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High defini       which form Standard definition DVDs and DVD players have saturated the market – and now we’re waiting for the next big development: high definition DVDs. These will finally give us an unlimited source of high definition program material but there are two competing formats. Which one will win? Or will they co-exist, uncomfortably, for a long time – like VHS and Betamax? by Barrie Smith First announced in 2002 Sony’s Blu-ray format takes a very different approach to storing high definition material: a single-layer disc can store between 23 and 27GB of data, enough for four hours of high definition video. A dual-layer disc can hold between 46 and 54GB, more than enough for eight full hours. 8  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au tion DVDs – at will win?    I have to admit that, having agreed with our esteemed editor’s request to put together a story on what’s happening with high definition video formats, I faced the challenge with trepidation. I saw it as a bit like describing the movement of a glacier on steroids. This is really a monster! I suppose you could see it coming if you looked really hard. But few of us probably had the patience to do so, infatuated as we are by the elegance and ease of use of DVD, which has taken the market by storm. The players are relatively easy to use, the movies are beguiling and the quality (when compared to VHS) is stunning. Currently, some DVD players are priced at less than a decent meal at the local Chinese; my nearest Harvey Norman’s has them on the run for less than $50. The software, however, is still ticketed as high as the market will bear. But those bewitching platters of plastic in their stylish boxes pull us in every time. Many of us have a collection of titles on the shelves that will very soon rival the number of VHS tapes we have either recorded or purchased over the years. In my own case (and making no comment on copyright) I have 300+ tapes Partnering Toshiba in the drive towards making HD-DVD the standard, this is one of the NEC hardware mock-ups. Expect to see actual product in the near future. siliconchip.com.au April 2006  9 In a nutshell . . . 1. Just what is high definition widescreen? In the PAL world, high definition video is defined thus: 720p: the picture is 1280 x 720 pixels, transmitted at 50 complete frames per second. 1080i: the picture is 1920 x 1080 pixels, sent at 50 interlaced fps or 50 complete fps. 1080p: a 1920 x 1080 pixels picture, sent at 50 complete fps. The first figure (eg, 1920) is the horizontal definition in pixels; the latter figure (eg, 1080), is the vertical line structure. HDTV is a digital signal in the 720p, 1080i or 1080p format. 2. Component versus HDMI connection A component video connection carries the three primary colour signals; in consumer terms, the three component signals have been translated into luminance (Y) and two colour difference signals (PP, PR), each on a separate wire. HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is the optimum method of carrying uncompressed video and multi-channel audio data to the display device through one single cable, so eliminating multiple analog connections for hi-res audio and video. Without an HDMI connection you would need three video connections for high definition video and six audio connections for surround audio. HDMI is a digital carrier, as opposed to other connection standards, such as composite and component video, as well as S-video, which are all analog. 3. What sound channels will be available? For audio, Blu-ray supports linear (uncompressed) PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD and Dolby Lossless (also known as MLP). HD-DVD audio, as supported in Toshiba’s first HD-DVD player the HD-A1, includes Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD lossless (two channel), DTS and DTS-HD lossless. For what it’s worth, Dolby Digital Plus is an enhanced coding system based on the AC-3 codec. It offers support for more audio channels (up to 13.1), improved coding techniques to reduce artefacts and backward compatibility with existing AC-3 hardware. Naturally, surround channel information will depend on how each movie title Blu-ray HD-DVD disc is prepared. 4. Do both Blu-ray and HD-DVD have the same video standards? Both formats will be backwards compatible with DVDs and both employ the same video compression techniques: MPEG-2, Video Codec 1 (VC1, based on the Windows Media 9 format) and H-264/MPEG-4 AVC. 5. Which is best? Either approach – Blu-ray or HD-DVD – will offer significant advantages for the creation of a high-quality screen image, compared to current DVDs. That is, ‘significant’ if you have a true high definition display of sizeable dimensions. In my opinion, the benefits of the two systems will only be fully realised if your screen image diagonal measures more than 1.5 metres. The big plus is that even at close viewing distances, the line structure completely disappears. 6. Encoding. Let’s hope the MPEG encoding on important movie titles is performed sympathetically. A “million dollar” screen display is worthless if screen artefacts from poor encoding are noticeable. 