ABOUT HD DVD

HD DVD is the next generation optical storage format and the successor to the DVD. What does this mean for you? For one thing, watching movies at home has just gotten a lot more exciting. Boasting six times the resolution and three times the sound data than standard DVDs, HD DVD is able to present images and sounds at an interactive level unavailable on the DVD format. Just check out the HDTV display at any electronic store and you'll become a believer.

VISUAL
Prepare yourself for even better picture quality playback on your beloved HDTV, up to 1080p -- the high-grade resolution used to film digital motion pictures like "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith."

AUDIO
There's also phenomenal sound quality, thanks to Dolby Digital Plus; built in to every HD DVD player, DD+ offers up to 7.1 audio channels (normal DVD players can only support 5.1 and 6.1-channel), creating an audio experience you can only find in one other place -- at the multiplex.

LASER TECHNOLOGY
While standard DVD players use a red laser to read data (with a wavelength of 650nm), HD DVD players employ an ultra cool-sounding blue-violet laser with a shorter wavelength (405nm) -- meaning HD DVDs can be packed with more data, better audio and video, and more advanced bonus features!

EXTRAS
Since HD DVDs have loads more storage capacity than your average DVD, they allow for multi-layered interactivy -- meaning you can play a special feature or commentary track without stopping a movie, since there's enough room for the disc to hold each feature independently. Plus, you can enjoy way more special content, like editing your own mini-movies (bonus content varies).

COMPATIBILITY
In addition to showcasing the enhanced HD DVD experience, most next-generation DVD players will include both red and blue-violet lasers so you can watch both HD DVDs and standard DVDs on the same machine. This also means you can listen to audio CDs on the new players, making it an essential all-around home entertainment device.