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Formats

There are two new High Definition formats which offer substantially higher quality audio and video than conventional DVD - the two formats are Blu-ray and HD-DVD.

What's the difference between HD-DVDs and Blu-ray Discs?
While both formats utilize an ultraviolet laser eye to read the data stored on the discs, the only real difference between the two rival formats is that some movie studios and electronics manufacturers are supporting Blu-ray Discs, while others are behind HD-DVDs.

HD-DVD

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HD-DVDs, or High Definition DVDs, are being billed as the new standard of the next generation optical discs that deliver high definition video in a DVD form. HD-DVDs, just as Blu-ray Discs, utilize an ultraviolet laser eye with a shorter wavelength than the standard red laser used in current CD and DVD players. This shorter wavelength allows the eye to be concentrated on a finer point on the disc and gives HD-DVDs and Blu-ray Discs their extra storage capacity.

Since the ultraviolet laser eye's shorter wavelength can be focused on a smaller area, the data can be compressed as well to accommodate this higher precision. Each single layer HD-DVD has a storage capacity of 15GB, compared to a standard single layer DVD's capacity of 4.7GB, which enables the disc to store upwards of 4+ hours of High Definition video.

Will HD-DVDs work in my current DVD player?
No, they will not. Since HD-DVDs utilize an ultraviolet beam to read the data on a disc, your unit must be HD-DVD compatible. But HD-DVD players will be "backwards compatible" meaning that the player will contain a red and an ultraviolet laser to read both standard DVDs and HD-DVDs.

Blu-ray

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Blu-ray Discs are the next generation optical discs that enable the recording, rewriting, and playback of high definition video as well as the storage of large amounts of data. Blu-ray Discs derive their name from the use of a blue or ultraviolet laser eye which has a shorter wavelength than the standard red laser used in CD and DVD players. This shorter wavelength allows the eye to be concentrated on a finer point on the disc and gives Blu-ray Discs their extra storage capacity. Since the ultraviolet laser eye's shorter wavelength can be focused on a smaller area, the data can be compressed as well to accommodate this higher precision.

Each single layer Blu-ray Discs has a storage capacity of 25GB, compared to a standard single layer DVD's capacity of 4.7GB, which enables the disc to store upwards of 8 hours of High Definition video. Plus, not only are Blu-ray Discs the same size and feel as current DVDs, but they also offer new hard-coating finish that makes them more resistant to scratches and the effects of fingerprints.

Blu-ray Discs offer incredible surround sound along with their superior High Definition video. The Blu-ray Disc technology supports the following surround sound possibilities for home entertainment enthusiasts:

• Linear PCM - offers up to 8 channels of uncompressed audio
• Dolby Digital - offers 5.1 channel surround sound
• Dolby Digital Plus - offers increased bit rates and 7.1 channel surround sound
• Dolby TrueHD - offers lossless encoding of up to 8 channels of audio
• DTS Digital Surround - offers 5.1 channel surround sound
• DTS-HD - offers increased bit rates and up to 8 channels of audio

Will a Blu-ray Disc work in my current DVD player?
No they will not. Since Blu-ray Discs utilize an ultraviolet beam to read the data on a disc, your unit must be Blu-ray capable. A Blu-ray Disc will only work in your current DVD player if it contains the Blu-ray Disc logo or says that it is Blu-ray compatible.

High Definition Hardware

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