8.1 Are HD DVD devices compatible with CDs and DVDs?
8.2 Are Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD DVD compatible with each other?
8.3 What is “book type” or “disk category”?
8.4 What computer operating system is required to play HD DVD movies?
8.5 What type of computer software is required to play HD DVD movies?
8.6 How much computer system memory is required to play HD DVD movies?
8.7 What type of computer CPU is required to play HD DVD movies?
8.8 What type of graphics card is required to play HD DVD movies?
8.9 What firmware updates are available for HD DVD players, drives and recorders?
8.10 What types of HD DVD-Video discs can be played on HD DVD players?
Are HD DVD devices compatible with CDs and DVD?
Product requirements and guidelines set by the DVD Forum require HD DVD devices to be backward compatible with DVD-ROMs (prerecorded) while CDs and other types of DVDs are a matter of choice for each individual hardware manufacturer. In practice, of course, it is possible to design HD DVD devices that can read and write all existing CD and DVD formats. So far, manufacturers have only announced or released products with various degrees of backward compatibility. For example, while one computer drive reads and writes almost all disc formats another HD DVD consumer electronics (CE) video recorder reads and writes DVD-R/RW/RAM but not DVD+R/RW.
Physically, CDs, DVDs and HD DVDs are distinctly different from one another so supporting all of them in a single device is a considerable challenge. Each employs different sized pits, lands and tracks and even a different substrate thickness for CDs. Each is composed of disparate materials and is written or read using lasers of various wavelengths through lenses of assorted numerical apertures. Each format’s optical response is also carefully tuned so discs are not panchromatic.
Thus achieving physical compatibility requires HD DVD players, drives and recorders to incorporate involved optical pickups employing multiple lasers (780 nm for CD, 650 nm for DVD and 405 nm for HD DVD) plus numerous other clever solutions. DVD-RAM’s unique nature and optional cartridge requires still further hardware and programming modifications.
Beyond physical compatibility, hardware and/or playback software must be programmed to decode and interpret the contents of a disc. This can be a further complex matter given the tremendous variety and colorful history of available logical and application formats:
• Physical formats: CD-ROM/R/RW, DVD-ROM/±R/±RW/±R DL/±RW DL/RAM
• File systems: ISO 9660, UDF 1.02/1.5/2.5, HFS/HFS+, UFS, etc.
• Data modes: single and multi-session/border, packet, etc.
• Application formats: CD-DA, CD-Text, VCD, SVCD, CD-i, CD+G/M, MP3/WMA, JPEG/TIF/GIF, DivX/XviD/WMV/MPEG-4, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD-VR, DVD+VR, etc.
• Content protection systems: CPRM, VCPS, S-VIEW, etc.
A bewildering array of device permutations on the market may thus be expected.
Are Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD DVD compatible with each other?
Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD DVD technologies originate from directly competing commercial interests and although they share some common physical characteristics both disc families are significantly different from one another and thus mutually incompatible. It is, however, possible to design a player, drive or recorder to read and write BD and HD DVD discs by making the appropriate accommodations. In fact, several manufacturers (LG, Samsung) offer or have announced consumer electronics players and computer recorders that read BD and HD DVD discs but it is unclear at this early stage if such units are practical, desirable or even necessary.
What is “book type” or “disk category”?
Contained within the Lead-In Area of an HD DVD or DVD disc is information about is physical format including its “book type” (a.k.a. “disk category”). This refers to the kind of disc it is as defined by one of the many DVD Forum or DVD+RW Alliance specification books (see chart).
HD DVD and DVD Disc Book Types
| Physical Disc Format | Book Type | Disc Specification Source |
| DVD-ROM | 0000b | DVD Forum |
| DVD-RAM | 0001b | DVD Forum |
| DVD-R | 0010b | DVD Forum |
| DVD-RW | 0011b | DVD Forum |
| HD DVD-ROM | 0100b | DVD Forum |
| HD DVD-RAM | 0101b | DVD Forum |
| HD DVD-R | 0110b | DVD Forum |
| HD DVD-RW | 0111b | DVD Forum |
| DVD+RW SL | 1001b | DVD+RW Alliance |
| DVD+R SL | 1010b | DVD+RW Alliance |
| DVD+RW DL | 1101b | DVD+RW Alliance |
| DVD+RW DL | 1110b | DVD+RW Alliance |
What computer operating system is required to play HD DVD movies?
According to recommendations from CyberLink, InterVideo and Nero, to play HD DVD movies a PC system must have either Windows XP SP2 or Vista installed. No Mac OS or Linux support is yet available.
What type of computer software is required to play HD DVD movies?
As with traditional DVD, playback software is required to view HD DVD movies on a computer. It can be purchased separately, as part of a larger package or bundled with a drive or recorder. Like consumer electronics (CE) players, various programs support different HD DVD features and capabilities. Be aware that Internet access is necessary to periodically renew the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) encryption key required by commercial movies. As of June 2007, CyberLink, InterVideo, Nero and ArcSoft offer playback software for PC systems but no Mac OS and Linux versions are yet available.
How much computer system memory is required to play HD DVD movies?
According to recommendations from CyberLink, InterVideo, and Nero, to play HD DVD movies a PC system must realistically be equipped with at least 1 GB of RAM.
What type of computer CPU is required to play HD DVD movies?
