An end to the disc wars?

Author: Ryan Garside
Published: 4th January 2007
Comments (18) Stumble
The big question of which format will dominate tomorrow could finally be answered.

The big question of which format will dominate tomorrow could finally be answered.

Warner Bros. is set to unveil a hybrid next-generation movie disc, which will be compatible with both HD DVD players and Blu-ray players. Technology journalists worldwide are now predicting that this disc, named the Total HD disc, will become the most popular amongst the high-def craving public.

The disc wars, which have up to now been contested between a consortium supporting Blu-ray and a consortium supporting HD DVD, have been eerily similar to the war between VHS and Beta Max – with consumers not knowing which way to invest their cash. The Total HD disc, providing it offers good value for money, could solve all those problems.

One solution to the problem was creating a player that played both formats. However, it appears that option has been discarded in favour of devising a new type of disc. The move by Warner Bros. does make sense – they want as many people in the world with players capable of playing HD content buying as many movies as possible.

The idea is not an original one. Way back in April 2006 we wrote that Warner Bros. were planning on creating a disc that played both DVD and HD DVD. With that strategy failing what chance do you give this one?

At the moment it’s unclear how much the discs will cost. Expect more details when the discs are officially unveiled at CES in Las Vegas next week.

Would you spend a little extra to get a disc compatible with all players? Let us know in the forums.
Quote HugoB 4th January 2007, 15:21
I'd have to see how they actually did it, if it's just Blu-Ray one one side and HD-DVD on the other I won't be too impressed.
Quote airchie 4th January 2007, 15:29
Yeah, if it not that, and its one disk that works on them both, surely the players can't be that different?
Quote rupbert 4th January 2007, 15:30
@ Archangel

I think they are on the same side but the Blu-Ray data is on a lower layer...
Quote Tyinsar 4th January 2007, 15:45
While I'm glad to see a possible solution to the format war, I'm thinking it still has the same nasty DRM.
Quote <A88> 4th January 2007, 16:06
I don't like the sound of this...in my books it's just an over complicated short-term solution that'll push the costs up an cause more hassle than it's worth. Everything we make would have to be on these discs, and if that were the case people would simply opt for the cheapest player, ie HD-DVD. Hate to knock it so much, but hybrid discs really don't solve the problem.

<A88>
Quote oasked 4th January 2007, 16:19
Hybrid players are the way forward. Either that or burn all the Blu-Ray discs. :)
Quote Renoir 4th January 2007, 16:27
It will be a dual layer disc one layer for each format. Problem is that limits the content to 15 and 25GB per format which is hardly an ideal solution. What if you have a film that requires 20GB do you have one dual disc and then one hd-dvd disc. The whole situation is a complete farce >:( The level of confusion for the general public will be immensely off putting IMO. Dual discs are not the solution unless they figure a way to get 4 layers 2 of each and still have it be compatible with current players which is highly unlikely. Dual format players are a better idea IMO but still very inelegant and expensive.

The whole situation is a joke!
Quote TomH 4th January 2007, 17:45
Quote:
Originally Posted by oasked
Hybrid players are the way forward. Either that or burn all the Blu-Ray discs. :)
Amen to that. I don't like the idea of another format.

@Renoir, I find the idea of a third disc format rather inelegant.

Dual-format DVD writers were expensive once, but within a year they were everywhere. I wouldn't worry too much :D
Quote webbyman 4th January 2007, 18:59
intresting...

looks like a win win situation for Warner Bros.

and tbh I can't see either format backing down to the other.. multi player or multi discs for the win..

and they might as well use the top of the disc for one format and bottom for the other? if theres any worry about space...
Quote Springs 4th January 2007, 19:01
i would rather have a hybrid player... means it wont matter what i buy then....
Quote Tyinsar 4th January 2007, 19:03
.
Quote Tyinsar 4th January 2007, 19:04
Quote:
Originally Posted by webbyman
intresting...

looks like a win win situation for Warner Bros.
(and the Warner Sister)

/runs & hides
Quote metarinka 4th January 2007, 23:51
seems like this will just stall it out even longer? ahh well i'm too poor to afford an HDtv so i'm won't be worried for another year or so
Quote Renoir 5th January 2007, 00:06
Quote:
@Renoir, I find the idea of a third disc format rather inelegant.
Agreed. The only elegant solution is if one format dies and quickly.
Quote:
Dual-format DVD writers were expensive once, but within a year they were everywhere. I wouldn't worry too much
I don't doubt they'll get significantly cheaper but AFAIK the two sd dvd standards weren't significantly different which meant dual format players didn't cost that much more to manufacture unlike the high def formats.
Quote r4tch3t 5th January 2007, 00:59
Personally I don't think this will be too good, as people have said about having multiple layers, just not enough storage for long HD movies Lord Of The Rings?
I personally am voting for Blu Ray as it is a new technology, a blue laser, and can be upgraded (Possibly like CD to DVD, both of which use red lasers.)
Quote David_Fitzy 5th January 2007, 20:05
Why are we seeing format wars at all? It's just the same DRM loving fat cats wanting more money for themselves through more control of the distribution. It just confuses joe average and pisses off people like us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by r4tch3t
I personally am voting for Blu Ray as it is a new technology, a blue laser
Says here they both use the same laser Wikipedia - HD-DVD
Quote r4tch3t 6th January 2007, 00:34
I was sure they used different Lasers, and hat is why Blu Ray costs more and the PS3 cam out late, because of low yeild Blue Laser diodes. I stand corrected. What were the low yeilds then?
Quote Renoir 6th January 2007, 00:41
Quote:
Originally Posted by r4tch3t
I was sure they used different Lasers, and hat is why Blu Ray costs more and the PS3 cam out late, because of low yeild Blue Laser diodes. I stand corrected. What were the low yeilds then?
The cell processor was getting crappy yields although I can't confirm if that contributed to the delay.
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