Blu ray or HD DVD: Picking One Could be a Gamble

Blu ray technology and HD DVD technology are battling each other to become the DVD format of the future generations. Much like the battle of the 80’s between VHS and Betamax, Blu-ray and HD DVD both want to be the VHS of the 2000’s.

Blu ray Disc is an optical disc format designed for high definition video and high density data storage. Backing Blu ray technology are power house companies such as Pioneer, Samsung and Sony. Supporting HD DVD is the movie company Universal Studios as well as technology companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Toshiba and Microsoft. Many of the movie studios have stated that they will be releasing movies in both formats. Overall it should be noted however, that 84% of the movies released in 2006 support Blu-ray technology.

Blu ray has backing from the following studios at the time of this writing; Sony Pictures, MGM, Columbia TriStar, Disney, Touchstone, Miramax, Fox, Paramount, Warner and Lions Gate. Paramount, Studio Canal, Universal, Warner and The Weinstein Company has decided to back the HD DVD format.

Blu ray utilizes a blue violet laser to read data, hence it’s name. This format was developed for rewriting, recording and playing of HD video. Large amounts of data can be stored on Blu ray discs. Blu ray discs holds five times more storage capacity than current DVD’s. It can hold over 9 hours of HD video on a disc. High definition video requires alot of disc storage space making Blu ray discs a good selection for HD.

There are some differences between the two formats. First of all it’s their capacity. By utilizing greater numerical aperture lens, Blu-ray is able to write more data on the same size disc. Because of the higher capacity, movie studios will be able to release movies with more HD features on Blu ray than HD DVD. A Blu-ray disc can hold up to 25GB and a dual layer 54 GB while an HD disc can hold up to 15 GB and a dual layer 30 GB. The other noticeable difference is cost. The Blu ray discs are more costly.

You can not play HD DVD discs on Blu ray players and vice versa, however, both will play CD's and DVD's. And that is where the battle begins. Since neither player will play the other's format, you must decide on one and hope it wins the "new format" battle.

Basically it boils down to this. Both formats are very similar in high definition picture quality. Making a decision really depends on price and content and how much less expensive will the HD players end up in comparison to the bonus features that Blu-ray technology will produce because of its larger storage capacity. One thing is for sure, it is a very uncertain market. It’s feasible that you could decide on a technology; invest in a player and buy movies and then be very upset if the format you choose leaves the market. More than likely, the format which goes into Christmas 2007 with the lowest price tag and widest range of movies will become the format standard.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com