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{{Optical disc authoring}}
{{Optical disc authoring}}
'''HD DVD''' or '''High-Definition DVD''' is a high-density [[optical media|optical]] [[optical disc|disc]] format designed for the storage of data and [[high-definition video]].
'''HD DVD''' or '''High-Definition DVD''' is a high-density [[optical media|optical]] [[optical disc|disc]] format designed for the storage of data and [[high-definition video]].

==Overview==
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 can store about 3 1/2 times as much data as its predecessor (Maximum capacity: 30 GB instead of 8.5 GB). A 51 GB triple-layer preliminary spec has been approved. However, no movies are currently scheduled for this disc type.

HD DVD is currently in a "[[format war]]" with rival format [[Blu-ray Disc]], to determine which of the two formats will become the leading carrier for high-definition content to consumers.

As of [[October 16]] [[2007]], 311 HD DVD titles have been released in the USA.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/07/30/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-july-31st-2007/ |title=HD DVD and Blu-ray releases on July 31st, 2007 |publisher=engadgetHD |accessdate=2007-08-03}}</ref> As of [[15 September]] [[2007]], 133 HD DVD titles has been released in Japan, while 21 titles pending to be released.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/bdhdship/ |title=Blu-ray HD DVD releases in Japan |publisher=AVWatch |accessdate=2007-09-15}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The HD (High-Definition) DVD is designed to be the successor to the standard [[DVD]] format, and is derived from the same underlying technologies. It can store about 3 1/2 times as much data as its predecessor (Maximum capacity: 30&nbsp;GB instead of 8.5&nbsp;GB). A 51&nbsp;GB triple-layer preliminary spec has been approved. However no movies are currently scheduled for this disc type. The HD DVD standard was jointly developed by [[Toshiba]] and [[NEC]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.timefordvd.com/tutorial/HDDVDTutorial.shtml | title = High Definition-capable DVD | accessdate = 2007-07-09 | date = 2007-04-14}}</ref> On [[19 November]] [[2003]], the [[DVD Forum]] voted to support HD DVD as the [[High-definition video|high definition]] successor of the standard DVD. At this meeting, they also renamed it HD DVD. HD DVD stands for "High Definition Digital Versatile Disc".<ref>{{cite web
The HD DVD standard was jointly developed by [[Toshiba]] and [[NEC]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.timefordvd.com/tutorial/HDDVDTutorial.shtml | title = High Definition-capable DVD | accessdate = 2007-07-09 | date = 2007-04-14}}</ref> On [[19 November]] [[2003]], the [[DVD Forum]] voted to support HD DVD as the [[High-definition video|high definition]] successor of the standard DVD. At this meeting, they also renamed it HD DVD. The format had previously been called the "Advanced Optical Disc" (AOD).
| url = http://www.thelookandsoundofperfect.com/
| title = Frequently Asked Questions
| accessdate = 2007-04-09
| format = Flash
| work = The Look and Sound of Perfect
| language = English
}} </ref>
The format had previously been called the "Advanced Optical Disc" (AOD).


On [[31 March]] [[2006]], Toshiba released their first HD DVD player in Japan at ¥110,000 ([[United States dollar|US$]]934).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://digital-lifestyles.info/display_page.asp?section=platforms&id=3146 | title=Toshiba HD DVD Player: First Release In Japan}}</ref>. That was the first HD player available to consumers, beating Blu-Ray to the market.<ref>{{cite web
The current specification version for [[HD DVD-ROM]] and HD DVD-Rewritable is version 1.0. The specification for [[HD DVD-R]] is currently at 0.9; the [[HD DVD-RAM]] specification is not yet finalized. The first HD DVD-ROM drives were released in early 2006, and the first HD DVD Recorders were released mid 2007 in Japan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/22/toshibas-rd-a1-hd-dvd-recorder-with-1tb-disk |title=Toshiba's RD-A1 HD DVD recorder with 1TB disk |publisher=engadget |date=June 22, 2006 |accessdate=2007-08-05}}</ref>
|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,189960,00.html
|title= Toshiba Starts Selling HD DVD Players in Japan
|accessdate=2007-10-17
|author=
|date= 2006-03-31
|work= foxnews.com
}}</ref> HD&nbsp;DVD was released in United States on [[18 April]] [[2006]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6324750.html | title = HD DVD set to launch quietly | accessdate = 2007-04-09 | date = 2006-04-13 | last = Netherby | first = Jennifer | coauthors = Susanne Ault | work = Video Business | language = English }}</ref> with players priced at $499 and $799.


The first HD DVD titles were released on [[April 18]] [[2006]]. They were ''[[The Last Samurai]]'', ''[[Million Dollar Baby]]'', ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (2004 film)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'' by [[Warner Home Video]] and ''[[Serenity (film)|Serenity]]'' by [[Universal Studios]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6323662.html | title=Uni delivers Serenity to HD DVD. Sci-fi adventure first from studio on high-def format on April 18}}</ref> The first independent HD film released on HD DVD was ''[[One Six Right]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Disc_Announcements/Terwilliger/Indie_Terwilliger_Jumps_Into_HD_DVD_with_Romance_of_Flying/279 | title=HD DVD Digest: Indie Terwilliger Jumps Into HD DVD with 'Romance of Flying'}} October 4, 2006</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.highdef.com/magazine/archive/HighDef_2007_1JanFeb.pdf | title=HighDef Magazine: 34 to 24 on AJA KONA}} Page 34, Jan/Feb 2007</ref>
HD DVD is currently in a [[format war]] with rival format [[Blu-ray Disc]].

In December 2006, Toshiba reported that roughly 120,000 Toshiba branded HD DVD players have been sold in the [[U.S.]] along with 150,000 units coming in the form of HD DVD upgrade kits for the [[Xbox 360]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070115-8625.html|title=HD DVD sales}}</ref>

As of [[18 April]] [[2007]], (on the first “birthday” of HD DVD),<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6324750.html | title = HD DVD set to launch quietly | accessdate = 2007-04-09 | date = 2006-04-13 | last = Netherby | first = Jennifer | coauthors = Susanne Ault | work = Video Business | language = English }}</ref> the HD DVD camp reported that they had sold 100,000 dedicated HD DVD units in the U.S. alone, (that is standalone players only, it does not include any computers with HD DVD drives or Xbox 360 add-ons drives—the latter was reported to have sold 92,000 units during the Christmas holiday season alone).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tgdaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31658&Itemid=118|title=100,000 HD DVD CE players sold in the U.S. during the first year (April 17, 2007)}}</ref>

On [[January 29]] [[2007]], [[Microsoft]] released [[Windows Vista]] which supports the HD DVD format, including [[DRM]] requirements for playing back commercial content.

The first HD DVD Recorders were released mid 2007 in Japan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/22/toshibas-rd-a1-hd-dvd-recorder-with-1tb-disk |title=Toshiba's RD-A1 HD DVD recorder with 1TB disk |publisher=engadget |date=June 22, 2006 |accessdate=2007-08-05}}</ref>


==Technical specifications==
==Technical specifications==

The current specification version for [[HD DVD-ROM]] and HD DVD-Rewritable is version 1.0. The specification for [[HD DVD-R]] is currently at 0.9; the [[HD DVD-RAM]] specification is not yet finalized.

