Blu-ray optical drives now in laptops sold in NZ

It's interesting to see that blu-ray optical drives are now available in
laptops sold in New Zealand. For example, the specifications of the DVD
drive included with one laptop that is on sale read as follows:

Blu-ray Disc Drive (supports BD-R / RE / ROM; DVD+-R DL / RW / RAM)
Max.Read(BD-RE, BD-R:1x / BD-ROM:1.6x / DVD-ROM, DVD+-R:8x / DVD+-RW, DVD+-R
DL:6x / DVD-RAM:5x / CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM:24x) Max.Write(BD-RE, BD-R:1x /
DVD-RAM:5x / DVD+-RW:4x / DVD+R DL:2.4x / DVD-R DL:2x / DVDR, CD-RW,
CD-R:8x)

It's good to see that this drive is backward compatible and supports all the
main types of DVD discs that have been on sale to date! However, the RRP in
NZ dollars of this top end laptop is a hefty $6,000.

There is quite a lot of information about blu-ray equipment and media here:

http://www.blu-ray.com/ifa2005/

The media that can be used is shown here:

http://www.blu-ray.com/media/

The media includes 25GB discs and 50GB for the dual layer ones.

Some further information about media is available here:

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=6372
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=6256

It says on the above sites that: "The Blu-ray Disc media offers a 2x high
speed equivalent to a data transfer rate of 72 Mbps (9MB/second). For the
single layer 25GB Blu-ray Disc media, it can store approximately 2 hours and
15 minutes of video at a bit rate of 24Mbps or 10 hours and 30 minutes at
5Mbps. These discs will be avalable available in BD-R (write-once) and BD-RE
(rewritable) formats.

The 25GB discs have an RRP of US$20 for BD-R (write once) and US$25 for
BD-RW (rewritable). The 50GB dual layer discs, will cost, US$48 for BD-R and
US$60 for BD-RE."

It's all pretty expensive at the moment, but at least we're on the way, and
I guess prices will gradually ease as demand picks up.

JBS

 

It will be a while before that happens.

 

And why would you need them..?

I just can't see any use for them at all.

 

Whenever major new developments first hit the market, they tend to be
expensive and it's understandable that people don't always see a need to
rush in and buy the latest. For example, people used to say that they
couldn't see any use in DVDs because they could do everything they wanted to
with CDs. Not only that, when DVDs first arrived in the stores, a single DVD
was on sale for $45, but you can now get DVDs for less than $1.

Blu-ray DVD players are capable of playing high definition video. For
example, Hollywood films and television shows will be distributed on Blu-ray
discs providing HD quality video. Because our current DVDs compress video
considerably, we are not getting the full benefit of the quality of video
that was recorded originally. High definition home movie cameras are now
available and becoming more affordable, so enthusiasts will benefit from
having a DVD player that can play HD video.

If you are into making your own movies, you will know that just one hour of
DV tape takes up about 12GB of space, so it is worthwhile to be able to buy
DVDs that can record up to 50GB of data if you want to keep all your edited
movies without compressing them and thus reducing their quality. As the
price of blu-ray DVDs comes down, they will be a good storage option in
comparison with the cost of filling up hard drives.

It's likely that blu-ray DVDs will ultimately replace our current DVDs, so
it's just the start of things now, but if you want to play high definition
video, then you will need a blu-ray player. Incidentally, it's interesting
that the laptop computer referred to in this thread (that has a blu-ray DVD
player), also has HDMI output. It's a really good idea to make sure that the
next TV you buy has HDMI inputs so that it will be compatible with the HD
video that you can get from your new blu-ray player!

 

You said that about DVD writers.

 

And no monitors or Video cards support them here..

Never as it has a Very high error rate, just no good for data..

We are referring to PC's not TV's..

It will never take off here NZ is a very pore country.

 

It is patently obvious you have an interest in the success of this new
format. Who do you represent?

Current DVD quality has all the quality needed by most people.

Up to this time, most people who have outlayed on large panel monitors
will not be able to play the new format DVD movies as their panels
won't have HDCP.

 

Not true, blu-ray adopts a new error correction system which is more robust
and efficient than the one used for DVDs. (see the write up here)

http://www.blu-ray.com/faq/#bluray_speed

A PC that has an HDMI output can be connected to TVs etc which have HDMI
input.

Not as poor as your spelling, but prices will come down and it will take
over from today's DVDs, just as VHS tapes are becoming a thing of the past.

