HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray Technologies - Research Paper Example

HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray technologies HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray technologies Introduction In 2008, the supremacy battle with HD-DVD Technology ended with Toshiba surrendering to it Sony in an expensive format. Sony’s ultimate victory justified its willingness in compromising with Toshiba in the first half of 2005. Toshiba and other supporters of HD-DVD such as Microsoft and General Electric Company must shift their focus towards phasing out HD-DVD format in a painful way possible. This can be through the reduction of price on the remaining Toshiba’s HD-DVD players and providing support to customers (Michael & Philip, 2007). Brief overview During later stages of technology battle, the HD-DVD and Blu-ray technologies pulled efforts in gathering decoder and disk manufacturers, retail outlets, and media companies towards their respective sides. The Blu-ray gained endorsements from some major retail companies; Blockbuster and Netflix, acquiring a victories string. On 2008 January, Warner Brothers Production Company announced its exclusive support of the Blu-ray format. The top DVD retailers: Best-Buy and Wal-Mart announced their support for Blu-ray as opposed to HD-DVD. The HD DVD from Toshiba continued to get support from major Hollywood production companies such as Paramount pictures and Universal pictures (Jim & Michael, 2008. Blu-ray technology is developed by Sony and has a slower start though slightly more expensive than HD DVD. Its proponents argue that the larger storage capacity of Blu-ray is at 25GB, single layer disk, as well as 50 GB dual layer that is about twice the HD DVD capacity. Blockbuster announced its greater support for Blu-ray than HD DVD in the summer of 2006, hence predicting a shift towards Blu-ray as the major technology of high definition. On 2008 January, Warner Bros announced its release of its DVDs in Blu-ray format only thus joining other production companies, resulting in roughly 70% new releases in Blu-ray. The formats are incompatible with each other and the HD DVD buyers cannot play movies presented in the Blu-ray format (Michael & Philip, 2007). There are companies that find both technologies vital, for instance, NVIDIA’s graphics, Seagate and MIPS Technologies, Sigma Designs and Broadcom, and ‘Moses Baer India Limited’. The winners of Blu-ray technologies are Sony, Apple, Dell, LG, Panasonic, Philips and Mitsubishi, among others. The HD DVD winners include Microsoft, Lite-On IT, Intel and Toshiba (Mark & Charles, 2007). Benefits and drawbacks HD DVD had a chance of winning the competition due to its low manufacturing costs and cheaper products. The flexibility to have HD and conventional version on a similar DVD easily was also an advantage. Blu-ray however, had a competitive advantage as a result of a better quality of its product, added security, a larger storage capacity and higher availability. What Toshiba could have done differently to increase its chances of winning was adding its DVD drive to the console as opposed to just being an accessory. It should also create a deal with blockbuster instead of Sony. Toshiba could have engaged in more package promotions and doing software and hardware requirements (Jim & Michael, 2008. Sony won due to its complementary hardware, leveraging the technology of Blu-ray technology through the business of game console and multimedia content producers. It also gained traction from the market share competition and virtually emerged as a monopoly platform. Blu-ray technologies is among the next generation formats of optical discs currently being proposed. It is designed for storage of high density data and for video of high definition (Michael, 2010). This technology was created by companies that work under Blu-ray Disc Association, supported by Sony. HD DVD is recognized as the next-generation technology by the forum for DVD, 230 companies that develop and define the formats of DVDs. Blu-ray supports a greater “data capacity per layer” compared to HD DVDs with up to 4 hours with audio of high definition video. The dual layers last for more than 8 hours. The Blu-ray technology uses shorter wavelengths than red laser that uses 405nm as opposed to 650nm for normal DVDs, and 780nm for CDs. The small wavelength allows for larger data storage in the same amount of space. Optical discs can randomly access meaning that video can be played back while simultaneous recording ensues. The Blu-ray technology incorporates internet connectivity thus enabling for automatic updates. Blu-ray technology has incorporated digital watermarking that provides hidden copyright hence acting as security against reproduction or duplication (Mark & Charles, 2007). Processing hardware requirements The capacity of Blu-ray includes 25 GB single layer, 50 GB dual layer and 200 GB theoretical limit. Conversely, the HD DVD has a single layer of 15GB, dual layer of 30 GB and a theoretical limit is 60 GB. On the security measures, both technologies have a ‘Mandatory HDCP Encrypted Output’ and ‘Advanced Access Content System’ the differences in the security measures are that: for Blu-ray technologies, the technology of ROM-Mark Watermarking and a physical layer of BD Dynamic Crypto as opposed to a volume identifier in the HD-DVD. Upon comparison of the retail price, Babel, a movie by both technologies goes for $27.95 (Michael, 2010). The cheapest available play station for Blu-ray is $399 while the cheapest available Blu-ray player, Samsung BD-P1000 stand alone is $ 489.77. The cost of the Xbox HD DVD with additional external drive is $498 while the cheapest available HD DVD stand-alone player, Toshiba HD-A2 is $329.99. The Blue-ray disc has a track pitch that is tighter and can hold many more pits on a similar disc with HD DVD With even a laser of a similar wavelength. The difference in the track pitch of Blu-ray disc causes its pickup apertures to differ, with 0.65 for HD DVD and 0.85 for Blu-ray, making both pickups technically incompatible. HD DVD discs have a separate surface layer of the Blu-ray discs. The HD DVDs use a surface layer of 0.6mm thickness; similar to the DVD while Blu-ray has a smaller layer that helps the laser focus with 0.85 aperture; leading to higher costs for the Blue-ray discs. The higher costs are also due to an expensive, hard coating that is applied on Blu-ray discs to provide data resiliency (Michael, 2010). In conclusion, Blu-ray technology, owned and operated by Sony and partners electronics, prevailed over HD DVD after a four year competition. Blu-ray technologies are being backed up by major film studios including Warner Bro’s, Walt Disney, MGM AND Century Fox. The top DVD retailers: Best-Buy and Wal-Mart announced their support for Blu-ray as opposed to HD-DVD. Sony’s ultimate victory was due to having a lead position in framework evaluation with comparative and competitive advantages over its counterparts, Toshiba. Both technologies have their benefits and drawbacks, but Blu-ray technologies are more superior to HD DVD due to its better product quality, higher availability, larger storage capacity and added security. References Michael, J. (2010). Blu-ray versus HD DVD. Michigan: William Davidson Institute Mark, J. & Charles, C. (2007). High Definition DVD handbook: Producing for HD DVD a Blu ray Disc. New York NY: Mc Graw Hill. Michael, Z. & Philip, S. (2007). Programming HD DVD and Blu-ray disc. New York, NY: McGraw Hill Professional. Jim, T. & Michael, Z. (2008). Blu-ray disc demystified. New York, NY: Mc Graw Hill Professional Read More