===Disc structure===
===Disc structure===
[[HD DVD-ROM]] has a single-layer capacity of 15 [[Gigabyte|GB]], a dual-layer capacity of 30&nbsp;GB, and a 51 GB single-sided triple-layer disc (which uses slightly bigger 17&nbsp;GB layers), approved in September 2007 by the [[DVD Forum]]. However, the 51&nbsp;GB spec is only a preliminary spec and compatibility with existing hardware is unknown at this time. [[HD DVD-R]] and [[HD DVD-RW]] has a single-layer capacity of 15 GB, a dual-layer capacity of 30 GB. The [[HD DVD-RAM]] has a single-layer capacity of 20&nbsp;GB.<ref>[http://www.hddvdprg.com/jpn/about/hddvd/page03.html Disk lineup] HD DVD Promotion Group</ref> Like the original DVD format, the data layer of an HD DVD disc is 0.6&nbsp;mm below the surface physically protecting the data layer from damage. The [[numerical aperture]] of the optical pick-up head is 0.65, compared with 0.6 for DVD. All HD DVD players are backward compatible with DVD and CD.
[[HD DVD-ROM]] has a single-layer capacity of 15 [[Gigabyte|GB]], a dual-layer capacity of 30&nbsp;GB, and a 51 GB single-sided triple-layer disc (which uses slightly bigger 17&nbsp;GB layers), approved in September 2007 by the [[DVD Forum]]. Toshiba has claimed that all existing and future players should be compatible with the triple layer.<ref> [http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9776981-1.html Toshiba confirms 51GB disc works with players]</ref>
[[HD DVD-R]] and [[HD DVD-RW]] has a single-layer capacity of 15 GB, a dual-layer capacity of 30 GB. The [[HD DVD-RAM]] has a single-layer capacity of 20&nbsp;GB.<ref>[http://www.hddvdprg.com/jpn/about/hddvd/page03.html Disk lineup] HD DVD Promotion Group</ref> Like the original DVD format, the data layer of an HD DVD disc is 0.6&nbsp;mm below the surface physically protecting the data layer from damage. The [[numerical aperture]] of the optical pick-up head is 0.65, compared with 0.6 for DVD. All HD DVD players are backward compatible with DVD and CD.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 65: Line 84:
| &nbsp;8&nbsp;cm, double sided || 9.4&nbsp;GB || 18.8&nbsp;GB
| &nbsp;8&nbsp;cm, double sided || 9.4&nbsp;GB || 18.8&nbsp;GB
|}
|}

====Hybrid formats====
There are two types of hybrid formats which contain standard [[DVD-Video]] format video for playback in regular DVD players, and HD DVD video for playback in high definition on HD DVD players. The Combo disc is a dual sided disc with one side DVD and the other HD DVD, each of which can have up to two layers. The Twin disc is a single sided disc that can have up to three layers, with up to two layers dedicated to either DVD or HD DVD.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2006_09/pr1101.htm | title=New disc supports high capacities of both standard DVD and HD DVD on a single disc | publisher=Toshiba | accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> These hybrid discs make retail marketing and shelf space management easier. Another advantage is hardware cross-compatibility. The average consumer doesn't have to worry about whether or not they can play a hybrid DVD disc: any standard home DVD player can access the DVD encoded content and any HD DVD player can access both the DVD and the HD DVD encoded content.

====3x DVD====
The HD DVD format also applies to current red laser DVDs, which offers a low-cost option for distributors; this type of disc is called "3x DVD", as it is capable of three times the bandwidth of regular [[DVD-Video]].

3x DVDs are physically identical to normal DVDs, thus why the cost is lower for the physical medium. Although 3x DVDs provide the same high definition content, their playback time is less. For instance, on an 8.5&nbsp;GB DVD you could fit about 85 minutes of [[1080p]] video encoded with [[VC-1]] or [[MPEG-4 AVC|AVC]] at an average [[bitrate]] of 13&nbsp;Mbit/s, suitable for short subjects (training films, home movies), but unsuitable for feature film-length content.

It is technically possible for consumers to create HD DVD compatible discs using low cost DVD-R or DVD+R media. At least one such guide exists.<ref> {{cite web
| url = http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=705146
| title = The Official AVS Guide to HD DVD Authoring.
| accessdate = 2007-04-09
| date = 2006-07-30
| last = Clark
| first = Joseph
| work = AV Science Forum
| language = English
}}</ref>

====Continuing development====
Although the HD DVD standard is final, engineers continue developing the technology. At the [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES]] 2007, [[Ritek]] revealed their high definition optical disc process extended both competing high definition formats to ten layers, increasing capacity to 150&nbsp;GB for HD DVD, however, the major obstacle is that current reader-writer technology may not support the additional data layers.<ref> {{cite web
| url = http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5656
| title = Three HD Layers Today, Ten Tomorrow
| accessdate = 2007-04-24
| date = 2007-01-10
| last = Yam
| first = Marcus
| work = DailyTech
| language = English
}}</ref>


===File systems===
===File systems===
Line 130: Line 118:
[[Backward compatibility]] will be available with all HD DVD players, allowing users to have a single player in their homes to play all types of HD DVD, DVD and CD discs. There is also a hybrid HD DVD format which contains both DVD and HD DVD versions of the same movie on a single disc, providing smoother transition for the studios in terms of publishing movies, and letting consumers with only DVD drives still use the discs. DVD disc replication companies can continue using their current production equipment with only minor alterations when changing over to the format of HD DVD replication. Due to the structure of the single-lens optical head, both red and blue laser diodes can be used in smaller, more compact HD DVD players.
[[Backward compatibility]] will be available with all HD DVD players, allowing users to have a single player in their homes to play all types of HD DVD, DVD and CD discs. There is also a hybrid HD DVD format which contains both DVD and HD DVD versions of the same movie on a single disc, providing smoother transition for the studios in terms of publishing movies, and letting consumers with only DVD drives still use the discs. DVD disc replication companies can continue using their current production equipment with only minor alterations when changing over to the format of HD DVD replication. Due to the structure of the single-lens optical head, both red and blue laser diodes can be used in smaller, more compact HD DVD players.


===HD DVD standalone players===
===List of HD DVD devices===
On [[31 March]] [[2006]], Toshiba released their first HD DVD player in Japan at ¥110,000 ([[United States dollar|US$]]934).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://digital-lifestyles.info/display_page.asp?section=platforms&id=3146 | title=Toshiba HD DVD Player: First Release In Japan}}</ref> HD&nbsp;DVD was released in United States on [[18 April]] [[2006]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6324750.html | title = HD DVD set to launch quietly | accessdate = 2007-04-09 | date = 2006-04-13 | last = Netherby | first = Jennifer | coauthors = Susanne Ault | work = Video Business | language = English }}</ref> with players priced at $499 and $799.