 

I don't represent anybody, I am not in the industry, and whether it is a
financial success or not is of no interest whatever to me!

That's what they said about VHS tapes when DVDs were first introduced.

I guess there always has to be a changeover period, but HDMI and HDCP have
been in the wind for quite a long time, so keeping up to date with
technological advances can help you to future proof yourself when you invest
in TVs etc. There are still a lot of TVs on the market which don't have HDMI
/ HDCP, so I guess these will be gradually phased out, but people who
haven't kept up to date, or people who don't want TVs that are guaranteed to
receive future SKY hi def broadcasts, will no doubt buy the older models.

 

And Windows XP

 

Fine in theory - but hey, what speed will I be able to rip them at ;-)

see also:

"1.10 Will Blu-ray discs require a cartridge?

No, the development of new low cost hard-coating technologies has made
the cartridge obsolete. Blu-ray will instead rely on hard-coating for
protection, which when applied will make the discs even more resistant
to scratches and fingerprints than today's DVDs, while still preserving
the same look and feel. Blu-ray also adopts a new error correction
system which is more robust and efficient than the one used for DVDs."

Again, fine in theory, but it seems Blur-ay will need all the error
correction it can get. (Ignoring the view that if said hard-coating was
available, why isn't it already being used on CDs and DVDs? And I'm
willing to bet that the industry is more interested in copy protection
than surface protection).

DL.tv http://dl.tv/blogs/digitallifetv/archive/2006/06/27/14540.aspx
covered Blu-ray in a recent episode and had some pretty interesting
things to say about it. Pretty much concluded that there is little
incentive to use it at this stage, and problems with loading times and
errors introduced by poor handling - even a hint of a fingerprint will
cause problems - are also a disincentive.

The real lack of content of high enough quality for playback at present
makes it look best used for data storage at present, and realistically
that won't be used by many people. And anyway for backup it is really
too little, too late - backing up 300GB drives still requires multiple
discs.

Why? What's wrong with HD-DVD?

Incidentally, it's interesting

Maybe, but look at audio formats that tried to improve on CD. SACD was
another brilliant Sony* product - visited http://www.superaudio-cd.com/
lately? The market had basically decided it wasn't worth upgrading as
what they had already was "good enough".

I'd say that DVD is far better than good enough, given what the vast
majority of the market is actually watching them on. It is a huge step
up from VHS to DVD - something that far exceeds PAL capability - and I'm
willing to bet that for most, that is "good enough".

When I see how most people have their TV setup just for normal viewing
(usually with saturation as high as possible) I don't think most people
are going to care about Blu-ray, or even be able to see the difference.
What they will see is that their neighbours have got one, and the price
tag. Maybe it will take off when these players are $100 in Woolworths
and discs are $10.00 at The Warehouse - in which case the industry will
already be looking around for the next shiny new thing to shaft the
consumer with. I just don't see this format being driven by consumer demand.

There is a huge leap from vinyl or tape to CD, from VHS to DVD, and the
difference is as much to do with convenience and not entirely to do with
higher quality. The jump from DVD to Blu-ray isn't perceived as being as
large, may people won't make it.

I think there is a real possibility that Blu-ray might crash completely.
Wouldn't be unusual for something from Sony, but unlike roger I wouldn't
say "never".

All IMHO, BTW

*I wonder how many people here have even seen (let alone heard) a Sony
1/4" audio cassette player. I seriously wonder how Sony can take such
disastrous products to market, again and again.

 

I don't recall a single incidence of that!

 

And tell me a DVD Recorder that can record for 10 hours with VHS LP
Quality..?

SKY broadcasts will be of low quality as it does not have the bandwidth..

 

At this early stage, I think it's important that you keep the overall
concept of HDTV in mind, and what has been achieved so far. But the posters
here are grasping at a few negative straws from internet, and it's obvious
they've never seen a HDTV picture. The HDTV I've seen gives a greatly
improved picture over SD (standard definition) , but if some peoples' eyes
aren't capable of seeing this, then I feel very sorry for them. But the
purpose of this thread wasn't to enter into a debate about the theoretical
qualities of HDTV, but merely to tell you that it's already in New Zealand
for you to look at and for you to take into account when deciding upon
future equipment purchases. A more informed level of debate amongst people
who are very experienced with HDTV, is available on various overseas forums,
and I suggest you read this.

This extract from the web site is worth reading:

Why should I upgrade from DVD to Blu-ray?

