Forget combos--try TWINS!
09-11-06, 12:01 AM
#1
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Forget combos--try TWINS!
Memory-Tech and Toshiba Announce Latest Advance in Single-Sided, Three-Layer TWIN Format Disc for DVD and HD DVD; New Disc Supports High Capacities of Both Standard DVD and HD DVD on a Single Disc
TOKYO, September 11 /CNW/ - Memory-Tech Corporation and Toshiba
Corporation today announced the latest advance in DVD disc technology: a
jointly developed, single-sided, three-layer ROM disc supporting high capacity
storage and playback of both DVD and HD DVD formats.
The newly announced disc is the latest addition to the DVD TWIN format,
discs that support both DVD and HD DVD content and that are fully compatible
with both formats. The new disc boosts capacity and expands versatility with a
three-layer structure offering support for two HD DVD layers and one DVD layer
or two DVD layers and one HD DVD layer. Memory-Tech and Toshiba will propose
the new disc to the HD DVD Forum, the industry body that defines DVD
standards.
In a two-layer HD DVD configuration, the new TWIN disc has a 30GB HD DVD
capacity, plus 4.7GB of standard DVD capacity. Configured to maximize standard
DVD content, the disc can support 8.5GB on two layers, plus 15GB of HD DVD
content on the third layer. DVD content can be played back on a standard DVD
player, while HD DVD players can play back both formats.
Memory-Tech and Toshiba together proposed the DVD/HD DVD TWIN to the DVD
Forum in 2004, as a transitional format able to support both standard DVD and
HD DVD content. The single-sided, dual-layer TWIN disc was adopted as part of
the HD DVD specifications, and has found wide application since HD DVD players
and PC drives were launched in the Japanese and North American markets in
March this year. One advantage is its ability to support both standard
definition and high definition versions of a movie, allowing users to play it
back now on present DVD players, and to enjoy the high definition version once
they upgrade to an HD DVD player.
The only drawback with the first generation TWIN disc was its limited
capacity: support for 15GB of HD DVD content and 4.7GB of DVD content. The new
3-layer disc meets demand from movie studios and software companies in North
America and Japan for a capacity boost, and offers double the maximum capacity
for each format.
The new disc also maintains two defining features of the HD DVD format: a
low cost and highly efficient manufacturing process. Memory-Tech has developed
a new disc manufacturing procedure that adds an additional process to form the
third layer, but does so on the same disc replication machines that can be
used for DVD and HD DVD mass production.
Major content companies have welcomed the new format.
"We have been releasing TWIN Format titles since April," said Mr Hideki
Oyagi, General Manager, Visual Entertainment Department, PONY CANYON INC. "Weare getting very positive feedback from the market, and our TWIN Format titles are selling better than anticipated. The new 3-layer TWIN Format will allow us to develop even more products and I am sure it will accelerate acceptance of the HD DVD format in the market. We welcome the fact that the new format will be accepted as part of HD DVD family format in the near future."
"We offer our congratulations on the announcement of the new 3-layer TWIN
Format," said Mr Kazuo Sakai, Program Vice President, Digital Entertainment
Partner Program, Microsoft Corporation. "We're hoping the new format finds
wide acceptance and supports content development, and promotes consumer
adoption of HD DVD."
Memory-Tech and Toshiba will propose the new format to the DVD Forum and
develop reliable disc manufacturing process together. Memory-Tech and Toshiba
will introduce the new format to content providers and develop new business
opportunities together with studio partners.
For further information: Toshiba Corporation Yuko Sugahara, +81 (3)
3457-2105 http://www.toshiba.co.jp/contact/media.htm or Memory-Tech
Corporation Corporate Planning Dept., +81-3-3405-8890 [email protected]
TOKYO, September 11 /CNW/ - Memory-Tech Corporation and Toshiba
Corporation today announced the latest advance in DVD disc technology: a
jointly developed, single-sided, three-layer ROM disc supporting high capacity
storage and playback of both DVD and HD DVD formats.
