45 GB HD-DVD hits back at Blu-ray !!!!

Blu-Ray wins? HD-DVD camp caves in? NEVER!!


http://home.businesswire.com/portal...d=news_view&newsId=20050510005572&newsLang=en

Toshiba Unveils 45GB HD DVD-ROM Disc and Double-Sided Hybrid Disc; Further
Expands Horizon of Future Digital Home Entertainment


TOKYO & LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2005--Toshiba Corporation today
announced development of a triple-layer HD DVD-ROM (read-only) disc with a
data capacity of 45 gigabytes, 50% more than the 30-gigabyte dual-layer HD
DVD-ROM disc already announced and enough to record twelve hours of
high-definition movies on a single disc. The new disc adds a high-end option
to the previous HD DVD-ROM disc lineup that includes the 15GB (single-layer,
single-sided) and 30GB (dual-layer, single-sided). These two discs are
already approved and standardized at the DVD Forum.


Toshiba also announced a double-sided, dual-layer hybrid ROM disc comprised
of dual-layer HD DVD-ROM side and dual-layer DVD-ROM side. The hybrid disc
can store 30GB of high-definition content on the HD DVD-ROM side and 8.5GB
of standard-definition content on the DVD-ROM dual layer side. More than 84
million DVD players and recorders were produced worldwide in 2004 alone. The
standard definition content of the new hybrid discs can be replayed on these
platforms, while their owners will also be able to enjoy high-definition
content from the same source when they purchase HD DVD players in the
future. The new disc further prepares the way for a smooth transition from
DVD to HD DVD.

Details of these new discs will be presented at the May 11 HD DVD workshop
at Media-Tech Expo 2005 in Las Vegas, U.S., the leading annual trade show
for the optical disc manufacturing industry.

All these new versions of HD DVD-ROM discs share the same disc structure as
previously announced HD DVD formats, and today's DVD format: two 0.6-mm
thick discs bonded back-to-back, a time-tested physical structure with
proven volume manufacturing capability at little cost increment.

Memory-Tech Corporation, Japan's largest independent disc replicator, has
confirmed the new 45GB and hybrid discs can be produced on their existing
manufacturing lines and equipment, which are tailored to produce HD DVD
discs, with only minor additional investment and minimum additional
production cost per disc.

Mr. Shiroharu Kawasaki, President and CEO, Memory-Tech, said: "These new HD
DVD discs will surely be welcomed by content holders, including Hollywood
studios and game developers, as further broadening the scope of future
applications. We have already started verification for volume production of
triple-layered discs, and we are confident of early verification as they are
based on the 0.6mm disc structure and established production technologies.
We at Memory-Tech are fully committed to flexibly meeting variety of user
requirements."

NEC Corporation and SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., both strong supporters of the
HD DVD format also welcomed this announcement. "We are excited by the new
discs and the way they further extend the possibilities of the HD DVD
format," said Mr. Hiroshi Gokan, Executive General Manager of Computers
Storage Products Operations Unit at NEC. SANYO's Dr. Keiichi Yodoshi, Deputy
General Manager of R&D Headquarters said, "The new discs demonstrate that
0.6mm discs can support diverse applications and achieve technical
excellence, while fully securing firm backward compatibility."

Technical features

1) Triple-layer 45GB disc

The newly developed ROM disc has a single-sided, triple-layer structure (see
attachment). Each layer stores 15 gigabytes of information. Triple-layer
discs can be easily produced by back-to-back bonding of a 0.6mm-thick
dual-layer disc and a single-layer 0.6mm disc.

In the process, a single-layer disc is first produced, using the same
process as for HD DVD-ROM. Next, the second layer is formed on first layer
using a one-time polycarbonate stamper, the same process used for the DVD-18
disc, the double-sided DVD disc that has dual-layers on both sides. Finally,
the single-layer 0.6mm disc is bonded to the dual-layer disc, using standard
technology.

