HD DVD vs Blu Ray: Which Format Should You Choose

Summary: HD DVD vs Blu Ray, both formats are next-generation optical disc formats that are used for watching videos in a high-definition resolution. Their output quality is better than that of normal DVDs and CDs. In this article, we will compare Blu Ray vs HD DVD. Apart from Blu ray vs HD DVD comparison, we will also find out how to digitize HD DVDs and Blu-rays using one of the best converter software.

Introduction

HD DVD Player vs Blu ray Player, which one to choose and why? Both formats are next-generation video formats that are a step ahead in the latest DVD technology. These formats have been designed to introduce High Definition video content to HDTVs. But the problem is that the two formats are not compatible with each other. Blu-ray players will not play any HD DVD movies. Similarly, HD DVD players will not play any Blu-Ray movies.

For years, Hollywood and the electronics industry have been debating whether Blu-Ray or HD DVD technology, which is superior. However, the format war that was going on between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, that is, HD DVD vs Blu Ray, for supremacy as the leading high definition media standard, has pretty much been resolved, with Blu ray proving to be victorious. HD DVD players are far less expensive than Blu-Ray players, yet Blu-ray discs have a little more storage capacity and better antipiracy security. Both variations have excellent resolution. Blu-ray is more expensive and has a capacity of 25 GB. In contrast, HD DVD contains15 GB of storage space and is also less expensive than Blu-ray.

In this article, we will discuss HD DVD vs Blu-ray players, and then we will talk about different aspects of both high-definition formats to help you decide which one you should go for.

HD DVD Player vs Blu Ray – Which Format is Better?

What is an HD DVD?

A High Definition or HD DVD is an optical storage medium with high storage capacity. It was once seen as a successor or latest form of DVD. A single-layered, one-sided standard DVD holds 4.7 GB of data, and a double-layered disc holds 8.5 GB. Single layered HD DVDs contain a storage capacity of 15 Giga Bytes, whereas a double-layered HD DVD has around 30 GB of storage space. Let’s move ahead and discuss the Advantages and drawbacks of HD DVDs.

HD DVD Advantages：

• Inexpensive: The manufacturing plants used to make DVDs can also be used to manufacture HD DVDs. This is the main reason why HD DVDs and their players are quite inexpensive.
• High storage capacity: A single-layered HD DVD can store up to 15 GB of data, whereas a dual-layered disc can store 30 GB of information.
• Backward compatibility with CDs and DVDs: HD DVD players don’t let your old collection of DVDs and CDs become obsolete. These players can read and play CDs and DVDs.
• Global Industry support: HD DVD has the support of industry giants such as Intel, Microsoft, Hitachi, Kenwood, Fujitsu, Toshiba, Samsung, Lenovo, Canon, Ricoh, Imation, HP, and Sanyo. Similarly, if we talk about software, it has the backing of Studio Canal, the Weinstein Company, New Line, Paramount, Warner, Universal, and Dreamworks.
• Twin disc support: Due to this unique feature of an HD DVD, they can be played on both DVD players and HD DVD Players. Twin discs mean that the disc has a normal DVD on one side and HD DVD on the other, which means both DVD and HD DVD are imprinted on the same disc.

Drawbacks of HD DVD：

• Xbox 360 add-on required for console support: HD DVD doesn’t have similar gaming support like Blu-Ray which has an upside of being PS3 standard. No games are available in HD DVD format yet. To acquire game support, it needs Microsoft Xbox 360 Add-on.
• Limited to 1080 resolution in many cases: There is no major difference between 576p and 1080i resolutions. HD DVDs are likely to be more compatible with flatter screens because of the lower specifications.

What is a Blu-Ray?

Blu Ray is an optical disc storage format for video playing high-definition videos. It represents the third generation of CDs and comes as a successor to CDs and DVDs. In this technology, data is encoded in pits read by blu violet laser. The spiral track on blu ray discs is more tightly wounded than DVDs and CDs because the laser used in blu rays has a shorter wavelength. This means that Blu-Ray discs can hold more data than DVDs and CDs. A single-layered Blu ray disc can store around 25 GB, and a dual-layered Blu ray disc can hold up to 50 GB of data, which is a lot more than the data stored by single or dual-layered HD DVDs. Now it’s time to find out the advantages and drawbacks of Blu-ray technology.

