Recent Comments:
Toshiba's Vardia RD-A301 writes HD DVD content to DVDs {Engadget}
Nov 25th 2007 8:03AM I shall include below what I think are some useful websites about the next generation of HD DVD recorders.
http://www.hdtvorigin.com/hdtv/toshiba-vardia-rd-a600-and-rd-a300-hd-dvd-recorders-introduction/
Website below obtained by placing, 'Toshiba Vardia' into Google search box:
http://www.google.com/search?q=Toshiba+Vardia&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGLJ
Toshiba's Vardia RD-A301 writes HD DVD content to DVDs {Engadget}
Nov 7th 2007 4:43AM Dickhardknocks,
Based on a previous article that I read the Toshiba's Vardia RD-A301 can record onto HD DVD disc, hard disk drive and onto an ordinary DVD disk.
I cannot remember what is the storage size of HD DVD's disc, but if you half it that would roughly give you the number of hours it can record.
Toshiba's Vardia RD-A301 writes HD DVD content to DVDs {Engadget}
Nov 7th 2007 4:24AM I read the following article before I read this one:
http://www.hdtvuk.tv/2007/11/toshiba_launchi.html
To quote: It's able to record to HD DVD, the internal 300GB hard drive, as well as standard DVDs thanks to the new HD Rec standardised format ratified by the DVD Forum.
After I read the previous article I wrote the information below.
What we require in the UK is an excellent HD recordable dual Blu-ray and HD DVD PVR (pause live programmes) 1080p HD Freeview Playback recorder.
It should contain at least the ability to; record a serial of episodes touching one button, record two channels whilst watching a third, record for example a film separated by a news programme without recording the news, sound synchronization, HDMI 1.3 with all features properly implemented (Deep Colour, x.v.Colour, xvYCC, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus (DD+), DTS-HD, all resolutions up to and including 1920x1080p, picture; no blurring, juddering or blanding, excellent contrasts and blacks and at a reasonable price, with HDMI 1.3+ input and HDMI 1.3+ output connections etcetera.
Being able to record onto an HD player in HDMI 1.3 1080p and play back to a HD TV in HDMI 1.3 1080p is better than what we have at the moment, where we cannot watch recorded HD recordings using HDMI, preferably HDMI 1.3+.
If, 'The Establishment' is actually worried about piracy then create players that can only play high definition disks on the same players that created them!
It should actually be that simple.
The next step, is that for each household that can verify that they have purchased an HD product to allow them to register them and be able to play any of their HD recordings on any of their HD products that they legally own.
The companies can use the same system that they use to verify that people's products are still under guarantee.
I would convert long serial numbers to single digits for example 1 to 99. Since, most people would not buy at least 100 HD products for their households. If there are than increase the limit to 999, programmers would understand why.
Before I forget again, HD products should have wireless and networking capability built in to them and the 24fps (p)'s juddering problem for people without 24p products should be solved.
Everything should not only be backward and forward compatible, work properly with other manufacturers' products but between Blu-ray and HD DVD organizations.
After I read the article and postings on this website, I was confused. This is because The Toshiba Vardia RD-A301 based on the previous article I read should be able to record on; 1) HD DVD discs, 2) Internal hard disk drives and on 3) ordinary DVD recordable discs. Recording on ordinary discs appears to be 2hrs and 15mins on the longest playing mode, and only 30 mins on the shortest playing mode - useless. The cost £800 pounds appears to be too high compared to about U$800 and the exchange rate of about £1=U$2.
The discussion about Blu-ray selling 2:1 compared to HD DVD if it was true does it mean that they are losing 2:1, because based on information it appears that Sony and Toshiba are losing vast amounts of money.
Has the Blu-ray and HD DVD manufacturers actually stated how many high definition products they have sold backed up with the relevant documentations? They could tell consumers that they are just paying the price of for example the player, but on their documentation, they could place two prices down one for the player and one for DVDs. How much profit or loss is being made on each player and DVD? What are the profits and losses being made by all companies for each high definition products? Toshiba has virtually nobody to compete against for making HD DVDs players, but there are numerous manufacturers competing to make Blu-ray players. When it is claimed that high definition DVDs are given away free, how much profits are the movie studios making for each high definition discs? Who are actually buying the high definition discs from the film studios – if something is too good to be true, it probably is a con.
I also don’t see why people are arguing about buying Blu-ray or HD DVD. I want an excellent recordable player that can play all discs including Blu-ray and HD DVD – due to lack of space.
HD DVD appears to be the best format. For example HD DVD films especially had superior picture quality, sound quality, features, than Blu-ray in general until maybe recently. Is Blu-ray going to upgrade original Blu-ray players’ owners who don’t have the latest features? When Blu-ray film studios create the same DVD qualities as HD DVD’s disc, do you think that they will exchange the old inferior discs free of charge. If HD DVD didn’t exist then players would still cost about one thousand pound for an inferior product.
Venturer announces SHD7000 low-cost HD DVD player for holidays {Engadget}
Sep 2nd 2007 4:37PM My attitude was that if HD DVD could get into the Chinese and Indian market and Blu-ray doesnot then that should help HD DVD to win the war.
On the internet there were talks with the Chinese about solving the royalties problem that may have been solved.
