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The HD-DVD home video format was launched in March 2006, but quickly entangled in a "format war" with the competing format, Blu-Ray. Though the formats sold in roughly equal numbers, by early 2008, the majority of movie studios and retailers were backing the Blu-Ray format, effectively vanquishing HD-DVD.
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Fast Facts
- Developed by: Toshiba and NEC in 2003
- Common uses: home video
- US Release: March 31, 2006
- Key Supporters: Microsoft, Intel, Universal Pictures
- Encoding: VC-1, H.264, and MPEG-2
- Capacity: 15 GB and 30 GB (dual layer)
- Read mechanism: 1x@36Mb/s and 2x@72Mb/s
- Toshiba abandoned the HD DVD player on February 19, 2008, thus ending the "format wars"
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History
In the early 2000s, the simultaneous development of two high-definition home video formats were spearheaded by Toshiba and Sony: HD-DVD, based on standard DVD technology, but able to store three times the data; and Blu-Ray, a more distinct HD storage format. Despite a 2005 attempt to reconcile the formats prior to market launch, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray had commenced a "format war" by the following summer, reminiscent of the VHS/Betamax race of the early 1980s. Over the ensuing two years, the formats competed for the favor of industry and consumers. In February 2008, with the majority of movie studios and retailers backing the Blu-Ray format, Toshiba announced that it would discontinue the manufacture of HD-DVD players, signaling the format's demise. The last two major studio films released in the HD-DVD format are Warner Bros.' P.S. I Love You and Twister (both released on May 27, 2008). -
Buying Guide
HD-DVD continues to have its devotees, and the overall critical response to the formats suggests that neither is clearly superior to the other. Buying an HD-DVD player could be a worthy investment for film buffs: they're available at liquidation prices, and the format allows access to thousands of movies that are increasingly available at a discount as well. Before buying a player, research the options on Engadget and Gizmodo—and also consider getting a Dual-Format Disc Player for both formats. -
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HD-DVD on Twitter Powered by Twitter
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Questions and Answers About HD-DVD | View All | Ask a Question
View All HD-DVD Questions (6) | Ask a QuestionXbox 360 Elite HD-DVD player issue? (3 Answers)Buying refurbished has it's flaws at times. I don't think microsoft made this component to black out. An exchange (with in store testing) can resolve. read moreWhere can I find an Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive? (5 Answers)Many different video game parts are on http://store.richspsxparts.com/xb360ac.html I just ordered some PSP parts from there that I could not source anywhere else. read moreIs it worth it anymore to by an HD-DVD player for cheap and stockpile HD-DVDs? (3 Answers)As an HD-DVD player owner, I never felt like they had a chance to get a good library of titles released before they folded. There are really very few ESSENTIAL ... read moreAny ideas on where is the best place to buy cheap HD-DVD movies? (1 Answer)Inexpensive HD DVD independent movies and some ideas as to where to find inexpensive Hollywood movies. I went to http://www.amazon.com to check it out because they often have great prices ... read more
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HD-DVD News
- Toshiba: Press Release: Toshiba Announces Discontinuation of HD DVD Businesses (February 19, 2008)
- Topix: [1]
- Google News: HD-DVD
- Dallas Morning News: Blu-ray is winning the DVD format war (February 15, 2008)
- Reuters: Toshiba's HD-DVD going the way of Betamax (February 14, 2008)
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