High Definition DVD Players

In the HD DVD vs Blu-Ray war, will any format come out on top? It may be too early to get an answer to that question, but that doesn't mean we can't start to look at what features could put one format on top of the other...
And into your home!

For many consumers, the most exciting thing to hit home theater lately is high definition dvd players. They're so exciting because they promise to finally bring a true high definition experience to most everyone's favorite part of home theater, movies! But it's never as easy as that is it? Along with the high definition content comes controversy and it comes in the way of the newest format war, HD DVD vs Blu-Ray. But before discussing which player is the best, let's first find out what they're both all about!

HD DVD

Basically, HD DVD is the next version of the DVD format, and is currently championed by Toshiba. It is different from the original format mainly in that it can hold A LOT more data. Compare the capacity of a single sided DVD that can hold about 4.7 GB with that of a HD DVD that can hold about 15 GB. That's a lot of extra space! All that extra space contributes to a lot of things in the new HD DVD format including, (most notably), movies presented in true high definition! Other benefits include 7.1 channel uncompressed surround sound, (compared with the 5.1 and rare 6.1 of standard DVDs). It should also be noted that HD DVDs benefit from more interactive menus and even internet connectivity to provide such content as downloadable extras!

Blu-Ray

Blu-Ray, (Sony's great blu hope), is just like HD DVD...It has true high definition movies, internet connectivity, 7.1 audio, uses a blue-violet laser to read and write data, but basically has one thing that HD DVD doesn't...Even more space! Compared to the 15 GB single sided single layer capacity of HD DVD, Blu-Ray boasts an impressive 25GB! Even more impressive is the comparison of the dual layer versions of these discs with HD DVD at 30 GB and Blu-Ray at 50 GB! So what does that extra space lend itself to? Basically to more...stuff! Like true high definition extras and even more deleted scenes and such. Now do we really need that? Probably not. But hey, do we need either of these high definition dvd players? Probably not. Will we buy them? Almost definitely!, Because we love home theater!

Is History Repeating Itself?

People have already, (and repeatedly), made allusions to the VHS vs Betamax war that dominated the 80's. If you're not familiar with that one, it basically boiled down to more companies backing VHS than the widely considered superior format offered by Sony. The result was the demise of the Betamax in consumer use and domination in the market by VHS for the next oh...20 years or so. Is that how it's gonna go down here? It's an important question with stand alone players for either one setting you back a pretty penny. (Expect to pay at least around $600-800).

Continue to learn about HD DVD and Blu-Ray considerations including quality and players!

1, Page 2 (HD DVD vs Blu-Ray)

[Home] [Welcome] [About Us] [Advertising/Contact Info] [Site Map]
© 2005-2007 Learn Stuff Online. All rights reserved.