HDTV Magazine
(Not logged in)  Sign In  |  Register  |  HelpHelp

HD DVD Reference

HD DVDWelcome to the HDTV Magazine HD DVD reference page. This page is based on our HD DVD Primer article published in February 2006. We will cover on this page a general overview of HD DVD technology as well as digging down to the specifics of the format and comparing those with the DVD format. You will also find below a list of compatible hardware/players and a list of current movie titles and their availability.
Page Summary:


General HD DVD Overview

Laser Spectrum The basic disc structure is the same as DVD (size, layers, etc.), but the compression and laser technologies involved are completely different. Traditional DVD's utilized a red laser for reading to and writing from the disc. HD DVD utilizes a new blue-violet laser. This new blue-violet laser has a 405nm wavelength vs. the red laser's 650nm. This shorter wavelength allows for much higher data density since the blue laser can write a much narrower data track. The net effect is that HD DVD can store more than 3 times the number of bits as traditional DVD's.

HD DVD also utilizes more advanced compression techniques than did traditional DVD. It can employ MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1 (aka Windows Media 9), whereas traditional DVD's were strictly MPEG-2. These compression advances allow for roughly twice the data storage as traditional DVD. For a direct comparison of these two specifications, see the table below:

In addition to improved video, HD DVD also features expanded audio support. Traditional DVD provided support for AC-3 (Dolby® Digital) and MPEG codecs. HD DVD has added Dolby® Digital Plus (lossy) and DTS® (lossy) as mandatory codecs. Support for 2-channel Linear PCM and 2-channel MLP (True HD) are also mandated. The HD DVD standard also allows for DTS® HD (lossless) as an optional codec. With respect to the two currently available Toshiba units, the audio capabilities are equally as impressive as their video capabilities. Their press release says it best:

The mandatory audio formats for HD DVD include both lossy and lossless formats from Dolby Labs and DTS® - including the newly developed Dolby® Digital Plus and DTS-HD.

The lossless mandatory formats include Linear PCM and Dolby TrueHD (only 2 Channel support is mandatory). The TrueHD format is bit-for-bit identical to the high resolution studio masters and can support up to eight discrete full range channels of 24-bit/96k Hz audio. Another lossless format (specified as an optional format) is DTS-HD. This employs high sampling rates of up to 192kHz.

Both models feature built-in multi-channel decoders for Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2 channel), DTS and DTS-HD. The HD-XA1 employs the use of four high performance DSP engines to decode the multi-channel streams of the wide array of audio formats. These high performance processors will perform the required conversion process, as well as the extensive on-board Multi-Channel Signal Management including: User Selectable Crossovers, Delay Management and Channel Level Management.

For content protection, HD DVD utilizes the Advanced Access Content System (AACS), which is a standard for content distribution and digital rights management. For media that is AACS-enabled, these players will be required to recognize an Image Constraint Token (ICT), inserted into the movie data, and scale the analog output (over component) down to 540p. This is still better than standard 480p DVD, but far from HD resolutions. As well as preventing illegal copying, AACS provides "Managed Copy", which essentially allows content transfer from the HD DVD to other device (like a home media server). The decision to ICT-enable content is up to each studio, and each studio is likely to go their own way.


