The DVD an obsolete Format
as retrieved from http://hometheater.about.com/od/dvdbasics/a/bluhddvdinfo.htm

DVD is very successful, and will definitely be around for some time. However as it is implemented, DVD is not a high-definition format. DVD players typically output video in either standard NTSC 480i (720x480 pixels in an interlaced scan format), with progressive scan DVD players capable of outputting DVD video in 480p (720x480 pixels displayed in a progressively scanned format). Although DVD has superior resolution and image quality, when compared to VHS and standard cable television, it is still only half the resolution of HDTV.

Upscaling - Getting More Out Of Standard DVD

In an effort to maximize the quality of DVD for display on today's HDTVs, many manufacturers have introduced upscaling capabilities through DVI and/or HDMI output connections on newer DVD players. Upscaling is a process that mathematically matches the pixel count of the output of the DVD signal to the physical pixel count on an HDTV, which is typically 1280x720 (720p), 1920x1080 (1080i), or 1920x1080p (1080p). Upscaling can't convert standard DVD images into true high-definition images.

True High Definition DVD Is Here "Blu-Ray"

Now, both HD-DVD and Blu-ray players are currently available, with units adding recording capability also available in some PCs and Laptops, to be followed, possibly, by Blu-ray recorders available possibly sometime in the future in the U.S. Market. However, as of February 19, 2008, HD-DVD has been discontinued. As a result new players, or the possibility of recorders, in that format, will no longer be available going forward.

Blu-ray and HD-DVD both employ Blue Laser technology (which has a much shorter wavelength than the red laser technology used in current DVD). Blu-ray and HD-DVD enables a disc the size of a current DVD disc (but, which much greater storage capacity than a standard DVD) to hold an entire film at HDTV resolution or allow the consumer to record two hours of high definition video content.

Blu-ray and HD-DVD Format Information

However, there is a catch with regards to high definition DVD recording and playback; up until 2008, there has been two competing formats that were incompatible with each other.

Blu-ray Format Support

Blu-ray is supported on the hardware side by Apple, Denon, Hitachi, LG, Matsushita (Panasonic), Pioneer, Philips, Samsung (also supports HD-DVD), Sharp, Sony, and Thomson (Note: Thomson also supported HD-DVD).

On the software side, Blu-ray is supported by Lions Gate, MGM, Miramax, Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney Studios, New Line, and Warner. However, as the result of the discontinuation of HD-DVD, Universal, Paramount, and Dreamworks are now on board with Blu-ray.

HD-DVD Format Support

HD-DVD has been supported on the hardware side by NEC, Onkyo, Samsung (also supports Blu-ray) Sanyo, Thomson (Note: Thomson also supported Blu-ray), and Toshiba.

On the software side, HD-DVD has been supported by BCI, Dreamworks, Paramount Pictures, Studio Canal, and Universal Pictures, and Warner (only until May 2008 - at which time it will be Blu-ray exclusive). Microsoft had also lent its support to HD-DVD, but no longer, as Toshiba has ended HD-DVD support.

NOTE: However, all HD-DVD hardware and software support will be discontinued and shifted to Blu-ray by mid-2008.

Basic Specifications Of Blu-ray and HD-DVD

Although both Blu-ray and HD-DVD support both recording and playback of high definition material with the same expected result, there are technical differences between the two formats.

Blu-ray - General Specifications:

Storage Capacity - Pre-recorded Playback Material (BD-ROM): Single-layer (25GB) - Dual-layer (50GB)
Storage Capacity: Home Recording (BD-R/BD-RE): Single-layer (25GB) - Dual-layer (50GB)
Data Transfer Rate: 36 to 48 MBPS (Megabits per Second) average - capable of up to 54 MPS - This exceeds the 19.3 Mbps transfer rate approved for HDTV broadcasts.
Disc Properties: New format requiring retooling and/or construction of new disc manufacturing and replication plants.
Video Specifications: Compatible with full MPEG2 Encoding, as well as MPEG4 and VC1.
Audio Specifications: Only Dolby Digital, DTS, and Uncompressed PCM are required on all players. However, the following formats are optional - Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD.
Network Capability: Although the Blu-ray format supports networking and internet capabilities, built-in networking and ethernet ports on individual Blu-ray Disc Players is optional.