Advantages of Blu-Ray:

• 1080p output: If we talk about HD DVD vs Blu-ray quality, Blu-ray is undoubtedly a step ahead with its almost 3D-like stunning image. HD DVD comes out at 1080i, whereas normal DVDs have an output of 576p only. In contrast, 1080p delivered by Blu Ray has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 at around 54Bit/sec bandwidth. With consumer entertainment devices, 1080p is the best result possible.
• Higher storage capacity: Apart from quality, if you talk about storage space, Blu-ray is again the winner. A single-layered blu ray disc can store up to 25 GB of data, whereas a single-layered HD DVD can hold 15 GB. Moreover, a dual-layered Blu-ray can hold up to 50 GB of data, whereas a Dual-layered HD DVD holds up to 30 GB only.
• Global industry support: The list of industry supporters is a bit longer than that of HD DVD. Still, there is not a big difference in widespread industry support of both formats because most industrial giants are willing to support them both. However, Paramount and all Hollywood studios bar Universal release their movies in Blu-ray format only if we talk about content.
• Comes as a standard format in Play Station 3: A Blu-ray drive comes as a standard in all PS3s. And this is a huge upside of the Blu-ray format. This is why the Bluray player has become the highest-selling Player in no time.
• With Backwards compatibility with CDs and DVDs: A Blu-Ray Player can read and play your old collection of movies and videos because of its backward compatible feature with CDs and DVDs.

Drawbacks of Blu-Ray:

• Need Hi-Fi and expensive screens to play Blu-ray discs: To fully benefit the image capabilities of a Blu-ray disc and Player, you can’t just plug it into an old flat screen panel or a CRT, and you will need a 1080p capable device or at least a screen that can display 720p images.
• Much heavier on pockets as compared to HD DVDs: If you talk about HD DVD vs Blu-ray players and their cost, the Blu-ray players and discs are slightly heavier in your pockets.

What Did You Decide?

After going through the specifications, pros, and cons of both HD DVD and Blu Ray, HD DVD player vs Blu ray don’t sound like a difficult decision to make. After all, Blu-ray can hold more data, almost two times more data than HD DVD, and when we talk about HD DVD vs Blu ray quality, Blu-ray is again the winner. Moreover, Blu ray is a standard video format for PS3 too. The only drawback is it is cost-effective as compared to HD DVD and Player.

So it’s all up to you. The best approach is to watch the image quality and video result of both video formats side by side and decide which one pleases you more.

By the way, do you really need Optical discs to enjoy your movie time?

In modern technology and minimization, discs are becoming obsolete. If you have got a pile of Blu-ray or HD DVD movies with you, you can always digitalize them to your mobile device and PC. So, things aren’t just limited to HD DVD vs Blu ray form, and it’s more than that now!

Best Software to Convert HD DVD/Blu ray to Digital: 

DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper

Do you wish to digitize your Blu-ray? DVDFab Blu ray Ripper is at your service. It is the best solution to rip your Blu-ray to a digital format. You can easily watch your Blu-ray movies and videos on your portable devices like Android, iPhone, etc., and PC by converting it to a digital format like MP3G, MP4, AVI, MKV, etc.

Pros and Cons of DVDFab Blu ray Ripper

Pros:

• Compatible with all Windows and Mac OS
• Remove common Blu-ray copy protections
• Rip Blu-ray to popular video and audio formats with lossless quality
• Bulk Blu ray rips at lightning speed
• Customized settings and built-in video editor
• Work with Enlarger AI to improve the resolution of the video

Cons:

• Free for 30 days trial only

DVDFab DVD Ripper

Similarly, you can convert DVD and HD DVD to a digital format using DVDFab DVD Ripper. This amazing software can rip and convert DVD (ISO file) to various digital formats, including MP4, AVI, MOV, MPEG, FLV, WAV, MP3, and others, while improving the video resolution to 4K or 1080p. The DVDFab DVD Ripper can also extract audio from your DVD in many high-quality formats like FLAC, MP3, etc. Moreover, the great software features editing options to enable you to brighten, crop, trim or rotate your content. Furthermore, you can rip a copy-protected DVD too. You can easily convert DVDs to various devices like Apple, Android, Xbox One. 

Pros and Cons of DVDFab DVD Ripper

Pros:

• Support all Mac and Windows OS
• Can rip copy-protected DVDs
• Rip DVD to popular video and audio formats with lossless quality
• Rip DVD in batches at lightning-fast speed
• Feature edit options to customize videos
• Work with the video upscaler – Enlarger AI to improve the video resolution from 480p to 1080p

Cons:

• Free for a 30 day trial period only

HD DVD vs Blu Ray – Final Words

Blu Ray vs HD DVD, which video format would you choose to watch your favorite movies? Both HD DVD and Blu Ray are next-generation optical disc video formats with the high definition video quality. However, differences lie in HD DVD vs Blu Ray quality, storage capacity, and cost. Blu-Ray player has advanced protections against piracies and much more storage capacity, while HD DVD is less expensive than Blu-ray.

Furthermore, many of us prefer not to use any physical medium to store our favorite shows. Thanks to DVDFab DVD ripper and DVDFab Blu ray ripper that can easily convert your DVDs and Blu-rays to digital formats that can be stored in your Android, iPhones, PC, and laptops.

FAQs

Q1: Can you play Hd DVDs on Blu-ray players?

A Blu-ray disc player does not support the HD DVD format. Hd DVDs can only be read and played on HD DVD players.

Q2: HD DVD vs Blu ray quality, which is better?

In terms of visual experience, Blu ray has better quality than HD DVD.