HD DVD FAQ's Section
Page 1
What is HD DVD?
HD DVD, initially called AOD, is the name of one of two major formats competing for the emerging high definition DVD market. The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting, and playback of
high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data. The format offers approximately four times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 15GB on a single-layer disc and 30GB on a dual-layer disc.
What does HD DVD stand for?
HD DVD stands for High Density Digital Versatile Disc.
What did AOD stand for?
Advanced Optical Disc, which was the codename or nickname given during initial development of the HD DVD format. AOD has since been officially changed and standardized to HD DVD.
Who are the major backers and companies of HD DVD?
The major backers are Toshiba and NEC. Some of the major companies backing HD DVD are:
| Hollywood Studios | IT Companies | Consumer Electronics | Media Companies |
| New Line Cinema | HP | Thomson | Maxell |
| Paramount Pictures | IBM | Toshiba | JVC |
| Universal Pictures | Intel | LG | Imation |
| Viacom | Microsoft | | Memorex |
| Warner Home Video Inc. | NEC | | Ritek |
| | | | Verbatim |
How big is a HD DVD disc and what does it look like?
A standard HD DVD disc is 12cm in diameter, the same size and similar appearance as current DVDs and CDs.
What are the different HD DVD formats?
Similarly as with conventional CDs and DVDs, HD DVD will be available in a range of formats including ROM/R/RW. The following formats are part of the HD DVD Disc specification:- HD DVD-ROM - read-only format for HD movies, music, software, games, etc.
- HD DVD-R - recordable write once format for video recording and
PC data storage.
- HD DVD-RW - re-recordable format for video recording and PC data storage.
There are also plans for a HD DVD hybrid format, which combines
HD DVD and DVD on the same disc to enable playback in both
HD DVD players and DVD players.
How much data can a HD DVD disc hold?
A single-layer disc can hold 15GB. A dual-layer disc can hold 30GB.
To ensure that the HD DVD disc format is easily extendable (future-proof) it also includes support for multi-layer discs, which should allow the storage capacity to be increased (15GB per layer) by adding more layers to the disc.
How much video can you fit on a HD DVD disc?
It depends on the video codec employed and whether the disc is single or dual layer:
High Definition (HD):
When recording with MPEG2 compression, a 15GB disc is able to record approximately 1 hour 40 min. or 3 hours 20 min. of High Definition (HD) video on a 30GB disc. * All record times based on 19.4Mbps United States ATSC Broadcast Rate and MPEG-2 encoding.
Does HD DVD require an Internet connection?
No. You will not need an Internet connection for playback of HD DVD movies. The Internet connection will be used for value-added features such as downloading subtitles, movie trailers, web browsing, etc. It will
also be required to authorize managed copies of HD DVD movies that can be transferred over a home network.
How long will a HD DVD disc last?
It is expected to last 30 or more years, when stored at room
temperature. Optimum temperature is 68ºF and optimum relative humidity is 40%.
Will HD DVD recorders replace VCRs?
Eventually, as VCRs can't record HDTV programming consumers will soon need to replace them. HD DVD recorders combined with hard drives offer a very flexible alternative for those that want to record HDTV. While HD-DVRs already allow consumers to record HDTV, the amount of HDTV programming that can be recorded and archived is
limited by the size of the hard drive. HD DVD recorders will offer a solution to this problem as they allow consumers to record the video to HD DVD discs to free up space on the hard drive. This should make them popular among people that want to archive a lot of their HDTV
recordings. HD DVD recorders will also offer many compelling new features not possible with a traditional VCR:
- Random access - instantly jump to any place on the disc
- Searching - quickly browse and preview recorded programs in real-time
- Create play lists - change the order of recorded programs and edit recorded video
- Simultaneous recording and playback of video (enables Time slip/Chasing playback)
- Automatically find an empty space to avoid recording over programs
- Improved picture - ability to record high-definition television (HDTV)
- Improved sound - ability to record surround sound (Dolby Digital,
DTS, etc)
What type of equipment is needed to play a HD DVD disc?
You will need a HD DVD capable player. No existing DVD player will be able to read a HD DVD disc, and there is no software or hardware upgrade that can be performed to enable HD DVD playback. Buying a new player is, therefore, the only choice if you want HD DVD playback.
Will HD DVD Discs replace DVDs?
Possibly, it is one of the competing formats. The HD DVD format
has to date received support from the major movie studios as a
successor to today's DVD format. Three of the eight major movie
studios have already announced titles for the HD DVD launch, including
Paramount, Universal and Warner. The launch line-up will consist of
over 100 titles and includes recent hits as well as classics such as
Goodfellas, Swordfish, Assault On Precinct 13, Cinderella Man, Rumor
Has It, Training Day, Full Metal Jacket, Unforgiven, Bourne Supremacy,
The Chronicles Of Riddick, U-571, Van Helsing, Blazing Saddles, Fugitive,
Constantine, Firewall, The Perfect Storm, Happy Gilmore, Rundown,
16 Blocks, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Syriana, Lethal Weapon, Friday Night
Lights, Pitch Black, National Lampoon’s Animal House, Ray, Unleashed,
The Bone Collector, The Interpreter, Spy Game, Backdraft, and Traffic.
However, it is expected that the two formats, HD DVD Disc and DVD,
will most likely co-exist for quite some time until HDTVs become
more widespread.
[1] [2]
|
