HD DVD offers a maximum data transfer rate of 36.55Mbps, that’s more than three times the rate of standard DVD (11.08Mbps), and significantly more than the maximum for HDTV of 24Mbps. The higher bit rate of HD DVD means more bits can be allocated to video quality and a greater quantity of information transfers faster, resulting in a sharper, more detailed image.

The blue laser that reads from and writes to HD DVD has a shorter wavelength than DVD’s red laser. This means that HD DVD discs offer significantly higher capacity than conventional DVDs, so providing the opportunity for far greater levels of image detail, multi-channel audio and functionality

HD DVD disc capacity

Single sided single layer 15GB HD resolution 4hrs
Single sided dual layer 30GB HD resolution 8hrs
Single sided triple layer 45GB HD resolution 12hrs (under development)

Double sided single layer 30GB HD resolution 8hrs
Double sided dual layer 60GB HD resolution 16hrs
Double sided triple layer 90GB HD resolution 24hrs (under development)

The HD DVD format's potential

The enhanced interface allows you to interact with the programme in many different ways. A totally new menu design, with interactive, user-friendly functions, can be called up while a movie is playing. You don’t have to stop the show to get to the ‘extras’. Search the menu, change the settings, search for a scene, add a commentary or get more information from the internet2 – while the film plays on.

Some possibilities include2:

Menu over video
While watching the movie, you can search the menu and make changes to set-up options or access other functions.

Fast search
Without stopping the movie, display the scene or chapter list and jump directly to the scene you want to watch.

Commentaries
During the movie, listen to the Director’s ideas or the thoughts of the actors on particular scenes in the movie. Play multiple soundtracks, for example, play a commentary track (with or without a picture window) and simultaneously play the HD movie soundtrack, varying the volumes of either track to a comfortable level.

Internet connectivity
By using the Ethernet port on your HD DVD player, you may have the potential to download a variety of additional content, or purchase the soundtrack or related merchandise from the movie. These and other interactive features are possible depending upon disc content and future development.2

Games
Play an exciting range of new games, specially created to make the most of HD DVD interactivity depending upon disc content and future development. 2