{| class="wikitable sortable"
On [[April 18]] [[2006]], [[Toshiba]] released the first HD DVD players for the United States, the [[Toshiba HD-A1]] and [[Toshiba HD-XA1]]. Both players sold out within days of their release. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} The HD-A1 was also [[Rebranding|rebranded]] by [[RCA]] and sold as the HDV5000.
|-

! Device name
During the fourth quarter of 2006, Toshiba began releasing its second generation HD DVD players for the U.S. The HD-A2 was released in early December for $499.99; the HD-XA2 was released in late December for $999.99. The high-end model, the HD-XA2, features HDMI 1.3 and 1080p output.<ref>{{cite web | url=
! Manufacturer
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/news/newsarticle.asp?newsid=131 | title=Toshiba announces introduction of second generation HD DVD players | publisher=Toshiba |date=September 14, 2006}}</ref> As of August 2007 the MSRP is $299 for the HD-A2 and $799 for the HD-XA2.
! Type of device

! Release date
On [[January 7]] [[2007]], at [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES]], Toshiba announced the HD-A20 which includes many of the features of the Toshiba HD-XA2 including [[1080p]] output. It has a retail price of $499.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/news/newsarticle.asp?newsid=135 | title=TOSHIBA DELIVERS SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF SECOND GENERATION HD DVD PLAYERS | publisher=Toshiba | date=January 7, 2007}}</ref>
! Approximate price

|-
In December 2006, Toshiba reported that roughly 120,000 Toshiba branded HD DVD players have been sold in the [[U.S.]] along with 150,000 units coming in the form of HD DVD upgrade kits for the [[Xbox 360]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070115-8625.html|title=HD DVD sales}}</ref>
| [[Toshiba HD-A1]]

| [[Toshiba]]
As of [[18 April]] [[2007]], (on the first “birthday” of HD DVD),<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6324750.html | title = HD DVD set to launch quietly | accessdate = 2007-04-09 | date = 2006-04-13 | last = Netherby | first = Jennifer | coauthors = Susanne Ault | work = Video Business | language = English }}</ref> the HD DVD camp reported that they had sold 100,000 dedicated HD DVD units in the U.S. alone, (that is standalone players only, it does not include any computers with HD DVD drives or Xbox 360 add-ons drives—the latter was reported to have sold 92,000 units during the Christmas holiday season alone).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tgdaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31658&Itemid=118|title=100,000 HD DVD CE players sold in the U.S. during the first year (April 17, 2007)}}</ref>
| standalone player

| [[April 18]] [[2006]]
On [[August 6]], [[2007]] [[Toshiba]] announced several upcoming third generation players:<ref>http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2007/08/toshiba_to_debu.php</ref>
|
* HD-A3 ($299.99, October 2007)
|-
* HD-A30 ($399.99, September 2007)
| [[Toshiba HD-XA1]] (also known as HDV5000)
* HD-A35 ($499.99, October 2007)
| [[Toshiba]]

| standalone player
On [[August 9]], [[2007]] [[Onkyo]] announced its first HD DVD player, the [http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/14/onkyos-dv-hd805-hd-dvd--player-coming-this-fall-for-899/ DV-HD805]. It is one of the first high-end HD DVD players to take advantage of high-bit-rate audio streaming via HDMI version 1.3a. It will go on sale in the fall of 2007 at a suggested retail price of $899.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
| [[April 18]] [[2006]]

|
On [[August 28]], [[2007]] [http://www.venturer.com Venturer Electronics] published an announcement of its HD DVD player, the [http://www.venturer.com/news-details.aspx?id=15 SHD7000] (for a suggested price at groundbreaking $199<ref>{{cite web | url=http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Venturer/Hardware/Venturer_HD_DVD_Player:_$199/911 | title=High-Def Digest reports that Venturer Electronics aiming for a $199-release on their new HD DVD-stand alone player | publisher=Venturer Electronics | date=August 29, 2007}}</ref>) to be released during the holiday season of 2007. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.alcoelectronics.com/news-details.aspx?id=15 | title=Venturer Electronics SHD7000 HD DVD player announcement | publisher=Alco Electronics | date=August 28, 2007}}</ref>
|-

| Toshiba HD-A2
Toshiba has claimed that all existing and future players should be compatible with the 51 GB disc triple layer disc that was added to the standard in [[September 2007]]. <ref>[http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9776981-1.html Toshiba confirms 51GB disc works with players]</ref>
| [[Toshiba]]

| standalone player
===Portable players===
| 2006 Q4
Toshiba is expected to reveal the first portable HD DVD player at the 2008 CES show.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
| US$499.99<ref name="toshiba second gen">{{cite web | url=

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/news/newsarticle.asp?newsid=131 | title=Toshiba announces introduction of second generation HD DVD players | publisher=Toshiba |date=September 14, 2006}}</ref>
===Universal (HD DVD + Blu-ray Disc) standalone combo players===
|-
Universal (HD DVD + Blu-ray) standalone set-top players, so called Duo/Dual HD player (also referred to as "hybrid", "combo", or "family-room" HD players).
| Toshiba HD-XA2
[[Image:vidabox max.jpg|right|thumb|160px|[[VidaBox]] MAX Dual Blu-ray Disc+HD DVD System]]
| [[Toshiba]]
On [[October 18]] [[2006]], [[VidaBox]] announced the first [[HTPC|home theater PC]] capable of playing back both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD disc formats. The VidaBox MAX and VidaBox LUX can have both drives upgraded to play both high-definition formats up to their native [[1080p]] resolutions at 24-bit color.<ref>{{cite web
| standalone player
| 2006 Q4
| US$999.99<ref name="toshiba second gen"/>
|-
| Toshiba HD-A20
| [[Toshiba]]
| standalone player
| [[January 7]] [[2007]]
| $499<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/news/newsarticle.asp?newsid=135 | title=TOSHIBA DELIVERS SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF SECOND GENERATION HD DVD PLAYERS | publisher=Toshiba | date=January 7, 2007}}</ref>
|-
| Toshiba HD-A3
| [[Toshiba]]
| standalone player
| October 2007
| US$299.99<ref name="toshiba third gen">http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2007/08/toshiba_to_debu.php</ref>
|-
| Toshiba HD-A30
| [[Toshiba]]
| standalone player
| September 2007
| US$399.99<ref name="toshiba third gen"/>
|-
| Toshiba HD-A35
| [[Toshiba]]
| standalone player
| October 2007
| US$499.99<ref name="toshiba third gen"/>
|-
| DV-HD805
| [[Onkyo]]
| standalone player
| fall 2007
| US$899{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
|-
| DV-HD805
| [[Onkyo]]
| standalone player
| fall 2007
| US$899{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
|-
| SHD7000
| Venturer Electronics
| standalone player
| end of 2007<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.alcoelectronics.com/news-details.aspx?id=15 | title=Venturer Electronics SHD7000 HD DVD player announcement | publisher=Alco Electronics | date=August 28, 2007}}</ref>
| US$199<ref>{{cite web | url=http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Venturer/Hardware/Venturer_HD_DVD_Player:_$199/911 | title=High-Def Digest reports that Venturer Electronics aiming for a $199-release on their new HD DVD-stand alone player | publisher=Venturer Electronics | date=August 29, 2007}}</ref>
|-
| VidaBox MAX and VidaBox LUX
| [[VidaBox]]
| [[HTPC|home theater PC]] (supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD)<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.vidabox.com/news.htm#061018
| url = http://www.vidabox.com/news.htm#061018
| title = VidaBox Introduces World’s First Dual HD DVD & Blu-Ray Player / Media Center
| title = VidaBox Introduces World’s First Dual HD DVD & Blu-Ray Player / Media Center
Line 167: Line 203:
| year = 2006
| year = 2006
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
|