2) Double-sided, Dual-layer Hybrid Disc

In December 2004, Toshiba and Memory-Tech announced development of a
single-sided, dual-layer HD DVD-ROM/DVD-ROM hybrid disc. The DVD layer had a
4.7GB capacity, meeting the specification for current DVD discs, while the
HD DVD layer had a 15GB capacity.

Now Toshiba has developed a double-sided, dual-layer HD DVD-ROM/DVD-ROM
hybrid disc. Simply explained, the new hybrid disc bonds together a 0.6mm
thick dual-layer HD DVD-ROM disc with 30GB capacity, and a 0.6-mm thick
dual-layer DVD-ROM disc with an 8.5GB capacity (see attachment).

The dual-layer DVD-ROM disc structure is well established. The new disc has
a structure as simple as that of current dual-layer DVD-ROM discs. Today,
more than fifty percent of DVD-ROM discs on the market are dual-layer
versions.

The new disc brings the clear benefit of satisfying consumers, retailers,
disc producers and Hollywood studios. It allows consumers to view DVD
content on standard DVD players and, after purchasing an HD DVD player, to
enjoy high definition content on the HD DVD layer from the same disc. The
new disc structure also increases options for content providers: they can
provide the same content in two formats, or use the HD DVD layer for a
feature movie and the DVD layer to store promotional videos or audio
content, including the movie sound track. Retailers can also promote HD DVD
hardware as well as maintaining standard DVD sales.



_____

http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/05/10/hddvd/index.php

Toshiba expands HD-DVD capacity to 45GB
By Martyn Williams, IDG News Service

Toshiba Corp. has developed a prototype HD-DVD disc that increases the
format's storage capacity by 50 percent and brings it much closer to that of
the rival Blu-ray Disc, the company said Tuesday.

The new disc has a capacity of 45GB, which is just under the 50GB offered by
a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc, and will give content producers additional space
to store longer high-definition movies or extras such as trailers, out-takes
or interactive features.

Toshiba accomplished the capacity jump by adding an extra data storage layer
to the disc. Each HD-DVD layer has a capacity of 15GB and the new disc packs
three such layers.

The company also announced a second prototype disc that uses the same basic
technology. The hybrid disc combines a dual-layer HD-DVD with a dual-layer
DVD to provide a double-sided disc that can be played in either HD-DVD or
DVD players. The disc could be used as a transitional format enabling
consumers to buy discs for use in DVD players while building up a library of
high-definition content for the time when they purchase an HD-DVD player.

More details of the two discs will be announced on Wednesday at the
Media-Tech Expo 2005 exhibition in Las Vegas.

The announcement could give Toshiba a boost in ongoing talks with Blu-ray
Disc-supporters Sony Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.
(Panasonic) regarding a single, unified high-definition video disc standard.

The talks began earlier this year and are aimed at heading off what many
expect will be a damaging format battle that will harm both consumers and
the consumer electronics and entertainment industries.

The current state of the talks is unknown. However, a report in the Tuesday
morning edition of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun business daily said an agreement
between the two sides could come as soon as next week. It reported that
Toshiba, Sony and Panasonic are discussing using Toshiba's software
technology and the Blu-ray Disc structure, the latter because of its greater
storage capacity.

Toshiba reacted fast to the report and said "absolutely no decision has been
made for unification on any basis" and called the report's claims "unfounded
and erroneous."

Whatever the eventual outcome of the talks, time is running out for both
sides.

The HD-DVD group said in January that it plans to have players and content
available in U.S. stores in the last quarter of this year, and the first
machine to support prerecorded Blu-ray Disc is expected to be announced next
week, when Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. shows off a prototype of its
next-generation PlayStation 3. The console and other Blu-ray Disc players
aren't expected to be commercially available until 2006.

_____





Universal Studios Home Entertainment Endorses New HD DVD Discs
Tuesday May 10, 11:15 am ET

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Studios Home
Entertainment (USHE) today announced its endorsement of two new types of HD
DVD ROM (read-only) discs, which were announced today by Toshiba
Corporation.

