While Sony continues to push the Blu-Ray format, the HD DVD media format went a few step forward by the DVD-Forum approving version 1 of HD DVD-RW (Rewritable HD DVD), version 0.9 of the HD DVD-R as well as the committee members approving two HD DVD logos. The 'HD' part has been renamed from "High Definition" to "High Density" even though the medium is targeted at HDTV. The current HD DVD-RW spec. offers a capacity of 20GB and the HD DVD-R spec. offers a capacity of 15GB for single layer media and 30GB for dual layer media.
HD DVD-R Version 1.0 is expected to be approved in February 2005. So far, the writing specification for HD DVD-R has yet to be finalised although this is expected to occur in the same period for the HD DVD-R version 1 approval. Further audio codecs that have been formally made mandatory for HD DVD Video include Dolby Digital Plus, lossy DTS++ and lossless MLP. Lossless DTS++ audio is optional.
The DVD Forum is hoping that HD DVD will be the successor of DVD, but is currently facing strong opposition by Sony and its Blu-Ray format. To make matters worse for HD DVD, Sony is expecting to incorporate Blu-Ray drives in its upcoming game console - PlayStation 3. GristyMcFisty sent in the following news via our news submit:
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The body also approved the format's logotype, which we should now read as 'High Density' DVD rather than 'High Definition', though the next-generation product is geared toward HDTV. Meeting in Taiwan on 22 September, the Forum formally approved version 1.0 of the rewriteable HD DVD physical disc specification, a move that allows vendors to prepare the way for mass production of HD DVD-RW discs and drives. The spec. covers a 20GB single-layer blue-laser disc. The Forum also approved the latest version, 0.9, of its HD DVD-R physical spec., along with a series of optional features for both recordable and rewriteable discs. Initial HD DVD-R discs are expected to hold up to 15GB in a single layer structure. Version 1.0 is expected to be ratified in February 2005, Toshiba digital media chief Yoshihide Fujii said this week. In the same timeframe, the organisation should be ready to finalise the specification for writing data to the disc. Read the full article here. |
Another drawback for HD DVD is that Blu-Ray equipment is pretty much ready for mass production where as HD DVD have yet to start unveiling prototype equipment. Unlike the DVD '-' versus '+' battle, Blu-Ray and HD DVD require totally different pickup mechanisms for reading, where as both DVD '+' and '-' media can generally be read in the majority of DVD drives. As HD DVD and Blu-Ray are both battling to be the successor of the DVD for movie content, only one will likely be accepted since the movie industry certainly does not want to deal with two HDTV optical disc standards.
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