|
On [[January 7]] [[2007]], [[LG Group|LG]] [[LG Electronics|Electronics]] announced the release of the [[BH-100]], the first player to market able to play movies from both High Definition Formats. However, It is not able to utilize the interactive menus and features HDi of the HD DVD format. LG's suggested retail price is US$1,199.<ref>{{cite web
|-
| [[BH-100]]
| [[LG Group|LG]] [[LG Electronics|Electronics]]
| standalone player (supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD)
| [[January 7]] [[2007]]
| US$1,199<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.lge.com/about/press_release/detail/PRO%7CNEWS%5EPRE%7CMENU%5ERND%7CMENU_20318_PRE%7CMENU.jhtml
| url = http://www.lge.com/about/press_release/detail/PRO%7CNEWS%5EPRE%7CMENU%5ERND%7CMENU_20318_PRE%7CMENU.jhtml
| title = LG BH100 Combo Drive
| title = LG BH100 Combo Drive
| accessdate = 2007-04-15
| accessdate = 2007-04-15
| year = 2007
| year = 2007
}}</ref>
}}</ref>In mid October 2007 LG is scheduled to release the follow up to the BH100, the BH200 which unlike its predecessor will have full support for both Formats and be released at a price of $999.<ref>{{cite web
|-
| BH-200
| [[LG Group|LG]] [[LG Electronics|Electronics]]
| standalone player (supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD)
| scheduled for October 2007
| US$999<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUSN0443957620070905?pageNumber=1
| url = http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUSN0443957620070905?pageNumber=1
| title = LG BH200 Combo Drive
| title = LG BH200 Combo Drive
| accessdate = 2007-09-05
| accessdate = 2007-09-05
| year = 2007
| year = 2007
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
|-

| [[Samsung BD-UP5000|BD-UP5000]]<ref>{{cite web
On [[April 13]] [[2007]], [[Samsung Group]] announced their [[Samsung BD-UP5000|BD-UP5000]] Duo HD player, a hybrid Blu-ray and HD DVD standalone set-top player. No detailed specifications for the player have been released and the suggested retail price is unknown. It will fully support both Blu-ray and HD DVD disc formats and their interactive technologies, [[BD-Java]] and HDi. This is the first player announced that fully supports the specs of both formats.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.samsung.com/PressCenter/PressRelease/PressRelease.asp?seq=20070413_0000338109
| url = http://www.samsung.com/PressCenter/PressRelease/PressRelease.asp?seq=20070413_0000338109
| title = Samsung BD-UP5000 Combo Drive
| title = Samsung BD-UP5000 Combo Drive
| accessdate = 2007-04-15
| accessdate = 2007-04-15
| year = 2007
| year = 2007
}}</ref>
}}</ref> This item has been delayed until December 2007. That means in addition to playing HD DVD it must be at least Blu Ray profile 1.1 compliant.
| [[Samsung Group]]
| standalone player (supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD)
| scheduled for December 2007
|
|-
| [[Qosmio]] 35
| Toshiba
| [[Laptop|Laptop computer]]
| [[May 16]] [[2006]]
|
|-
| HR-1100A
| [[NEC]]
| PC drive ([[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]] usage only)
|
|
|-
| HDV-ROM2.4FB
| [[Buffalo Technology]]
| PC drive
| [[October 10]] [[2006]]
| US$320
|-
| GGW-H10N
| [[LG Electronics|LG Electronics (LGE)]]
| PC drive (supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD)
|
| US$1200<ref>{{cite web|url=http://w.engadgethd.com/2007/01/09/lgs-hybrid-blu-ray-hd-dvd-standalone-drive-coming-soon/|title=LG's hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD standalone drive coming soon}}</ref>
|-
| Xbox 360 add-on external HD DVD drive
| [[Microsoft]]
| [[Video game console]] accessory (can be connected to PCs as well)
|
| US$179
|-
| [[Qosmio]] G45
| [[Toshiba]]
| [[Laptop|Laptop computer]] with DVD-R drive
|
|
|-
| [[Toshiba Satellite| Satellite]] X200
| [[Toshiba]]
| [[Laptop|Laptop computer]] with DVD-R drive
|
|
|-
| [[HP Pavilion (computer)|HP Pavilion]] dv9500t series
| [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]]
| [[Laptop|Laptop computer]] (optional HD DVD-R drive)
|
|
|-
|}


Toshiba is expected to reveal the first portable HD DVD player at the 2008 CES show.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
=== Computer drives ===
On [[May 16]] [[2006]], Toshiba released its first PC with a HD DVD-ROM drive, the Toshiba [[Qosmio]] 35. There are also a number of laptops and desktops from [[Hewlett Packard|Hewlett Packard (HP)]], [[Acer (company)|Acer]], [[Samsung]], [[LG Electronics|LG Electronics (LGE)]], [[Fujitsu]] and others equipped with HD DVD drives. All desktop systems so far use the NEC HR-1100A HD DVD-ROM, which is for [[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]] usage only.

[[Buffalo Technology]] announced on [[October 10]] [[2006]] the first HD DVD-ROM drive for retail purchase, the HDV-ROM2.4FB (dual-layer read-only, 2.4x HD DVD read performance), with a suggested retail price of US$320; it comes bundled with CyberLink's [[PowerDVD]] HD DVD Edition. On [[January 8]] [[2007]], at CES, [[LG Electronics|LG Electronics (LGE)]] announced the GGW-H10N [[SATA]] 5.25" half-height combo drive for computers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://w.engadgethd.com/2007/01/09/lgs-hybrid-blu-ray-hd-dvd-standalone-drive-coming-soon/|title=LG's hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD standalone drive coming soon}}</ref> which is a hybrid HD DVD and Blu-ray drive that can read both blue-laser formats, but only writes to Blu-ray or standard DVDs and CDs blank media. The LG GGW-H10N drive is set to be released before the end of January 2007 and will retail for a suggested retail price of US$1200.

On [[January 29]] [[2007]], [[Microsoft]] released [[Windows Vista]] which supports the HD DVD format, including [[DRM]] requirements for playing back commercial content. The Windows Vista platform is expected to play an increasing part in HD content consumption, particularly in its [[Windows Media Center]] and [[laptop]] variants.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Microsoft's Xbox 360 add-on external HD DVD drive can be connected to a PC via USB 2.0. The Xbox 360 external HD DVD add-on drive is retailing for $179 as of [[August 1]] [[2007]] (U.S. only), making it the least expensive standalone drive for computers. Consumers who purchase the HD DVD add-on drive between [[August 1]] [[2007]] and [[September 30]] [[2007]] can choose five HD DVD titles for free from a selection of 15 titles via a mail-in offer from Toshiba.

The [[Toshiba]] [[Qosmio]] G45 and [[Toshiba Satellite| Satellite]] X200 laptops have a built in HD DVD-R Drive and also optional for the [[HP Pavilion (computer)|HP Pavilion]] dv9500t series notebook, able to burn HD DVD-R discs from 15GB single-layer up to 30GB dual-layer discs.


