Article by Terry Burns

Blu ray technology and HD DVD technology are fighting each other to become the DVD format of the next generation. Much like the struggle of the 80′s between VHS and Betamax, Blu-ray and HD DVD both desire 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. quite a few 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. HD DVD studio support comes from the following studios; Paramount, Studio Canal, Universal, Warner and The Weinstein Company.

Blu ray got it’s name from the blue laser it uses to read the data. This format was developed for rewriting, recording and playing of high definition video. They also can store enormous amounts of data. Blu ray discs holds five times more storage capacity than current DVD’s. It can store over 9 hours of HD video on a disc. Because of its increased storage capacity, Blu-ray discs can hold the resolution formats to give you that spectacular High Definition picture and sound.

So, what is the difference between Blu ray and HD DVD?. First of all it’s their storage. By utilizing larger numerical aperture lens, Blu-ray is able to write more data on the same size disc. Because of the larger 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 expensive.

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. You need to decide whether you want to invest in a Blu-ray player or a HD player as each will only be able to play there own format discs.

So let’s summarize the format battle. Both formats are very similar in high definition picture quality. Making a decision really depends on price and content and how much less costly will the HD players end up compared to the extra features that Blu-ray technology will produce because of its larger storage capacity. One thing is for sure, it is a very unstable market. It’s very possible that you could decide on a technology; invest in a player and purchase movies and then be very distraught if the format you choose fails in the market. Whichever format has stabilized as the best price and has the most content available by the end of the year will emerge as the victor.

About the Author

Terry Burns shares information on home theater on his website at: http://www.home-theater-solutions.com There youwill find many tips and resources.

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