HD-DVD - General Specifications

Storage Capacity - Pre-recorded playback material (HD-DVD-ROM): Single-layer (15GB) - Dual-layer (30GB) - Triple Layer (51GB - developed, but never brought to market).
Storage Capacity - Home Recording (HD-DVD-R/HD-DVD-Rewritable): Single-layer (20GB) - Dual-Sided Disc (40GB) - Dual Layer (35GB - proposed).
Data Transfer Rate: 36 MBPS (Megabits per Second) - This exceeds the 19.3 Mbps transfer rate approved for HDTV broadcasts.
Disc Properties: Format similar to existing DVD disc structure, requiring minimal upgrading and retooling of existing DVD disc manufacturing and replication plants.
Video Specifications: Compatible with MPEG2, MPEG4, and VC1 Encoding.
Audio Specifications: All HD-DVD players are required to incorporate the following - Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, and Uncompressed PCM, as well as standard Dolby Digital and DTS. Network Capability: All HD-DVD players are required to be network enabled and be equipped with a built-in Ethernet port for downloading firmware updates and other interactive features.
In addition to the basic Blu-ray Disc Format and Player specifications. There are three "Profiles" that consumers need to be aware of. These profiles involve the capabilities of Blu-ray Disc players, and have been implemented by the Blu-ray Disc Association as follows:

1. Profile 1.0 - This profile covers all Blu-ray Disc players made before November 2007. Players in this category have one video decoder and no internet connection. This means that these players cannot access PIP (Picture-in-Picture) imbedded content on Blu-ray Discs, nor can they access Web-enabled content included on some Blu-ray Discs. As a side note, all HD-DVD players are required to have these capabilities built-in from day one.

2. Profile 1.1 - This profile adds a second audio/video processor and 256 MB of memory storage to all Blu-ray Disc player models introduced after November 1st, 2007. This allows access of imbedded PIP commentary content and other interactive features included on some Blu-ray Discs (also referred to as "Bonus View"). In addition, some profile 1.1 players allow direct access to web-available firmware upgrades. However, it is not required that a Blu-ray Disc player have an internet connection to qualify as a Profile 1.1 compatible player.

3. Profile 2.0 - This profile is referred to as "BD Live". Essentially it is similar to Profile 1.1, but adds a 1GB memory storage capacity and also requires the inclusion of an Ethernet connection, which enables more flexibility in accessing additional features that may be included on Blu-ray Discs and more sophisticated web-enabled feature access via the high-speed internet port. This brings the Blu-ray Disc format to the same place as HD-DVD players have been from the initial introduction of that now-defunct format.

The intention is that all Blu-ray Discs, no matter what Profile they are tied to, will be playable on all Blu-ray Disc players. However, any special disc content requiring Profile 1.1 or 2.0 will not be accessible on Profile 1.0 players, and Profile 2.0 specific content will not be accessible by either a Profile 1.0 or 1.1 equipped player.

On the other hand, some Profile 1.1 players may be firmware and memory upgradable (via external flash card), provided they already have an ethernet connection and USB input connection, while the Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray equipped game console can be upgraded to Profile 2.0 with just a downloadable firmware upgrade.

NOTE: The HD-DVD format was not designed with a profile system. All HD-DVD players that were released since their introduction, until their discontinuation, from the least expensive, to the most expensive, allowed users to access all interactive and internet features associated with HD-DVDs that incorporated such features.

For a more on the technical aspects of both Blu-ray and HD-DVD, check out How Blu-ray Works and How HD-DVD Works as posted by How Stuff Works, and Blu-ray and HD-DVD Audio Explained - High Def Digest.

DUPLICATION Audio & Video Cassette, Market Ready Packages VIDEO DVD/AUDIO CDr's Formats, Prices, Compatibility Info,  Authoring, Copy CONVERSIONS NTSC  PAL  SECAM  HD 8mm, Slides, Beta, DV, S, Film FORENSIC Audio & Video Enhancing, Noise Removal, Voice ID, Vita NEW MUSIC Jingles, Film Scores, Sweetening NEW STUFF Worlds' Smallest Digital Signage ENGINEER DAN/DAVE Talk to Us! We work for food.	STAGING & RENTALS Lights, Design, Video Walls, PA GRAPHICS/PRINT Templates and Art Specs Electronic Imaging WEDDING VIDEO "Pick an Expert", DVD, Samples DJ, Photography, Prices STUDIO SERVICES Prices, OnLocation, Editing AUDIO CLASS Oakland U MUS353 NEWS/HOT STUFF What's Happening, Links MASTERING Improve Your Home Mix VIDEO/AUDIO TRUCK 5 Cam, Jib, 24 Track Audio	VOICES & TRANSLATION Voices, Foreign, Dialects, Announcers, Mouth, Listen n Pic WEB, KIOSK DESIGNS Art, Hosting, Interactive, Prices PRICE DILEMMA Program Production ENGINEERING D8B Fader Fix, AVTransmitter Products For Sale VOCAL ELIMINATE Karioki Music Any Song FEEDBACK Free Stuff & Samples BANDS GO HERE! $$ For  Music, Our Engineers OUR WEB CAM Watch, Listen, Direct Projects