HD DVD
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HD DVD, High Density DVD, or High-Definition DVD is a high-density optical disc format designed for the storage of data and high-definition video.
The HD DVD disc is designed to be the successor to the DVD format by its capacity to accommodate high-definition video. Its unique ability to do so is done by its use of a 405 nm blue-violet laser which allows more information to be stored digitally in the same amount of physical space. In comparison to Blu-ray Disc, which also uses a blue laser, HD DVD has less information capacity per layer (15 gigabytes instead of 25). HD DVD shares the same basic disc structure as a standard DVD: back-to-back bonding of two 0.6 mm thick, 120 mm diameter substrates. The 30 GB dual-layer HD DVDs have been used on nearly every movie released in this format.
History
The HD DVD standard was jointly developed by a group of consumer electronics and PC companies, spearheaded by Toshiba. It is currently competing with the blu-ray disc format for wide adoption as the preferred next generation optical standard, similar to the videotape format war between VHS and Betamax.
On November 19, 2003, the DVD Forum decided that they would back the HD DVD to be the HDTV successor of the DVD. At this meeting they renamed it to HD DVD, while it had been previously called the "Advanced Optical Disc" (AOD). This is not a very surprising extension of the previous DVD-R/RW versus DVD+R/RW war, where - (dash) was the format defended by DVD Forum, and + (plus) the format defended by the DVD+RW Alliance. The DVD Forum generally has focus on CE (Consumer Electronic) and Japanese market development (where CE happens to be very strong). The DVD+RW Alliance has invested more on the PC market with technologies such as Background formatting and defect management through "Mount Rainier" (unreleased).
At CES 2006, Microsoft announced that there would be an external add-on HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 game console, due in late 2006. Also at CES 2006, "companies backing HD DVD said that nearly 200 titles would be available for the format by the end of the year." [1]
On March 31 2006, Toshiba released their first HD DVD player in Japan at ¥110,000 ($934).[2] HD DVD was released in United States on April 18, 2006[3], with players priced at $499 and $799.
The current specification version for HD DVD-ROM and HD DVD-Rewritable is version 1.0. The specification for HD DVD-R is currently at 0.9. The first HD DVD-ROM drives were expected to be unveiled by Q4 2006, with mass production to start in Q1 2007. The actual product launch of both CE and PC units occurred in late 2006.
Technical Specifications
Software
HD DVD has a single-layer capacity of 15 GB and a dual-layer capacity of 30 GB. HD DVD can offer both the current DVD and HD DVD formats on one disc, which means that special HD DVD discs will play in any DVD player, old or the new high definition players (similar to the Blu-ray/DVD hybrid developed by JVC). This makes retail marketing and shelf space management easier. For consumers, shopping is simplified as they can simply buy a movie that plays in any DVD player in their house, standard definition or high definition. The HD DVD format also can be applied to current red laser DVDs in 5, 9, 15 and 18 GB capacities which offers an even lower cost option to content owners wanting to sell short form content.
| Physical size | Single layer capacity | Dual layer capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 12 cm, single sided | 15 GB | 30 GB |
| 12 cm, double sided | 30 GB | 60 GB |
| 8 cm, single sided | 4.7 GB | 9.4 GB |
| 8 cm, double sided | 9.4 GB | 18.8 GB |
Like the original DVD format, the data layer of an HD DVD disc is 0.6 mm below the surface. The numerical aperture of the optical pick-up head is 0.65, compared with 0.6 for DVD and 0.85 for Blu Ray aperture. Both of the new formats are backward compatible with DVDs and both employ the same video compression techniques: MPEG-2, Video Codec 1 (VC1) and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC.
