Blu-ray Vs HD-DVD and how it affects you
The first thing I would like to point out is that the battle between Sony's Blu-ray and Toshiba’s HD DVD formats has lead to a situation that will ultimately only hurt the consumer. We are faced with a situation where two major corporate giants are fighting it out at our expense. They couldn't come to an agreement back in 2005 and as a result we are now left with a battle that only one can win.
As consumers you could be faced with the situation of buying a Blu-ray player only to find out that your favorite movies are only available on HD DVD or vise versa. Why should we the consumer suffer over their corporate greed? Both players are able to play your current DVDs so that’s one less thing to worry about, so I wouldn't go selling your DVD collection just yet. At the end of the day both formats in their present form are very similar and are essentially offering the same thing, being an advancement to high definition movies. Today’s DVDs are only available at 1024 x 576. High Definition movies offer 1920 x 1080, and have superior sound quality as well.
Here is some more information to help you decide what to do.
Storage
Due to their storage capabilities both products offer superior sound and image quality to today;’s DVD’s. The major difference between Blu-ray & HD DVD is how data much they can store. A Blu-ray disc can hold 25GB (single side) and 50GB (dual sided). HD DVD discs hold 15GB (single side) and 30GB (dual sided).
So in terms of data storage Blu-ray is well ahead, Blu-ray are even working on a 200GB disc.
Production
Blu-ray boasts new technology which allows it to achieve its superior data storage capabilities, so when it come to making the Blu-ray disc, production methods need to change. This new technology requires a complete re-fit to the factory production line. As we all know investment in new technology is not cheap, and the risk is that this cost will inevitably be passed on to the consumer in some shape of form. The current price range for Blu-ray discs ranges from ($20- $30).
On the other side, HD DVD boasts that their technology comes from a natural evolution from DVDs. Therefore, their manufacturing processes are very similar to the way DVDs are currently created. Initially, HD DVD manufacturers expect a 10% increase in costs in producing HD DVD’s, but that they can bring this cost down quickly. The current price range for HD DVD’s ranges from ($20 - $30)
So in terms of Production and Cost to the consumer it looks like HD DVD may have the edge. But are consumers willing to pay a little extra for a superior product? That question begs to be answered, but only time will tell.
Players
The good news is that both players offer the ability to play your current DVDs. Here is a list of the Blu-ray players ( Click Here)
In the world of PCs both sides are selling drives that have the ability to burn disc, this offers a huge advantage in terms of data storage considering your current DVD data storage size.
So in terms of players and cost the lower end of the market is comparable between the two, but at the higher end of the market Blu-ray is a much more expensive product, but is it worth it to you the consumer? As with all new technology, as time goes on prices come down and may make both players much more competitive to the current DVD players we use everyday.
Major Corporation Support
Another factor to consider is which companies are behind these products. Currently Blu-ray has the backing of 7 out of the 8 major movie studios as well as Apple Inc, Dell, Hewlett Packard, Hitachi,
LG Electronics, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic (Matsushita Electric), Pioneer Corporation, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sharp Corporation, Sony Corporation, Sun Microsystems, TDK Corporation, Thomson, Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group / Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Warner Home Video Inc.
(Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc_Association)
Whilst HD DVD has the backing of Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo, Microsoft, RCA, Kenwood, Intel, Venturer Electronics.
(Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_DVD#Corporate_and_industry_support)
Conclusion
In my opinion, Blu-ray offers a big step forwarding the world of high definition. Its new technology has loads of potential for further advancement, who knows where it may take us. It’s data storage alone is hugely superior over HD DVD, and they are already working on a 200GB disc, which will completely revolutionize the future of high definition discs. In my eyes, the data storage alone is worth it. With HD DVD there is only just enough room for the HD format. I see it as a step forward down a dead end road. It is old technology being stretched to it limits and will only be around for a limited time before it is surpassed once again.
Who will win? At this stage it is anyone guess. I wouldn't go selling all your DVDs just yet. My advice is to wait, don't waste your money on a technology that could become obsolete because of forces out of your control. As with the Beta vs VHS battle; the better product may not necessarily win. All we know is that both formats can’t survive, and as time progresses one winner will emerge.
