Audio Video News

Here's the good news: The DVD Forum has approved a new triple-layer HD DVD with capacity of 51 gigabytes. Now here's the bad news: It remains uncertain whether the new disc will play on existing HD DVD hardware.

The laser pickups are not the problem. All first-, second-, and third-generation HD DVD players are physically capable of reading the new disc. The problem lies in the firmware that controls the pickup. It differs for each of the three generations, on top of other differences between black-box and PC drives. The HD DVD people want to verify every permutation before claiming total backward compatibility.

At 51GB, the triple-layer HD DVD would beat Blu-ray's current capacity by one gigabyte. Of course, the Blu-ray people also have ideas for expanding capacity, to as much as 100-200GB. They'll get around to it the next time they have five minutes after lunch.

While we're on the subject of HD DVD, the format racked up 90,000 new users thanks to $99 players at Wal-Mart, according to Video Business. That adds up to a player population of 750,000, reports UltimateAV.

The Blu-ray camp is not far behind, with the Samsung's BD-P1400 selling for $269.98 on Amazon (see pic). It costs $299 at Best Buy (sold out online at presstime) and Circuit City (with five free titles via rebate).

Happy High-Def Holidays to Everyone!