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Two new devices are on the horizon, both of which will change the way you view movies and store data for the better. The technologies are Blu-Ray Disc and HD-DVD, the new high-def, high-capacity disk formats coming out later this year. Both serve as mediums for viewing movies as well as data storage. HD-DVD is backed mainly by Toshiba and NEC and packs data capacity of up to 30 gigabytes per disk. Blu-Ray is the child of Sony corp. and has many heavyweights in the hardware industry backing it, including Dell, HP, and Panasonic and packs up to 50 gigabytes per disk. The main advantages of both these technologies are the vastly large storage capacities in comparison to today’s DVD format which can store up to 9 gigabytes maximum on dual-layers. It will now be possible to view movies in optimal picture quality with true high definition images coming right from the disc. Both devices will also serve as outstanding tools for backing up computer files, with one disc replacing as many as 10 standard DVD discs.
Which next-generation technology should you choose? Right now Blu-ray is looking stronger of the two coming out of the gate. It's backed by some big names in the industry which will mean more options available to the user and more support. Blu-ray is also reported to be the medium of choice in Sony’s highly anticipated Playstation 3 gaming console, giving the technology increased exposure and longevity. HD-DVD, however, has a much more limited number of manufacturing support which will ultimately mean less choice for the consumer. Perhaps the biggest factor that drives Blu-ray to the top is the shear capacity of the disks. The dual layer capacity of 50 gigabytes dwarfs that of HD-DVDs dual layer 30 gigabytes. There are plans by Sony to develop a quad-layer disk that will boast capacities of up to 100 gigabytes per disk! Blu-ray is more of a revolution where-as HD-DVD is an evolution on existing DVD technology. HD-DVD is so much of an evolution that it uses similar manufacturing processes as that of DVDs. Expect lower price points on both HD-DVD players and HD-DVD disks over that of Blu-ray when released later in the year.
For better or for worse, both formats offer new copy protection schemes that will make disc duplication and playback of pirated material virtually impossible (in the short term anyway). The majority of today’s DVD movies use the Content Scrambling System or CSS as their form of copy protection which has already been defeated by numerous software packages such as CloneDVD. HD-DVD has chosen AACS (Advanced Access Control System), the successor of CSS, as their main form of copy protection while Blu-Ray has decided on a proprietary format called BD-CPS. Both work on the same premise of a key-exchange system and encryption algorithms. Essentially this key exchange system can blacklist (or lockout) a single device player whose key has been tampered with or cracked, placing the copy protection at both the disc and player levels.
One area where HD-DVD will have an advantage is in marketing of the new technology. HD-DVD is readily recognizable as most people are familiar with the current generation of DVDs, and HD has quickly become the buzz term for High Definition. The difficulty for Blu-ray will be in getting the average consumer to buy into the technology and understand what it actually does. Perception is often greater than reality. We’re reminded of the old Betamax vs VHS format war that took place in the 1980's. Betamax was technologically superior to VHS but never garnered major acceptance from the average consumer. In the end VHS prevailed with clever marketing and user acceptance, leaving Betamax to fade into oblivion. With Blu-ray and HD-DVD, the war is starting all over again. May the superior technology prevail!
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