Format Specifics & Comparisons

 DVDHD DVD
Disc typeDVD-ROM
(Read-Only)
HD DVD-ROM
(Read-Only)
HD DVD-R
(Recordable)
HD DVD-Rewritable
(Recordable)
Disc diameter120mm120mm120mm120mm
Disc structure0.6mm
x 2 substrates
0.6mm
x 2 substrates
0.6mm
x 2 substrates
0.6mm
x 2 substrates
Capacity
(Single-sided,
single-layer)
(Single-sided,
dual-layer)
4.7GB
8.5GB
15GB
30GB
15GB20GB
32GB(Under development)
Playback time*
Recording time*
4.7GB, SD resolution:
132minutes
8.5GB, SD resolution:
238minutes
15GB, HD resolution:
over 4 hours
30GB, HD resolution:
over 8 hours
15GB, HD resolution:
over 4 hours
20GB, HD resolution:
over 5.5 hours
32GB, HD resolution:
over 8.5 hours
Laser Wavelength650nm
(red laser)
405nm
(blue laser)
405nm
(blue laser)
405nm
(blue laser)
Compression
technology
MPEG-2MPEG-4 AVC/
VC-1/MPEG-2
MPEG-4 AVC/
VC-1/MPEG-2
MPEG-4 AVC/
VC-1/MPEG-2
User bit rate11.08Mbps36.55Mbps36.55Mbps36.55Mbps
Track pitch0.74µm0.40µm0.40µm0.34µm

Hardware Available

Originally, the only manufacturer that had HD DVD players on the market was Toshiba, but recently RCA has nudged into the market. The HD-XA1 ($799.99) and the HD-A1 ($499.99) are both backward-compatibile, allowing playback of older CD and DVD formats. Both players also support copy-protected playback via HDCP at 720p and 1080i over HDMI, and will scale a traditional 480p DVD source to either 720p or 1080i to match your television's capabilities.

Toshiba also has two second-generation HD DVD players coming out by the end of the year. The Toshiba HD-A2 ($499.99) and the HD-XA2 ($999.99) will both support more advanced audio, while the HD-XA2 will be the first player to support 1080p output and will be HDMI 1.3 compliant. Both models also load the media in about half the time of their first-generation counterparts and also sport an improved remote control.

While not a "player" in and of itself, Microsoft will be releasing the HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360 in November 2006. This drive, when combined with the Xbox 360 Gaming Console will be fully compliant with the HD DVD specification and is rumored to support 1080p output via VGA connector.

  Output Resolution HDMI Version Avialability Retail Street
Toshiba HD-A1 720p, 1080i 1.1 Now $499.99 $164.95
Toshiba HD-XA1 720p, 1080i 1.1 Now $799.99 $279.00
Toshiba HD-A2 720p, 1080i 1.2a October 2006 $499.99 $157.03
Toshiba HD-XA2 720p, 1080i, 1080p 1.3 December 2006 $999.99 N/A
RCA HDV5000 720p, 1080i 1.1 Now $499.99 $359.99
Microsoft Xbox 360
HD DVD Add-on
720p, 1080i, 1080p N/A November 2006 $199.99 $119.99