10  Silicon Chip shelved, with DVDs approaching the 100 mark. And in a few short months, they will all be obsolete. Digital High Definition widescreen DVDs are about to be released! Home Cinema When you go to the movies, it’s a matter of course that all the big features are exhibited in some sort of widescreen aspect ratio and of a quality seldom seen in the home environment. But it’s now possible to install a monster plasma or LCD TV screen, or set up a high definition video projector, that will create a home cinema experience pretty close to the real thing … screen size aside. And that’s not even to delve into the situation where you can watch widescreen digital broadcast television of sports, dramas and documentaries with a resolution that matches it. Next item on the menu: a medium to replay and, if the Almighty permits, record high definition video and multichannel sound. High Definition Video So now we find ourselves slap bang in the middle of a format fight. In the red corner is HD-DVD, a format created by Toshiba and NEC, while over in the opposing (blue!) corner is Blu-ray, the progeny of Sony, Matsushita and Philips. Both have serious supporters. The players and the discs from both are due soon. Realistically, the struggle will begin earlier than you think. With the technology bloodlines of both sides beyond question, it’s not a matter of which format is superior but more a situation of which will curry most support from backers. . . and which will convince the public that the content (movies, games, etc) will be desirable. Toshiba/NEC’s HD-DVD Toshiba/NEC’s HD-DVD format appeared in November 2003 and was introduced to the DVD Forum (see panel) and approved by the latter as “the next-generation DVD format.” Blu-ray was never submitted for consideration, so was neither approved nor rejected by the forum. Actual product from Toshiba itself had not appeared on the market as of late 2005. HD-DVD discs have a single-layer capacity of 15GB – that’s more than siliconchip.com.au The replay pickup inside a Toshiba HD-DVD player; the format uses a blue-violet laser with a 405 nanometre wavelength. A Philips Blu-ray recording head. It too uses a 405nm laser but there the similarities end! Blu-ray disc capacities are potentially up to 200GB three times that of a single layer DVD (4.7GB). HD-DVD uses a blue-violet laser with a shorter wavelength (405 nanometres) than the red laser (650nm) used in current DVD drives; for the record, CDs are written with a laser wavelength of 780nm. The HD-DVD’s shorter wavelength laser enables tighter data packing on the disc, so more data can be stored. This HD-DVD disc is visibly identical to a DVD. HD-DVD, Blu-ray and DVD all use a 120mm disc. The surface layer of an HD-DVD disc is 0.6mm thick, the same as DVD but thicker than the Blu-ray disc’s 0.1mm layer. When first launched, the HD-DVD disk will come in three sizes: 15, 30 and 45GB. The 45GB version could hold a total of 12 hours of high definition. A fourth type will have a standard definition DVD version on the reverse side of the disk. Sharing a low manufacturing cost, HD-DVD has very similar characteristics to DVD: same layer thicknesses and similar materials. Current DVD disc Toshiba HD-DVD player and disc siliconchip.com.au plants can, with slight modifications, manufacture HD-DVDs. Blu-ray The Blu-ray format was first announced in early 2002 and actual product — in the form of a Sony Bluray recorder – was actually on sale in Japan in April 2003 for the asking price of US$3815. Disc blanks holding 23GB could be bought for US$30 and could store two hours of MPEG2 encoded high definition video. DVD players are likely to appear early this year. Sidestepping the DVD Forum, Sony created its own industry body in the Blu-ray Disc Association, with at least seven of the DVD Forum’s original 10 founders now supporting Blu-ray. Currently the association has 140 members. The format’s capacity potential is staggering: a single-layer disc can store between 23GB and 27GB of data, enough for four hours of high definition video. A dual-layer disc can hold between 46GB and 54GB, more than enough for eight full hours of high definition. Another plus is the extreme thinness of Blu-ray’s data layers; up to eight layers could be potentially placed on one disc: then you’re looking at 200GB of storage. TDK has already created a four-layer 100GB prototype disc. Blu-ray also relies on a blue-violet April 2006  11 laser with a 405nm wavelength. Blu-ray’s attractions include high capacity and future expansion. The early discs were housed in protective caddies because the data layer is very close to the disc’s surface. TDK then developed a very tough coating so the Blu-ray can now claim durability: it’s said that not even a screwdriver can damage it and it’s likely to be even more damage-resistant then current DVDs. A Blu-ray disc is costly to manufacture and current DVD plants would need considerable re-tooling. But technology is never stationary. The Winner HD-DVD was built to handle only one application – video playback – at minimal cost and maximum efficiency. Blu-ray has a different approach: the format can handle video and audio playback, computer software and gaming applications equally well. Blu-ray has three technological advantages: (a) it allows movie studios a higher level of copy protection; (b) Blu-ray has more present and potential capacity than HD-DVD; and (c) the format’s Java programming technology is a proven standard and offers greater operator interactivity than HDDVD’s iHD (devised by Microsoft). HD-DVD and Blu-ray will be backwards compatible with DVDs and both employ the same video compression: MPEG2, Video Codec 1 (based on Windows Media 9) and MPEG4. The amount of high definition content that can be stored on a disc is entirely dependent upon the codec used to encode that content. Using standard Blu-ray’s secret weapon may be the PlayStation 3 console (top, with a PS3 action game below), due for release this year, with a Blu-ray drive able to play games and high definition movies. 