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Memory-Tech, Toshiba Develop DVD/HD-DVD Discs
Kralizec writes "PC World reports that Memory-Tech has developed a dual DVD, HD-DVD disc, which stores DVD content on the upper layer and HD-DVD content on the lower. The DVD data can be read by standard DVD players, giving customers the incentive to buy now, and reap future benefits by buying an HD-DVD player at a later time. Blu-ray suffered a heavy blow when HD-DVD gained the support of four major movie studios; could this be the knockout punch?" (The format was developed jointly with Toshiba.)
Really damn smart. But I predict that "compatibility with existing DVD players" will be a relative thing. For no particular reason, I picked up one of those ultra-cheap US$35 DVD players, which not only chokes on home burnt DVD+ and -Rs, but also on a minority of purchased movies.
The knockout punch? No, this is the bunch that turns the 'argument' into a 'fight'. The media format wars are only beginning!
Electrons are free; it is moving them that becomes expensive.
it will delay the purchase of hd-dvd players, this is true. however it also means people won't have to buy the media separate so content producers don't have to worry about twice the packaging, twice the store shelf space, etc. this means there's a very nice transition period between the two formats without necessity to 'separate' the video store into two sections (it was how long until DVD and VCR tapes just became DVD tapes at blockbuster?). now they can just put a nice "HD-DVD" logo on the DVD package and you're good to go if you have the new player and compatible TV.
- tristan
Note that the recently announced support by Universal Studios & others is non-exclusive, so they could still release Blu-Ray titles. This fact is usually omitted from the press. The speculation is that by announcing they got a break on the format royalties.
An attempt to smoothly transition customers from old to new products without too much hastle is a good sign.
Add the fact that they aren't trying to rip you off by requiring you to re-purchase everything you already own (they're actually doing the opposite) and it seems like they might be trying to please their customers!
Don't look now, but a media company might DO THE RIGHT THING.
If they continue to act appropriately like this (pleasing customers rather than bullying) I will make a note to reward them with a few purchases.
Slashdot Syndrome: the sudden, extreme urge to correct someone in order to validate one's self.
A 4.6 GB DVD layer And a 15 GB HD-DVD Layer
15 GB not even twice a 9 GB standard double layer disk. The few movies released in HD on DVD compressed and using VC9 are not full HD resolution. You think and extra 6 GB is going to get you there all the way???
Blu-Ray starts out with 25 GB single layer and 50 GB for double.
Even with the Mpeg 4 encoding, the makers will be struggling to get true full HD on the disks for 2 hour plus movies and forget the bonus features.
HD-DVD used to have 2/3 the storage of Blu-Ray, now it will have 1/3 (1/12 if Blu-Ray delivers on 8 layer media)
Might as well just release HD on multiple regular double layer DVD and have a tray switch disks when last disk is done.
What seems like an advance is really just going to make certain the majority of HD-DVD content will be over compressed and crappy compared to Blu-Ray. Plus it is unclear the HD layer will not be overly affected by interference from the regular DVD layer (I am assuming larger standard DVD pits might create more optical interference for the lower layer than if an HD-DVD layer were above), thus more prone to failure and damage.
The sad thing is I can't deny the marketing genius of it.
Letter To Iran
Plagiarist!
Hey, you plagiarized that line yourself.
This is lifted from "Men in Black".
Besides, I'm not sure it really counts if you really have bought the damned thing three times already before Men in Black even came out.
(Then there's the fact that we all know it's from Men in Black and his intent wasn't to take credit. Just as I didn't attribute "Voobah,voobah, voobah, ping!" to Bill Cosby. Everyone already knows that. If I tried to take credit I wouldn't be a plagiarist. I'd be a public doofball. Oh, wait. Nevermind)
KFG
Things like this give HD-DVD an even bigger advantage. What's the initial advantage? Naming.
Consumers absolutely know what a DVD is. They understand what HD is (although some may not be aware that the DVD format isn't already HD). Thus, it's a simple leap to comprehend HD-DVD - it's a DVD that shows prettier pictures. Consumers have no clue what a BluRay is, though marketing dollars will try to change that.
Seen any BadMarketing lately?
Can't anyone see this is a half-assed idea to screw up an already inferior format.
At some level, I understand the need to bridge technologies, but we can't hold on to one technology forever. I don't want to be stuck with a legacy format.
'Tis far better to suffer a hard switch than end up with a half-assed format for the next 5-10 years
Look at the facts, although HD-DVD is easier and albeit probably cheaper to produce, it is inferior to Blueray in capacity.
It's a shame that it has such large backers.