DVD Forum closer to approving 51GB HD DVD

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 10/4/2007

OCT. 4 | A working group within the DVD Forum has approved the specification for a triple-layer 51GB HD DVD, confirmed a spokesperson for the North American HD DVD Promotion Group, although final approval within the organization is still pending.

The spokesman said that once the spec is finalized, compatibility with current HD DVD player and recorders can be investigated, which opens the door for the format to be competitive with Blu-ray Disc's highest-capacity 50GB disc.

After the Forum gives the final blessing, replicators will start producing 51GB HD DVD discs, which include three layers holding 17GB capacity each. Production should drive manufacturers to begin testing how existing HD DVD players and drives can playback such the new discs.

No studio has announced plans to release a 51GB HD DVD, which was first announced as a developing technology during January’s CES. However, HD DVD backers will likely use the ability to create such high-capacity discs as ammunition in the format war.

Many Blu-ray supporters have pointed to their own 50GB BD releases as a competitive advantage to HD DVD, which to date has generated 15GB and 30GB discs. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s Oct. 30 BD release of Spider-Man 3 is among upcoming Blu-ray titles containing 50GB discs.