DVD And HD DVD Disc Structures

HD DVD is the latest innovation in the field of optical disc format. HD DVD is also one of the “next generation” optical disc that is said to replace the standard DVD. HD DVD is a high density optical disc format that is primarily developed and designed for storing data and “high definition” videos.

The HD DVD was designed to replace the standard DVD format is developed from the same technology that of the DVD. Although the HD DVD disc structure is the same that of a standard DVD, it is capable of storing 15 gigabytes of data on each layer (three times more than that of a standard DVD disc). The single layer HD DVD can store 15 gigabytes of data, while dual layer HD DVD disc has a storage capacity of 30 gigabytes of data.

The HD DVD disc structure is very much the same that of the standard DVD discs. The data layer of the HD DVD discs is 0.6 millimeters below the physical surface of the disc. The reason for this is to prevent any damage of the data if the surface of the HD DVD disc is scratched.

On going research on HD DVD disc structures has allowed its developers to create hybrid HD DVD optical disc formats that contains standard DVD video format so that the hybrid HD DVD disc can be played on a regular DVD player. The hybrid HD DVD discs also contains HD DVD video format so that it can also be played on HD DVD players. This hybrid HD DVD disc structure is more like a combo HD DVD disc and is dual sided; meaning on one side of the said optical disc contains DVD format while the other side contains HD DVD, and each side has dual layer capability.

The developers of HD DVD are constantly doing research to further enhance the HD DVD disc structure in order to improve the HD DVD capabilities. Aside from the high definition video that the HD DVD disc, the most notable feature of the HD DVD is that HD DVD players are can read of all types of DVD and CD formats.

If you have experience the viewing quality of standard DVD, you will surely enjoy the high definition and “in depth” clarity that HD DVD provides. Although, both optical disc formats have the same disc structures, HD DVD will surely provide you with the best viewing experience.