China to develop new format based on HD-DVD

October 4, 2005

This is
interesting. According to the peoples Daily Online, the Chinese are not
just focusing on the FVD red laser technology any more. Without a single new standard coming out with blue laser, it looks like a good time for anyone to jump in and take a crack at it. In order to "break monopoly of foreign companies in DVD manufacturing" they will develop a new format that is based upon, but not compatible with HD-DVD.

Lu Da, deputy director of the National Disc Engineering Center, said that the new Chinese DVD format will be based on the prevailing format of HD-DVD but incompatible with the HD-DVD systems.

The Chinese format will produce higher definition, better sound and safer way for copyright protection, Lu said.

"With such format and related standards," Lu said, "We could have our own voice in the DVD industry."

The new Chinese DVD format is scheduled to put into market before 2008.

If it has a better content protection system I think this will be interesting to see how it markets in China. But, on the other hand it doesn't have to. The report goes on to mention that the Chinese produce 70 to 80 percent of all the players already! Yet, they are paying as much as 40% of the cost of production towards royalty fees to other companies. Ouch! Can we blame them for not wanting their own format? Looks like this blu-laser squabble is causing matters to get more complex each day.

Source: Peoples Daily Online