Smart Home Lifestyle

May 27, 2006

The High Definition DVD Debate; Enough is Enough, Already

The war between HD DVD and Blu-ray is like an “electronics family feud”- no one reckons why it started, but they’ll be darned if they’re gonna let it die. And now, more than a year after initial debates, electronics manufacturers’ allegiances still remain unclear. In the battle of the hi-definition DVD’s, it’s time to get out the big guns- ‘cause this fight’s not even close to being done.

Wait a minute- I’m lost

High definition TV is all the rage these days, but what makes it so different from regular TV? First let’s look at resolution. Standard TV has a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels on a 4:3 ratio screen. In simpler terms, there are 480 scan lines from top to bottom and 680 from left to the right of the screen. HDTV can have a resolution of 720p (progressive) with 1280 x 720 pixels or 1080i (interlaced) with 1920 x 1080 pixels. Both display on a 16:9 ratio screen.

With all this new hi-def programming, recording and storage become an issue. Standard DVD’s simply don’t have the capacity to hold the higher definition resolutions, especially hi-def movies. In comparing the two, even a single-layer hi-def disc holds up to five times more MPEG-2 video content than a regular DVD.

How do hi-def DVD’s work?

Both hi-def formats use blue lasers. Data is encoded as small pits on tracks around the disc. For increased storage capacity, like with hi-def, the pits have to be made smaller. These tiny pits can only be read by blue lasers, which utilize shorter wavelengths, unlike the red lasers in the standard DVD players that use longer wavelengths. So, in order to play a HD DVD or Blu-ray format, an upgraded DVD player is required.

Which is better?

HD DVD and Blu-ray both have pros, cons and a few similarities. Unlike standard DVDs, HD DVD and Blu-ray both are readable and writable, allowing movies, music or computer files to be saved. Plus, both high-def DVD players will allow for down-conversion, which means you can still watch your current DVDs. Just remember, playing a DVD recorded in 480p in a high-def recorder will not up-convert the resolution to a high-def resolution of 720p or 1080i. You'll still see the movie in its native resolution.

In comparing the two, HD DVD is banking on affordability and Blu-ray, on its impressive storage capacity. HD DVD has the ability to utilizing current DVD production lines, which will keep costs down. Blu-ray will be more expensive to produce, and may need to bear the brunt of initial costs just to stay competitive.

But despite cost, Blu-ray may just come out ahead, thanks to almost twice the storage capacity of HD DVD plus the backing of some heavy hitters like as Sony, Phillips, Pioneer, Dell and Samsung.

So, when do I buy?

Like any 1st generation technology, it’s best to give it at least a year, and maybe then some. With HD DVD players costing even up in the $1000 range, prices are bound to drop- and how.

Besides, since both hi-def DVD formats don’t “translate,” chances are that companies will offer DVD players that play both formats, like the LG combo unit which runs around $1000. In the meantime, let’s hope that electronics manufacturers choose a side, play nice. Would y’all just surrender, already?

Author: Diana Kostigen, Marketing/Public Relations Director, Comtec