Titles Available

12 Monkeys [HD DVD] 12 Monkeys - 0.0
New: $11.31
Used: $9.87
130m, 1.85:1
16 Blocks (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] 16 Blocks - 0.0
New: $16.00
Used: $11.59
102m, 2.40:1
2 Fast 2 Furious [HD DVD] 2 Fast 2 Furious - 0.0
New: $11.87
Used: $11.77
108m, 2.35:1
2001 - A Space Odyssey [HD DVD] 2001 - A Space Odyssey - 0.0
New: $15.99
Used: $17.86
148m, 2.40:1
3 on 3 Hoop Fest [HD DVD] 3 on 3 Hoop Fest - 0.0
New: $0.00
0m,
300 (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] 300 - 0.0
New: $11.68
Used: $10.99
116m, 2.40:1
A Christmas Story [HD DVD] A Christmas Story - 0.0
New: $15.98
Used: $13.96
93m, 1.85:1
A Clockwork Orange [HD DVD] A Clockwork Orange - 0.0
New: $15.99
Used: $14.58
137m, 1.66:1
A Midsummer Night's Dream [HD DVD] A Midsummer Night's Dream - 0.0
New: $28.22
Used: $29.15
94m, 1.78:1
A Mighty Heart [HD DVD] A Mighty Heart - 0.0
New: $17.90
Used: $14.95
108m, 2.35:1
A Room with a View [HD DVD] A Room with a View - 0.0
New: $15.97
Used: $13.17
117m, 1.66:1
A Scanner Darkly [HD DVD] A Scanner Darkly - 0.0
New: $11.99
Used: $11.38
100m, 1.85:1
Accepted (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Accepted - 0.0
New: $14.99
Used: $10.69
93m, 2.35:1
Aeon Flux [HD DVD] Aeon Flux - 0.0
New: $8.95
Used: $8.49
92m, 2.35:1
Alexander Revisited - The Final Cut [HD DVD] Alexander Revisited - The Final Cut - 0.0
New: $13.89
Used: $13.95
213m, 2.40:1
Alice Cooper - Live at Montreux 2005 [HD DVD] Alice Cooper - Live at Montreux 2005 - 0.0
New: $13.56
Used: $12.68
93m, 1.78:1
Alpha Dog (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Alpha Dog - 0.0
New: $14.99
Used: $10.00
118m, 2.35:1
American Gangster (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] American Gangster - 0.0
New: $16.49
Used: $12.99
158m, 1.85:1
American Me [HD DVD] American Me - 0.0
New: $11.28
Used: $11.28
126m, 1.85:1
An American Werewolf in London (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] An American Werewolf in London - 0.0
New: $17.52
Used: $17.99
98m, 1.85:1
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (Unrated) [HD DVD] Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (Unrated) - 0.0
New: $9.18
Used: $9.61
97m, 2.35:1
Animal House (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Animal House - 0.0
New: $17.44
Used: $14.88
109m, 1.85:1
Antarctica Dreaming (HD DVD + DVD Combo Disc) By HDScape [HD DVD] Antarctica Dreaming (HD DVD + DVD Combo Disc) By HDScape - 0.0
New: $10.65
Used: $11.00
90m, 1.78:1
Apollo 13 [HD DVD] Apollo 13 - 0.0
New: $10.97
Used: $9.99
140m, 2.35:1
Appleseed Ex Machina (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Appleseed Ex Machina - 0.0
New: $16.49
0m, 1.66:1
Aquarium Impressions [HD DVD] Aquarium Impressions - 0.0
New: $8.93
Used: $10.89
66m, 1.77:1
Arctic Tale [HD DVD] Arctic Tale - 0.0
New: $12.37
Used: $9.51
86m, 2.35:1
Army of Darkness (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Army of Darkness - 0.0
New: $17.48
Used: $13.49
81m, 1.85:1
Army of Darkness [HD DVD] Army of Darkness - 0.0
New: $11.37
Used: $12.44
81m, 1.85:1
Assault on Precinct 13 [HD DVD] Assault on Precinct 13 - 0.0
New: $11.54
Used: $11.59
109m, 2.35:1
ATL (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] ATL - 0.0