Audio
HD DVD can be mastered with up to 7.1 channel surround sound using the linear (uncompressed) PCM, Dolby Digital and DTS formats also used on DVDs. In addition, it also supports Dolby Digital Plus and the lossless formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD. Currently, most DVD movies are made with 5.1 channels of surround sound. There are relatively few titles that offer 6.1 channels of surround sound. On HD DVD the Dolby formats are mandatory, meaning that a Dolby Digital or Dolby Digital Plus track may be used as the sole soundtrack on a disc, because every player will have a decoder that can process any of these bitstreams.[4] For lossless audio in movies in the PCM, Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD formats, HD DVD discs support encoding in up to 24-bit/192 kHz for two channels, or up to eight channels of up to 24-bit/96 kHz encoding.[5] For reference, even new big-budget Hollywood films are mastered in only 24-bit/48 kHz, with 16-bit/48 kHz being common for ordinary films.
Video
The HD DVD format supports a wide variety of resolutions, from low-resolution CIF and SDTV up to HDTV formats such as 720p, 1080i and 1080p.[6] All movie titles released so far have had the feature encoded in 1080p (although the only player currently available that supports 1080p is the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive), with supplements in 480i or 480p. Most titles are encoded with VC-1.
The table below summarizes the differences between conventional DVD-Video specifications and those of the enhanced HD DVD-Video disc.
| Disc | HD DVD ROM | 3X DVD ROM | DVD ROM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser wavelength | 405 Nanometers | 650 Nanometers | 650 Nanometers |
| Numerical aperture | 0.65 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Storage capacity dual layer | 30 GB | 8.5 GB | 8.5 GB |
| Storage capacity single layer | 15 GB | 4.7 GB | 4.7 GB |
| Video codecs | AVC MPEG-4/VC-1/MPEG-2 | AVC MPEG-4/VC-1/MPEG-2 | MPEG-2 |
| Audio codecs lossless (mandatory) | Linear PCM/MLP(TRUE HD)[2-ch] | Linear PCM/MLP(TRUE HD)[2-ch] | Linear PCM[2ch] |
| Audio codecs lossless (optional) | DTS HD (lossless) | DTS HD (lossless) | EMPTY |
| Audio codecs lossy (mandatory) | Dolby Digital Plus/DTS/Dolby Digital/MPEG Audio | Dolby Digital Plus/DTS/Dolby Digital/MPEG Audio | Dolby Digital/MPEG Audio (Europe) |
| Maximum data transfer rate | 36.55 Mbit/s | 36.55 Mbit/s | 11.08 Mbit/s |
| Content protection system | Advanced Access Content System (AACS-128bit) | Advanced Access Content System (AACS-128bit) | CSS 40-bit |
| Video systems (maximum) | 1920x1080 50/60 HDTV | 1920x1080 50/60 HDTV | 720x480 and 720x576 50/60 SDTV |
Digital Rights Management
Commercialized HD DVDs integrate content protection technology specified by AACS LA (Advanced Access Content System License Authority). "Audio Watermark Protection" is also being considered by AACS for use on HD DVD. If Watermark is adopted by AACS, all HD DVD players will have a sensor that listens for inaudible audio watermarks in the soundtrack of movies. Studios may insert this invisible mark in the soundtracks of theatrical motion pictures. If an HD DVD player does not detect the invisible mark, it means the disc is playing back a copy made from a theatrical print (probably from illegal camcording), and will cause the player to refuse to play the disc. The mark is made by varying the waveform of speech and music in a regular pattern to convey a digital code. These variations are too subtle to be heard by the human ear. Another variation of this system can be used to prevent the playback of discs created by using a camcorder and microphone on a home entertainment center playing a legitimate disc purchased by a consumer. This variation for home entertainment utilizes a watermark that differs from the cinema mark in that it is permitted in normal, signed ROM discs, but generally not permitted on recordable discs.
In addition, HD DVD players must follow AACS guidelines pertaining to outputs over analog connections. This is set by a flag called the Image Constraint Token (ICT), which restricts the resolution for analog outputs without HDCP to 960×540. The decision to set the flag to restrict output ("down-convert") is left to the content provider. Warner Pictures is a proponent of ICT, and it is expected that Paramount and Universal will implement down-conversion as well [8]. As of March 2006, 5 of the 6 studios releasing HD DVD content have announced they will not use ICT/down-conversion for the time being [9]. AACS guidelines require that any title that implements the ICT must clearly state so on the packaging.
