Toshiba Unsure Whether 51 GB HD DVD Works in Existing Players
By Scott M. Fulton, III, BetaNews
January 17, 2007, 11:54 AM
A spokesperson for Toshiba of America told BetaNews late yesterday that the company is still researching whether a new, three-layer HD DVD disc format it may propose -- the existence of which was carefully leaked at last week's CES -- will work in the first generation on HD DVD players, including its own.
"Since the disc is not standardized yet," the spokesperson told BetaNews, "we are researching whether it is applicable to the current HD DVD players."
The capability for HD DVD -- as well as Blu-ray -- to implement three layers on one side has been written into the specifications since the format's inception. But the fact that each layer is limited to 17 GB, rather than the 25 GB per layer that's possible with dual-layer blue-laser discs, may be an indication that a three-layer format such as the one Warner Bros. patented last year may not have been feasible with older or existing blue-laser players after all.
As it turned out, the company introduced a double-decker sandwich format at CES instead, under the Total HD trademark. It's unclear whether Warner will pursue its three-layer, single-sided combo format, though the likelihood now is fairly low.
Add a Comment (79 Comments)
BetaNews reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Foul language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.