Toshiba, MS, and Panasonic started a working commitee on DVD2 format, recreating HD-DVD experience on DVD

http://www.contentagenda.com/article/CA6539511.html

Quote:
At the same meeting, according to a summary posted on the Forum Web site, the committee approved the formation of a new working group (dubbed WG-12) “to study and specify network applications and related network specification of DVD Forum formats, make recommendations for better interoperability and functionality of network-connected DVD Forum specified devices and content and communicate on relevant recommendations with other standard creation organizations.”

What that means in non-Forum legalese, I’m told by sources familiar with the plans, is that the new working group will look for ways to incorporate some of the same next-gen functionality developed for HD DVD into a DVD 2.0 format, including the HDi interactive layer and the advanced network connectivity.

One of the co-chairs of WG-12 is Microsoft, which played a major role in developing those capabilities for HD DVD (the other co-chair is Panasonic).

DVD 2.0 Format Specification

1. Video encoded in MPEG2 SD
2. HD available via Super Upconversion to 960p
3. HDi interactivity
4. Networking
5. Managed Copy
6. Fully backward compatible with existing DVD players.

Basically, Toshiba and Microsoft are trying to recreate HD-DVD experience on DVD via extensions.

That's brutal....can you say Muddy the Waters!!!



I wish these guys would quit trying to reinvent the wheel and get on the Blu bandwagon (speaking as a long time HD DVD supporter).

WG-12 (Network Applications) has been established since last fall.

Quote:
I wish these guys would quit trying to reinvent the wheel and get on the Blu bandwagon (speaking as a long time HD DVD supporter).

The beautiful thing about DVD 2.0 is that there would be more than 30 million compatible players ready on the day format is launched they are called Xbox 360s.

And just when BD thought they were home free...Hey, didn't something like that happen to Hillary?

Why MPEG2? MPEG4 requires less space and looks MUCH better.

Do current DVD's use MPEG2? Maybe that's why so they can be used on current DVD players?

Quote:
Do current DVD's use MPEG2? Maybe that's why so they can be used on current DVD players?

Exactly. DVD2s can be played on all existing DVD players. But you get HDi interactivity and networking when you put it in Xbox 360 or DVD2 players.

Use of MPEG2 is not a problem as long as encoding bitrate is maximized like SuperBit. Such discs would upconvert very well, to the point of close proximity to Blu-Ray when processed by Super Upconversion.

So you get all the benefits of HD-DVD without the cost of HD-DVD.

Quote:
So you get all the benefits of HD-DVD without the cost of HD-DVD.

Not that the cost was anything to look twice at anyway...

Bosshog it's not about being burnt over HD DVD. I think toshiba's big issue that the DVD Forum got ignored when BR was being developed. Frankly Sony and the BDR could careless about the DVD Forum. They are too concerned with their own business. What shocked me was that Panasonic was going to be releasing BR players. Panasonic and Toshiba were stong partners right from the start (DVD). Maybe DVD2 works. Who knows? It sounds appealing. For those that can't afford to make the big jump to BR. A $200 DVD2 player would do. That makes me wonder if our current HD DVD players could read the media. They probably would need a minor firmware update.

I say BRING ON THESE VAPORWARES! Nothing healthier than a GOOD COMPETITION to saturate the market. It's good for us consumer with MORE CHOICES than just one hidef format (even if it's just emulated).

I don't mind checking out the end product... SHOULD IT EVER SHOW UP IN TIME.