There is no Region Coding in the existing HD DVD specification, but due to pressure from Hollywood studios the DVD Forum is currently developing a regional lockout scheme. [10]
Interactive content
HD DVDs use the iHD Interactive Format to allow interactive content to be authored for discs. iHD is based on web technologies such as HTML, XML, CSS, SMIL, and ECMAScript (JavaScript), so authoring in iHD should be a fairly easy transition for web developers. No existing DVD authoring experience is required. In contrast, Blu-ray Disc content is authored using either a scripting environment for basic content, or a Java-based platform (BD-J) for advanced content. DVD video discs utilize pre-rendered MPEG segments, selectable subtitle pictures, and simple programmatic navigation which is considerably more primitive.
Hardware
Compatibility
Backward compatibility will be available with all HD DVD players, allowing consumers to have a single drive in their homes to play both HD DVD and DVD discs. There is also a hybrid HD DVD which contains both DVD and HD DVD versions of the same movie on a single disc, providing smoother transition for the studios in terms of publishing movies, and letting consumers with only DVD drives still use the discs. DVD disc replication companies can continue using their current production equipment with only minor alterations when changing over to the format of HD DVD replication. Due to the structure of the single-lens optical head, both red and blue laser diodes can be used in smaller, more compact HD DVD players.
HD DVD players
On April 18 2006, Toshiba released the first HD DVD players for the United States, the Toshiba HD-A1 and Toshiba HD-XA1. They utilize an Intel Pentium 4 processor and contain 1 GB of RAM; the drive mechanism is also an IDE HD DVD drive. The units run a specialized version of the Linux operating system booting off a USB thumbdrive.
Toshiba announced second generation HD DVD players for the US this fall, the Toshiba HD-A2 (Expected Pricing and Expected Availability: $499.99, October 2006) and Toshiba HD-XA2 ($999.99, December 2006). The high-end model, the HD-XA2, will feature HDMI 1.3 and 1080p output.[11]
On October 18 2006, VidaBox announced the first Dual HD player / media center capable of playing back both Blu-ray Disc (BD) & HD DVD formats. The VidaBox MAX and VidaBox LUX can have both drives upgraded to play both high-definition formats up to their native 1080p resolutions at 24-bit color. [12]
Computer Drives
On May 16 2006 Toshiba released its first PC with a HD DVD drive, the Toshiba Qosmio 35. This PC is the first to have a slim height optical disc drive. Toshiba's Digital Products Division, introduced Toshiba Qosmio G35-AV600, the latest version of its flagship "4-in-1" audio-video entertainment notebook with new enhancements. The Toshiba G35-AV600 is a complete package featuring Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and integrated TV tuner, digital video recorder (DVR), virtual surround-sound stereo, and HDMI output. The notebook includes the world's first 1-bit digital amplifier in a notebook PC.[citation needed]
Xbox 360 Accessory
Microsoft has also released an add-on HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 for $199.99[13] which attaches to the console via USB 2.0 cable. The Xbox 360 outputs 1080p for games and movies through component and VGA cables[1]. The Xbox 360 does not offer an HDMI output. Many TVs do not accept 1080p through their component inputs, and only a few accept the signal through the PC input. But, a number of new TVs, such as the new Samsung LCD and DLP models, support 1080p over component. According to Microsoft, the Xbox 360 will not include an internal HD DVD drive in future releases.[14] However, the Taiwan optical disk drive industry reports that Microsoft is selecting manufacturers to build an internal HD DVD drive for a new generation of Xbox 360s.[15]
Released titles
The first HD DVD titles released on April 18 2006 were The Last Samurai, Million Dollar Baby, The Phantom of the Opera by Warner Home Video; and Serenity by Universal Studios [16]. To date, 125 titles have been released worldwide, 88 in the United States, and 37 in Japan[17].
