High Definition Optical Disc Format - Research Paper Example

High Definition optical disc format Abstract: The preliminary optical disks that became obtainable for business use, in 1982, were CD or else compact audio disks. From that time to present time and throughout a mainly dynamic promotion era from 1984 to 1986, as a minimum a dozen additional optical layouts have came out or are under progress. The fast propagation of formats has directed, reasonably, to a number of facilities as well as technologies (Schamber). This research paper is based on the analysis and review of some of the prime aspects of the basic exploration of HD (High Definition) optical disc, its multiplicity of formats, also analysis of these formats. This research will also analyze some of the main aspects of the HD like resolution; imaging and economics proposed for the end-user. This paper discusses some of the vital benefits of using a HD optical disc format. This paper will also present the similarities in addition to differences of the two formats: HD-DVD and Blu-ray disc. 1- Introduction HD (High-definition) specifies to some video system of extensive resolution as contrasted to a standard-definition (or SD), as well as the majority normally engages display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels (or 720p) or 1,920×1,080 pixels (or else 1080i/1080p). Contemporary HD qualifications date to the premature 1970s, as Japan created the High-Vision 1,125-line allied TV standard (as well known as the MUSE) that has the capability to execute at the rate of 60 frames per second. Japan established their standard at a large-scale congregation of TV engineers in Algiers in 1981 and Japan's NHK outlined its analog HDTV configuration at Swiss convention in 1983. The NHK system was well consistent in the US as Television Engineers (SMPTE) and Society of Motion Picture standard number 240M in the close to the 1990s, however discarded afterward when it was put off through a DVB analog arrangement. High definition, like we are acquainted with it nowadays, has for all time been a widescreen 16:9 (1.78:1) system, not reasonably, touching the confines of the film industry by means of fractions of 1.85:1 up to 2.35:1, however on a reasonable compromise. Actually DVD has been one of the inspirations planned for the TV evolution to widescreen arrangement. A lot of European nations have as well employed the preamble of digital standard-definition services to bring about this transform (EBU), (Ive), (EBU2) and (Wood). This paper presents a deep analysis and comprehensive study of HD technology and lots of its related aspects. In this scenario this research will present some of the main aspects of the HD technology, its components plus major aspects. 2- HD technology This section discusses the business opening of high-definition services that have been recognized in a number of other areas of the world as well as they have at last performed optimistic symbols of marketable accomplishment and consumer acceptance. Although one of the primary aspects that we need to find out is that how high definition should be defined in the current context? Actually the word has previously been maltreated in the course of marketing actions during the classification of a number of customer products as “DTV Ready” or else “High Definition Ready” otherwise “High Resolution” without a comprehensible as well as thoughtful depiction of the allusion. Customers have been dissatisfied when they realize that they can require buying additional devices to obtain HD on their “HD Ready” exhibit, or else that DTV outlines “Digital Television” not HD plus that “High Resolution” outcomes cannot be high-definition competent in any way! It is far-off probable to get high definition as well as down alteration to standard definition intended for display rather that it would have to be done intended for low-end plasma displays proficient of instantly 480 lines local resolution, however the end effect is certainly not HD. High Definition DVD is a redundant large-density optical disc arrangement that was intended for data storage as well as high-definition video. It was planned to be the descendant of the standard DVD layout. Despite the fact that, subsequent to the rejection through Toshiba, the High Definition DVD Marketing and Promotion Group was closed in the year 2008 (EBU), (Ive), (EBU2) and (Wood). 3- HD Optical Disk 3.1- Technology Optical disks are also acknowledged with different names like OD, laser disk, and disc. At initial look, they abide a number of similarities to floppy disks: they can be regarding the similar size, be utilized by microcomputers plus store data and information in digital format. However, where information is programmed on the floppy disks in the shape of magnetic charges, it is programmed on optical disks in the shape of tiny pits. These microscopic pits are shaped as well as interpreted by means of laser (light) tools. The technology of the optical disks that are traded are in fact "pushed," or formed as of a glass master disk, in just about the similar manner like phonograph records. The copies are based on an apparent solid plastic by means of a reflective metal backing, as well as sheltered through a hard gloss. When the disk rotates in the reader device, a reader head throws a ray as of a low-power laser in the course of the plastic on the surface of pitted data as well as construes the imitated light. Optical disk players are capable to individual, similar to manageable tape players, or are linked to televisions, stereos otherwise microcomputers. Optical disks are deprived of the quality of being erased (as in magnetic taps) as well as access rate of floppies, however these shortcomings are counterbalanced through their enormous storage potential, superior level of correctness, plus larger robustness (Schamber) and (Wood). 