Technology
Features
Blu-ray versus HD DVD
No sooner have we got finally ditched the video recorder and bought a DVD player than more new formats are upon us. Blu-ray and HD DVD are the new buzzwords in the home electronics market. What are they, and do I need to buy them? Andrew Stucken finds out:
What is HD DVD? HD stands for High-Definition DVD and is next generation DVD.
And Blu-ray? It is the competing format which does exactly the same job.
This sounds like the Betamax - VHS battle of the 1980s. Exactly. And if you were thinking it was the consumers who will suffer, you would be right. Eventually, one side is expected to win and drive the other to extinction. Attempts to agree on a single format appeared to have irretrievably broken down and the final arbiter will be the market.
Which is better? To an extent it depends on whom you believe, but consensus is that there is now little to choose in terms of quality. Both systems use similar technology. However, a key difference is that Blu-ray has a greater capacity than its rival. Blu-ray can hold up to 50 Gigabytes (GB) of data, HD DVD up to 30GB. By comparison, standard DVDs have a 9GB capacity.
Which is cheaper? At the moment, HD DVD is cheaper, although Blu-ray prices are expected to drop.
What is the point? Both technologies undoubtedly represent a leap forward in quality. Technology website CNET rates the video and audio quality of both formats as “truly spectacular” and claims they “surpass even high-def television itself in fidelity and impact.”
Who will win this time? The smart money is on Blu-ray. The backing of Sony gives it a vital edge - the Japanese giant owns two movie studios and has got all the others except Universal to release on Blu-ray. While most films are now available in both formats, the advent of exclusive releases on Blu-ray could be tipping the balance. Reports last year suggested customers of a leading film rental chain were opting for Blu-ray over 70 per cent of the time.
What about my existing DVDs? Most players of both new formats will play standard DVDs, but it is wise to check before buying.
Bottom line - do I need to buy one? Unless you are desperate to have the latest gadgetry it may be best to wait and see. As with Betamax, those stuck with the losing format will eventually need to buy the other player to watch new films. LG is marketing a combi model at for under £140 - capable of playing both formats – although beware that reviews are mixed.
Reader comments
Article is well out of date. Toshiba have announced that they are throwing in the towel with HD DVD as no major film studio is supporting it - Blu Ray wins. Don't buy HD DVD - its the Betamax!
Posted by: John Banner | 07/03/2008 18:13:51
Will you tell us about the new T.V flat screens that are available in Japan and will be coming here, that is better than anything we have now because the screen is like our old T.V screens with all round view.
Posted by: Heather Kelly | 08/02/2008 11:52:48
Would you kindly do a piece on Freesat, which appears to be a cheap way of getting HD TV?
Posted by: Ron Fowlie | 07/02/2008 19:31:12
