The Current State Of DVD
DVD is the very successful, and will definitely be around for some time. However as it is currently implemented, DVD is not a high-definition format. DVD players typically output video in either standard NTSC 480i (852×480 pixels in an interlaced scan format), with progressive scan DVD players capable of outputting DVD video in 480p (852×480 pixels displayed in a progressively scanned format). Although DVD has superior resolution and image quality, when compared to VHS and standard cable television, it is still only half the resolution of HDTV.
Upscaling - Getting More Out Of Standard DVD
In an effort to maximize the quality of DVD for display on today’s HDTVs, many manufacturers have introduced upscaling capabilities through DVI and/or HDMI output connections on newer DVD players.
Upscaling is a process that mathematically matches the pixel count of the output of the DVD signal to the physical pixel count on an HDTV, which is typically 1280×720 (720p) or 1920×1080 (1080i).
The upscaling process does a good job of matching the upscaled pixel output of a DVD player to the native pixel display resolution of an HDTV capable television, resulting in better detail and color consistency. However, upscaling, as it is currently implemented, cannot convert standard DVD images into true high-definition images. In fact, although upscaling works well with fixed pixel displays, such as Plasma and LCD televisions, results are not always consistent on CRT-based high definition televisions.
True High Definition DVD Is On The Way…
For the past several years, high definition DVD player and recorder prototypes have been on display at trade shows and Blu-ray Format High Definition DVD recorders and players are beginning to become available in Japan. In 2006, it is expected that high definition DVD will become available in the U.S. market.
Employing Blue Laser technology (which has a much shorter wavelength than the red laser technology used in current DVD) high definition DVD enables a disc the size of a current DVD disc (but, which much greater storage capacity than a standard DVD) to hold an entire film at HDTV resolution or allow the consumer to record two hours of high definition video content.
Two Competing High Definition DVD Formats
However, there is a catch with regards to the introduction of high definition DVD recording and playback. You guessed it; there are two competing formats that are incompatible with each other.
The competing formats are Blu-ray and HD-DVD:
Blu-ray Support
Blu-ray is supported on the hardware side by Hitachi, LG, Matsushita (Panasonic), Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, HP, Dell, Apple, TDK, and Thomson (Note: Thomson also supports HD-DVD). On the software side, Blu-ray is supported by Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney Studios, MGM, Paramount (also supports HD-DVD) and Warner (also supports HD-DVD). Apple Computer has also announced support for Blu-ray.
HD-DVD Support
HD-DVD is supported on the hardware side by Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo, Thomson (Note: Thomson also supports Blu-ray). On the software side, HD-DVD is supported by New Line Cinema, Paramount Pictures (also supports Blu-ray), Paramount (also supports Blu-ray), and Universal Pictures. Microsoft has also added its support to HD-DVD.
Basic Specifications Of Blu-ray and HD-DVD
Although both Blu-ray and HD-DVD will support both recording and playback of high definition material with the same expected result, in terms of video and audio quality, there are differences between the two formats.
General Specifications - Blu-ray
Storage Capacity - Pre-recorded Playback Material (BD-ROM): Single-layer (25GB) - Dual-layer (50GB)
Storage Capacity: Home Recording (BD-R/BD-RE): Single-layer (25GB) - Dual-layer (50GB)
Data Transfer Rate: 36 MBPS (Megabits per Second) - This exceeds the 24 MBPS transfer rate used by HDTV broadcasts.
Disc Properties: New format requiring retooling and/or construction of new disc manufacturing and replication plants.
Video Specifications: Compatible with full MPEG2 Encoding, as well as MPEG4.
Audio Specifications: Incorporation of both Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD.
General Specifications - HD-DVD
Storage Capacity - Pre-recorded playback material (HD-DVD-ROM): Single-layer (15GB) - Dual-layer (30GB)
Storage Capacity - Home Recording (HD-DVD-R/HD-DVD-Rewritable): Single-layer (20GB) - Dual-Sided Disc (40GB) - Dual Layer (35GB - proposed).
Data Transfer Rate: 36 MBPS (Megabits per Second) - This exceeds the 24 MBPS transfer rate used by HDTV broadcasts.
Disc Properties: Format similar to existing DVD disc structure, requiring minimal upgrading and retooling of existing DVD disc manufacturing and replication plants.
Video Specifications: Compatible with MPEG2 and MPEG4 Encoding.
Audio Specifications: Incorporation of both Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD.
