Based on the extensive hardware support by manufacturers for the Blu-ray format, it would appear logical to adopt Blu-ray as the standard for high definition DVD, but HD-DVD did have one key advantage.
For Blu-ray, new facilities are required for manufacturing discs and players as well as movie disc replication. However, due to the fact that the physical specifications for HD-DVD had a lot in common with standard DVD, most of the manufacturing plants making current DVD players, discs, and movie releases could be used for HD-DVD.
While HD-DVD had the advantage with regards to simpler production start-up, with potentially lower initial costs, the key advantage of Blu-ray over HD-DVD is storage capacity. Because of larger disc capacity, a Blu-ray disc can more easily accommodate full-length feature films and extra features.
To counter this, HD-DVD had implemented multi-layerd discs, as well as employing VC1 compression technology, which allows for more content, without loss of quality, on its smaller storage capacity disc. This enabled the HD-DVD format to accommodate additional features and longer films on a single disc.
Blu-ray And HD-DVD Availability
HD-DVD and Blu-ray players are available (however, no new HD-DVD players are being made), with standalone recorders "possibly" being released in the U.S. in the future.
One of the holdups with the availability of Blu-ray Disc recording (HD-DVD is no longer a factor) are specifications for copy-protection that will meet the needs of both broadcasters and movie studios. Also, the popularity of HD-TIVO and HD-Cable/Satellite DVRs is also a competitive issue. On the other hand, Pioneer has introduced Blu-ray format writers for PCs, and Sony has introduced Blu-ray Laptops and Desktops.
There are films and video content now available on both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD format (New HD-DVD releases will cease by the end of 2008). There are about a thousand titles available in Blu-ray, with more titles being released on a weekly basis. Also, there are several hundred HD-DVD releases that are still available. Prices for the titles are about $5-or-$10 more than current DVDs. Prices for movies, just as for players, are expected to go down over time, as competition with standard DVD increases.
NOTE: You can't play a Blu-ray movie on an HD-DVD player, or vice versa. Only Blu-ray/HD-DVD combo players can play both.
Blu-ray Region Coding:
Region A: U.S., Japan, Latin America, East Asia (except China).
Region B: Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand
Region C: China, Russia, Remaining countries.
There is (was) no Region Coding for HD-DVD.
Other Factors
While Blu-ray and HD-DVD mark a significant event in consumer electronics history, it will not render DVD obsolete. DVD is currently the most successful entertainment format in history.
With DVD players and DVD recorders selling for bargain prices, the higher-priced Blu-ray and HD-DVD players, and even higher-priced recorders will probably not persuade the average consumer to make the jump to the new formats in the short term.
Also, those that do make the jump will still be able to play DVDs in their existing collection on the new players as both Blu-ray and HD-DVD players and recorders will be fully playback compatible with standard DVDs. This was not the case with the VHS to DVD turnover, as DVD/VHS combo players did not come into market until some years after the introduction of the DVD.
Although Blu-ray and HD-DVD players are backwards compatible with standard DVD, they are not compatible with each other. If one format is discontinued, recordings and movies in one format will not play in any other format's units.
Possible Solutions That Could Have Resolved Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD Conflicts
One solution that could have solved the incompatibility of Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD had been put forth by LG, introduced a Blu-ray Disc/HD-DVD combo player. For more details, check out my Review of the LG BH100 Blu-Ray/HD-DVD Super Multi Blue Disc Player. In addition, LG also introduced a follow-up Combo, the BH200. Samsung also introduced a Blu-ray Disc/HD-DVD combo player. Now that HD-DVD is no more, it is very unlikely new combo players will be made.
In addition, both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD camps had indicated that they could produce a hybrid disc that would be a standard DVD on one side and either Blu-ray or HD-DVD on the other. HD-DVD/DVD hybrid discs were available until the end of the format. Current owners of these discs have access to a standard DVD version that would be playable on either format's players, although not in its high-definition form.
Also, Warner Bros announced and demonstrated a Blu-ray/HD-DVD hybrid disc. This would have enabled a film or program to be put on a single disc in both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats. As a result, it wouldn't matter what format player you would have. However, since HD-DVD has now been discontinued, the Blu-ray/HD-DVD hybrid will not be utilized.
Measuring The Success Of Blu-ray and HD-DVD
Although true high definition playback and recording is definitely welcomed, the long term acceptance of Blu-ray (HD-DVD is now discontinued) does not depend on just the on-paper technical specification details but its long term performance in the real world, based on the following:
1. Availability of both recorders and players.
2. Availability of pre-recorded high definition recordings.
3. The ability to record high definition television programming.
4. Ease of use.
5. Demonstration of significant video quality over standard DVD.
6. PRICE - As of 2008, HD-DVD players could be found starting at about $149 until they were discontinued, and Blu-ray Disc players currently start at about $399. Blu-ray Disc standalone recorders have yet to be introduced into the U.S. market. Prices of such units, if and when they become available, are expected to be priced well over $1,000 to start.
Final Words
For more information on what to expect from a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player, as well as useful buying tips, check out my articles: Blu-ray and HD-DVD FAQs, Blu-ray and HD-DVD: Sorting Out Facts From Fiction, and Before You Buy a Blu-ray or HD-DVD Player.
