The high definition digital video player packs a punch just in the name. The high definition or high density concept was created to follow behind the DVD. What is high definition? The technology for HD DVD was begun back in the late 90s when Sony developed two types of technology that would result in the creation of HD and blu-ray.
What’s the difference between HD and DVD? One major difference is that HD DVD technology, which was manufactured by Toshiba, is no longer being produced. It was decided that HD DVD and blu-ray were to close in design and specifications and blu-ray was given the lead. So if you’re looking for better technology in video and audio entertainment, blu-ray is your choice.
The short-lived career of HD DVD has its contents based on the same technology that created the DVD. The HD DVD came about after HDTV sets, created in the late 90’s, were discovered to have no inexpensive way to playback or record HD content. Bummer, since the VCR and VHS tapes had paved the way to giving consumers the freedom to record and play back virtually everything from their favorite sports shows to vacations. For all the brilliance of HDTVs, there was something missing and Toshiba recognized this, developing the HD DVD to fill the void.
The problem that quickly arose, however, is that the HD DVD and newcomer blu-ray were too similar in design and output. This similarity positioned itself to turn into a format war within the ranks of Toshiba, who produced both HD DVD and blu-ray. Toshiba recognized the possibility of damaging both products and removed HD DVD products from their production lines, focusing on blu-ray as the next step in technological advancements. In a sense, it can be construed that HD DVD technology was not completely discarded but further developed into blu-ray.
As history would have it, HD DVD and blu-ray did find themselves competing against each other for the consumer market. At the beginning of this year in February and April, HD DVD was falling off in sales. Although HD DVD was not without its ability, providers of HD DVDs such as Netflix, Best Buy and Wal-Mart create a huge ripple in the competition pool by discontinuing HD DVD product offers. So much so that by March of this year, HD DVDs, players and devices were no longer being manufactured or shipped.
What’s the good news if you rushed out and bought a HD DVD player by Toshiba? Well, there’s no upgrade or trade up option for blu-ray. If you want blu-ray, you’ll still have to purchase it. If you’re content with your HD DVD player, Toshibas has indicated that they will keep spare parts available in case your player breaks, for the next 8 years. And by then, technology promises to offer something more modern that you’re sure to want to upgrade to. In the meantime, it is okay to be a little nostalgic with your HD DVD player, it’s uniquely yours.
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