What is the difference between a HD DVD & a regular DVD? Why can't an HD DVD play in a regular DVD player?

Question

I just started watching Heroes this season, so I wanted to buy all the previous seasons. I went on ebay & found a DVD for season 1 for only $9.49 so my sister ordered it for me for my upcoming birthday:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Heroes-Season-1-HD-DVD-2007-NEW-SEALED_W0QQitemZ270514854583QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_DVD_HD_DVD_Blu_ray?hash=item3efbf11ab7

I didn't read the entire description at first, but then when I did it said the DVD will only play in a HD DVD player? What is the difference between an HD DVD & regular DVD player? If HD DVD'd don't play in a regular DVD player does that mean regular DVD's don't play in an HD DVD player?

My sister already ordered the HD DVD so it's already on the way, but now it sounds like we won't be able to watch it. Are HD DVD players more expensive than regular DVD players? I want to be able to watch the HD DVD so I will probably have to buy one now. How much do they usually cost?

Answer 1

HD DVD is an obsolete disk format. The only way to play the disks is with a HD DVD player, and no one makes those anymore.



HD DVD was a competitor to Blu-Ray. Blu-Ray won; HD DVD lost.



The disks were so cheap because they are only useful to (the few) people who already have a HD DVD player. Those people generally hang on to their HD DVD players so they can watch the disks they own.



HD DVD players can play regular DVDs, just like Blu-Ray players can play regular DVDs. But it is not possible to play either HD DVD or Blu-Ray disks on an ordinary DVD player.

Answer 2

HD DVD is an upgrade from DVD. Kind of how VHS upgraded to DVD, except HD is (High-Definition). In the past, there were to types of upgrades, Blu-Ray and HD DVD. There was a war between the two to see which one would provide for future publishing. Blu-Ray won the battle, so HD DVD's are no longer made, neither are the players.



You found the DVD so cheap because nobody wants HD DVD's anymore, they want Blu-Ray. HD DVDs will only work on a HD DVD player, which is pointless to buy because new titles are no longer being brought to HD DVD, only Blu-Ray.



HD DVD players are less expensive than Blu-Ray, but again, it is pointless to buy them since Blu-Ray is obviously better, so says the public...(I think they just picked it because it sounds cooler).



I suggest selling it, or return it if you can, and switch to Blu-Ray, OR just stick with DVD, which is a whole lot cheaper. If you have a HUGE HD TV, Blu-Ray will come in handy, but if you have an older TV like I do, stick with DVD.



Hope this helps :)

Answer 3

HD DVD is the successor to the standard DVD format, supported principally by Toshiba, but Toshiba lost the protracted high definition optical disc format war with Blu-ray, so they bandoned the format, and they won't produce HD DVD players or drives.

The Blu-ray Disc have becoming the main stream product in HD market.

HD dvd can't play in a regular DVD Player, but regular DVD can play in HD player. so you don't be worry.

As for the HD DVD you bought, you can rip it and convert to DVD format so that your dvd player can play.

there're few software can rip HD DVD and burn it to DVD because HD dvd was no longer be produced.

i think you'd better return it back.

Answer 4

the reason HD DVD dont work in normal DVD is Because, HD DVD have a higher pixel count and require anti aliasing to smooth the edges, though you wont notice the quality on a standard tv there is difference on a HDTV. the normal DVD are great HD screen but for maximum viewing experiance you use a HD DVD



HD DVD requires alot of proccessing power



recommended tv is a 1080p 100hz mininmum, for maximum experiance (lol oxymoron)