New: $17.93
Used: $14.99
107m, 2.40:1
Atonement (HD DVD and DVD Combo) [HD DVD] Atonement (HD DVD and DVD Combo) - 0.0
New: $27.95
Used: $29.76
0m, 1.85:1
August Rush (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] August Rush - 0.0
New: $18.99
113m, 1.66:1
Babel [HD DVD] Babel - 0.0
New: $7.99
Used: $9.25
143m, 2.35:1
Backdraft (HD DVD) [HD DVD] Backdraft (HD DVD) - 0.0
New: $11.28
Used: $8.74
138m, 2.35:1
Balls of Fury (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Balls of Fury - 0.0
New: $14.98
Used: $8.62
91m, 1.85:1
Batman Begins [HD DVD] Batman Begins - 0.0
New: $14.99
Used: $13.49
140m, 2.40:1
Battle of the Bulge [HD DVD] Battle of the Bulge - 0.0
New: $15.41
Used: $14.65
169m, 1.66:1
Battlestar Galactica - Season One [HD DVD] Battlestar Galactica - Season One - 0.0
New: $59.98
Used: $51.88
755m, 1.78:1
Bee Movie [HD DVD] Bee Movie - 0.0
New: $27.95
90m, 1.85:1
Beerfest (Unrated) [HD DVD] Beerfest (Unrated) - 0.0
New: $11.70
Used: $8.48
116m, 2.40:1
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead [HD DVD] Before the Devil Knows You're Dead - 0.0
New: $24.95
112m, 1.85:1
Being John Malkovich [HD DVD] Being John Malkovich - 0.0
New: $11.28
Used: $11.28
113m, 1.85:1
Beowulf (Director's Cut) [HD DVD] Beowulf (Director's Cut) - 0.0
New: $23.00
Used: $21.15
114m, 2.35:1
Bikini Destinations: Buzios [HD DVD] Bikini Destinations: Buzios - 0.0
New: $0.00
0m,
Billy Madison [HD DVD] Billy Madison - 0.0
New: $11.51
Used: $12.58
90m, 1.85:1
Birthrite [HD DVD] Birthrite - 0.0
New: $0.00
0m,
Black Christmas (Unrated) [HD DVD] Black Christmas (Unrated) - 0.0
New: $8.38
Used: $8.31
95m,
Black Rain (Special Collector's Edition) [HD DVD] Black Rain (Special Collector's Edition) - 0.0
New: $7.90
Used: $7.92
125m, 2.35:1
Black Snake Moan [HD DVD] Black Snake Moan - 0.0
New: $18.95
Used: $13.99
115m, 2.35:1
Blade Runner (5-Disc Complete Collector's Edition) [HD DVD] Blade Runner (5-Disc Complete Collector's Edition) - 0.0
New: $21.99
Used: $19.44
578m, 2.40:1
Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition) [HD DVD] Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition) - 0.0
New: $45.98
Used: $44.99
578m, 2.40:1
Blades of Glory [HD DVD] Blades of Glory - 0.0
New: $12.49
Used: $8.44
93m, 2.35:1
Blazing Saddles [HD DVD] Blazing Saddles - 0.0
New: $13.28
Used: $10.00
93m, 2.40:1
Blood Diamond [HD DVD] Blood Diamond - 0.0
New: $14.49
Used: $11.25
143m, 2.40:1
Blue Planet (IMAX) [HD DVD] Blue Planet (IMAX) - 0.0
New: $15.76
Used: $15.00
81m, 1.78:1
Bonnie and Clyde [HD DVD] Bonnie and Clyde - 0.0
New: $23.95
111m, 1.66:1
Born on the Fourth of July [HD DVD] Born on the Fourth of July - 0.0
New: $9.90
Used: $12.22
145m, 2.35:1
Braveheart [HD DVD] Braveheart - 0.0
New: $0.00
0m,
Breach (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Breach - 0.0
New: $16.90
Used: $12.64
111m, 1.85:1
Brokeback Mountain [HD DVD] Brokeback Mountain - 0.0
New: $14.99
Used: $13.99
135m, 1.85:1
Bruce Almighty [HD DVD] Bruce Almighty - 0.0
New: $11.28
Used: $10.83
102m, 1.85:1
Bubble [HD DVD] Bubble - 0.0
New: $11.99
Used: $16.49
73m, 2.40:1
Bulletproof [HD DVD] Bulletproof - 0.0
New: $10.49
Used: $7.99
85m, 2.35:1
Bullitt [HD DVD] Bullitt - 0.0
New: $15.49
