The recent controversial announcement by Paramount Pictures regarding its new conversion to support HD-DVD only dics releases (except for Steven Spielberg-directed films), has certainly generated a lot of comment across the Internet from fans and detractors of both formats. Depending on who you talk to, Paramount's decision is either the greatest thing since sliced bread, or the worst marketing move in history. Obviously, the truth is somewhere in between, and we will see how all this plays out in the marketplace.

**Blu-ray and HD-DVD Format Similarties

1. Blu-ray and HD-DVD can both use the same audio formats: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD, and Uncompressed PCM.
2. Blu-ray and HD-DVD can both use the same video formats: MPEG2, VC1, H264, MPEG4.
3. Blu-ray and HD-DVD both employ Blue Laser technology - Don't get mislead by the actual disc packaging: Blu-ray packaging is Blue and HD-DVD packaging is Red. The packaging colors are a marketing decisions and do not have amything to do with the fact that both formats use Blue Lasers to read the discs.
4. Blu-ray and HD-DVD movies are both mastered in 1080p/24. Videotaped content may be mastered in 1080i.
5. With regards to players, Blu-ray and HD-DVD players both play standard DVDs and utilize DVD video upscaling to improve the viewing experience of standard DVDs on HDTVs. This function is part of the Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats, but it is a logical marketing decision.
6. Both Blu-ray and HD-DVD can employ the HDMI connection standard for transfer of both audio and video.

**Blu-ray and HD-DVD Format Differences - But Do They REALLY Make a Difference to You

1. Disc structure - Technically Blu-ray Discs have the capability for more storage than HD-DVD discs. However, the disc storage space differences are not a factor in normal movie applications. Both disc formats have enough space for movies, uncompressed audio, and special features, especially when you take the implementation of disc layering and available video compression schemes into consideration.
Here are two examples of long films that fit easily on an a Dual-Layered HD-DVD discs, despite less disc storage capacity when compared to Blu-ray Discs:
A. Spartacus - Running Time 3 hours - 17 minutes
B. King Kong (Peter Jackson) - Running Time 3 hours - 8 minutes
2. Interactive capabilities - Blu-ray employs BD-Java, HD-DVD employs iHD.
3. All HD-DVD players are required to have Ethernet Ports for access to direct firmware downloading and other internet access features. Ethernet Ports are optional on Blu-ray Disc players, so many do not have them.
4. Copy-protection levels - Blu-ray will be implementing an extra level of copy-protection called BD+. Note: Both current copy-protection systems used by Blu-ray and HD-DVD have been "hacked".
5. Region coding: HD-DVD does not have region coding, but reserves the right implement a region coding system in the future, if the need is perceived. Blu-ray current employs a Region Coding System. For Blu-ray Discs, there are three regions, designated as follows: Region A (U.S., Japan, Latin America), Region B (Europe and Africa), Region C (China, Russia, Remaining countries).