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v1.0 of HD-DVD Physical Specs Approved

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the the-race-is-on dept.

Repran writes "The DVD Forum this week approved HD-DVD 1.0, a specification that will compete with Blu-Ray which is not yet approved for the future of the DVD disc format. This effectively gives manufacturers a green light to begin producing devices. In related news Microsoft's VC-9 codec has been included in the official HD-DVD specs."

4 of 323 comments (clear)

  1. Microsoft creating open standards? by AC-x · · Score: 5, Interesting

    By the sounds of the article Microsoft has submitted their VC-9 codec as an open standard, does that actually mean that OS encoders/decoders can be developed free from MS lawer related hassle, or are there still strings attached?

  2. Re:Better and faster by Malc · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Indeed, just look at the minimum requirements for viewing Microsoft's High Definition Content Showcase. Presumably a set-top box will have custom hardware...

  3. Re:Compatibility by anakin357 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Backwards compatiblity is the driving factor for any new purchase in my mind. From the article: The only Blu-ray recorder currently available in Japan is the Sony BDZ-S77 Google for "Sony BDZ-S77" and hitting I'm feeling Lucky takes you to here: http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/blu-ray/ And within that article (Decent review by the way) is this: The drive can record only blu-ray media, but it supports reading of blue-ray, DVD-Video, DVD-RW, DVD-R, CD, CD-R and CD-RW discs. So to answer your question, yes they are backwards compatible.

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    http://www.fsckin.com/
  4. Re:Now I get to spend more money... by jared_hanson · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I don't understand your problem with new disc formats. The great thing about them is that disc players are generally backwards compatible. DVD players can play CDs, for example. So, your DVD collection doesn't really lose any value because you can play them on HD-DVD or Blu-Ray players.

    This is different from VHS tapes, that are completely obsolete and unplayable on modern hardware. Plus discs are much smaller and more convienient for storage purposes.

    I'm all for better disc formats as long as the hardware can continue to play the old ones.

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    -- Fighting mediocrity one bad post at a time.