3.2- Structure Well recognized High-Definition/Density DVD utilizes a blue laser with a lesser wavelength. This facilitates it to save about 3 and a half times more data per layer as compared to the normal DVD arrangement. The capability of single-layered HD DVD-ROM, HD DVD-RW, and HD DVD-R is 15 GB however the dual-layer capability is 30 GB. In High-Definition/Density DVD the data layer of a High-Definition/Density DVD is 0.6 mm underneath the surface, which is created to defend the data layer from any harm. The numerical opening of the optical raise up leaser head is 0.65 as well as the High-Definition/Density DVD players possess backward compatibility by means of CD and DVD. It upholds numerous file systems similar to Universal Disk Format and ISO 9660 (Intelligent Sound). 3.3- Market The business market of the HD technology is presently extensively large. This technology is presently available and utilized in diverse areas and fields of life. In this scenario this technology is taking part from business to commercial areas of market. In this connection the image given below can effectively demonstrate the business in addition to market exposure of the HD technology (Shamsi, Bhargava and Hsu). Figure 1- Business Model Source: http://people.ischool.berkeley.edu/~hal/Courses/StratTech07/Tech/Preso/A-DVD.doc 4- HD Formats I have proficiently evaluated that there are 3 main types of HD formats which are used for the HD media technology. At the moment there are two major high-definition formats in case of HD media usage. The third HD format that is 1080p is expected to be offered from subsequent generation gaming consoles and DVD systems. These HD formats are described as below: 720p - 1280x720 pixels at the rate of 50/60Hz Progressive 1080i - 1920x1080 pixels at the rate of 50/60Hz Interlaced 1080p - 1920x1080 pixels at the rate of 24/25/50/60Hz Progressive The divergences among the 3 layouts or formats mentioned above are their resolutions, calculated in pixels as well as their scanning method; that can be interlaced or else progressive. Interlaced plus progressive scan are two dissimilar means of transferring, detaining plus showing video content. The image given below has the capability to show these different formats: (HDTVFAQ.org) and (WebVideoGuys) Figure 2- Common Picture Resolutions Source: http://www.hdtvfaq.org/hdtv-formats.html 5- Advantages of using a HD optical disc Formats There are lots of advantages/benefits of using a HD optical disc formats. In comparison with old DVD or other disk technology the HD optical disc Formats offer huge storage Capacity that is about 6 gigabytes. Then this technology also offers more durability as compared to other optical media. Another main and biggest advantage of the use of HD is its inexpensive nature. In case of quality and amount of data the cost of HD optical disc is really small (stevetuf). 5- Similarities and differences of the two formats: HD-DVD and Blu-ray disc 5.1- Differences between Blu-ray and HD DVD At this age of technology every succeeding stage DVD format appears in single-layer as well as dual-layer formats. Intended for HD DVD, that outlines capacities of HD DVD 15GB plus 30GB; however for the Blu-ray disc, it's 25GB to 50GB (Shankland). The Encoding style of the HD DVD is: MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC (H.264), and VC-1 however Blu-ray disc uses the MPEG-2, H.264, as well as VC-1 formats. The HD DVD uses the Laser wavelength of 405 nano-meters (blue-violet laser) however the Blu-ray disc also uses 405 nano-meters (blue-violet laser). The HD DVD is having Video Playback Time (SD with MPEG2 at 5 Mbit/s) is 22.2 hours however the Blu-ray disc is having 13.3 hours (Shankland) and (Diffen). 5.2- Similarities between Blu-ray and HD DVD There are lots of similarities among the Blu-ray and HD DVD technologies. Blu-ray and HD-DVD are able to together utilize the similar audio configurations that are Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Uncompressed PCM or DTS-HD. Then Blu-ray and HD-DVD are competent to both utilize the similar video formats those can be VC1, MPEG2, MPEG4 or H264. These both technologies utilize Blue Laser technology. Both technologies has mastered in 1080p/24. Both technologies supported player offer facility to play standard DVDs as well as use DVD video up-scaling to develop the performance familiarity of standard DVDs on HDTVs (Silva). 6- Conclusion There are a lot of comments being established by consumers and fans of together the Blu-ray and HD-DVD technologies about their performance, working strength, excellence and support. In addition, there are many facilities and advantages of each technology and its performance depends upon the user of technology, who can effectively specify the best output. This paper has analyzed some of the prime aspects in addition to areas of the HD-DVD technology. This paper has also presented the comparison of Blu-ray and HD-DVD. I hope this paper will offer an informative insight into the assessment and performance evaluation of these two technologies framework. Work Cited Diffen. Blu-ray vs HD DVD. 2010. 19 December 2010 . EBU. Digital Terrestrial HDTV Broadcasting in Europe. February 2006. 15 December 2010 . —. High Definition (HD) Image Formats for Television Production. January 2010. 16 December 2010 . HDTVFAQ.org. High-Definition Picture Formats. 2010. 18 December 2010 . Intelligent Sound. High-Density(HD) Optical Disc Format . 2010. 16 December 2010 . Ive, John. Image Formats for HDTV. July 2004. 15 December 2010 . Schamber, Linda. "Optical Disk Formats: A Briefing. ERIC Digest." 12 May 1988. EricDigests.org. 12 December 2010 . Shamsi, Saud Al, et al. Strategic Computing and Communications Technology High-Definition DVD Format War. 14 March 2007. 18 December 2010 . Shankland, Stephen. FAQ: HD DVD vs. Blu-ray. 1 October 2005. 19 December 2010 . Silva, Robert. Blu-ray and HD-DVD - Sorting Out Fact from Fiction. 2010. 19 December 2010 . stevetuf, R K Locutus. Optical Disk. 13 April 2008. 19 December 2010 . WebVideoGuys. Guide to Understanding HD Formats. 2010. 19 December 2010 . Wood, David. High Definition. October 2004. 15 December 2010 . Read More