3X DVD: HD DVD Camp Secret Weapon?
All the hype goes around the Blu-ray camp these days, but HD DVD supporters may hold a secret weapon against their enemy!
The 3X DVD spec is part of the HD DVD format and is apparently only compatible with HD DVD players. But the HD DVD discs themselves are physically exactly the same as standard red-laser DVDs.
Throw in a software upgrade to support high definition content, HD DVD's UDF 2.5 file structure and AACS and you have a way to deliver HDTV content on a 9.4 GB DVD. By using newer encoding technologies like MPEG-4 and VC-1 and/or lowering the resolution to say, 720p, full length movies easily fit on a standard DVD.
That is the base of an announcement made by Eclipse Data Technologies, a supplier of HD DVD mastering equipment. They say they are now offering free upgrades to their customers in order to support 3X DVD manufacturing. DCA Inc. also announced yesterday it has mastered the first 3X DVD disc. Several manufacturers are also looking at it as a possible low cost path into HD video.
The 3X DVD could bring an interesting new aspect in the HD war over the next few months. But customers are now expecting at least 1080i because most of the TVs sold right now are supporting this resolution and it’s the resolution used by broadcasters. They skipped the upscaling feature sold on high end dvds to wait full hd discs or at least 1080i.
To be followed!
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