HD DVD and the Blu-ray Disc format specifications allow for a high definition 1080p picture quality, use
the same advanced audio technologies, and allow for backward compatibility with DVD. Where they differ is
the extent to which content providers and player manufacturers are required to provide these capabilities
to end-users. HD DVD’s standard support requirements are stricter than Blue-ray’s. BD allows optional
support for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio codices and allows optional support for
backward compatibility with the DVD format. HD DVD allows only support for DTS HD to be omitted. The
looser Blu-ray Disc requirements may be great for content providers and player manufacturers, as they could
potentially lower their production costs by not supporting the advanced audio codices and backward
compatibility with DVD; but it may not be in the best interest of consumers. Blu-ray risks leaving
consumers in a position to disappointed; imagine purchasing a new BD player, only to get it home and find
out it can’t play your large collection of DVDs. This is a problem waiting to happen, particularly when
prices tumble and lesser manufacturers begin to produce Blu-ray Disc players.
Which is the better technology doesn’t matter. If that were the case we never would have had the famous
Beta vs. VHS war. There was a technologically superior 3rd format, Laserdisc, and it just didn’t catch on
with the masses. A convincing argument could be made that Blu-ray Disc is a better long term format because
of its superior storage capacity. It could also be argued that HD DVD will provide greater product
consistency across the board given its stricter guidelines, and the Toshiba HD-XA1 was awarded product of
the year, by Sound and Vision magazine.
HD DVD is in a better position to be the dominant format, because they are doing what is necessary to
win; provide new technology at an affordable price. Sales of players will drive sales of movie titles, (not
the availability of titles driving hardware sales as the Blu-ray camp suggests). The application of the
technology we are concerned with here, is watching movies on our HDTVs. For that application, for
consumers, these two competing formats are even given that they both deliver a 1080p resolution, to the best
commercially available HDTVs, which happen to have a maximum resolution of 1080p. If having the best
technology is measured in storage capacity, then we shouldn’t be discussing either of these formats, as
there are other formats with superior capacity to both. With a choice between 2 new video standards that
both deliver the same great picture, I will buy the lower priced one, thank you very much.
If it is true that history always repeats itself, I wouldn’t worry that if you buy too early in the
process, you could end up choosing the “Beta” format. Both these formats are the next Betamax. They will
become obsolete, just as Betamax and VHS did, and DVD will become. The first Betamax and VHS machines were
introduced to North America in 1976 and 1977 respectively. 20 years later in 1997 DVDs were introduced, and
a short 9 years later, Blu-ray Discs and HD DVDs went on sale. How long will it be before high definition
video (Blu-ray or HD DVD) is obsolete? The time in the sun seems to be getting shorter.
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