12  Silicon Chip MPEG2 DVD compression, a singlelayer Blu-ray disc could hold two hours of high definition programming, but with MPEG4 or VC-1 compression this figure roughly doubles. HD-DVD has one other advantage over Blu-ray: it can accommodate hybrid DVD/HD-DVD content on the same disc; each on opposing sides. The two rivals have fought a bitter PR war over the last year or so. Talks held in early 2005 with the aim of effecting a possible compromise to combine the two formats got nowhere. The general feeling is that most major movie studios will support the Blu-ray format in 2006. But industry figures have concerns over disc production costs, as it is recognised as a major departure from past DVD and CD manufacturing processes. Higher production costs will lead to higher retail prices. One executive even stated that in trials “a manufacturing line for HD DVD discs produced nearly twice as many useable discs as a similar line pumping out the Blu-ray format, over the same period of time.” The duel will most likely be won by the format with the lowest hardware and software prices. It seems likely at this point in time that the competing products will hit the market at roughly the same time. While apparently more costly, the Sony format appears to be the most technically advanced and the one with the most development potential so that it could carry more content. Blu-ray has a possible 200GB capacity in view (using eight layers), compared to a likely maximum of 60GB for HD-DVD (two sides/two layers). But new codecs such as MPEG4 AVC could make it possible to produce high quality content at lower bit rates (less data) without a visible loss of quality. Using such advanced codec technology, HD-DVD could possibly store eight hours on two layers that would normally have held only 30GB with “straight MPEG4” encoding – enough for a complete high definition movie with all the extras. HD-DVD supporters promised the release of 85 movie titles before the end of 2005, while Blu-ray planned a release in the first quarter of 2006. This situation has changed due to smallerthan-expected shipments of hardware and software. Paramount promised a release of 20 HD-DVD titles in 2005 but will not resiliconchip.com.au The Colt: Tapestry As this story was being written and the powerful forces behind Sony and Toshiba were slugging it out, suddenly a dark colt was seen to streak up on the outside rails, that could, if it was let run, trample on all their plans. The tape people, Maxell and a Colorado enterprise InPhase (a spinoff from Lucent Technologies’ Bell Labs) has announced that it has developed a “new storage medium optical disc technology” called Tapestry that will store 63 times the capacity of current DVDs on a 130mm disc — about 300GB. And it could be a viable product by September 2006. The holographic media is claimed to have ultimate storage capacities of 1.6 Terabytes per disc and offer data rates as high as 160Mbps (20MB/second). In October 2005, Turner Broadcasting System broadcast a promotional TV ad from a holographic disc and drive developed by Maxell and InPhase respectively. Turner VP of Broadcast technology, Ron Tarasoff, described the medium as “an ideal way to store high-quality, high-definition movies [and] TV programming as files,” adding that “the data rate allows us to migrate files on and off the disks quickly.” Early information indicates that InPhase is using both green and blue lasers to write the holographic data with wavelengths of 510-532nm and 400-410nm. The discs are both ROM and recordable. The specs for Tapestry allow for disc media as well as ‘slides’ and ‘coupons’, measuring 50 x 75mm and 75 x 75mm respectively. The InPhase developers devised several overlapping multiplexing techniques that resulted in a relatively simple architecture for holographic storage. A reference laser beam is used to “write” that data in a number of 3D hologram images. Coupled with this was the creation of a new, higher density storage medium; this used a new “two chemistry” polymer that yielded a high response, high photosensitivity media in a millimetre-thick, optically flat format. This twin chemistry promises storage densities of up to 100 Gigabits/square inch, along with very fast transfer rates. InPhase claims that Tapestry drives do not require very fast rotation rates to get the promised transfer rates. Relatively small form factors can therefore have very high capacity and performance. Accelerated testing indicates a 50 year archival life for the media. Venture capital partners include Hitachi