Andy Daniëls
3 SWMA
ICT03
• Introduction
• History
• Technical Comparison
• Companies
• Security
• Why Blu-ray is On the Rise?
• Television: HD vs. Standard
• Conclusion
• Questions?
• Discussion
High-definition (HD) television and HD optical discs entered the market
Two HD formats have appeared in the DVD market, both claiming to be
the rightful successor to the DVD throne:
Blu-ray (developed by Sony/Phillips)
HD DVD (developed by Toshiba)
Measured by performance the two technologies are the same, except
that Blu-ray has larger capacity (66%).
Before HD, IBM introduced a standard DVD format avoid a format war,
but the outcome favored Toshiba regarding royalties, leaving Sony
unhappy
In response, Sony began developing the next generation of high-
definition optical media (Blu-Ray)
Toshiba followed immediately with its own HD technology (HD DVD)
While there were many “peace talks”, neither party reached
agreement THE FORMAT WAR
Most performance features of these two technologies are the same
Blu-ray storage capacity is more practical for HD movies
One high-definition movie (~20GB) fits on just one Blu-ray layer
(25GB); while HD DVD requires two layers (2x 15GB)
Both formats have support from various large companies, Blu-ray has
greater support from content providers that are critical to achieving a
network effect
Advanced Access Content System (AACS):
• AACS is the copy protection scheme used by
both HD DVD & Blu-ray. It took years to develop,
but it was hacked in a few weeks.
Blu-ray:
• Offers coating to prevent scratching
• Secure encryption system -- a unique ID that protects against video
and copyright piracy
Availability of Hardware
Blu-ray (with PS3) : HD DVD = 5 : 1
Blu-ray sales up 700% since the launch
of PS3 and other players
Availability of Content
19 of the “Top 20” DVDs in 2007 were
released by studios supporting Blu-ray
TV remains the Limiting Factor for the time being
• High-definition provides far superior resolution,
so without HD televisions the improvement in quality will go
unnoticed.
Blu-ray is positioned to win the format war because
Stronger sales in the US and Japan
Blu-ray has greater support
Blu-ray has better copy protection
PS3 integrated Blu-ray players
Larger capacity of 25GB (vs 15GB)
When buying a Blu-Ray you need a HD TV to benefit from the quality
difference, would you invest in a new TV?
Will Blu-Ray become the new standard? Or will people wait for the next
generation because Blu-Ray is too expensive?
If you had to choose between Xbox 360 or PS3, which one would you
choose?