HD-DVD is the second major High Definition Disc format (see Blu-ray, above) that is vying to replace the current DVD standard in the U.S. market, and a direct competitor of Blu-ray.
HD-DVD is supported on the hardware side by Toshiba, LG (also supports HD-DVD), NEC, Sanyo, Thomson (Note: Thomson also supports Blu-ray). On the software side, HD-DVD is supported by New Line Cinema, Paramount Pictures (also supports Blu-ray), Warner Brothers (also supports Blu-ray), and Universal Pictures. Microsoft has also added its support to HD-DVD.
Blu-ray and HD-DVD both utilize new Blue Laser and video compression technology to achieve high definition video playback on the same size disc as a standard DVD.
There are three types of HD DVD formats planned:
HD DVD-ROM for pre-recorded media such as software, games and movies
HD DVD-R (recordable) for HDTV recording and PC data storage
HD DVD-Rewritable (recordable) for HDTV recording and PC data storage
The big advantage of HD DVD technology is that it will not cost much money to adapt manufacturing methods from current DVD procedures. This should keep the cost of HD DVDs down for consumers as compared to BDs.