Maxell, Bayer Material Science and ALPS Electric (makers of Alpine hifi). Not to be forgotten is the breakaway Chinese format, EVD (Enhanced Versatile Disk), created in 2003 to avoid the high DVD licensing cost but, by using codecs VP5 and VP6 instead of MPEG2, able to store high definition resolution programming. It fell by the wayside after a dispute between developing consortium members. Gone? Probably! During recording (left), light from a single laser beam is split into two beams – a signal beam (which carries the data) and a reference beam. The hologram is formed where these two beams intersect in the recording medium. In order to read the data (right), only the reference beam is needed. It deflects off the hologram, thus reconstructing the stored information. The hologram is then projected onto a detector that reads one million bits of data in parallel. This parallel read out provides holography with its fast transfer rates. siliconchip.com.au April 2006  13 LATE NEWS . . . HP has decided to support both formats, after opposing HD-DVD for the last two years. The decision makes sense in the short term, leaving the market to decide which will be the winner. The Las Vegas CES show in January saw early Blu-ray/HD-DVD hardware, titles and strategy revealed. Player costs for Australia would likely be high at first, with some companies holding back on early models. Toshiba will market its first two HDDVD players – HD-XA1 and HD-A1 – in March. The new HD-DVD players will output content through the HDMI interface in the native format of the HD-DVD disc at either 720p or 1080i. Through the HDMI interface, standard definition DVDs can be upconverted to output resolutions of 720p or 1080i to complement the performance of an HDTV. Prices are set at $US499 and $US699. Toshiba also showed off a new high-end Qosmio laptop with an HDDVD drive. Microsoft announced it will make an external HD-DVD drive that will eventually be available for its newly launched Xbox 360 video game console. This drive will not be available for the Australian launch of the Xbox 360. Also announced: Microsoft will build in support for HD-DVD in the forthcoming Windows Vista operating system. Movie releases in HD-DVD will ‘ramp up’ in May this year, growing to nearly 200 titles by mid year. Early releases will primarily be legacy titles, lease any until this year. NBC Universal released 12 titles instead of 16, while Time Warner says that its plans are flexible while it waits to see whether a compromise can be achieved between the two formats. Going back a while, it’s interesting to note that Toshiba and Warner Brothers helped settle the behind-the-scenes format disagreements that existed before the adoption of the present DVD standard. And don’t forget the games market: with its multi-layer capability, Blu-ray appears to offer the most real estate for graphics-rich games, a sector rap14  Silicon Chip adding some new releases later. Titles will feature a mixture of stand-alone HD-DVD discs and hybrid HD-DVD/ standard-definition DVD discs. Hybrid discs will sell for several dollars more than HD-DVD-only titles. Still being decided are the final specs for the AACS digital rights management system that is to be used in both the HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats. Failure to sign off on these could still further delay both the HDDVD and Blu-ray Disc formats. Pioneer’s first Blu-ray Disc computer drive should be around in Q1/2006. The company’s first Blu-ray player – BDP-HD1 – should appear in June at a suggested price of $US1800. Samsung promised to ship a Bluray Disc player – BD-P1000 – to consumers in April 2006 for around $US1000. It will have a memory card reader and outputs include composite, S-video, component, HDMI and both digital and analog audio outputs. Broadcom announced the first high definition decoder chip that is fully compliant with both Blu-ray, HD-DVD and DVD. “Broadcom is providing the back end,” said Jonathan Goldberg, senior product manager. “Features like video, graphics, navigation, display.You can use Broadcom solutions to build a player that will play both [formats].” The company noted that DVD player manufacturers must still deal with the incompatibility of the optical pickup at the front end of the technology. You still need a drive but that’s likely this year! idly overtaking movie production as a prime and lucrative revenue source. The killer punch in the match may well be the arrival of Sony’s Playstation 3 game console this year. PS3 will feature a Blu-ray drive and be the first video game console on the market featuring a next-generation drive. Likely price: US$300-600 for a games machine that will also handle high definition video. The PS3 factor is important in the struggle: if Sony gets a high volume of players in the market, it will gain it market recognition and market share, which will obviously help to bring down manufacturing costs for domestic players and discs. However, at the end of the day, the buying public has to fork out for the new technology – and in decent numbers – to make HD-DVD or Blu-ray a financial success. The real fact is that enthusiasts have invested in large screens and projectors to enjoy true digital 1920 x 1080 high definition video, along with surround