The newly announced disc is the latest addition to the DVD TWIN format,
discs that support both DVD and HD DVD content and that are fully compatible
with both formats. The new disc boosts capacity and expands versatility with a
three-layer structure offering support for two HD DVD layers and one DVD layer
or two DVD layers and one HD DVD layer. Memory-Tech and Toshiba will propose
the new disc to the HD DVD Forum, the industry body that defines DVD
standards.
In a two-layer HD DVD configuration, the new TWIN disc has a 30GB HD DVD
capacity, plus 4.7GB of standard DVD capacity. Configured to maximize standard
DVD content, the disc can support 8.5GB on two layers, plus 15GB of HD DVD
content on the third layer. DVD content can be played back on a standard DVD
player, while HD DVD players can play back both formats.
Memory-Tech and Toshiba together proposed the DVD/HD DVD TWIN to the DVD
Forum in 2004, as a transitional format able to support both standard DVD and
HD DVD content. The single-sided, dual-layer TWIN disc was adopted as part of
the HD DVD specifications, and has found wide application since HD DVD players
and PC drives were launched in the Japanese and North American markets in
March this year. One advantage is its ability to support both standard
definition and high definition versions of a movie, allowing users to play it
back now on present DVD players, and to enjoy the high definition version once
they upgrade to an HD DVD player.
The only drawback with the first generation TWIN disc was its limited
capacity: support for 15GB of HD DVD content and 4.7GB of DVD content. The new
3-layer disc meets demand from movie studios and software companies in North
America and Japan for a capacity boost, and offers double the maximum capacity
for each format.
The new disc also maintains two defining features of the HD DVD format: a
low cost and highly efficient manufacturing process. Memory-Tech has developed
a new disc manufacturing procedure that adds an additional process to form the
third layer, but does so on the same disc replication machines that can be
used for DVD and HD DVD mass production.
Major content companies have welcomed the new format.
"We have been releasing TWIN Format titles since April," said Mr Hideki
Oyagi, General Manager, Visual Entertainment Department, PONY CANYON INC. "Weare getting very positive feedback from the market, and our TWIN Format titles are selling better than anticipated. The new 3-layer TWIN Format will allow us to develop even more products and I am sure it will accelerate acceptance of the HD DVD format in the market. We welcome the fact that the new format will be accepted as part of HD DVD family format in the near future."
"We offer our congratulations on the announcement of the new 3-layer TWIN
Format," said Mr Kazuo Sakai, Program Vice President, Digital Entertainment
Partner Program, Microsoft Corporation. "We're hoping the new format finds
wide acceptance and supports content development, and promotes consumer
adoption of HD DVD."
Memory-Tech and Toshiba will propose the new format to the DVD Forum and
develop reliable disc manufacturing process together. Memory-Tech and Toshiba
will introduce the new format to content providers and develop new business
opportunities together with studio partners.
For further information: Toshiba Corporation Yuko Sugahara, +81 (3)
3457-2105 http://www.toshiba.co.jp/contact/media.htm or Memory-Tech
Corporation Corporate Planning Dept., +81-3-3405-8890 [email protected]
09-11-06, 12:11 AM
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I do like the idea of twin better than combos. And if the price drops, I think people who are on the fence about buying a player might be more likely to get the twin version and eventually get a player.
09-11-06, 12:26 AM
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Even if you drop the extras, many movies require that dual-layer disc, so having the movie on the configuration with the single DVD layer may not work in those cases. The other configuration with the dual-layer DVD portion would not be good for HD-DVD content because then you're limited to just 15GB for the HD-DVD portion. So, I don't think having the film in standard DVD quality would be a good idea (unless it's a short movie).
However, a disc with 30GB for HD-DVD content and 4.7GB of DVD content would be interesting, because then you could use much or all of the 30GB portion for just the movie (and things like a TrueHD track and IME) and then you still have 4.7GB just for extra features.