===Xbox 360===
===Xbox 360===

{{importance-sect}} <!-- I think this section is too long. This article is about HD DVD, not about the Xbox. -->
Released at the end of November 2006, the [[Microsoft]] HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 game-console gives the Xbox 360 the ability to play HD DVD movies. The drive was announced with an MSRP of US$199, and included Peter Jackson's King Kong on HD DVD along with a [[USB|USB 2.0 cable]] for connection to the console. Many view the HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360 as Microsoft's response to [[Sony]]'s [[PlayStation 3]] game-console, which plays competing [[Blu-ray Disc]] movies out of the box.
Released at the end of November 2006, the [[Microsoft]] HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 game-console gives the Xbox 360 the ability to play HD DVD movies. The drive was announced with an MSRP of US$199, and included Peter Jackson's King Kong on HD DVD along with a [[USB|USB 2.0 cable]] for connection to the console. Many view the HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360 as Microsoft's response to [[Sony]]'s [[PlayStation 3]] game-console, which plays competing [[Blu-ray Disc]] movies out of the box.
Line 207: Line 304:


The Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive is sold at retailers in the white color of the Xbox 360 Core/Premium. No announcements have been made by Microsoft to release this product in other colors to the general public.
The Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive is sold at retailers in the white color of the Xbox 360 Core/Premium. No announcements have been made by Microsoft to release this product in other colors to the general public.

== Release titles ==
The first HD DVD titles released on [[April 18]] [[2006]] were ''[[The Last Samurai]]'', ''[[Million Dollar Baby]]'', ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (2004 film)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'' by [[Warner Home Video]]; and ''[[Serenity (film)|Serenity]]'' by [[Universal Studios]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6323662.html | title=Uni delivers Serenity to HD DVD. Sci-fi adventure first from studio on high-def format on April 18}}</ref> As of [[October 16]] [[2007]], 311 titles have been released in the USA.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/07/30/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-july-31st-2007/ |title=HD DVD and Blu-ray releases on July 31st, 2007 |publisher=engadgetHD |accessdate=2007-08-03}}</ref> As of [[15 September]] [[2007]], 133 HD DVD titles has been released in Japan, while 21 titles pending to be released.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/bdhdship/ |title=Blu-ray HD DVD releases in Japan |publisher=AVWatch |accessdate=2007-09-15}}</ref>

The first independent HD film released on HD DVD was ''[[One Six Right]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Disc_Announcements/Terwilliger/Indie_Terwilliger_Jumps_Into_HD_DVD_with_Romance_of_Flying/279 | title=HD DVD Digest: Indie Terwilliger Jumps Into HD DVD with 'Romance of Flying'}} October 4, 2006</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.highdef.com/magazine/archive/HighDef_2007_1JanFeb.pdf | title=HighDef Magazine: 34 to 24 on AJA KONA}} Page 34, Jan/Feb 2007</ref>


==Corporate and industry support==
==Corporate and industry support==
Line 246: Line 338:
| date = [[August 21]] [[2007]]
| date = [[August 21]] [[2007]]
}}</ref>
}}</ref>

===Hybrid player technology===
[[NEC]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.com.com/NEC+unveils+chip+to+bridge+Blu-rayHD+DVD+divide/2100-1041_3-6124799.html|title=NEC unveils chip to bridge Blu-ray/HD DVD divide}}</ref> [[Broadcom]],<ref name="engadget-universal_players">{{cite web|url=http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/11/07/universal-hd-dvd-blu-ray-players-really-on-the-way-in-2007/|title=Universal HD DVD / Blu-ray players really on the way in 2007?|publisher=engadgetHD|date=November 7, 2006|accessdate=2007-08-03}}</ref> [[Horizon Semiconductors]], and [[STMicroelectronics]]<ref name="engadget-universal_players"/> have separately developed a single chip/laser that can read both the HD DVD and the Blu-ray disc standard. Broadcom and STMicroelectronics will be selling their dual-format single chip/laser solution to any [[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]] willing to develop a product based on the chip.

===Hybrid discs===
On the media disc side, Warner Bros. officially announced [[Total Hi Def|Total Hi Def (THD)]] at [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES 2007]]. Total Hi Def (Total HD) hybrid discs supports both HD DVD and Blu-ray, HD DVD on one side (up to two layers) and Blu-ray on the other side (up to two layers). Despite initially announcing that [[Total HD]] would be ready by the second half of 2007, on [[June 27]] [[2007]], Warner Bros. issued a press release stating that they would be delaying the launch of Total HD discs until early 2008. As of September 2007, no specific titles have yet been announced.


==HD DVD / Blu-ray disc comparison==
==HD DVD / Blu-ray disc comparison==
Line 263: Line 349:
{{HighDefMediaComparison}}
{{HighDefMediaComparison}}


==Continuing development==
=== HD DVD / Blu-ray Disc "format war"===
Although the HD DVD standard is final, engineers continue developing the technology. At the [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES]] 2007, [[Ritek]] revealed their high definition optical disc process extended both competing high definition formats to ten layers, increasing capacity to 150&nbsp;GB for HD DVD, however, the major obstacle is that current reader-writer technology may not support the additional data layers.<ref> {{cite web
HD DVD is currently in a "[[format war]]" with rival format [[Blu-ray Disc]], to determine which of the two formats will become the leading carrier for high-definition content to consumers.
| url = http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5656
| title = Three HD Layers Today, Ten Tomorrow
| accessdate = 2007-04-24
| date = 2007-01-10
| last = Yam
| first = Marcus
| work = DailyTech
| language = English
}}</ref>

[[NEC]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.com.com/NEC+unveils+chip+to+bridge+Blu-rayHD+DVD+divide/2100-1041_3-6124799.html|title=NEC unveils chip to bridge Blu-ray/HD DVD divide}}</ref> [[Broadcom]],<ref name="engadget-universal_players">{{cite web|url=http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/11/07/universal-hd-dvd-blu-ray-players-really-on-the-way-in-2007/|title=Universal HD DVD / Blu-ray players really on the way in 2007?|publisher=engadgetHD|date=November 7, 2006|accessdate=2007-08-03}}</ref> [[Horizon Semiconductors]], and [[STMicroelectronics]]<ref name="engadget-universal_players"/> have separately developed a single chip/laser that can read both the HD DVD and the Blu-ray disc standard. Broadcom and STMicroelectronics will be selling their dual-format single chip/laser solution to any [[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]] willing to develop a product based on the chip.

==Variants==

===DVD / HD DVD hybrid discs===
There are two types of hybrid formats which contain standard [[DVD-Video]] format video for playback in regular DVD players, and HD DVD video for playback in high definition on HD DVD players. The Combo disc is a dual sided disc with one side DVD and the other HD DVD, each of which can have up to two layers. The Twin disc is a single sided disc that can have up to three layers, with up to two layers dedicated to either DVD or HD DVD.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2006_09/pr1101.htm | title=New disc supports high capacities of both standard DVD and HD DVD on a single disc | publisher=Toshiba | accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> These hybrid discs make retail marketing and shelf space management easier. Another advantage is hardware cross-compatibility. The average consumer doesn't have to worry about whether or not they can play a hybrid DVD disc: any standard home DVD player can access the DVD encoded content and any HD DVD player can access both the DVD and the HD DVD encoded content.

===HD DVD / Blu-Ray hybrid discs===
Warner Bros. officially announced [[Total Hi Def|Total Hi Def (THD)]] at [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES 2007]]. Total Hi Def (Total HD) hybrid discs supports both HD DVD and Blu-ray, HD DVD on one side (up to two layers) and Blu-ray on the other side (up to two layers). Despite initially announcing that [[Total HD]] would be ready by the second half of 2007, on [[June 27]] [[2007]], Warner Bros. issued a press release stating that they would be delaying the launch of Total HD discs until early 2008. As of September 2007, no specific titles have yet been announced.