According to recommendations from CyberLink, InterVideo, Nero and NVIDA, to satisfy the significant processing demands of playing HD DVD movies a PC system must realistically be equipped with a high performance dual-core CPU (see chart). Also note that playing VC-1 and MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 titles may require additional horsepower over those encoded with MPEG-2. Mac system guidelines have yet to be published.
CPU Guidelines
(PC system)
| Manufacturer | Model |
| Intel | Pentium Extreme Edition — 955 (3.46 GHz) or higher |
| Pentium D 900 sequence — 945 (3.4 GHz) or higher | |
| Core Duo — T2500 (2.0 GHz) or higher | |
| Core 2 Duo — E6300 (1.86 GHz) or higher | |
| Core 2 Extreme — X6800 (2.93 GHz) or higher | |
| AMD | Athlon 64 FX — FX-60 (2.6 GHz) or higher |
| Athlon 64 X2 — 4200+ (2.2 GHz) or higher | |
| Turion 64 X2 — TL-60 (2.0 GHz) or higher |
What type of graphics card is required to play HD DVD movies?
According to recommendations from CyberLink, InterVideo, Nero and NVIDA, to play HD DVD movies a PC system must realistically be equipped with a graphics card employing a PCI Express (PCIe) interface, at least 256 MB video RAM and a HDCP-enabled GPU (see chart). The latest graphics drivers, incorporating support for Certified Output Protection Protocol (COPP), must also be installed (see chart). Mac system guidelines have yet to be published.
Graphics Card/Integrated Graphics Processor Guidelines
(PC system)
| Manufacturer | Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)/Integrated Graphics Processor (IGP) |
| AMD | 780G (Radeon HD 3200) |
| ATI | Radeon X1600 series, X1650 series, X1800 series, X1900 series, X1950 series, HD 2400 series, HD 2600 series, HD 2900 series, HD 3400 series, HD 3600 series, HD 3800 series, HD 4350 series, HD 4550 series, HD 4600 series, HD 4800 series, All-in-Wonder HD or newer |
| Intel | Desktop: G45 Express (GMA X4500HD) Mobile: GM45 Express (GMA 4500MHD) |
| NVIDIA | GeForce 7600 (GT), 7800 (GTX 512), 7900 (GS, GT, GTX) 7950 (GT, GX2), 8400 (GS), 8500 (GT), 8600 (GT, GTS), 8800 (GT, GTS, GTX, Ultra), 9500 (GT), 9600 (GT, GSO), 9800 (GT, GTX, GTX+, GX2), GTX (260, 280) or newer |
Graphics Card Drivers Guidelines
(PC system)
| Manufacturer | Version |
| ATI | Catalyst 7.2 or higher |
| NVIDIA | ForceWare 93.71 (Windows XP), 97.92 (Windows XP GeForce 8800), 100.65 (Vista) or higher |
What firmware updates are available for HD DVD players, drives and recorders?
To add new features, improve compatibility, address security concerns and correct internal programming issues, manufacturers periodically issue firmware updates to HD DVD players, drives and recorders. Generally speaking, it is advisable to use the latest available version.
Typically, updates can be downloaded from the web (see chart) or ordered on disc directly from the various manufacturers. Installing incorrect firmware can damage a device so it is imperative to obtain the correct version for its specific make and model as well as region of the world in which it was sold. Manufacturer instructions should always be followed.
HD DVD Consumer Electronics (CE) Player Firmware Updates
(Jan. 2009 — North America)
| Manufacturer | Model | Firmware Version | Firmware Date | Download Location |
| Integra | DHS-8.8 | 2.8 | ||
| LG | BH100 | 080229a | ||
| LG | BH200 | BH02081205A | ||
| Microsoft | Xbox 360 w/ HD DVD player | Dec. 2007 | ||
| Onyko | DV-HD805 | 2.8 | ||
| RCA | HDV5000 | 2.0 | 10/23/2006 | |
| Samsung | BD-UP5000 | 1.4 | 11/6/2008 | |
| Toshiba | HD-A1 | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-A2 | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-A2C | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-A2W | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-D1 | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-D2 | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-XA1 | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-XA2 | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-A20 | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-A3 | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-A30 | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-A35 | 4.0 | ||
| Toshiba | HD-D3 | 4.0 |
What types of HD DVD-Video discs can be played on HD DVD players?
Currently, product requirements and guidelines set by the DVD Forum require HD DVD-Video consumer electronics (CE) players and computer playback software to play HD DVD-Video content from prerecorded HD DVD-ROM, HD DVD-ROM/DVD-ROM Twin (two-layer) and 3x DVD-ROM discs. Other types of HD DVDs and DVDs are a matter of choice for each individual hardware manufacturer.
HD DVD-Video Disc CE Player Compatibility
(as of Jan. 2008)
| Disc Type | Required | Recommended | Optional |
| HD DVD-ROM | X | ||
| HD DVD-ROM/DVD-ROM Twin (two-layer) | X | ||
| 3x DVD-ROM | X | ||
| HD DVD-R | on or after July 1, 2009 | before July 1, 2009 | |
| HD DVD-R DL | on or after July 1, 2009 | before July 1, 2009 | |
| DVD-R (G) | on or after July 1, 2009 | before July 1, 2009 | |
| DVD-R DL | on or after July 1, 2009 | before July 1, 2009 | |
| HD DVD-RAM | X | ||
| HD DVD-RW | X | ||
| HD DVD-RW DL | X | ||
| DVD-RAM | X | ||
| DVD-RW | X | ||
| DVD-RW DL | X |