Toshiba has just announced a triple-layered, 45GB disc, and a double-sided,
double-layer hybrid ROM disc that can store 30GB of high-definition content
on one side and 8.5GB of standard-definition content on the other.

The new discs reinforce an already powerful next-generation HD solution that
offers a potent combination of proven cost efficiency, superior performance
and large storage capacity. In line with the launch of HD DVD players on the
market, USHE will release a number of selected titles in the HD DVD format
sometime in the fourth quarter.

HD DVD, the next-generation DVD, already has established two types of ROM
disc: a 15GB version (single-layer, single sided) and a 30GB disc
(double-layer, single-sided.) Both of these disc formats have been approved
and standardized by the DVD Forum.

"This impressive hybrid technology breakthrough by Toshiba allows consumers
the unique experience of purchasing one disc that will play both on the new
HD DVD player as well as on their current DVD device," said Craig Kornblau,
President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "The addition of the new
versions to the HD DVD disc line up will allow USHE to further broaden its
market potential by providing a wider variety of HD content for future
generations of consumers as well as encouraging current DVD owners to
transition to the HD format."

 

<snip>

Umm... and blu-ray is still bigger??? I dont get it? It was just
announced that Sony and Toshiba came to an agreement on Sony's terms
(which was expected) and now this? Toshiba is retarded, and will find
itself not making any money in the end.

 

all the bull shit but what is the cost?

 

No, it turns out Toshiba had an ace-in-the-hole, and Sony is running scared.

 

(nice use of top-posting, bud)

Cost of player? Realistically the players should cost much more than what
we have now, since only the actual laser mechanism would need to change.
But you know that they'll charge you the "New Tech" tax, meaning we'll see
vastly over-priced players aimmed at the high end, then a "breakthrough"
at Christmas for $500, with the price dropping constantly after that.

Even then, why not just wait a year (or better yet, two) and buy a 2nd
gen-player for $200. It's not like there's going to be new content
released on these discs...at least not immediatly.

 

[snip]

So flippies would be back? Wouldn't it be more convenient to have
separate standard and HD DVD in the same package?

 

It would cost the same as that sandwiched hybrid disc.

Plus, unless they sell those hybrid discs for the same price as a
regular DVD, there's no advantage in helping HD-DVD adoption. In other
words, they'd be giving away HD-DVD movies. But why would studios help
Toshiba win the format war by giving it away?

 

I was always told top posting doesnt make sense with the flow of
conversation? so should you be complimenting it? Usually when I see it top
posters get flamed, or told not to do it.

 

It was sarcasm, bud

In any case, I think the top posting slam is much ado about almost nothing,
myself.

 

What? Take a course in logic.

 

I prefer top posting over bottom posting, I only bottom post because I dont
want to get flamed, to me it is easier to read the conversation if I dont
have to scroll through crap I've already read, If I come into the
conversation later I can scroll to read what I've missed.

 

If you, and others, used the mouse to highlight and cut, removing those
parts of a thread that aren't being responded to, you wouldn't have to
scroll. Quoting 150 lines to add one or two lines of comment is worse
than top posting, IMHO.

 

Actually it was irony!

 

Umm.... It's pretty obvious that Doug was being sarcastic, and that
"BigJim" is an idiot who quoted over 200 lines so that he could add
one line of comment.

 

Really? Did you have to scroll a lot to read this?

Sheesh.

 

And once again, we will get two inferiour 'standards' instead of one
that works everywhere. This level of unfettered corporate greed
is one of the reason the world is in its present state...

Arno

 

In ref:

I'll bite. Other than spelling, what's the difference? In my
dictionary, "irony" and "sarcasm" are synonyms.

BJ

 

Sure beats standards by government fiat, comrade.

 

My tattered dictionary defines irony as "An expression intended to
convey the opposite to the literal meaning", although admittedly it also
says "Subtle SARCASM in which the apparent praise really conveys
disapprobation"

Sarcasm however is defined thusly - "A bitter, taunting, IRONICAL, or
wounding remark"

Go figure!

 

In ref:

Oh, I get it! You were being ironically sarcastic ;-0)

BJ