===3x DVD===
The HD DVD format also applies to current red laser DVDs, which offers a low-cost option for distributors; this type of disc is called "3x DVD", as it is capable of three times the bandwidth of regular [[DVD-Video]].

3x DVDs are physically identical to normal DVDs, thus why the cost is lower for the physical medium. Although 3x DVDs provide the same high definition content, their playback time is less. For instance, on an 8.5&nbsp;GB DVD you could fit about 85 minutes of [[1080p]] video encoded with [[VC-1]] or [[MPEG-4 AVC|AVC]] at an average [[bitrate]] of 13&nbsp;Mbit/s, suitable for short subjects (training films, home movies), but unsuitable for feature film-length content.

It is technically possible for consumers to create HD DVD compatible discs using low cost DVD-R or DVD+R media. At least one such guide exists.<ref> {{cite web
| url = http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=705146
| title = The Official AVS Guide to HD DVD Authoring.
| accessdate = 2007-04-09
| date = 2006-07-30
| last = Clark
| first = Joseph
| work = AV Science Forum
| language = English
}}</ref>

===HD REC===
HD Rec is an extension of the HD DVD format for storing HD content on regular red laser DVDs using [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC]] compression.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,138121-page,1/article.html |title=New Chips Enable High-Def Recording on DVDs |accessdate=2007-10-18 |author=Martyn Williams |date=2007-10-05 |work=pcworld.com}}</ref> It was approved by the DVD Forum on [[September 12]] [[2007]] <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=21390 |title= DVD Forum Approves Recording of HD DVD Content on Red-laser Recordable Discs |accessdate=2007-10-18 |date=2007-09-13 |work=cdrinfo.com}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 08:28, 18 October 2007

HD DVD
HD DVD logo
Media typeHigh-density optical disc
EncodingVC-1, H.264, and MPEG-2
Capacity15 GB (single layer) 30 GB (dual layer)
Read mechanism1x@36 Mbit/s & 2x@72 Mbit/s
Developed byDVD Forum
UsageData storage, including high-definition video
Optical discs
General
Optical media types
Standards
See also

HD DVD or High-Definition DVD is a high-density optical disc format designed for the storage of data and high-definition video.

Overview

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 can store about 3 1/2 times as much data as its predecessor (Maximum capacity: 30 GB instead of 8.5 GB). A 51 GB triple-layer preliminary spec has been approved. However, no movies are currently scheduled for this disc type.

HD DVD is currently in a "format war" with rival format Blu-ray Disc, to determine which of the two formats will become the leading carrier for high-definition content to consumers.

As of October 16 2007, 311 HD DVD titles have been released in the USA.[1] As of 15 September 2007, 133 HD DVD titles has been released in Japan, while 21 titles pending to be released.[2]

History

The HD DVD standard was jointly developed by Toshiba and NEC.[3] On 19 November 2003, the DVD Forum voted to support HD DVD as the high definition successor of the standard DVD. At this meeting, they also renamed it HD DVD. The format had previously been called the "Advanced Optical Disc" (AOD).

On 31 March 2006, Toshiba released their first HD DVD player in Japan at ¥110,000 (US$934).[4]. That was the first HD player available to consumers, beating Blu-Ray to the market.[5] HD DVD was released in United States on 18 April 2006,[6] with players priced at $499 and $799.

The first HD DVD titles were released on April 18 2006. They were The Last Samurai, Million Dollar Baby, The Phantom of the Opera by Warner Home Video and Serenity by Universal Studios.[7] The first independent HD film released on HD DVD was One Six Right.[8][9]

In December 2006, Toshiba reported that roughly 120,000 Toshiba branded HD DVD players have been sold in the U.S. along with 150,000 units coming in the form of HD DVD upgrade kits for the Xbox 360.[10]

As of 18 April 2007, (on the first “birthday” of HD DVD),[11] the HD DVD camp reported that they had sold 100,000 dedicated HD DVD units in the U.S. alone, (that is standalone players only, it does not include any computers with HD DVD drives or Xbox 360 add-ons drives—the latter was reported to have sold 92,000 units during the Christmas holiday season alone).[12]

On January 29 2007, Microsoft released Windows Vista which supports the HD DVD format, including DRM requirements for playing back commercial content.

The first HD DVD Recorders were released mid 2007 in Japan.[13]

Technical specifications

The current specification version for HD DVD-ROM and HD DVD-Rewritable is version 1.0. The specification for HD DVD-R is currently at 0.9; the HD DVD-RAM specification is not yet finalized.

Disc structure

HD DVD-ROM has a single-layer capacity of 15 GB, a dual-layer capacity of 30 GB, and a 51 GB single-sided triple-layer disc (which uses slightly bigger 17 GB layers), approved in September 2007 by the DVD Forum. Toshiba has claimed that all existing and future players should be compatible with the triple layer.[14]

HD DVD-R and HD DVD-RW has a single-layer capacity of 15 GB, a dual-layer capacity of 30 GB. The HD DVD-RAM has a single-layer capacity of 20 GB.[15] Like the original DVD format, the data layer of an HD DVD disc is 0.6 mm below the surface physically protecting the data layer from damage. The numerical aperture of the optical pick-up head is 0.65, compared with 0.6 for DVD. All HD DVD players are backward compatible with DVD and CD.

Physical size Single layer capacity Dual layer capacity
12 cm, single sided 15 GB 30 GB
12 cm, double sided 30 GB 60 GB
 8 cm, single sided 4.7 GB 9.4 GB
 8 cm, double sided 9.4 GB 18.8 GB

File systems

Like previous optical disc formats, HD DVD supports several file systems, like ISO 9660 and Universal Disk Format (UDF). Currently, all HD DVD titles use UDF version 2.5 as the file system.

Audio

HD DVD discs support encoding in up to 24-bit/192 kHz for two channels, or up to eight channels of up to 24-bit/96 kHz encoding.[16] For reference, even new big-budget Hollywood films are mastered in only 24-bit/48 kHz, with 16-bit/48 kHz being common for ordinary films.[citation needed]

All HD DVD players are required to decode linear (uncompressed) PCM, Dolby Digital AC-3, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD.[17] A secondary soundtrack, if present, can be stored in any of the aforementioned formats, or in one of the HD DVD optional codecs: DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio.

For the highest-fidelity audio experience, HD DVD offers content-producers the choice of linear PCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Due to the high-bandwidth requirements of linear-PCM, lossless audio on HD DVD movies has thus far been delivered in the lossless format Dolby True-HD.

Video

The HD DVD format supports a wide variety of resolutions, from low-resolution CIF and SDTV, all video resolutions supported by the DVD-Video standard, and up to HDTV formats such as 720p, 1080i and 1080p.[16] HD DVD supports video encoded in MPEG2 which is what is used in DVDs as well as the new formats VC-1 and AVC which are more efficient. All movie titles released so far have had the feature encoded in 1080p, with most supplements in 480i or 480p. Almost all titles are encoded with VC-1, and most of the remaining titles encoded with AVC.

