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Memory-Tech, Toshiba Develop DVD/HD-DVD Discs

Posted by timothy on from the two-two-two-scoops-of-raisins dept.

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.)

5 of 155 comments (clear)

  1. I'm willing to bet.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    That this will not be a KO. It will, in fact, be a disqualification on the part of the HD-DVD for ear biting.

  2. I was going to submit this.... by kf6auf · · Score: 5, Informative

    So I have some more links for y'all.

    Technology News' Report and PCWorld's Article on the new disc that will contain a backwards-compatible (4.6 GB) DVD layer and a higher definition (15 GB) HD-DVD layer of which production is planned to begin in October or November of next year.

    This seems like this could be a major factor in the format war between HD-DVD and the higher capacity Blu-ray.

  3. DD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can't I just punch a hole in the corner of a regular DVD and turn it over?

  4. Re:Is it any wonder? by andymar · · Score: 5, Informative

    Why is Blu-Ray superior ?
    1. More capacity, up to 200Gb according to Sony
    2. TDK has developed a scratch-free surface for Blu-ray DVD's. I would say that's a killer, no more hard to read DVD's when you come home from Blockbuster.

  5. ONLY 1/3 THE STORAGE by DumbSwede · · Score: 5, Interesting
    This sounds great until you really look at the storage numbers.

    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