Tech Watch | InfoWorld Staff » Microsoft, Toshiba define HD-DVD mission

June 27, 2005 | Comments: (0)

Microsoft, Toshiba define HD-DVD mission

TAGS: Storage

Microsoft and Toshiba announced today they will work together to develop High Definition-DVD (HD-DVD) players, giving Toshiba some high-powered backing in the current standards battle over next-generation DVDs.

Toshiba is offering a different DVD format than its rival Sony, which is offering up Blu-ray, an alternative technology. Microsoft and Toshiba said they would investigate the development of HD-DVD players using Microsoft Windows CE technology and would continue to collaborate on iHD, a DVD interactivity format.

Even though HD-DVD uses some Microsoft technology in its system, Microsoft continues to maintain the company has a neutral position in regard to this format war.

The battle between the Blu-ray group and the HD-DVD format is similar to the Betamax and VHS wars 20 years ago. Most in the industry are hoping the two groups will reach an agreement to avoid a damaging repeat of the Betamax and VHS wars. The first players for the new format are expected to high store shelves this Christmas, so an agreement would have to occur pretty soon.

The technical difference between the two systems is slight, but difficult to overcome. The main differnce lies with the thin layer of plastic above the metal surface on which data is written. The HD DVD format specifies a 0.6-millimeter coating, while a Blu-ray disc specifies a 0.1 millimeter coating.

HD-DVD's slightly thicker coating is the same as on current DVDs, allowing manufacturers to use existing manufacturing technique, giving HD-DVD a cost advantage.

Blu-ray's thinner coating would require new manufacturing equipment, but it also allows for Blu-ray's higher storage capacity.

Posted by Bob Francis on June 27, 2005 02:34 PM

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