Source
Wed Dec 29, 1:50 PM ET Technology - NewsFactor
Jay Wrolstad, www.data-storage-today.com
Japanese electronics giant JVC has unveiled a Blu-ray/DVD combination disk designed to ease the transition from traditional DVD content to next-generation high definition video.
• Thomson To Support Both HD DVD and Blu-ray
• Disney Gives Nod to Blu-ray DVD Format
• DVD Standards War Could Affect Data Storage
• Blu-Ray: Not Over Until It's Over
• Studios Support Toshiba's DVD Format
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The new disk supports both types of content, has a storage capacity of 33.5 GB, and uses a triple-layer structure, including an outside Blu-ray disk (BD) layer and inner DVD dual layer, based on JVC's high-performance reflective film technology.
With that much storage, JVC envisions releases that combine video content with commercials, music or games on a single disk. The company is also working on a combo disk with 58.5 GB storage capacity.
Competing Products
The JVC product follows closely on the heels of an announcement by Toshiba and Memory-Tech that they have developed a DVD that also can play on both existing DVD machines and the forthcoming players using the HD-DVD format.
The Toshiba-Memory-Tech disks hold 4.7 GB in the current format and 15 GB in high resolution.
JVC said users can purchase a single disk that can be reproduced at high-definition BD video quality on a large-screen home theater system, or play back the disk at standard-definition DVD video quality on a smaller TV set, a home PC or laptop computer.
Users who do not have a Blu-ray disk player can view the video content at standard definition using their current DVD player, and play the same content at high definition resolution when upgrading to a Blu-ray disk player.
Easing the Transition
For consumers, the new combo discs eliminate the potential headache of having to own two types of DVD players: Both will be able to read such disks, though only the newer equipment can take advantage of the higher-resolution technology.
Still, there may be some confusion among buyers who face competing high-definition video formats. The Blu-ray disk format was jointly developed by a number of leading consumer electronics and PC companies, including Dell, Hitachi, HP, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and Thomson. HD DVD was developed and is supported by Toshiba and NEC.
Each camp is lining up support among entertainment content providers, and neither has yet established a clear advantage.
Yankee Group analyst Aditya Kishore told NewsFactor that the JVC combo disk helps the Blu-ray cause by providing DVDs that are "future-proof."
"It makes sense to offer consumers a disk that plays both current DVDs and Blu-ray content, because it will generate more interest in high-definition technology," he said.
Ongoing Battle
The first new DVD players using these advanced formats are expected to hit stores by late 2005.
Kishore says the jury is still out as to which standard will win in the end; in fact, he believes the two will continue to jostle for the lead position for some time.
"They both have sufficient backing to continue to move with the market," he said, adding that it is likely that manufacturers might start producing DVD players that support both formats. "My expectation is that eventually the cost differential will come down, so it will not be that much more expensive."
Wed Dec 29, 1:50 PM ET Technology - NewsFactor
Jay Wrolstad, www.data-storage-today.com
Japanese electronics giant JVC has unveiled a Blu-ray/DVD combination disk designed to ease the transition from traditional DVD content to next-generation high definition video.
• Thomson To Support Both HD DVD and Blu-ray
• Disney Gives Nod to Blu-ray DVD Format
• DVD Standards War Could Affect Data Storage
• Blu-Ray: Not Over Until It's Over
• Studios Support Toshiba's DVD Format
Newsletter Subscription
The new disk supports both types of content, has a storage capacity of 33.5 GB, and uses a triple-layer structure, including an outside Blu-ray disk (BD) layer and inner DVD dual layer, based on JVC's high-performance reflective film technology.
With that much storage, JVC envisions releases that combine video content with commercials, music or games on a single disk. The company is also working on a combo disk with 58.5 GB storage capacity.
Competing Products
The JVC product follows closely on the heels of an announcement by Toshiba and Memory-Tech that they have developed a DVD that also can play on both existing DVD machines and the forthcoming players using the HD-DVD format.
The Toshiba-Memory-Tech disks hold 4.7 GB in the current format and 15 GB in high resolution.
JVC said users can purchase a single disk that can be reproduced at high-definition BD video quality on a large-screen home theater system, or play back the disk at standard-definition DVD video quality on a smaller TV set, a home PC or laptop computer.
Users who do not have a Blu-ray disk player can view the video content at standard definition using their current DVD player, and play the same content at high definition resolution when upgrading to a Blu-ray disk player.
Easing the Transition
For consumers, the new combo discs eliminate the potential headache of having to own two types of DVD players: Both will be able to read such disks, though only the newer equipment can take advantage of the higher-resolution technology.
Still, there may be some confusion among buyers who face competing high-definition video formats. The Blu-ray disk format was jointly developed by a number of leading consumer electronics and PC companies, including Dell, Hitachi, HP, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and Thomson. HD DVD was developed and is supported by Toshiba and NEC.
Each camp is lining up support among entertainment content providers, and neither has yet established a clear advantage.
Yankee Group analyst Aditya Kishore told NewsFactor that the JVC combo disk helps the Blu-ray cause by providing DVDs that are "future-proof."
"It makes sense to offer consumers a disk that plays both current DVDs and Blu-ray content, because it will generate more interest in high-definition technology," he said.
Ongoing Battle
The first new DVD players using these advanced formats are expected to hit stores by late 2005.
Kishore says the jury is still out as to which standard will win in the end; in fact, he believes the two will continue to jostle for the lead position for some time.
"They both have sufficient backing to continue to move with the market," he said, adding that it is likely that manufacturers might start producing DVD players that support both formats. "My expectation is that eventually the cost differential will come down, so it will not be that much more expensive."
