Microsoft releases HD DVD emulator software

By Ed Oswald | Published December 13, 2007, 12:35 PM

In an attempt to further spur development for its chosen next-generation DVD platform, Microsoft is making the tool available for $2,999.

The company says by offering an inexpensive way to test HD DVD videos for their playability before the movies are burned to disc, this should in turn reduce the number of problems with disc playback. All the testers need is a connection to Xbox Live and a console to use the emulator.

While specifically aimed at emulating its own player, due to the fact that all HD DVD players follow a strict standard, it should successfully emulate results for any certified player in testing the content.

Developers have three options to test content: the content can be played directly from a network storage share or USB drive, or from an optical disc within the Xbox 360's hard drive.

Obviously, the emulator will not be able to assist with actual movie playback, but it will be able to be used to test out interactivity features which HD DVD has made its hallmark.

In tests, Microsoft found that the emulator significantly reduced development time and costs --this could mean more time for rich interactive content-- and brought down the number of needed test discs by 75 percent.

"We are committed to supporting and advancing the HD DVD ecosystem," Microsoft HD DVD Jordi Ribas said in a statement.

Comments

View comments by with a score of at least

In an attempt to further spur development for its chosen next-generation DVD platform, Microsoft is making the tool available for FREE.

Score: 0

|

only 3000bucks? wow let me go to my couch and find some change brb.

Score: 0

|

Should I even repeat that this is not for consumers, it's for HD DVD content producers? Even though it's very clear in the article and has been mentioned numerous times in the comments over the last few days. Nah, I think I'll just point and laugh at you and move on.

Score: 0

|

I know this has nothing to do with the tool, but as the former owner of a betamax, bought back when $400 was worth a lot more and the videos were $50, I am determined to wait it out. I currently have an upconvert player and have watched HD on a friend's Blu Ray, and really can't tell the difference. I suppose if I were a purist and there were any HD movies worth paying $50 for I might make the commitment. For now I'll wait it out.

Score: 0

|

I am guessing when Sony Releases a version it will cost like 10K! (Sarcasm)

Score: 0

|

It's already out, and free...

http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Score: 0

|

You may want to learn a bit more about what this program actually does before making a complete fool of yourself: http://thisishddvd.com/emulator/

Then again you do seem to enjoy looking stupid, so by all means carry on. You can rest assured that others do enjoy laughing at you.

Score: 0

|

Joey - Please stop posting about Java technology. It really doesn't need your 'support'.

Score: 0

|

The opportunity of laughing at Davey is the only thing that keeps me coming back for more.

Score: 0

|

You're surely not surprised that the Blu-ray.com f*ckwit didnt know what s/he was talking about?!

They are just so totally laughable, it's practically a 'default' position for them.

Score: 0

|

Hahaha *wipes tear from eye*.

Score: 0

|

Apparently it does. No manufacturer supporting Blu-ray has gotten it working properly yet.

Score: 0

|

That's not as bad as HD DVD, there is only 1 manufacturer supporting it, everyone else has abandoned HD DVD, due to Toshiba's insane pricedumping.

Score: 0

|

"That's not as bad as HD DVD"

- LMAO.

What a lame little pathetic to$$er.

Laughed out of sight for trying to pretend that his link was anything like the same thing he's now reduced to a b!tchy, predictable & utterly laughable lame little swipe at HD DVD.

He's also lying again & completely wrong (as usual) at that.

Toshiba are not the only people making HD DVD.

There's Onkyo, Venturer, Shinco, Kenwood, Alpine, Asus, Acer, Intel, HP, LG, Samsung, Integra, Denon are coming shortly as are Meridian and we can also expect several of the 'HD DVD China' manufacturers to be along soon too

(further pushing prices way below anything Blu-ray can possibly compete with - stock-clearance buggy sh*te Samsungs included).

Typical Blu-ray.com support, infantile, full of sh*t, ignorant and completely dumb.

You're doing such a great 'job'.

LMAO

Score: 0

|

8 per store, 8 per store! squack!

Score: 0

|

This substantially reduces the costs of HD DVD production.

Microsoft implemented a beta program from July through November of this year, involving more than 40 participants, including Deluxe Digital Studios, Enteractive GmbH, Imagion AG, Memory-Tech Corporation and NetBlender Inc.

Participants found that the tool significantly decreased the number of hours and reduced the costs associated with the production process, freeing up time to refine and improve content.

