Blu Ray Vs HD-DVD Debate

mindoverme

I'm not sure of the compression with a D-VHS, but HD-DVD uses the same compression as WMV HD so quality will be similar. Bluray Discs use MPEG-2 (at the moment) which isn't bad, but just not as efficient as WMV.

In my opinion (and only my opinion) I'm more for HD-DVD, UNTIL BD has MPEG-4 and VC-9 set in stone. The idea that an HD movie can already exist on a normal DVD (Terminator 2, etc) sells me.

I'm aware, of course, that BD is discussing these codecs, but until it's finalized I'd stick with HD-DVD.

I guess it's the idea that only four hours of HD on a 50GB is quite depressing to me.

As for my prediction of what will win, it could rock two ways; cost of transference (HD-DVD/AOD), or man power (BD, as far as companies involved), so, basically I have no idea.

Just my thoughts.

mindoverme

teg

Am I right to say that Mpeg-2 only has 720x480, where as HD has 1900x1080? If that is the case, certainly people will go for HD-DVD.

But how about all these on the PC? I heard that there will be blu-ray based DVD-writer coming soon for PC user, then how about HD-DVD based DVD-writer?

kozanator

I just read an article at Toms Hardware Guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews...11_115054.html

So in reading the article, am I to understand that:

BD-ROM (Blu-Ray Disc) can hold 25GB of data per layer for a Maximum of 100 GB for two layered dual sided discs.

HD-DVD can hold 30GB of data per layer for a Maximum of 120GB for two layered dual sided discs.

Also, If BD-ROM only has 13 companies supporting the spec and HD-DVD has 230 companies supporting it.... Wouldn't it be logical to assume that HD-DVD will most likely become the new standard considering that it has more support and it can hold more data?

The only selling point I see in the BD-ROM format is the 128-bit encryption but then again.... Does HD-DVD have any encyption? Probably but I don't know.

Also, why don't they use some kind of mpeg4 (Better quality and better compression) codec so they don't have to worry about increasing the size of DVD's all the time?

I'd love to hear your input.

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Kozanator
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kozanator

hi teg,

mpeg2 is a form of compression which has nothing to do with resolution.

mpeg4 is a better version of compression.

WMV (Windows Media Video) is just Microsoft's version of mpeg4 compression just like Divx.

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Kozanator
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kozanator

Mpeg-2 can do any resolution you want, it is just a form of compression.

HD (High definition) at the moment, is just a name to discribe 720p (1280x720) and 1080i/p (1920x1080)

720x480 is Enhanced Definition TV which is supported by current DVD movies using the Mpeg-2 compression.

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maximus

kozanator wrote:
The BDA(Blu-ray Disc Association) has been looking into 4-layer 100GB discs, don't think they are 2-sided though? Also through MPEG-4 this capacity will grow to over 200GB.

Currently HD DVD can only hold 15GB per layer.


Hollywood studios are calling for one format only, citing two formats will only hurt the industry. IMO whichever format the studios back will succeed. With PS3 and other media interests Sony has made it clear that Blu-ray will be around no matter what.

The BDA(blu-ray group) is looking at 2 vastly improved compression schemes,(HD-DVD uses these) one being MPEG-4 H.264, and VC-9 which WMVHD uses, and will certainly include one of these in their format spec. due in September.

teg wrote:
I could be wrong here so slap me if I am;
D-VHS maxes out at 19Mbps.
HD DVD and Blu-ray use 36Mbps. Higher bit-rate=better quality.
Blu-ray is also looking at 72Mbps through higher drive speeds(2x, 4x, 8x) which should allow for even better quality.

EDIT: Slapped D-VHS has a fixed rate of 14.1Mbps in standard mode and 28.2Mbps in HS mode(high speed)

MR151

Considering the super high bit rate of either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD, the content available on DVHS, like Bikini Destinations would look even more amazing on either of the 2 new media.

teg

How do I make my home video (DV) into the Mpeg-2 with higher resolution? It seems like 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576(PAL) are the highest I can go (or select, since there are not other choice)...

kozanator

Sounds to me like your video editing software is defaulting to a standard DVD quality. Why would you want to go higher unless you only plan to view your home videos on your computer.

Anyway, there should be a custome feature in your editing software to change the resolution.

One more thing... How are you getting your original videos to be a high quality? Are you using some HD Video Camera?

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kozanator

How can MPEG-4 make the capacity of the disc grow??? I think you are mistaken or maybe you meant to say something else. Perhaps the discs will still be 100GB using MPEG-4 which might be comparable to 200GB of MPEG-2.

So I guess the news article at Toms Hardware is wrong? http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnew...811_115054.html

Wouldn't that be funny if Hollywood supported HD-DVD and then Sony supported BD-ROM for their Playstation3??? It would be kind of like the whole BETA vs. VHS thing of the past. Or better (worse) still... What if... HD-DVD becomes the standard for the Commercial Market and BD-ROM becomes the standard for the consumer based market? And... since they both use blue lazers, a future device will later come out that can play both. This is giving me a headach!!! There better be just one standard

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Kozanator
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kozanator

Where did you get those stats?

Just so you know. A higher bit-rate doesn't necessarily mean better quality!

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maximus

Apologies I stand corrected, what I was trying to do was compare MPEG-2 to MPEG-4AVC. A 100GB disc using MPEG-2 compression would essentially hold over 200GB through MPEG-4 codec.

Yes.

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117242,00.asp
http://www.eetimes.com/news/98/1017news/jvc.html
http://www.blu-ray.com/faq/#3.2
Not official site but still fact.

kozanator

Hear are my thoughts after reading this article:

1. Companies responsible for Blu-Ray technology have to get their acts together because they can't even make products that are compatible with each other. Example: Panasonic and Sony.
2. One thing that really scares me about Blu-Ray: Companies are talking about making faster read speeds!!!! That can only be bad news because what is going to happen to all the people who buy 2x Blu-Ray Players when the NEW 8x Blu-Ray Players come out. "They'll be out of date!!! They can't be changing the SPECS when they feel like it, or else nothing will be compatible.
3. It's a tough call but HD-DVD might win the battle because:
   • It has a Familiar Name "DVD" - People will relate
   • It seems to be more standardized and ready to come out next year.
4. HD-DVD is faster to make so that brings down costs.

D-VHS sounds cool but I agree with one of the comments in the article where they said: "some in the industry dismissed the format as a mere tactical move by JVC to prolong the life of VHS"

Good source of info but I think it is a little old because it says: "HD-DVD uses Mpeg2 for compression." That is wrong. It uses Mpeg4.

Check out this link:
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/35395.html

Unfortunatly HD-DVD can only hold 30GB per side (based on this article) but that is still 8 hours of High Def Movies. Not Bad.

I'm still torn between the two formats but I am starting to lean towards HD-DVD.

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teg

1. Yes, I only view my home video on my PC...
2. My editing software is the Ulead VideoStudio 5.0 DVD. And I am sure they don't have a higher resolution option...
3. Yes, I guess I will need to get one of those new HD Camcorder in the future... Am using just a normal DV camcorder only... But am trying to do the best I can with what I have now...

kozanator

I haven't used Ulead VideoStudio before. I've only used Adobe Premiere 6 and I know that software has an option for higher resolution videos.

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Kozanator
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