“Disc Wars” - Is There A Winner? Yet?

Written by Kevin Ray

n 1972, the world’s first Video Cassette Recorder for home use, the Phillips Model 1500, was introduced in England, and the age of home theater was born.

In December 1978, the first Laser Disc player, the Magnavox VH-8000 was introduced to the American market. Sales of this format peaked in December 1993.

In December 1995, Warner Home Video and eight electronics manufacturers agreed on DVD specs.

In March 1997, Batman was the first of 50 DVD titles released by Warner Home Video, and DVD players became available in the U.S. The cheapest was the Toshiba SD2006 at $499.

In February 2002, the total number of DVD players sold in the U.S. hit 30 million.

Also, in February 2002, Blu-ray technology was born, and so was the battle to decide who between Blu-ray and HD-DVD would claim the coveted title as DVD’s replacement disc format. Both platforms are next generation optical media discs that use a high-power, blue-purple laser technology which has a shorter wavelength than a red laser. This allows both formats to read the smaller digital data “spots” that are packed a lot more densely onto a standard-sized 12 cm disc. They both also promise to deliver the consumer high-definition, high-capacity, 1080p benefits unmatched by any current format.

The battle ground has grown somewhat since my last article debating Sony’s Blu-ray versus HD-DVD “Disc Wars.” Many have purchased one or the other and are convinced they’ve made the right choice. Others are waiting for the TKOs. The original combatants, Sony and Toshiba, both have large encampments with new support coming from many directions. There have however, been some defections, and others who are taking a neutral stance by backing both sides. Samsung, who broke ranks with Blu-ray recently by announcing it will make players that play both formats, may have seen the writing on the wall. This may also have been in response to the already existing LG hybrid called “Super Blu,” which will play Blu-ray, HD-DVD, and your old DVD’s as well for a measly $1,199.99. It has been reported that Wal-Mart has snapped up 2 million players from the China–based Great Wall Corp. that will have a $299 retail price tag. There has been no confirmation as to whether this product would be Blu-ray, HD-DVD, or a format straddling hybrid player. This would certainly have an effect on the sales of Sony’s PlayStation 3 with its “Trojan Horse” Blu-ray capabilities for $499.99, and the Microsoft Xbox 360 with an outboard HD-DVD player for the same price.

It was expected in the beginning that Sony’s Blu-ray would dominate the market with its PS3, but that hasn’t happened because gamers spend the majority of their spare time gaming; not watching movies.

As you can see in the Technical Spec Chart, there are relatively few differences between the two technologies. There are however, just enough differences to make the two technologies incompatible with each other.
Technical Specs of Blu-Ray and HD-DVD discs:

All of this leaves us movie aficionados with the following questions: Do I buy an HD disc player now, or do I wait? Do I go with Blu-ray or HD-DVD? Given what I have learned, I’m waiting a while longer. It is my opinion that equipment manufacturers will recognize that both formats are probably here to stay, even though I suspect that Blu-ray will be the stronger of the two, and they will do as LG and Samsung have by producing machines that play both HD formats as well as standard DVD. If they can actually get these hybrid machines down to the sub $300.00 range and maintain quality, which I believe they will as soon as Christmas 2007, people will buy them, and disc sales of both HD formats will take off. We shall see!

This article provided by Kevin Ray of Custom Audio Video, LLC. Member CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association)