Used: $11.59
114m, 2.40:1
Caddyshack [HD DVD] Caddyshack - 0.0
New: $14.30
Used: $12.67
98m, 1.78:1
Carlito's Way [HD DVD] Carlito's Way - 0.0
New: $11.28
Used: $11.28
145m, 2.35:1
Carlito's Way: Rise To Power [HD DVD] Carlito's Way: Rise To Power - 0.0
New: $9.93
Used: $11.28
94m, 1.85:1
Casablanca [HD DVD] Casablanca - 0.0
New: $14.97
Used: $13.25
102m, 1.33:1
Casino [HD DVD] Casino - 0.0
New: $11.36
Used: $11.24
179m, 2.35:1
Cat People [HD DVD] Cat People - 0.0
New: $10.48
Used: $11.19
119m, 1.85:1
Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne: Arias & Duets [HD DVD] Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne: Arias & Duets - 0.0
New: $28.95
Used: $30.13
87m, 1.33:1
Channels [HD DVD] Channels - 0.0
New: $12.99
Used: $11.42
107m, 1.33:1
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory [HD DVD] Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - 0.0
New: $8.97
Used: $9.00
115m, 1.85:1
Chicago & Earth, Wind & Fire - Live at the Greek Theatre [HD DVD] Chicago & Earth, Wind & Fire - Live at the Greek Theatre - 0.0
New: $22.49
Used: $34.33
172m, 1.77:1
Children of Men (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Children of Men - 0.0
New: $13.99
Used: $15.41
110m, 1.85:1
Chronos [HD DVD] Chronos - 0.0
New: $12.95
Used: $13.99
45m, 1.78:1
Cinderella Man [HD DVD] Cinderella Man - 0.0
New: $11.33
Used: $9.90
145m, 2.35:1
Clerks II [HD DVD] Clerks II - 0.0
New: $8.31
Used: $8.05
98m, 1.66:1
Collateral [HD DVD] Collateral - 0.0
New: $0.00
0m,
Constantine [HD DVD] Constantine - 0.0
New: $15.98
Used: $12.98
121m, 2.40:1
Coral Reef Adventure [HD DVD] Coral Reef Adventure - 0.0
New: $16.95
43m, 1.66:1
Cream, Royal Albert Hall: London, May 2-3-5-6 2005 [HD DVD] Cream, Royal Albert Hall: London, May 2-3-5-6 2005 - 0.0
New: $16.00
Used: $14.89
130m, 1.33:1
Dante's Peak [HD DVD] Dante's Peak - 0.0
New: $11.18
Used: $10.99
109m, 1.85:1
Darkman [HD DVD] Darkman - 0.0
New: $7.69
Used: $7.55
96m, 1.85:1
Dawn of the Dead (Unrated Director's Cut) [HD DVD] Dawn of the Dead (Unrated Director's Cut) - 0.0
New: $11.87
Used: $12.01
110m, 2.35:1
Daylight [HD DVD] Daylight - 0.0
New: $11.28
Used: $11.28
115m, 1.85:1
Days of Thunder [HD DVD] Days of Thunder - 0.0
New: $0.00
0m,
Dazed and Confused (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Dazed and Confused - 0.0
New: $16.95
Used: $18.99
103m, 1.85:1
Dead Silence (Unrated) (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Dead Silence (Unrated) - 0.0
New: $15.00
Used: $9.94
91m, 2.40:1
Deep Purple: Live at Montreux 2006 [HD DVD] Deep Purple: Live at Montreux 2006 - 0.0
New: $13.56
Used: $11.97
186m, 1.78:1
Deliverance [HD DVD] Deliverance - 0.0
New: $15.84
Used: $13.04
109m, 2.40:1
Derailed (Unrated) [HD DVD] Derailed (Unrated) - 0.0
New: $8.82
Used: $8.81
112m, 1.66:1
Digital Video Essentials High Definition (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Digital Video Essentials High Definition - 0.0
New: $18.93
Used: $15.29
114m, 1.78:1
Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics [HD DVD] Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics - 0.0
New: $18.57
120m, 1.66:1
Discovery Atlas: Australia Revealed [HD DVD] Discovery Atlas: Australia Revealed - 0.0
New: $16.83