"The authoring process for HD DVD is more complex and expensive than the process for standard DVD, and as with any new technology, it can require a lot of time and resources," said John Harrington, CEO of NetBlender. "In the process of working with the new Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Emulator, we were able to cut the number of test discs needed per month from roughly 200 down to 50, saving more than 100 work hours per month. This positively impacted our business essentially overnight. We estimate we will recoup the low cost of the tool in less than one month's time."

Of course the PS3 console obsessed f*ckwit element neither understand nor care about what this actually means as they try their pathetic flag waving for their beloved.

This is yet another practical step forward for HD DVD amongst the smaller and independent studios.
It will end up adding variety & depth to the amount of HD DVD content available.

The idiots can't see it (cos when you're deluded fanboy why would you understand anything but your laughable 'love' for a CE corporation) but HD DVD is putting all the pieces in place.

Next up will be CES 2008.
It's going to be very good for HD DVD.

Score: 0

|

It's gonna be $99 next week in Walmart... Because nobody wants it.

Score: 0

|

Isn't this being used for 'testing' purposes? Of what good is this to the casual consumer?

Score: 0

|

It's not for consumers. Are you even capable of posting anything that isn't stupid?

Score: 0

|

Don't you know by now he's not?

Score: 0

|

The answer to that is NO!

Score: 0

|

It's better to let people think your stupid than to open your mouth and prove it.

Score: 0

|

Where's the BD emulator? That's right, the profile is incomplete and has been since launch.

Score: 0

|

Are you some kind of idiot?

The BD emulator can be downloaded here:

http://java.sun.com/

Yes, that's right, BD uses established standards, HD DVD uses proprietary code...

Score: 0

|

Thats soooo vague, so where in that general website can I find this emulator?

Score: 0

|

meh why boffer...

Score: 0

|

I cant access it, give me your login info (sarcasm off)

Score: 0

|

logon: Scott McNealy
password: Java Rocks

If you want the Blu-ray emulator/runtime: http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Score: 0

|

Error :'(

Score: 0

|

This emulator is not just for testing HDi doofus.

Score: 0

|

Obviously you are. You picked a side in a format war because you can't afford to buy both. Poor broke bas****.

Score: 0

|

When has anything he's ever posted been right?

Score: 0

|

Your ignorance is nothing short of amazing.

Score: 0

|

Stupidity beyond bounds.

What a typical Blu-ray.com moron.

Score: 0

|

*raises hand*

Ooo! I know, I know! Pick me!!!

Score: 0

|

I'd call on you, but your post would be too long for me to want to read it.

Score: 0

|

That's just mean... :)

Score: 0

|

Well there's just so much stuff he's wrong about. ;)

Score: 0

|

cool

Score: 0

|

nice, but i'll wait a bit until the price will fall under $2,500 and a service pack will be released.

Score: 0

|

'A pivot from war to peace:' The AMD + Intel armistice, in their own words

An extraordinary day in technology history is recognized by two long-time rivals that mutually decided it's futile to fight anyplace else except the marketplace.

PS3, Xbox to soon get Twitter, Facebook integration

Both Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 will integrate with Facebook in the near future.

Windows Marketplace for Mobile now available in browser, iTunes' App Store still not

You can now check out what Windows Marketplace for Mobile has to offer without a Windows Phone.

Microsoft damage control after marketer claims Win7 inspired by Mac

Have you ever said anything you wish you could take back? Ever? No? Not even once? Well then, you won't sympathize with a mid-level Microsoft manager today.

Blockbuster's way down, but poised for a comeback

Though it took a serious beating in 2009, Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes says the company can turn it around.

iTunes Preview deson't go far enough to create Web-based option for store

Apple has rolled out iTunes Preview, a Web interface for browsing iTunes.

PDC 2009 Preview: The move to Office 2010 and Visual Studio 2010

The major focus of Microsoft's conference next week will likely be explaining why two pillars of its software sales strategy deserve to remain where they are.

Dell's first smartphone aids the Android onslaught

Longtime PC leader Dell has finally announced its Android-based smarphone.

After the Intel + AMD armistice: Do we really want a level playing field?

Scott Fulton On Point: One by one, the reasons for us to continue suspending the course toward open and fair competition in IT, are dropping like flies.

FLO TV launches pocketable, smartphone-like TVs

Qualcomm's FLO TV Personal Television made by HTC launches in retail today.

Google acquires Gizmo5, builds IP telephony portfolio

Google Voice today confirmed rumors that it would acquire IP telephony company Gizmo5