Blu-ray vs HD DVD

Not a new war

The current war between Blu-ray and HD DVD is not a new one. There has been such war before. They are namely “VHS vs Betamax videotape” war in the 80s. The outcome, VHS won. There is also the war between SACD and DVD-Audio in the early millennium. Nobody is exactly the winner in this war as consumer simply just went for regular CDs.

What makes this new war funny is that both disc formats makes use of almost the same technology. Both use blue laser beams to read discs and use similar video and audio compressions technologies that store movies.

This war begins due to 2 companies. The 2 companies are Toshiba and Sony. Toshiba holds the right to DVD format and hopes to strike the bell again with HD DVD. Sony on the other hand develop the Blu-ray which has a higher production cost but has an edge over HD DVD which is the storage capacity.

Growing market?

Though from some sources saying that demand for both Blu-ray and HD DVD is still sluggish, industry watchers are confident that these 2 new formats will gain demand and popularity once HDTV broadcasts increases.

Also, other companies like Microsoft is offering free rentals of HD DVD movies from Play Kiosks with every purchase of an HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360.

Sources also say that consumers will expect more of HD DVD as Toshiba and HD DVD will be having joint promotions soon.

On the other hand, Gramophone is working with Sharp and Sony to promote Blu-ray movies. As for LG and Samsung, the 2 major electronics players has also announced that they can handle both competing formats in 2008.

 The Ultimate Guide to choose your desired format.

Capacity

In terms of capacity wise, Blu-ray offers you 25GB (single-layer) and 50GB (dual-layer) of storage space.
HD DVD offers you 15GB (single-layer), 30GB (dual-layer) and 51GB (triple layer, currently not in production)

Key hardware sluggers

Blu-ray has Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Hitachi, LG, Samsung, Philips, Dell and more
HD DVD has Toshiba, NEC and Microsoft.

Game consoles compatible

Blu-ray supports PS3
HD DVD supports Xbox 360, provided that you have external HD DVD drive

Backed by which Hollywood studios

Blu-ray is back by Sony pictures, Fox, Disney, Lions Gate and warner
HD DVD supported by Paramount, universal, Dreamworks Animation and Warner

Movies

Blu-ray has Spiderman 3, Ratatouille, Casino Royale, Lost season 3
HD DVD has transformers, Shrek 3, Heroes Season 1