RFBlu-Ray vs. HD DVD: A Comparison of Optical Storage Formats
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This article explores the similarities and differences between Blu-Ray Discs and HD DVDs, two optical media storage formats.
- Both are optical media storage formats.
- The discs with these formats are identical in Size and Shape.
- Both are backward compatible with DVD
- These are options for audio and video compressions.
- Both use a laser wavelength of about 405 nm (blue violet laser).
Features Comparison: Blu-ray vs. HD DVD
| Features | Blu-ray | HD DVD |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum native resolutions supported via HDMI | Supports HDTV formats 720p, 1080i, and 1080p | Same formats as supported by Blu Ray disc |
| Disc Capacity | 25 GB (single layer), 50 GB (double layer), 100 GB (prototype quad layer) | 15 GB (single layer), 30 GB (double layer), 45 GB (prototype quad layer) |
| Video Capacity, per dual layer disc | SD: approximately 23 hours, HD: 8.5 or 5.6 hours (depends on encoding method employed) | SD: approximately 24 hours, HD: 5.1 or 3.3 hours (depends on encoding method employed) |
| Disc diameter | 120 mm | 120 mm |
| Data transfer rate (audio/video) | 54 Mbps (about 1.5x) | 10.08 Mbps (< 1x) |
| Max. Video bit rate | 40 Mbps | 9.8 Mbps |
| Audio formats (or audio codecs) | Dolby TrueHD, DTD-HD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-ES, Uncompressed PCM 5.1 | Dolby TrueHD, DTD-HD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-ES |
| video codecs | MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC, SMPTE VC-1 | MPEG-2 |
| copy protection and digital rights management | AACS, ICT, BD+, BD-ROM Mark | AACS, ICT |
| Surround sound | supports upto 7.1 channels | same as blu ray |
| gaming compatibility | PlayStation-3 | XBOX (via add on drive) |
| studio support | SONY pictures (MGM/Columbia TriStar), Disney (Touchstone, Miramax), Fox, Paramount, Warner, Lions Gate | Paramount, Studio Canal, Universal, Warner, Weinstein Company |
| Interactivity | BD-3 | DVD-Video |
| Frame rates | 24/30p, 50/60i | 24/25/30p, 50/60i |
| Manufacturer support | Hitachi, Mitsubishi, LG, Sharp, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Philips, Thomson/RCA | Toshiba, LG, Thomson/RCA, Onkyo, Samsung |
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