Digital rights management

Main article: Advanced Access Content System

HD DVD content is protected by the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) a standard for content distribution and digital rights management. It is developed by AACS Licensing Administrator, LLC (AACS LA), a consortium that includes Disney, Intel, Microsoft, Matsushita (Panasonic), Warner Brothers, IBM, Toshiba and Sony. One of the advantages over CSS, the content restriction system for DVDs, is that AACS allows content providers to revoke an individual player device if its cryptographic keys have been compromised (meaning that it will not be able to decrypt subsequently released content). There is no Region Coding in the existing HD DVD specification, which means that titles from any country can be played in players in any other country. This is likely to give the format some advantage in Europe and other places where consumers are now used to using multi-region players to play DVDs purchased in the US or through the extensive grey market.

Since appearing in devices in 2006, several successful attacks have been made on the format. The first known attack relied on the trusted client problem. In addition, decryption keys have been extracted from a weakly protected player (WinDVD). Notably, a Processing Key was found that could be used to decrypt all HD content that had been released at the time.[18] The processing key was widely published on the Internet after it was found and the AACS LA sent multiple DMCA takedown notices in the aim of censoring it.[19] This caused trouble on some sites that rely on user-submitted content, like Digg and Wikipedia, when administrators tried to remove any mentions of the key.[20][21]

Further information: AACS encryption key controversy

AACS has also been circumvented by SlySoft with their program AnyDVD HD, which allows users to watch HD DVD movies on non-HDCP-compliant PC hardware. Slysoft has stated that AnyDVD HD uses several different mechanisms to disable the encryption, and is not dependent on the use of a single compromised encryption key.[22]

Interactive content

HD DVDs use the HDi Interactive Format to allow interactive content to be authored for discs. HDi is based on web technologies such as HTML, XML, CSS, SMIL, and ECMAScript (JavaScript), so authoring in HDi should be a fairly easy transition for web developers. No existing DVD authoring experience is required. In contrast, Blu-ray Disc content is authored using either a scripting environment for basic content, or a Java-based platform (BD-J) for advanced content. DVD video discs utilize pre-rendered MPEG segments, selectable subtitle pictures, and simple programmatic navigation which is considerably more primitive.

Hardware

Compatibility

Backward compatibility will be available with all HD DVD players, allowing users to have a single player in their homes to play all types of HD DVD, DVD and CD discs. There is also a hybrid HD DVD format which contains both DVD and HD DVD versions of the same movie on a single disc, providing smoother transition for the studios in terms of publishing movies, and letting consumers with only DVD drives still use the discs. DVD disc replication companies can continue using their current production equipment with only minor alterations when changing over to the format of HD DVD replication. Due to the structure of the single-lens optical head, both red and blue laser diodes can be used in smaller, more compact HD DVD players.

List of HD DVD devices

Device name Manufacturer Type of device Release date Approximate price
Toshiba HD-A1 Toshiba standalone player April 18 2006
Toshiba HD-XA1 (also known as HDV5000) Toshiba standalone player April 18 2006
Toshiba HD-A2 Toshiba standalone player 2006 Q4 US$499.99[23]
Toshiba HD-XA2 Toshiba standalone player 2006 Q4 US$999.99[23]
Toshiba HD-A20 Toshiba standalone player January 7 2007 $499[24]
Toshiba HD-A3 Toshiba standalone player October 2007 US$299.99[25]
Toshiba HD-A30 Toshiba standalone player September 2007 US$399.99[25]
Toshiba HD-A35 Toshiba standalone player October 2007 US$499.99[25]
DV-HD805 Onkyo standalone player fall 2007 US$899[citation needed]
DV-HD805 Onkyo standalone player fall 2007 US$899[citation needed]
SHD7000 Venturer Electronics standalone player end of 2007[26] US$199[27]
VidaBox MAX and VidaBox LUX VidaBox home theater PC (supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD)[28]
BH-100 LG Electronics standalone player (supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD) January 7 2007 US$1,199[29]
BH-200 LG Electronics standalone player (supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD) scheduled for October 2007 US$999[30]
BD-UP5000[31] Samsung Group standalone player (supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD) scheduled for December 2007
Qosmio 35 Toshiba Laptop computer May 16 2006
HR-1100A NEC PC drive (OEM usage only)
HDV-ROM2.4FB Buffalo Technology PC drive October 10 2006 US$320
GGW-H10N LG Electronics (LGE) PC drive (supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD) US$1200[32]
Xbox 360 add-on external HD DVD drive Microsoft Video game console accessory (can be connected to PCs as well) US$179
Qosmio G45 Toshiba Laptop computer with DVD-R drive
Satellite X200 Toshiba Laptop computer with DVD-R drive
HP Pavilion dv9500t series HP Laptop computer (optional HD DVD-R drive)

Toshiba is expected to reveal the first portable HD DVD player at the 2008 CES show.[citation needed]

Xbox 360

Released at the end of November 2006, the Microsoft HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 game-console gives the Xbox 360 the ability to play HD DVD movies. The drive was announced with an MSRP of US$199, and included Peter Jackson's King Kong on HD DVD along with a USB 2.0 cable for connection to the console. Many view the HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360 as Microsoft's response to Sony's PlayStation 3 game-console, which plays competing Blu-ray Disc movies out of the box.

Xbox 360 HD DVD

The original Xbox 360 Core and Premium bundles did not offer HDMI/DVI-D outputs. In April 2007, Microsoft introduced the Xbox 360 Elite, which includes an HDMI 1.2 output port (and larger hard-drive). HD DVD Video output at the highest supported resolution (1080p) requires a display with HDMI-input. For audio output, the Xbox 360 is limited compared to standalone players—the analog stereo-audio jack outputs a Pro-logic compatible downmix of the movie's audiotrack. The TOSLINK (S/PDIF) jack offers more choice: 2-channel LPCM 48 kHz/16-bit stereo (Pro-logic compatible), Dolby Digital (AC-3) @ 640 kbit/s, DTS @ 1500 kbit/s, or WMA Pro @ 1500 kbit/s. The console handles transcoding, if necessary, so a movie soundtrack of any type (Dolby TrueHD, Dolby DD+/AC-3, DTS, LPCM) will be output in the selected format. The HDMI-output on Xbox 360 Elite does not support multichannel LPCM—the Elite is limited to the same output choices as the non-HDMI 360 models.

The Xbox 360's add-on HD DVD drive can also be used with a desktop/laptop PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista. Although PC use is not officially supported, third-party player software can successfully play HD DVD movies using the add-on drive. A number of users buy the HD DVD add-on drive to use exclusively with their PCs because of the cheap price when compared to HD DVD drives made for PCs. For best experience, HD DVD player software requires a modern PC, with a DirectX 9 graphics adapter and dual-core or fast CPU. If the video is output to a DVI/HDMI port, then both the display and graphics processing unit must be HDCP-compliant.

The Xbox 360's add-on HD DVD is recognized on Macintosh computers running Mac OS 10.4, but support for UDF 2.5 does not exist for the platform. Standard DVDs and CDs can be read with the drive, but not HD DVDs. The beta version of Mac OS 10.5 "Leopard" includes Apple's UDF 2.5 driver.

The Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive is sold at retailers in the white color of the Xbox 360 Core/Premium. No announcements have been made by Microsoft to release this product in other colors to the general public.

Corporate and industry support

HD DVD Promotion Group Member List contains the main promoters of HD DVD, namely Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo, Microsoft, RCA, Kenwood, Intel, Venturer Electronics and Memory-Tech Corporation. The HD DVD format is also non-exclusively supported by Acer, HP, Hitachi Maxell, LG, Lite On, Onkyo, Meridian, Samsung,[33] and Alpine.

