HD DVD and Blu-Ray Burning

Author: Amit Raju

Article:
This article explains high definition video recording. Some of
you may wonder what HD brings to the table, so here it is. The
maximum resolution that a normal DVD can produce is 480i. The
resolution of High Definition goes up to either 720p or 1080i,
far beyond the capabilities of a standard DVD recorder. The
older DVD recorders can not record HDTV broadcasts at full
resolution because of this restriction.

High Definition recording is done either on Blu-ray Disc,
HD-DVD, or on a Hard Drive. Some newer models will combine both
technologies, however. Both Blu-Ray discs and HD-DVDs deliver
true high definition.

By the way, the name 'Blue-Ray' comes from the fact that the
frequency of the laser that reads the disc is so high that it
reaches the blue end of the spectrum.

You might have heard about the big battle taking place between
HD-DVD and Blu-Ray right now. It's reminiscnet of the old VHS
vs. Betamax fight in the '80s. So hoe do you choose between
HD-DVD and Blu-Ray?

The choice may affect your purchases for the future as to what
type of HD camcorder you buy, what type of discs you use, and so
on.

Sony is the producer of Blue-Ray, and this technology used in
all of their recorders and players, as well as the new
Playstation 3. Not surprisingly, PS3's biggest competitor - the
xBox 360, uses HDDVD discs. HDDVD came first, so those who have
already taken the plunge will be relieved that prices on HD-DVD
discs, recorders, and players are falling rapidly.

Blu-ray discs can hold more data or video than HD DVD
counterparts, but they are more expensive. Further muddling your
decision is the fact that some Hollywood studios have decided to
work with HDDVD (Paramount, Universal and Warner), while others
have settled on Blu-Ray (Sony Pictures, MGM/Columbia TriStar,
Fox, Warner, and Lions Gate). The quality of both Blu-ray and HD
DVD discs varies with the film itself, but titles available on
both formats generally have similar video quality.

Of course the dilemma may be moot, soon, as new dual-format
players have been announced. So you may not be forced to choose
between the two in the end.

About the author:
Amit Raju owns and operates http://www.hdburn.net, a site
focusing on High Definition Dvd
Recorders.