The simple answer is HDTV. If you've ever seen high-definition (HD)
video on an HDTV, then you know just how incredibly sharp the picture is and
how vivid the colors are. In fact, HD offers five times the amount of detail
compared to standard-definition (SD). The problem with today's DVDs is that
they only support SD and don't have the necessary storage capacity to
satisfy the needs of HD. That's where Blu-ray comes in, it offers up to 50GB
of storage capacity and enables playback, recording and rewriting of HD in
all of the HD resolutions including 1080p. The format also supports
high-definition audio formats and lossless audio.

In addition to the greater video and audio quality, the extra storage
capacity also means there will be plenty of room for additional content and
special features. This combined with the new BD-J interactivity layer
adopted by Blu-ray will bring the menus, graphics and special features to a
whole new level. For example, you will be able to bring up the menu system
as an overlay without stopping the movie, and you could have the director of
the movie on the screen explaining the shooting of a scene while the scene
is playing in the background. The advanced interactivity combined with the
networking features of Blu-ray will also allow content producers to support
new innovative features such as downloading extras, updating content via the
web, and watching live broadcasts of special events.

Thanks to the greatly enhanced HD video and audio quality as well as
the advanced interactivity and networking features, Blu-ray represents a
huge leap forward in the DVD viewing experience and will offer consumers an
unprecedented HD experience.

From: http://www.blu-ray.com/faq/#bluray_vs_hddvd

 

Is this different to "8-track" and to the cartridge hardware that was used
in radio stations 20+ years ago.

Sony goes to market with risky products, some are hits some flop.

 

HDMI and HDCP are not technological advances - they are copy protection
schemes whose sole purpose is to restrict what you watch and how in order
to extort more money from you for shoddy products.

--

.... Brendan

#85514 +(4870)- [X]

<Reverend> IRC is just multiplayer notepad.


Note: All my comments are copyright 8/07/2006 12:39:07 p.m. and are opinion only where not otherwise stated and always "to the best of my recollection". www.computerman.orcon.net.nz.

 

High definition and sharp is good, vivid is not, natural is.

 

But I remember the difference between my first $2000 VHS machine and the
$250 one both HiFi and NICAM the $2000 one woped the ass of the $250
one. The Picture quality of the $2000 one was excellent for both
recording and payback.

Humble opinion here the quality was better than current DVD technology.
I can not verify this any more as this VCR killed it's heads a long time
ago as do many VCR's. I have a strong suspicion that the pressers of the
marketplace forced the quality of the vcr down to make it cheaper for
the masses. One day in the future there might be a perfect transport for
content, be it disk card or transmission or something not thought of
yet. It may be just around the corner in the 5 to 10 year mark or it may
be in the next 50 to 100 years, or will we amused ourself to death.
--
http://cooze.co.nz home of the RecyclerMan aka Robert Cooze

/ __/ / / / / /__ / / ___/ / __/ / / / |/ / /__ /
/ / / /_/ / / /_/ / _-' / __/ / / / /_/ / / /| / _-'
___\ ____/ ____/ /___/ /____/ /_/ ___\ ____/ /_/ /_/ |_/ /___/

 

Some are hits for a while : Minidisk.

 

Very different; I used both. The Sony product was the Elcaset.

The Elcaset was just that - a larger (and expensive - it was high end
gear) cassette - just like a standard 1/8" cassette, but with 1/4" tape
in it. Better frequency response (up to ~25kHz I think, used chrome
tape, ran at 3 3/4ips, 45min/side play time), lower S/N, lower W&F. More
convenient than 1/4" RTR machines, more expensive than 1/8" cassette,
and much larger; totally incompatible with anything else.

Excellent quality.

Went absolutely nowhere. This format is *so* dead that not even Google
is very helpful.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160003729763

Everybody goes to market with risky products, but Sony have a history of
being especially arrogant and dogmatic about this. It took them ages
to get mp3 onto their portable players, and when they finally
capitulated, it was too late. Same with MS vs SD - they are finally just
now using formats other than their own MS in cameras. I would have
bought a Clie rather than a Palm if not for the storage format; likewise
with cameras.

UMD has been a complete failure, as was their vision that everyone would
be watching video on their PSP. If they'd used a small and CD compatible
format they would have had at least a chance of success. As it is, it
took less than a year for Hollywood to walk away from UMD.

IMHO, companies who put too much emphasis on the technical
specifications of products and ignore the social aspects are in for a
hiding. Just because the details are of interest to them will not make
the product successful, most people really don't give a toss.