High-Def DVD Players: the Battle Goes On
As HDTV technology matures, consumer’s choices become easier. For example, choosing between LCD and Plasma is a little tricky because the two technologies both do the same thing, but there are enough subtle differences that it’s possible to make a logical decision based on your needs. But, in one part of the HDTV world, two technologies have emerged where there’s really only room for one: high-definition DVD players.
In case you haven’t heard of them, high-def DVDs are an improved version of regular DVDs. They can store much more data than regular DVDs, so movie studios and other content producers are using them to create high definition recordings that will take full advantage of your new HDTV. But they have to make a choice: two different types of disc, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, have effectively the same quality and characteristics but play on different types of DVD players. And the two aren’t interchangeable, so if you buy one type of player, and the movie you want is only on the other kind of disc, you’re out of luck.
Luckily, the technology of both discs is similar enough that it’s possible to build a player that can play both. Unfortunately, the cost of one of these players is about twice as much as a single-format player, so it doesn’t save you any money! It’s almost like buying a Blu-Ray and an HD-DVD player and duct taping them together. If we wait a few years, the problem should be resolved- the cost of the combo players will drop to a reasonable level, or the DVD industry will settle on one format or the other. For now, though, you’ll have to make a choice. I have listed some basic facts about the different formats below to give you an idea of the difference:
Storage capacity:
Blu-Ray discs can hold about 67% more data than HD-DVD discs and about 500% more than a regular DVD. So, a Blu-Ray disc could hold a high-def Lawrence of Arabia, with the director’s cut and special features, but an HD-DVD probably couldn’t.
Durability:
The data on HD-DVD discs is etched about 0.6mm from the plastic surface, while in the Blu-Ray discs it is only 0.1mm deep. You could get away with using the HD-DVD as a coaster a few times, but once would probably ruin the Blu-Ray. And they are expensive.
Studio Support:
Some major movie studios are only burning their classics and their new releases on to one type of high-def DVD. Here is a partial list:
- Blu-Ray: Sony, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Pixar, Lionsgate.
- HD-DVD: NBC, Universal, Weinstein Co.
- Both: Paramount, Warner Home Video (Warner is supporting HD-DVD much more than Blu-Ray, however.)
Prices:
- Blu-Ray players: $500 to $1500
- HD-DVD players: $300 to $800
- Combo players: $1200 for the LG-BH100
Blockbuster Video found, in a 2007 trial, that 70% of their high-def DVD rentals were in the Blu-Ray format. This was probably due to the fact that many customers owned the Sony Playstation 3, which has a built-in Blu-Ray player. General sales of Blu-Ray discs are also ahead of HD-DVD by about 67% in 2007. Before the PS3 came out, though, HD-DVD had a leg up, and HD-DVD players are still cheaper. Stay tuned.
Check out FlatHDTV.net for more HDTV information.
