| Now the situation has changed with advanced DVD | | | | them to store more data, it is not so for HD DVDs. |
| technologies. You now have exclusive HD DVDs | | | | It is a generally accepted fact that Blu-ray discs have |
| which offer you superior video and audio output. | | | | more data on each layer than HD DVDs. |
| They also differ from the traditional DVDs in the | | | | One reason for the aggressive promotion of HD |
| sense that they are able to store more data on their | | | | DVDs is because they cost less, when compared to |
| surfaces. They are all set to revolutionize the home | | | | Blu-ray discs. The cheaper cost is due to the entire |
| theater market. | | | | manufacturing process, which is a whole lot cheaper. |
| Almost all major studios in Hollywood like Universal, | | | | Compatibility |
| MGM and Warner, to name only a few, have | | | | The battle between the two camps promoting HD |
| announced new titles on this high capacity HD DVD. | | | | DVDs and Blu-ray discs is picking up, with major |
| The HD DVD format is being pioneered by Toshiba | | | | players taking sides. Intel and Microsoft are also |
| and NEC, who are credited with inventing the | | | | promoting the HD DVD format, apart from Toshiba |
| advanced optical disc technology. The new format | | | | and NEC, while Blu-ray discs find favor with Sony, |
| enables storage of large amount of data, up to 15 | | | | Samsung, Philips, Sharp, and most of the Hollywood |
| GB on a single layered disc and 30 GB on a double | | | | studios. One thing is for sure though, the future of |
| layered disc. The format uses the now often heard | | | | the home theater segment lies in the hands of these |
| term, blue laser. The inventors of this format claim | | | | formats. |
| that it will cost substantially less than its closest rival, | | | | If you are already in the market for an HD DVD |
| Blu-ray discs. | | | | player, you can always go in for one without |
| The high definition DVD player manufacturers are also | | | | worrying whether they will be able to play your |
| bracing for the onslaught of this new type of DVD, | | | | traditional DVDs on them, because most of them will. |
| by offering players which have backward | | | | On the flipside, your new movie on an HD DVD won't |
| compatibility, which enables you to still play your good | | | | play on your old DVD. Since the size of the HD DVDs |
| old DVDs apart from the latest HD DVDs. Some | | | | is similar to that of conventional CDs, manufacturers |
| models from Toshiba have already hit the market. | | | | are able to make newer players, which can handle |
| These models are capable of playing both traditional | | | | both. The thing which dictates the compatibility factor |
| as well as HD DVDs. | | | | is the laser. Once a player has a laser pickup that |
| The Current Scenario | | | | reads either of the formats, then everything |
| The principal rival to the advanced optical disc format | | | | becomes easy, you can now happily play your old |
| is the Blu-ray format. Blu-ray discs are being | | | | DVDs apart from the latest HD DVDs. |
| aggressively promoted by leading consumer electronic | | | | The latest HD DVD models from Toshiba are able to |
| giants like Sony, Samsung, Philips, Sharp, and Hp to | | | | read DVDs, HD DVDs, and CDs. If you are thinking of |
| mention a few. These Blu-ray discs, like the advanced | | | | upgrading to an HD DVD player, then it is preferable |
| optical discs, are capable of storing a large amount of | | | | that you also go in for an HDTV, which most of the |
| data. In fact they can store more than what the | | | | homes even in advanced countries like the U.S. don't |
| advanced optical discs can store. A single layered | | | | have. The use of HD DVDs is all set to gain |
| Blu-ray disc can store up to 25 GB of data, while a | | | | widespread popularity in near future, and purchasing |
| double layered disc can store 50 GB. They also offer | | | | an HD DVD player is not a bad option, even if you |
| excellent video quality with unmatched audio output. | | | | were not able to purchase several HD DVDs. |
| This technology also uses the blue-violet laser | | | | You still can watch other DVDs on them. An HD DVD |
| technology, just like the HD DVD technology being | | | | can store both regular and high definition content on |
| promoted by Toshiba and NEC. | | | | the same disc. There are some discs which have a |
| A major advantage with Blu-ray format lies in the | | | | combination of formats; they have DVD formats on |
| fact that the entire technology is 'backwards | | | | one side and HD DVD format on the other. Thus, |
| compatible.' That is, you can now play your old CDs | | | | they enable you to play them on virtually any DVD |
| and traditional DVDs on them. All you need to check | | | | player. |
| for is a BD/DVD/CD compatible unit. So, you need | | | | The concept of twin or combination discs is being |
| not worry about buying a player with Blu-ray | | | | embraced quickly among libraries and video rental |
| technology and not being able to use it. The Blu-ray | | | | stores, since not everyone has an HD DVD player. |
| movie codes are different though from that of DVD | | | | With the Blu-ray format breathing down its neck, |
| region codes. So while the Americas and East Asia will | | | | most people are waiting for one clear winner to |
| have one code, you will have different codes for | | | | emerge before making their purchase decision for a |
| countries like China, Russia, and India and others. | | | | high definition video playback system. |
| Most of the modern day high definition DVD players | | | | The trend is almost similar in most parts of the world. |
| would be able play both advanced optical discs and | | | | There are some manufacturers who are trying to |
| Blu-ray discs. While most of them will play these discs | | | | capture the market with other technologies like the |
| in high resolution, some may play them in low | | | | Holographic Versatile Disc (HVD), mostly from China. |
| resolution. It is therefore important that you check | | | | Chinese models which play this format are already |
| for the specifications of your DVD players to find out | | | | available in the market. They are compatible with |
| whether they can play HD DVDs in them. | | | | DVDs, HD DVDs, CDs, and HVDs. Most of the |
| Both types though have certain similarities, like being | | | | European countries like France, Spain, UK, Greece, |
| able to play on most of the high definition DVD | | | | and Germany are bracing for the newer technologies |
| players or your old DVD players. One major | | | | too, with their own DVD players. With increased |
| difference between the two types of discs lies in the | | | | competition between the formats, we are surely |
| coating. While the coating on Blu-ray discs enable | | | | heading for a period of exciting prospects. |