However, a disc with 30GB for HD-DVD content and 4.7GB of DVD content would be interesting, because then you could use much or all of the 30GB portion for just the movie (and things like a TrueHD track and IME) and then you still have 4.7GB just for extra features.
Last edited by Drexl; 09-11-06 at 01:00 AM.
09-11-06, 01:14 AM
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Considering the current 15GB combos all look as good as standalone 30GB discs, I think there are plenty of movies that could benefit from the single HD/dual DVD configuration. I like the idea of using 30GB for a movie and the DVD layer for only extras, though.
09-11-06, 01:52 AM
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Well I for one think this could sell alot more HD-DVD movies overall. Even if I didnt own a HD set and an HD-DVD player I would be tempted to buy the HD-DVD Twin Version so when I did upgrade I wouldnt have to buy the movies again. Alot of people out there know they are going to upgrade to HD but cant at the moment. This gives them the opprotunity to still buy the current generation DVD for play now while giving them the HD-DVD option if and when they upgrade. People hate double dipping and I am sure that at least some people would take advantage of this type of thing. Of Course this is Assuming they use the 30 Gig of HD space for the HD version of the Movie and the 4.7 gig of regular space for the SD version of the movie. Great idea overall.
PS
PS
09-11-06, 01:39 PM
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Very Cool
09-11-06, 01:41 PM
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Wasn't the word that some DVD players (a small percentage, but even 1%-2% of the total decks out there is a huge number) couldn't handle these twin format discs?
09-11-06, 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by kgrogers1979
When I read the title, I thought the Twins movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Devito was coming to HD-DVD. 
09-11-06, 03:17 PM
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Originally Posted by kgrogers1979
When I read the title, I thought the Twins movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Devito was coming to HD-DVD.
09-14-06, 10:42 AM
#14
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Originally Posted by XavierMike
Actually, I was afraid it meant 2 discs-DVD and HD DVD in the same package.
09-14-06, 11:39 AM
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This is very similar to hybrid SACD. Sony actually did a good job on that technology. It just plays properly in either a CD or SACD player, the machines "see" the proper layer. It would be cool for movies.
09-18-06, 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by XavierMike
Actually, I was afraid it meant 2 discs-DVD and HD DVD in the same package.
Originally Posted by Jay G.
I doubt studios will ever do that. It would mean that someone who only wants the HD DVD can sell off the DVD, and vice versa. I think that's why the studios will stick with double-sided discs or this new TWIN, despite myself personally preferring 2 discs over a double-sided one, especially since that would mean that both discs could be dual-layer.
Originally Posted by Jay G.
I doubt studios will ever do that. It would mean that someone who only wants the HD DVD can sell off the DVD, and vice versa. I think that's why the studios will stick with double-sided discs or this new TWIN, despite myself personally preferring 2 discs over a double-sided one, especially since that would mean that both discs could be dual-layer.
Originally Posted by Spiky
This is very similar to hybrid SACD. Sony actually did a good job on that technology. It just plays properly in either a CD or SACD player, the machines "see" the proper layer. It would be cool for movies.
Last edited by marioxb; 09-18-06 at 02:09 PM.
09-18-06, 02:20 PM
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That's a little different, although I guess it appears the same to our eyes. The Xbox sees the same layers as a regular DVD player; but it can play both movies and games if they are there. Same goes for the DVD-ROM features on some discs, only a PC can read those files. Or a game CD with both Mac and Windows versions on it. All this is on the same layer in the disc, but different software is necessary to read the different files.
SACD Hybrids and HD-DVD Twin use different physical layers. This means the layers have to each be the right depth in the disc so the appropriate player can physically see them, a bit trickier. Otherwise, Adam's post above will come true.
SACD Hybrids and HD-DVD Twin use different physical layers. This means the layers have to each be the right depth in the disc so the appropriate player can physically see them, a bit trickier. Otherwise, Adam's post above will come true.