Marketing
A $150 million dollar advertising campaign is being planned for the HD DVD. The campaign is being handled by Goodby Silverstein & Partners, the same agency that created the "Got Milk?" campaign.
The campaign will encompass all media: Print, Internet, television, and other outlets. All advertising will boast the tagline "The Look and Sound of Perfect." A new Web site was also launched on July 11 2006, [18], which touts the HD DVD's superior video and audio capabilities and includes trailers of HD DVD movies. [19]
Industry support
HD DVD is promoted by Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, and Intel, among others. In terms of major studios, HD DVD is currently exclusively backed by Universal Studios and and is non-exclusively backed by Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Image Entertainment, Magnolia Pictures, The Weinstein Company (through Genius Products), Brentwood Home Video, Warner Music Group, Ryko, Goldhil Entertainment, and Studio Canal.
Some companies, such as NEC or VidaBox, have developed dual-format or hybrid technologies. NEC is developing a single chip that works with either HD standard[20] , while VidaBox has developed the world's first dual drive compatible player that accommodates both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs[21].
See also
- List of HD DVD releases
- Dolby Digital Plus, one of the mandatory audio codecs for HD DVD hardware.
- 1080p, high-definition resolution supported by HD DVD & Blu-ray.[22]
- Format war
Alternative disc technologies
- Blu-ray Disc
- Forward Versatile Disc - from Taiwan
- Enhanced Versatile Disc
- Professional Disc for DATA (PDD or ProDATA)
- Versatile Multilayer Disc
- Fluorescent Multilayer Disc
- Digital Multilayer Disk
- Holographic Versatile Disc - a proposed next generation disc after HD DVD and Blu-ray
- Tapestry Media
- Protein-coated disc
- Ultra Density Optical
- PH-DVD
- AVCHD
- VideoNow
References
- ^ "HD DVD backers promise 200 movies"
- ^ "Toshiba HD-DVD Player: First Release In Japan"
- ^ http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6324750.html "HD DVD set to launch quietly. Toshiba to ship between 10,000 to 15,000 players"
- ^ Dolby Audio Coding for Future Entertainment Formats
- ^ "Requirements Specification for HD DVD Video Application" (PDF). Version 1.0. July 2005. Retrieved 2006-06-27.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ HD DVD – A technical introduction
- ^ Picture from Blu-Ray website
- ^ "High-def ‘down-converting’ forced. Consortium backs technology to prevent piracy on analog signals"
- ^ "Universal won't downsample HD DVD content"
- ^ "Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD: Regional Differences"
- ^ "Toshiba announces introduction of second generation HD DVD players". Toshiba. September 14, 2006.
- ^ "VidaBox Introduces World's First Dual HD-DVD & Blu-Ray Player / Media Center". 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-18.
- ^ "Official Xbox 360 HD DVD website". Microsoft.
- ^ "Microsoft Says No to Xbox 360 Internal HD DVD".
- ^ "Microsoft to offer Xbox 360 with built-in HD-DVD drive, say makers".
- ^ http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6323662.html "Uni delivers Serenity to HD DVD. Sci-fi adventure first from studio on high-def format on April 18"
- ^ http://www.hddvdprg.com/eng/list/list.pdf "HD DVD Promotion Group Release List"
- ^ http://www.TheLookandSoundofPerfect.com
- ^ "HD DVD Backers to Launch Massive $150 Marketing Blitz".
- ^ "NEC unveils chip to bridge Blu-ray/HD DVD divide".
- ^ "VidaBox Intros World's 1st Dual-Format Blu-ray/HD DVD Player/Media Center".
- ^ Marc Perton. Early HD DVD flicks to be 1080p. April 13, 2006.
External links
- Official site
- The Authoritative HD DVD FAQ by Hugh Bennett
- DVD Forum
- Complete HD-DVD Upcoming Releases
- The High Definition DVD FAQ
- Up to date list of studios supporting HD DVD
- CDfreaks Article On HD DVD vs Blu-ray
- Authoring in HD DVD