HD DVD-based format on the move in China
First CH-DVD players could launch next year
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 9/7/2007
SEPT. 7 | Chinese laboratory Optical Memory National Engineering Research Center (OMNERC) is moving ahead with the China High Definition DVD, which is a potential boon to the HD DVD camp.
The technology behind the CH-DVD is based on HD DVD construction. Chinese government officials are formally supporting the CH-DVD format.
To support it’s creation, the OMNRC formed the China High Definition DVD Industry Assocation (CHDA), in cooperation with the HD DVD-backing DVD Forum. The CHDA will make a push to launch and promote the first CH-DVD player in the Chinese market in 2008.
The CH-DVD joins another fledgling high-definition format in the country, the Versatile Multilayer Disc. Developed out of a merger with Chinese high-def format EVD, VMD is based on red-laser technology and is from London-based New Medium Enterprises.
OMNERC says that content owners will roll out movie titles in the CH-DVD format, but the lab did not specify suppliers.
