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TECH INSIGHT HD DVD versus Blu-ray

HD DVD versus Blu-ray discover the ultimate winner

Like the war between VHS and in the 1980’s, and the more recent conflict between DVD-RW and DVD+RW, another battle of competing formats is now underway. Two new , 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 • Both formats support the Mandatory Managed Copy have more storage capacity than the current DVD . (MMC) function. This lets you make at least one copy of a HD disc to send to a home server, hard disc or portable This offers major advantages: player.

• HD (High Definition) content is possible. It will become • Both have full . This means you can the new standard for digital entertainment because of its view current on new HD DVD equipment. superior image and sound quality. When you view HD content, you will experience high-resolution images and • Both use to read and write HD lifelike realism. content. has a lower and smaller focus than DVD’s laser. Because of blue laser’s ability • An entire HD movie can be stored on the single side of a to record smaller and higher-density pits, HD discs can disc. This lets you view a movie without changing discs store more information than DVDs. partway through. • Both utilize the same video (MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC • Plenty of room is available for special features such as and VC1) for . never-seen-before footage. • Both support the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) for content protection to prevent unauthorized reproduction of HD content.

 TECH-2006-04-HD DVD versus Blu-ray-EN HD DVD versus Blu-ray discover the ultimate winner

Spotlight on the differences Storage capacity Blu-ray is supported by Walt Disney Pictures, Twentieth The competing formats differ significantly in several areas. Century Fox, Warner Bros, Pictures, Lions Gate Check the features and advantages, and then decide for HD DVD’s capacity is 15 GB per layer, com- Home Entertainment and MGM. Blue-ray will not yourself which technology has the edge. pared with 25 GB per layer for Blu-ray. be released until May 23rd. Some titles announced: Hitch, 50 First Dates, The Fifth Element, House of Flying Daggers Blue laser method, disc structure and manufacturing costs HD DVD’s HD content capacity is 4 hours for 15 GB discs, and The Last Waltz. and 8 hours for 30 GB discs. Blu-ray’s HD content capacity To achieve extra capacity on HD DVD, blue laser writes with is over 4 hours for 25 GB discs, and over 9 hours for 50 GB Interactive High Definition (iHD) support a slightly higher aperture setting than for DVDs. Data is still discs. 0.6 millimetres (mm) below the surface, but is more tightly HD DVD supports iHD, a standard developed jointly by spaced. Blu-ray uses a significantly higher aperture setting Studio support and HD movie availability ☼® and Walt Disney Co. It is an XML-based interac- for its tightly focused laser. This writes very closely spaced tivity layer that will be integrated with Microsoft’s upcoming data, but only 0.1 mm below the surface. HD DVD is supported by Universal Studios Home Windows® Vista™ operating system in late 2006, offering Blu-ray discs are, therefore, more susceptible to damage Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, greater interactivity with movies. For example, graphical from handling and require a protective coating. , Warner and HBO. menus can be super imposed over a movie while it is running. Since the HD DVD disc structure is similar to that of DVDs, Warner Home Video was the first to deliver HD DVD videos the manufacturing process requires no significant change. (April 18th launch of , The Last Blu-ray adopted Java-based BDJ as its interactive layer. Mass production is simpler and less expensive than for and Phantom of the Opera). The studio will release 17 Its relative complexity and lack of compelling features Blu-ray, and products can be sold at a lower cost. additional titles in the coming weeks. Paramount titles makes it less desirable for studios. will ship May 30th.

 TECH-2006-04-HD DVD versus Blu-ray-EN HD DVD versus Blu-ray discover the ultimate winner

Future-proof Support by & Microsoft First-to-market & cost of hardware

HD DVD discs can easily be produced as dual-format HD DVD is backed by giants Intel and Micro- The first HD DVD player, HD-A1, went on sale in “hybrid discs”, with standard definition (SD) content on one soft. Full native support for HD DVD will be integrated into North America on April 18 for a price of 400 €. On the same side and HD content on the other. You can buy a dual-for- Microsoft’s next-generation Vista operating system. Also, day, the first HD DVD movies from Warner became avail- mat disc and play it on your current SD DVD player until you Microsoft will start selling an add-on HD DVD drive for able. Blu-ray players and Blu-ray videos will not be available purchase a HD DVD player. Blu-ray production of a similar its 360 gaming console later in 2006. Blu-ray was until May. and Pioneer will distribute the first hybrid disc is under discussion. scheduled for inclusion in the new Playstation3 consoles, players, with prices between 800–1450 €. but the PS3 launch date has moved back from spring 2006 Support by DVD Forum to November. And the winner is… The DVD Forum adopted the HD DVD format as the new, HP and LG now support both standards post-DVD standard. The Forum is an international When you consider the features and add up the advantages, association of hardware manufacturers, software firms Hewlett-Packard (HP), the world’s second largest PC you will agree that HD DVD is the leading technology. and other users of DVDs. Its purpose is to exchange and maker, initially supported only Blu-ray technology, but then With its first-to-market advantage, lower manufacturing disseminate information about the DVD format and its decided to support both Blu-ray and HD DVD. Similarly, LG costs and product prices, future-proof design, more rugged technical capabilities and innovations. Electronics, one of the world’s biggest optical-drive makers, disc, and greater interactivity, HD DVD technology is clearly was a firm supporter of the Blu-ray format, but now the ultimate winner. 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.  TECH-2006-04-HD DVD versus Blu-ray-EN