sound systems and most are, by-andlarge, very happy with the experience from current broadcast TV and DVD delivery. Now that prices are tumbling, other consumers will now follow the early adopters. Then we’ll see whether we’ll take on a high definition disc format or will Video on Demand, Internet video or iPod-like delivery schemes outwit the disc. It’s your call! Format fight Many people have compared techno fights like this Toshiba/Sony scrap as similar to the tussle between Sony’s Betamax and JVC’s VHS tape formats in the mid 70s. No comparison! The contest then was to launch a video recording format for the home, to sell the hardware to punters eager to tape and archive their “Number 96” and “The Sullivans” programs as Australian colour television really got into its stride — from a slow 1975 start. It’s believed Sony lost the battle because it wanted Betamax to be the industry standard, presumably to reap the royalties and manufacturing licensing fees from the proprietary technology. JVC, for its part, was content to ‘open share’ the format with other manufacturers, thereby missing out on substantial potential earnings — but ensuring that VHS proliferated in the market place. By 1984, 40 companies were on the VHS bandwagon, with Betamax at only 12. Finally admitting defeat, by 1988 Sony was manufacturing VHS recorders. No, the HD-DVD versus Blu-ray is not about the hardware — it’s the software! Each camp has supporters lined up – and big guns they are: HD-DVD Movies: Warner Home Video, Universal Studios, HBO and New Line Cinema, Paramount Home Entertainment. Others: Dell, Hewlett-Packard, NEC, Sanyo, Thomson. siliconchip.com.au Blu-ray Games: Electronic Arts, Vivendi. Movies: Sony Pictures, Columbia TriStar (Sony-owned), Walt Disney Productions, MGM (20% Sony-owned), Paramount Home Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, Lions Gate Entertainment. Others: Adobe, Intel, Microsoft, Apple, Dell, Thomson, JVC, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Hitachi, LG, Samsung, Sharp, Yamaha, Zenith, BenQ, Maxell, TDK, Verbatim. DVD Forum The DVD Forum is an international association of hardware manufacturers, software firms, content providers and other users of Digital Versatile Discs (DVD). Its purpose is to exchange and disseminate ideas and information about the DVD format and its technical capabilities, improvements and innovations. The forum was founded by the companies involved in the original DVD format war to make sure that compromises could be reached regarding the future of the high definition format. Current members include Toshiba, NEC, Sony, Matsushita and Philips (and a few hundred others). Yes, Toshiba, Sony, etc – the progenitors of the two opposing high definition recordable formats – are still members. The final frame As this story was wound up, news came through that Samsung plans to make a combo HD-DVD/Blu-ray player. The company currently supports the Blu-ray group but is reported to be wary of launching a solo format unit. Samsung feels it has sufficient resources to support HD-DVD as well “in the Samsung’s BD-P1000 combo Blu-ray/HD-DVD near future” and the current player will output 1080i and 720p hightarget of the company is “to definition signals, as well as standard-definition be ready for a super-combo signals. The $US1000 player is expected in the recorder, capable of recording next few months, possibly as early as May. on both Blu-ray and HD-DVD media.” possibly make it expensive, at least in This would be the solution everythe beginning.” It’s likely to appear in body needs, Samsung believes, in order the US in the next few months. to “avoid the confusion of different forThere are rumours that LG is close mats.” However, such a device “would behind with the same ambition. SC NEW NEW NEW MP4s from Media Vision Technology This little all-in-one pocket sized MP4 player might be small in size but it is big on features. It comes with a large 2.5” colour TFT LCD screen and 512MB of built in memory with an additional SD card slot for up to 1GB SD card. It can record video direct from the line in and has TV play back. But that’s not all. This Mp4 player also includes an MP3 player, picture viewer, digital voice recorder, games and a calendar. It’s great for playing back movies from digital cameras. VR 9500 Movie Player, Photo Player, Music Player, AV Recorder, Voice Recorder, SD Card Reader, 512MB USB Portable Disc Only $299 Reseller enquiries: www.mvt-au.com Email: admin_sales<at>mvt-au.com Buy online now at: MAD Electronics: www.madelectronics.com.au siliconchip.com.au Only This fantastic MP4 player has a whopping 40MB HD and a build in 3.6” colour TFT LCD screen. Not only can this great device store movies but it can record full 30fps VGA quality video direct from the line in straight to the hard drive, it can even play them back on a TV! Ideal for kids to watch movies on road trips or holidays and no more lost or broken discs as all you favourite movies are stored safely on the hard drive. Comes size: 110 x 80 x 30 (mm) bundled with software. $499 Movie Player, Photo Player, Music Player, AV Recorder, Voice Recorder, MMC/SD Card reader, 40MB USB 2.0 Portable disc. 282 Windang Road Windang, NSW PH. 02 4297 7373 www.madelectronics.com.au April 2006  15