HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc /

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Oppo DV-980H Upscaling DVD Player
OPPO’s DV-980H fills out a line of upscaling DVD players that represent outstanding value and performance.

How to Contact the FCC: Do you still have questions about the DTV Transition? If so, please contact the FCC.

Federal Communications Commission:

Phone: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322)
Fax: 1-866-418-0232
E-mail: DTVinfo@fcc.gov

HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc

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Posted: 9:25 PM Aug 31, 2006
Last Updated: 11:10 AM Sep 5, 2007
Reporter: Andrew Felix
Email Address: tech@weau.com

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The long awaited home video format for HDTV has finally arrived!!! However, it arrived in two formats; HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc. In this article I’ll discuss this new technology.

HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc have as many similarities as differences. They both represent the future of DVD using new blue violet laser technology. They are physically the same size as a standard DVD, and players are backwards compatible with a standard DVD. Both formats are High Definition (HD), offering 1080p resolution, which is better than TV broadcast. They also provide 8-channels of uncompressed audio. Both are expected to offer dual layer (double storage capacity disks) in the near future.

The uncommon characteristics are what make the two formats incompatible. The big differences between Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD are the read/write format and data capacity. At the present time Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD players are not compatible with each other.

The content released to these two formats will not always be the same. Some movie studios and production companies are throwing their support initially into HD-DVD or Blu-ray Disc but not both.

This is relatively new technology. The selection of equipment and movie titles are limited and expensive. However, as with all new technology, over time we will see more variety and lower costs. These discs are also predicted to be used for computer storage and future gaming systems.

For more information on Blu-ray Disc visit:
www.blu-ray.com

For more information on HD-DVD visit:
www.dvdforum.com

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February 17, 2009 (in ) the era of analog broadcast television in the United States will end as the nation completes its transition to an all-digital system. While this change will mark the end of the traditional analog method of broadcasting over-the-air television, it won’t signal the end of free broadcast television, and your favorite broadcast programs and local television stations will still be available.

Consumers that subscribe to a "pay" television service such as cable and satellite aren’t likely to be affected by the switch, but if you currently receive analog television over the air or via an antenna, you’ll need to take action to continue watching your favorite stations.

TV sets that currently receive programming through cable or satellite are not likely to be affected by the transition to digital.

However, TV sets that rely on "over the air" broadcasting with an antenna (set-top or rooftop) to receive a signal will be affected by the cutoff of analog broadcasts in 2009. You will need to consider one of the following options:

Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes, which are expected to cost between $50 - 70 will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning on January 1, 2008, U.S. households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon can go toward the purchase of a single set-top converter box that will allow you to continue watching FREE "over-the-air" television on an analog set.
Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.
Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner.

Any of these steps will ensure that "over-the-air" television consumers will continue to receive programming.