| For those new to HD-DVD,
will HD-DVD players be able to play standard
DVDs as well or will there have to be special
players that will play both? |
HD DVD players will be able
to play standard DVDs as well, as compatibility
with current DVD is basic concept of HD
DVD
|
| What
is the advantage of HD-DVD? |
HD DVD discs have the same disc structure
as that of current DVD, two 0.6mm thick
polycarbonate discs bonded back to back.
Adoption of the same disc structure greatly
simplifies full backward compatibility with
current DVD.
Adoption of the same disc structure and
material as present DVD discs greatly simplifies
the HD DVD disc manufacturing process, as
it maximizes common use of key production
equipment. So initial investment for disc
manufacturers will be minimal. It also offers
high reliability of disc manufacturing as
established manufacturing system can be
used.
HD DVD has no need of a disc cartridge.
It can be used as a bare disc, like current
DVD. That is an essential feature for slim
drives for notebook PC and car navigation
systems.
|
| Do you think that Microsoft
has a good chance of choosing the HD-DVD over
Blue Ray due to Sony supporting Blue Ray?
|
| We are not in a position to comment on that
|
| Do
you think that it is time for the next-gen
game consoles to upgrade to the next format?
|
| HD DVD can be used in applications other
than package media, such as games and car
navigation owing to its robustness to vibration
and temperature change. It is up to game consoles
industry to upgrade to the next generation
format.
|
| The
biggest concern is going to be the price.
Microsoft would like to keep the costs down
with Xbox 2 since they lost money with the
production costs of Xbox. They would also
like to get Xbox 2 out as soon as they can
and before Playstation 3. If Xbox 2 gets planned
for holiday 2005, do you think that Microsoft
may need to just stick with DVD rather than
a next-gen format due to pricing? |
| We are not in a position to comment on that.
|
| One of the big discussions
regarding HD-DVD vs Blue-Ray is the capacity.
The Blue-Ray hold more, but it really comes
down to what will be needed in terms of space.
It seems like Sony is trying to attract more
people with higher specs (though resulting
in higher costs) when they may not even be
fully utilized for a while. Do you feel that
the space on HD-DVDs will be sufficient for
years to come? |
Yes, more than sufficient.
With advanced codecs we can pack more than
eight hours of high definition video onto
a dual-layer DVD-ROM disc. That's more than
enough for three movies, or any single movie
plus extra features. Of course, greater capacity
will encourage greater creativity, but even
in the area of game software we think HD DVD
is a solution for the years. Eight hours of
high definition video capacity will allow
the development of feature-rich games. In
fact, we are sure that it is too much capacity,
and using an HD DVD to the maximum would not
only require an incredibly complex game but
take too long and cost too much to develop.
|
| Do you think HD-DVD has an
advantage of having 'DVD' still in the title
for people to associate with? |
| Yes
|
| Do
you see in the future, the possibility of
a format used for consoles that differs from
any other medium? -Say Playstation 4 and Xbox
3 use a separate format from the future current
movie format (maybe cutting down on piracy).
|
| This is not something we have thought about
at this point. To date, we have not seen any
interest in a separate format for game consoles.
|
| When
might we see HD-DVD players available for
purchase? |
| Toshiba plans to introduce HD DVD players
on market in the 4th quarter of 2005.
|
| Is
there an estimate as to how much HD-DVD players
will cost? |
| Price is not yet determined but we target
a first player at less than $1000.
|
| Is
it possible that we may see a manufacturer
release a player that will play both Blue-Ray
and HD-DVD? |
| It would be technologically possible, but
we don't think it is realistic from perspective
of cost and space.
|
| Do
you think this 'war' will last longer than
previous 'format wars?' |
| We cannot comment on that.
|
| Can
you provide us with an up-to-date list of
the current HD-DVD supporters? |
| HD DVD is not the format supported only
by several companies. But HD DVD format is
discussed openly and standardized at the DVD
Forum, the international association of over
230 consumer electronics, entertainment software
and other related companies around the world.
More than 80 companies participate in the
Forum's technology working group to define
the format. In terms of promotion of the format,
Memory-Tech, one of Japanese largest disc
replicators, NEC, Sanyo and Toshiba announced
on September 27 that we would form the HD
DVD Promotion Group. The HD DVD Promotion
Group is separate organization from the DVD
Forum and its key objectives are exchanges
of information and discussions on HD DVD product
commercialization. The four companies establish
a preparatory organization as founding members
of the group and expect to establish the official
organization in spring 2005. For more details
please refer to the press release below. http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2004_09/pr2702.htm
|
|
Thanks
to Junko Furuta for answering these questions.
|
