent |
| storage device to replace the standard DVD format. | | | | instance of this is the Sony Playstation 3 that |
| HD DVD was developed by the DVD forum, an | | | | features a blu-ray disc player. |
| alternative association of high tech electronics | | | | In terms of computer technology companies, blu-ray |
| producers, including Toshiba and NEC, as their | | | | is supported by Apple, Dell, Sun Microsystems and |
| replacement of standard DVD. | | | | Hewlett Packard. Their disk drives will use blu-ray. |
| Both work on the same principle. They use a blue | | | | Possibly more significant for people interested in |
| laser with a shorter wavelength than the standard | | | | home entertainment are the major movie companies |
| red laser of Dvd's and CD's (405 nm compared to | | | | supporting blu-ray. These are 20th Century Fox, Walt |
| 650 nm). This allows for more storage space on a | | | | Disney and Warner Bros. Although Walt Disney and |
| disc. More storage is vital as high definition video | | | | Warner Bros. are not supporting them exclusively and |
| becomes an industry standard in movies, TV and | | | | will produce movies in HD DVD format. At this point |
| video games. | | | | only Universal Pictures has an exclusive deal to |
| Latest information on the storage capacities of each | | | | produce HD DVD pictures. |
| format sees blu-ray out in front. A single layer blu-ray | | | | On the HD DVD side possibly the biggest player is |
| disc can store 25 GB compared to HD DVD of 15GB. | | | | Microsoft. They have HD DVD readers in the X box |
| A dual layer blu-ray can store 50 GB while the HD | | | | games console and seem determined to throw their |
| DVD stores 30 GB. This would suggest that blu-ray | | | | weight behind HD DVD. |
| can store more detail and thus provide better extra | | | | Of the major consumer electronics companies, the |
| features to movies etc. Although this is not | | | | most significant supporters of HD DVD are Toshiba, |
| completely true as video compression influences the | | | | NEC and Kenwood. |
| amount of information stored on a disc, the capacity | | | | In terms of computer component manufacturers, |
| is a significant difference between the two formats. | | | | Intel is behind HD DVD. |
| Initial blu-ray discs stored data close to the surface | | | | Although it is still unclear who is winning the format |
| of the disk. This meant that if the disc was | | | | war, it would seem that blu ray has some big |
| scratched in any way it would probably malfunction | | | | supporters. Although HD DVD have some big names |
| or jam when playing. Apparently a protective layer | | | | too, notably Microsoft. Prices of individual players and |
| has now been introduced to newer blu-ray disc that | | | | recording devices might also impact the success of |
| protects the data much more. HD DVD have always | | | | each format. At this point most products are quite |
| stored the data deeper in the disc and are resistant | | | | expensive but this will change with time. |