In terms of major studios in North America, HD DVD is currently exclusively backed by Universal Studios (including subsidiaries Focus Features and Rogue Pictures), Paramount Pictures (including Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies, MTV Films, DreamWorks Pictures and DreamWorks Animation), The Weinstein Company (including Dimension Films), and First Look Studios.

The format is non-exclusively backed by Warner Bros. Pictures (it should be noted that a number of Warner's titles—Batman Begins, Constantine, Troy (excluding Troy: Director's Cut), V for Vendetta, The Perfect Storm, Poseidon, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, The Matrix Trilogy—are HD DVD exclusive at the present), New Line Cinema (it should be noted that some of New Line Cinema titles, the first being Hairspray, are announced as Blu-ray exclusive for limited time due to lack of region coding in HD DVD[34] [35] [36]. All catalog titles will be released simultaneously in both formats), HBO, and Image Entertainment (including the Discovery Channel),[37] Magnolia Pictures,[38] Brentwood Home Video, Ryko, Koch/Goldhil Entertainment.[39]

In Europe HD DVD is currently supported either exclusively or non-exclusively by Medusa Home Entertainment, Studio Canal, Universum Films, Kinowelt Home Entertainment, DVD International, Opus Arte, MK2, Momentum Pictures, Twister Home Video, and many others [40]. Many titles that are Blu-ray exclusive in the United States are released on HD DVD in Europe, and can be played on any US player due to the absence of region coding on HD DVD[41]. Likewise, movies that are HD DVD exclusive in the United States are released in either exclusive to a format or released to both formats in other region, to be made easier because some of region-coded discs are actually region-free[42]. For example, Universal's Bruce Almighty, an European exclusive to Blu-ray, is compatible to region A player.

In the Music Industry, HD DVD is currently exclusively supported by EMI and non exclusively supported by Warner Music Group[43] and Universal Music Group[44]

Beginning July 2007, Blockbuster Video[45] will be carrying Blu-ray Disc in 1,450 stores, in addition to the original 250 that carried both HD DVD and Blu-ray. Online they will still be offering both formats.[46] Blockbuster will continue to offer both formats at its initial 250 stores that currently carry both high-definition formats.[47]

On August 20, 2007, Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, and DreamWorks Animation announced their exclusive support for the HD DVD format citing its cost benefits and superior features. However, in contrast to this the New York Times reported, citing two Viacom executives that a payoff had occurred for a sum of $150 million for a period of 18 months exclusivity. Paramount has neither denied or confirmed this, however Paramount's CTO Alan Bell said it was an indefinite commitment. Both Microsoft and Toshiba have denied that such a payoff occurred. Films directed by Steven Spielberg are excluded from this announcement as he controls the rights to his own works.[48]

HD DVD / Blu-ray disc comparison

Main article: Comparison of high definition optical disc formats

The primary rival to HD DVD is Blu-ray Disc. Currently, Blu-ray has the advantage in maximum disc capacity, but in September 2007 the DVD Forum approved the triple layer 51GB HD DVD-ROM disc. Titles using the 51 GB HD DVD discs have yet to be released as its a preliminary specification. The first 50 GB dual-layer Blu-ray Disc release[citation needed] was movie Click, on October 10 2006, several months after the Blu-ray Disc format was released. As of September 2007 40% of Blu-ray titles use the 50 GB disc and 60% use the 25 GB disc[49] while almost all HD DVD movies are in the 30 GB dual layer format.[50]

In terms of audio/video compression, HD DVD and Blu-ray are similar on the surface: both support MPEG-2, VC-1, and H.264 for video compression. Virtually every HD DVD released uses an advanced codec (VC-1 or H.264) for video compression, reducing the required space for equivalent quality video. The first generation of Blu-ray Disc movies however used the older and less efficient video codec MPEG-2, and many new titles still do. In terms of audio, there are many differences. With HD DVD support for the new Dolby Digital Plus audio codec is mandatory at 3.0 Mbit/s, but for Blu-ray players it is optional at 1.7 Mbit/s.[17] Furthermore HD DVD players must be able to decode the new lossless audio codec Dolby True HD, but this is optional for Blu-ray players.

Both HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc support the 24p (traditional movie) frame rate, but technical implementations of this mode are different among the two formats. Blu-ray Disc supports 24p with its native timing, while HD DVD uses 60i timing for 24p (encoded progressively, replacing missing fields with "repeat field flags"). Decoders can ignore the “flags” to output 24p.[51] There is no impact on picture resolution or storage space as a result of this, as the HD DVD format uses the exact same video information—it simply adds notational overhead.

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Continuing development

Although the HD DVD standard is final, engineers continue developing the technology. At the CES 2007, Ritek revealed their high definition optical disc process extended both competing high definition formats to ten layers, increasing capacity to 150 GB for HD DVD, however, the major obstacle is that current reader-writer technology may not support the additional data layers.[52]

NEC,[53] Broadcom,[54] Horizon Semiconductors, and STMicroelectronics[54] have separately developed a single chip/laser that can read both the HD DVD and the Blu-ray disc standard. Broadcom and STMicroelectronics will be selling their dual-format single chip/laser solution to any OEM willing to develop a product based on the chip.

Variants

DVD / HD DVD hybrid discs

There are two types of hybrid formats which contain standard DVD-Video format video for playback in regular DVD players, and HD DVD video for playback in high definition on HD DVD players. The Combo disc is a dual sided disc with one side DVD and the other HD DVD, each of which can have up to two layers. The Twin disc is a single sided disc that can have up to three layers, with up to two layers dedicated to either DVD or HD DVD.[55] These hybrid discs make retail marketing and shelf space management easier. Another advantage is hardware cross-compatibility. The average consumer doesn't have to worry about whether or not they can play a hybrid DVD disc: any standard home DVD player can access the DVD encoded content and any HD DVD player can access both the DVD and the HD DVD encoded content.

HD DVD / Blu-Ray hybrid discs

Warner Bros. officially announced Total Hi Def (THD) at CES 2007. Total Hi Def (Total HD) hybrid discs supports both HD DVD and Blu-ray, HD DVD on one side (up to two layers) and Blu-ray on the other side (up to two layers). Despite initially announcing that Total HD would be ready by the second half of 2007, on June 27 2007, Warner Bros. issued a press release stating that they would be delaying the launch of Total HD discs until early 2008. As of September 2007, no specific titles have yet been announced.

3x DVD

The HD DVD format also applies to current red laser DVDs, which offers a low-cost option for distributors; this type of disc is called "3x DVD", as it is capable of three times the bandwidth of regular DVD-Video.

3x DVDs are physically identical to normal DVDs, thus why the cost is lower for the physical medium. Although 3x DVDs provide the same high definition content, their playback time is less. For instance, on an 8.5 GB DVD you could fit about 85 minutes of 1080p video encoded with VC-1 or AVC at an average bitrate of 13 Mbit/s, suitable for short subjects (training films, home movies), but unsuitable for feature film-length content.

It is technically possible for consumers to create HD DVD compatible discs using low cost DVD-R or DVD+R media. At least one such guide exists.[56]

HD REC

HD Rec is an extension of the HD DVD format for storing HD content on regular red laser DVDs using H.264/MPEG-4 AVC compression.[57] It was approved by the DVD Forum on September 12 2007 [58]

See also

Alternative disc technologies

References

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External links

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