Now the situation has changed with advanced DVD technologies. You now have exclusive HD DVDs which offer you superior video and audio output. They also differ from the traditional DVDs in the sense that they are able to store more data on their surfaces. They are all set to revolutionize the home theater market.

Almost all major studios in Hollywood like Universal, MGM and Warner, to name only a few, have announced new titles on this high capacity HD DVD. The HD DVD format is being pioneered by Toshiba and NEC, who are credited with inventing the advanced optical disc technology. The new format enables storage of large amount of data, up to 15 GB on a single layered disc and 30 GB on a double layered disc. The format uses the now often heard term, blue laser. The inventors of this format claim that it will cost substantially less than its closest rival, Blu-ray discs.

The high definition DVD player manufacturers are also bracing for the onslaught of this new type of DVD, by offering players which have backward compatibility, which enables you to still play your good old DVDs apart from the latest HD DVDs. Some models from Toshiba have already hit the market. These models are capable of playing both traditional as well as HD DVDs.

The Current Scenario

The principal rival to the advanced optical disc format is the Blu-ray format. Blu-ray discs are being aggressively promoted by leading consumer electronic giants like Sony, Samsung, Philips, Sharp, and Hp to mention a few. These Blu-ray discs, like the advanced optical discs, are capable of storing a large amount of data. In fact they can store more than what the advanced optical discs can store. A single layered Blu-ray disc can store up to 25 GB of data, while a double layered disc can store 50 GB. They also offer excellent video quality with unmatched audio output. This technology also uses the blue-violet laser technology, just like the HD DVD technology being promoted by Toshiba and NEC.

A major advantage with Blu-ray format lies in the fact that the entire technology is backwards compatible. That is, you can now play your old CDs and traditional DVDs on them. All you need to check for is a BD/DVD/CD compatible unit. So, you need not worry about buying a player with Blu-ray technology and not being able to use it. The Blu-ray movie codes are different though from that of DVD region codes. So while the Americas and East Asia will have one code, you will have different codes for countries like China, Russia, and India and others.

Most of the modern day high definition DVD players would be able play both advanced optical discs and Blu-ray discs. While most of them will play these discs in high resolution, some may play them in low resolution. It is therefore important that you check for the specifications of your DVD players to find out whether they can play HD DVDs in them. Both types though have certain similarities, like being able to play on most of the high definition DVD players or your old DVD players. One major difference between the two types of discs lies in the coating. While the coating on Blu-ray discs enable them to store more data, it is not so for HD DVDs. It is a generally accepted fact that Blu-ray discs have more data on each layer than HD DVDs.

One reason for the aggressive promotion of HD DVDs is because they cost less, when compared to Blu-ray discs. The cheaper cost is due to the entire manufacturing process, which is a whole lot cheaper.

Compatibility

The battle between the two camps promoting HD DVDs and Blu-ray discs is picking up, with major players taking sides. Intel and Microsoft are also promoting the HD DVD format, apart from Toshiba and NEC, while Blu-ray discs find favor with Sony, Samsung, Philips, Sharp, and most of the Hollywood studios. One thing is for sure though, the future of the home theater segment lies in the hands of these formats.

If you are already in the market for an HD DVD player, you can always go in for one without worrying whether they will be able to play your traditional DVDs on them, because most of them will. On the flipside, your new movie on an HD DVD wont play on your old DVD. Since the size of the HD DVDs is similar to that of conventional CDs, manufacturers are able to make newer players, which can handle both. The thing which dictates the compatibility factor is the laser. Once a player has a laser pickup that reads either of the formats, then everything becomes easy, you can now happily play your old DVDs apart from the latest HD DVDs.

The latest HD DVD models from Toshiba are able to read DVDs, HD DVDs, and CDs. If you are thinking of upgrading to an HD DVD player, then it is preferable that you also go in for an HDTV, which most of the homes even in advanced countries like the U.S. dont have. The use of HD DVDs is all set to gain widespread popularity in near future, and purchasing an HD DVD player is not a bad option, even if you were not able to purchase several HD DVDs.

You still can watch other DVDs on them. An HD DVD can store both regular and high definition content on the same disc. There are some discs which have a combination of formats; they have DVD formats on one side and HD DVD format on the other. Thus, they enable you to play them on virtually any DVD player.

The concept of twin or combination discs is being embraced quickly among libraries and video rental stores, since not everyone has an HD DVD player. With the Blu-ray format breathing down its neck, most people are waiting for one clear winner to emerge before making their purchase decision for a high definition video playback system.

The trend is almost similar in most parts of the world. There are some manufacturers who are trying to capture the market with other technologies like the Holographic Versatile Disc (HVD), mostly from China. Chinese models which play this format are already available in the market. They are compatible with DVDs, HD DVDs, CDs, and HVDs. Most of the European countries like France, Spain, UK, Greece, and Germany are bracing for the newer technologies too, with their own DVD players. With increased competition between the formats, we are surely heading for a period of exciting prospects.