Hara, Yoshiko. (2004) Blu-Ray Backers Form Standards Body. Electronic Engineering Times

Annotated Bibliography

October 20, 2004

Hara, Yoshiko. (2004) Blu-Ray Backers Form Standards Body. Electronic Engineering Times, 1333, 20.

In this article, author Yoshiko Hara discussed the formation of the Blu-Ray Disc Association, a committee of Blu-Ray supporters responsible for setting the format’s standard specifications. The author found that the forum completed its specifications for the rewritable disc, is almost done with the ROM, and hopes to have Blu-Ray Players on the market by late 2005. Hara also reported that after including either the H.264 or Microsoft’s WMV-9 codec, the disc will be able to store about 3 hours of high-definition video, an hour more than HD-DVD. The author then described additional features of the Blu-Ray format such as backwards compatibility and hard-coat technology. Thus, by forming a standards committee the Blu-Ray Disc Association hopes to push their product as the future format for the video industry.

Hara, Yoshiko. (2004) Blu-Ray Gets Next-Gen DVD Rival. Electronic Engineering Times, 1234, 2.

Author Yoshiko Hara discussed Toshiba and NEC’s joint proposal to the DVD forum to make blue-laser optical-disc (later dubbed HD-DVD) the format to replace DVDs. The author then explained how the proposed format will allow for backwards compatibility with DVDs by using a similar physical structure, only changing the laser from red to blue. Hara reported that HD-DVD included specifications for both ROM and rewritable formats from the beginning, so as to avoid incompatibility issue between players. Furthermore, Hara included a table comparing the specifications of DVDs, HD-DVDs, and Blu-Ray Discs to accompany the discussion of format’s specifications. Ultimately, Toshiba and NEC’s proposed format is “only a draft”, with more details to emerge in the future.

Grover, Ronald. (2004). A War That Hollywood Can’t Afford. Business Week, 3896,59.

Author Ronald Grover investigated the connection between Hollywood and the next-generation format for media content. He first explained thatrecent demands for high-definition television content have led to the production of two incompatible formats, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. He then described what backers of each format are doing to ensure their choice wins the “format war”. Complicating the technical aspects of the battle is Hollywood, which could have a very significant role in deciding the winner. While no major movie companies have sided with a format yet, Grover stated they must decide the format soon so as not to confuse consumers.

New Approach Makes Blu Ray Less Costly. (2004). IEE Review, 50 (6),17.

The author(s) of this article reported that researchers at the University of Bath have developed a new way to manufacture blue lasers. Currently, blue laser diodes are being used in upcoming data storage technologies such as the Sony sponsored Blu-Ray Disc. The author(s) stated that the new method will involve using Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Hydride Vapour Phase Epitaxy (HVPE) to construct the lasers 50 times faster than the current process. Ultimately, this new process is expected to drastically reduce the price of such diodes and the electronics that use them.

Wolf, Jessica. (2004). HD-DVD Due in 2005; Backers Downplay MGM. Video Store Magazine, 26, (39), p. 1, 40.

In this article, author Jessica Wolf reported that Toshiba and Sanyo will produce HD-DVD players for 2005, even though no film production companies have agreed to produce content yet. She additionally explained that supporters of HD-DVD, are downplaying Sony’s recent purchase of MGM, despite the fact that it gives Sony & Blu-Ray about 20% of the industry’s content to support it. In an interview with Warren Leiberfarb, the “father of DVDs” who now supports HD-DVD, Wolf discovered that the market for High-Definition content is increasing, but Hollywood will not reap the benefits if a standard format is not chosen. Additionally, the author reported steps that HD-DVD is taking to ensure supremacy, such as producing home video players and winning the support of Microsoft’s upcoming operating system. Overall, Wolf reported that HD-DVD is taking strong steps towards being Hollywood’s format of choice, despite setbacks from the Blu-Ray format.