"DVD Forum Approves HD-DVD-ROM Spec"

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20040611_123607.html' target='_blank'>http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20040611_123607.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"A steering committee of the DVD Forum has approved the final specification of one potential successor of today's DVD. The HD-DVD-ROM will carry one or two data layers with a total capacity of up to 30 GByte. First drives are expected within the next twelve months. The approval of the Specification 1.0 of the HD-DVD-ROM format marks a significant step forward for NEC and Toshiba, the two main backers of the technology, to bring their technology to the market."</i><br /><br />One additional point to note is that according to Microsoft, the provisional status was removed and WM9 received mandatory status for HD-DVD. Wow, I can certainly live with 30GB disks although I don't know whether the approval of HD-DVD automatically means a setback for Blue-Ray disks. I guess time will tell.

[Felix Torres]

I don't know whether the approval of HD-DVD automatically means a setback for Blue-Ray disks. I guess time will tell.

Simple test.
Watch the hollywood studios to see if any of them start shipping content on one or the other.

Given that HD-DVDs can be stamped out on the same production facilities as current DVDs and BlueRay needs new facilities...

Word is an unnamed member (SONY?) of the committee proposed that WMV remain a probationary spec until it receives final SMPTE certification but they got shot down.

This means the majority of the committe wants product out sooner rather than later, no?