Just when we are waiting to see whether Blu-Ray or HD DVD will win, Taiwan's own next generation disc format known as Forward Versatile Disc (FVD) has been formally launched. Like Blu-Ray and HD DVD, FVD is designed to hold high definition (HD) content up to 1080i using Microsoft's Windows Media Video 9 series. However like the current DVD generation, FVD only has a slightly higher capacity of 5.4GB to 6GB for a single layer disc and 9.8GB to 11GB for a dual layer disc (single sided) and still uses a red laser. For copy protection, FVD uses the more secure AES encryption.
The main advantages with FVD are the lack of hefty patents that DVD has and the players cost only a faction of the price to make compared with the upcoming blue laser players. The Advanced Optical Storage Research Alliance (AOSRA) which consists of 29 local companies consisting of optical disc, player and electronics manufacturers and TV broadcasters & movie distributors will help promote the format.
FVD players are expected to hit the domestic retail market next month and will be bundled with 10 FVD movies following the launch at the equivalent price of US$175. There are also plans to produce FVD-ROM drives and FVD recorders for PCs at a later stage.
|
AOSRA, under the promotion by the FVD developer OES, is formed by 29 local companies engaged in production of optical discs, optical disc drives, consumer electronics, TV broadcast and distribution of movies. FVD is competitive enough with HD-DVD in video quality but FVD products may be as much as ten times less expensive than similar HD-DVD models, OES general director Yung-sheng Liu claimed. FVD can attain definition of 1920 x 1080i and storage capacity of 5.4-6GB for single layer and 9.8-11GB for double layers on a single side, Liu said. The format adopts ASE (Advanced Encryption Standard) content protection system for copy right, Liu added. Actima Technology and Idar Electronics are currently the only two AOSRA members making FVD players. However, some of AOSRA members, such as Tatung and Sampo, are willing to sell their HDTVs in bundle with FVD players and others plan to produce FVD-ROM (read only memory) drives for PCs and FVD recorders. |
Until now, I actually forgot about this less known competing next generation optical disc format, let alone China's EVD format. Now only time will tell if consumers who can easily obtain an FVD drive would be willing to wait until either Blu-Ray or HD DVD launches, or be the first to get a high definition player and go with the first players made available.
In my opinion, something will need to be done to make sure only one HD disc standard succeeds. Otherwise I can see a few years down the line where there will be several HD player standards and every video rental store will have a section for HD DVD, another section for Blu-Ray, and likely another section for FVD, like how around 12 years back a music shop had a section for records, another for tapes and another for CDs.
Feel free to discuss about the FVD format and other upcoming High Definition optical disc technologies on our Satellite, HD-TV, Blu-ray and HD-DVD Forum.
Source: DigiTimes Systems