Used: $10.60
102m, 1.77:1
Discovery Atlas: Brazil Revealed [HD DVD] Discovery Atlas: Brazil Revealed - 0.0
New: $15.26
Used: $18.76
97m, 1.77:1
Discovery Atlas: China Revealed [HD DVD] Discovery Atlas: China Revealed - 0.0
New: $16.75
Used: $19.94
102m, 1.77:1
Discovery Atlas: Italy Revealed [HD DVD] Discovery Atlas: Italy Revealed - 0.0
New: $16.92
Used: $14.55
102m, 1.77:1
Dispatch: Zimbabwe - Live at Madison Square Garden (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Dispatch: Zimbabwe - Live at Madison Square Garden - 0.0
New: $20.45
Used: $19.75
180m,
District B13 [HD DVD] District B13 - 0.0
New: $20.95
Used: $21.50
84m, 2.35:1
Disturbia [HD DVD] Disturbia - 0.0
New: $13.98
Used: $10.38
104m, 2.35:1
Dog Day Afternoon [HD DVD] Dog Day Afternoon - 0.0
New: $15.49
Used: $16.04
124m, 1.85:1
Doom (Unrated Extended Edition) [HD DVD] Doom (Unrated Extended Edition) - 0.0
New: $10.94
Used: $10.36
113m, 2.35:1
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 0.0
New: $17.43
Used: $16.95
105m, 1.85:1
Dragon's Lair [HD DVD] Dragon's Lair - 0.0
New: $26.55
Used: $25.00
0m,
Dragonheart [HD DVD] Dragonheart - 0.0
New: $11.72
Used: $12.05
103m, 2.35:1
Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) [HD DVD] Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) - 0.0
New: $15.00
Used: $13.99
130m, 1.85:1
Dreaming Arizona [HD DVD] Dreaming Arizona - 0.0
New: $10.95
Used: $9.49
53m,
Dreaming Nevada [HD DVD] Dreaming Nevada - 0.0
New: $10.95
52m,
Dune (1984) [HD DVD] Dune (1984) - 0.0
New: $11.80
Used: $12.49
137m, 2.35:1
Eagles: Farewell 1 Tour - Live From Melbourne [HD DVD] Eagles: Farewell 1 Tour - Live From Melbourne - 0.0
New: $16.95
Used: $14.85
190m, 1.85:1
Eastern Promises (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Eastern Promises - 0.0
New: $16.90
Used: $12.45
101m, 1.85:1
Elizabeth [HD DVD] Elizabeth - 0.0
New: $11.25
Used: $11.28
124m, 1.85:1
Elizabeth: The Golden Age (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Elizabeth: The Golden Age - 0.0
New: $16.69
Used: $15.99
114m, 1.85:1
End of Days [HD DVD] End of Days - 0.0
New: $11.28
Used: $11.28
123m, 2.35:1
Enter the Dragon [HD DVD] Enter the Dragon - 0.0
New: $14.99
Used: $11.59
102m, 2.40:1
Erin Brockovich [HD DVD] Erin Brockovich - 0.0
New: $11.54
Used: $8.99
132m, 1.85:1
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind [HD DVD] Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - 0.0
New: $10.75
Used: $10.60
108m, 1.85:1
Evan Almighty (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Evan Almighty - 0.0
New: $14.94
Used: $8.78
96m, 2.35:1
Evening (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Evening - 0.0
New: $15.49
Used: $12.69
117m, 2.40:1
Excalibur [HD DVD] Excalibur - 0.0
New: $15.99
Used: $13.91
140m, 1.85:1
Eyes Wide Shut (Unrated Edition) [HD DVD] Eyes Wide Shut (Unrated Edition) - 0.0
New: $21.14
Used: $17.72
159m, 1.85:1
Face Off [HD DVD] Face Off - 0.0
New: $15.03
Used: $13.71
140m, 2.35:1
Failure to Launch (Special Collector's Edition) [HD DVD] Failure to Launch (Special Collector's Edition) - 0.0
New: $9.10
Used: $7.84
96m, 2.35:1
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD] Fast Times at Ridgemont High - 0.0
New: $17.51
Used: $15.94
90m, 1.85:1