HD DVD

HD DVD is the "next generation DVD" and has been standardized by the DVD Forum as its official "next generation" format.

Originally, the first "next gen format" to gain wide industry support was Blu-Ray, which was developed by Sony and Philips. However, due variety of reasons, Toshiba and NEC decided to bring their own format to the table, causing a similar situation to the next generation video format as the DVD-R and DVD+R caused to the recordable DVD media.

Anyway, HD-DVD is supported heavily by large companies such as Microsoft, but it still remains to be seen whether the format can have equal footing alongside Blu-ray.

HD-DVD uses blue-laser technology (just like Blu-ray does, opposed to DVD's red laser) and can fit approximately 15 gigabytes to one disc layer (compared to appx. 4.3 gigabytes on one DVD disc's layer).

HD-DVD's officially supported video and audio codecs aren't decided yet (late summer, 2005), but currently approved are the traditional MPEG-2, the high-quality MPEG-4 AVC and Microsoft's VC-1.

HD-DVD's maximum supported screen resolution according to its original specs was 1080i as opposed to Blu-ray's 1080p. This has been changed in later tech spec revisions, but early HD DVD players are limited to 1080i.

More information:

List of HD DVD players (tech specs and reviews)

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PGentile 16 December, 2005 11:32
Well, it appears as if the new DVD formats are almost upon us. I like the idea of being able to fit about 15 GB on one disc, and better video quality is always nice; but I don't like the idea of having to replace all of my current equipment. It is something that happens every several years with computer tehcnology, but the thought of having to switch over my entire DVD and CD collection is brings chills to my spine--it would be an exptremely expensive and horrific task. I hope that the HD-DVD/Sony Blu-Ray war works out like the DVD +/- problem where one drive/burner read and burned both types. Will my old DVDs and CDs be compatible with new blue laser devices? Will there be red laser readers and burners built in? I have dozens of other questions about this. I don't like the idea of having to have two different systems; one for my old stuff, and one for the new. I've already went through that with cassettes vs. CDs and video tapes vs. DVDs. I am becoming quite perturbed with the whole process. Any information on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Phil in CA
antonioni 8 November, 2007 17:35
so... we�re looking for the samething... all of us answers!!!!!!!!!!!! ...
aspire180 8 February, 2008 19:42
I intend to stick with HD-DVD
maddog56 10 February, 2008 15:10
ive got to say hd is the way forward better quality picture + it improves normal DVDs so for me its HD
woshisan 23 March, 2009 10:12
if you want to converter HD DVDs/ Videos ,AVCHD converter for you.http://avchdconverter.blogspot.com/
ivycheng 3 April, 2009 2:35
we are selling cheap dvds,dvd movies,dvd tv shows---all items is for free shipping! Wish u have a great stay there! More details only at www.dvdszone.net , www.bigboxshops.com
mhonor 29 September, 2009 6:51
my toshiba hd dvd player does not play hd dvds can some one help

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