The last thing that I heard, some where, on the internet was that there were talks with the Chinese about the HDMI connections recently that probably have been solved sucessfully.
Venturer announces SHD7000 low-cost HD DVD player for holidays {Engadget}
Sep 2nd 2007 4:11PM I live in the UK, and I think the lowest priced Toshiba HD DVD (HD-E1) on the Toshiba's UK website has all three high definition sound formats:-
http://www.gottatoshiba.com/catalog/hddvd/hddvdplayers/HD-E1
If the Venturer's only has True-HD then it probably would be a waste of money, because I donot think that it will be able to play all HD DVD discs (Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD.
Therefore, no need for me to ask futher questions:
Reliability, features, Picture and Sound quality...
I had became rusty, and had to check some information with the official HDMI's site, cannot rely on the different HDMI versions stated by manufacturers, because they are useless - a con - misleading...
http://www.hdmi.org/learningcenter/faq.aspx#hdmi_1.3
In my opinion any person who gives buying an HD player based principally on the cheapest price instead of reliability, features, pictures and sound qualities is stupid...
Does thes mean that the Chinese are now using HD DVD instead of their own high definition player EVD/VMD?
http://www.engadgethd.com/2005/12/29/more-competing-formats-evd-vmd-high-definition-players-coming-t/
More details on Sony's new PlayTV {Engadget}
Aug 24th 2007 4:21PM The objective fact (truth) is that until the technical details are known it is useless discussing the PlayTV TV tuner / DVR.
The product should have at least the following:-
1) HDMI 1.3 properly implemented.
2) Able to maximize 48Bit TVs
3) A Super Multi recorder player that is better than Samsung's dual player with HDMI 1.3 in/outputs.
A) Play all formats including Blu-Ray and HD DVD
4) Resolution (native): - 4k x 2k progressive.
5) 24 frames per second, and at least 75/fps
6) Response rates of much less than 8ms
7) Motion Flow
8) An excellent video and HD sound upscaler
Perfect HD and non-HD broadcastings and films
9) Two excellent 1080p HD Freeview (digital) tuners
A: Excellent HD programmes and HD channels
B: No subscriptions required, no need for expensive Sky and Virgin in the UK.
Too many people have forgotten that the Blu-ray group donot believe in people networking HD info for own personal use. It Probably explains why there are no HDMI in-ports/sockets on DVR/PVR players or DVD recorders.
The objective fact is that the Play Station 3 is already obsolete, because for example it doesn't have a blu-ray and HD DVD recorder/writer. The hard disk space should be one terabyte - defintely 80GB is a joke!
LG's BH100 Super Multi Player unboxed {Engadget}
Jul 26th 2007 8:46PM The best advice for people in the UK is to wait until excellent HD (high definition) Freeview (preferably, with twin digital tuners (record two channels whilst watching a third)) products are created.
The products should also have recordable dual (Blu-ray and HD DVD) players with PVR (Pause Video Recorders) - players should be created hopefully in 2008.
The principal advantages, no expensive Cable or Satellite subscriptions to pay to obtain HD.
If the products and the programmes (720p, 1080i and 1080p) are excellent then it would be excellent, but I do not believe it until I see it.
I cannot remember the source but it should be correct that OFCOM, has allowed four channels for HD (high definition) channels on Freeview (after the switch off – 2007 to 2012) the rest will probably be sold to telephone companies (government - ripping people off, besides the TV Licence).
LG's BH100 Super Multi Player unboxed {Engadget}
Jul 26th 2007 7:52PM Camperton,
I agree with you.
However, it appears that, 'The Establishment' are so incompetent what do you expect from a bunch of grossly negligent and incompetent idiots.
Until, I read your posting I had assumed that they were deliberately being incompetent to rip people off but now they probably just completely incompetent.
That would also explain why Microsoft probably still has not solved the three light problem to-date.
There are no guarantees, but just maybe the new Samsung dual (Blu-ray and HD DVD) player maybe the first excellent dual player (should have all relevant features), but I shall believe it when I see it - hopefully before 2008.
Samsung set to launch Aura R20 laptop {Engadget}
Jun 25th 2007 12:39AM Manufacturers should be inputting HDMI (HDCP) sockets and compatible graphics cards - DVI is probably extinct.
LG's BH100 Super Multi Player unboxed {Engadget}
Mar 10th 2007 8:22AM Interesting point made about not having to pay royalties.
Most likely a secret deal was done:
1) LG would still have to pay the royalties and
2) would agree not to place the, 'HD DVD' logo on the player.
This would explain why the threat of a law suit disappeared quickly.
It would probably be impossible for LG to use HD DVD technology and also refuse to pay HD DVD licensees.
If there was away around paying the licence than it shouldn't be long before Blu-ray and HD DVD are replaced. This is because Blu-ray was only available, because HD DVD missed a loop hole. I have heard of some american students I think it was found a loop hole that both HD DVD and Blu-ray missed. The chinese are working on EVD DVD I think it is called, which would make things extremely interesting. At least one person have found a method of avoiding HDCP encription, which also makes things extremely interesting.
If royalties don't have to be paid than it shouldn't be long before the equivalent of the first sub £500/U$500 or less is available.
