Blu-Ray or HD-DVD?

[Harrison]

EDIT: This was a reply to the bottom of page 2. I didn't realise there was a page 3.

Would that really be surprising if HD-DVD is better quality?

It isn't. The two formats support exactly the same encoding formats.

Apparently Betamax was better quality than VHS, but VHS still won.. (Price and more storage space right?

Betamax was better quailty. That is why it went on to be the industry standard in the professional market. It only actually failed in the consumer market. I expect you have seen DigiBeta video cameras used a lot in the news.

But as you say, VHS tapes were bigger and could record more per tape.

Can Blueray store more information than HDDVD?

Yes, as detailed in my post on the past page of this thread, Single layer Blu-Ray holds 25GB compared to 15GB for HD-DVD, and dual layer Blu-Ray holds 54GB compared to 30GB for HD-DVD.

With BluRay v2 it can now do the same as HD-DVD.

Really? What has been changed?

The only real differences between the two discs standards were that HD-DVD had a better mandate for audio over BR. Has this now been changed?

Oh and the other difference is the BR uses BD-J open source java for it's interactive content, whereas HD-DVD using a proprietor Microsoft language for its.

[Demon Cleaner]

BluRay v2 has more features now. You can also now stream 2 videos, like the commentary, which was always only audio, is now also video. Retrieve infromation via internet, discuss movies over internet in a group, and other internet features.

[Harrison]

Oh right, I know what you mean. This is the player profiles, with 3 versions up to now, used as the minimum set of standards required for a Blu-Ray player to support. These started with the profile BD-Video (profile 1), then Bonus Video (profile 1.1), and now BD-Live (profile 2).

The first profile, BD-Video supported all but the internet connection capability, but all features were optional. With the Bonus Video Profile was added, making all the additional features Mandatory (all players had to support them), and now the latest BD-Live (Profile 2) adds Internet connection capability to the list and makes it mandatory.

Due to this having been handled in these profile stages, those who bought into the profile 1 specification players are now complaining because they can't access any of these more recent additions to the format. But the Blu-Ray consortium argues that they can still access the main video and audio parts, just not the additional content, and it was never stated at the time that they would be able to.

For these reasons the PS3 is going to remain the only Blu-Ray player worth buying as it will be updated to support new player profiles as they become available. For other standalone players it will always require them to be replaced.

[AlexJ]

Betamax was better quailty. That is why it went on to be the industry standard in the professional market. It only actually failed in the consumer market. I expect you have seen DigiBeta video cameras used a lot in the news.

Actually news programmes are one of the few where DigiBeta isn't king, due to the conditions etc. DVCAM is often used to make news reports. Most regular programmes though would fail QC if they used DVCAM due to the murkyness of the pictures in comparison to DigiBeta.

[Harrison]

That is true, for out in the field work DV offers smaller tapes and lighter equipment.

[v85rawdeal]

Looks like M$ have thrown in the towel...

Microsoft 'would consider Xbox 360 Blu-Ray drive'

Despite throwing its lot in with the HD-DVD crowd, Microsoft has admitted it would bow to consumer demand if the Sony-backed Blu-Ray technology won the format war.

According to Xbox group marketing manager Albert Penello, this would even stretch to an Xbox 360 console fitted with Blu-Ray.

"It should be consumer choice and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider," he said.

But he added that entertainment group Warner's decision to swap its support from Toshiba's HD-DVD hi-definition format for Blu-Ray is unlikely to have a major impact on the console war between the Xbox 360 and the Sony PlayStation 3.

"You can't say it's not a bummer, not a setback, but I've seen this battle declared over so many times," he said.

"I want consumers to have a voice in this and I think there are a lot of consumers who bought HD-DVD who are going to have a say in how this shakes out."

Guess that will clear the way for more xbox games on BD disc.... which is good for PS3 owners, as it means no more shoddy ports from a smaller storage format.

[Harrison]

Plus Sony would make money from the sale of Xbox 360's!

[AlexJ]

Looks like a few more nails have been hammered into the HD-DVD coffin as Walmart & Best Buy in the US have withdrawn the format. Oh and rumors suggest that Universal have just gone dual format. I reckon the whole thing might be over before the summer.

[Harrison]

I think it is already over anyway, so no need to wait for the summer. Stores such as Tesco have been selling Toshiba HD-DVD players for under £200 since before Christmas which has to prove something. Normally a new technology won't drop in price so quickly.