What is Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD?

BD and HD DVD Sizes
Video Technical Info
Folder and File Structure
More info

Blu-ray Disc (BD) is a next-generation optical disc format meant for storage of high-definition video and high-density data. The Blu-ray standard was jointly developed by a group of consumer electronics and PC companies called the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA). As compared to the HD DVD format, its main competitor, Blu-ray has more information capacity per layer, 25 instead of 15 gigabytes, but may initially be more expensive to produce. Wikipedia

HD DVD (High Density Digital Versatile Disc or High Definition Digital Video Disc) is a discontinued digital optical media format which is being developed as one standard for high-definition DVD. HD DVD is similar to the competing Blu-ray Disc, which also uses the same CD-size (120 mm diameter) optical data storage media and 405 nm wavelength blue laser. HD DVD is promoted by Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo, and, most recently, Microsoft, HP [1], and Intel. HD DVD was discontinued in February 2008. Wikipedia

Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD Disc Sizes

BD-R Single layer 25GB or 7.8GB*
BD-R Dual layer 50 GB or 15.6GB
BD-RE Single layer REwriteable 25 GB or 7.8 GB
BD-RE Dual layer REwriteable 50 GB or 15.GB

HD DVD-R Single layer 15 GB or 4.7GB*
HD DVD-R Dual layer 30 GB or 9.4GB
HD DVD-RW Single layer ReWriteable 15 GB or 4.7GB
HD DVD-RW Dual layer ReWriteable 30 GB or 4.7GB
HD DVD-RAM 20 GB

* = Small 8cm discs

Video Technical Info for HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc

Blu-ray Disc

Video codecs	MPEG2 - MP@HL and MP@ML AVC/H264 - MPEG-4 AVC: HP@4.1/4.0 and MP@4.1/4.0/3.2/3.1/3.0 VC-1 - AP@L3 and AP@L2
Video frame size	High Definition Video 1920x1080x59.94i, 50i (16:9) 1920x1080x24p, 23.976p (16:9) 1440x1080x59.94i, 50i (16:9) AVC / VC-1 only 1440x1080x24p, 23.976p (16:9) AVC / VC-1 only 1280x720x59.94p, 50p (16:9) 1280x720x24p, 23.976p (16:9) Standard Definition Video 720x480x59.94i (4:3/16:9) 720x576x50i (4:3/16:9)
Max video bitrate	40 MBps
Audio codecs	Dolby Digital up to 5.1 channels (Max 640kbps) Dolby Digital Plus up to 7.1 channels (Max 4.736Mbps) Dolby Lossless up to 9 channels (Max 18.64Mbps) DTS up to 5.1 channels (Max 1.524Mbps) DTS HD up to 9 channels (Max 24.5Mbps) Linear PCM up to 9 channels (Max 27.648Mbps)
Subtitles	Image bitmap subtitles Text subtitles - select different font styles, sizes and colors for the subtitles, or location on screen, depending on the disc's offerings. Subtitles can be animated, scrolled or faded in and out.
Other Features	HDMV mode Offers all features of DVD-Video and more. The authoring process is in line with DVD-Video creation. BD-J mode Offers unparalleled flexibility and features, because it is based on the Java runtime environment. It allows for extensive interactive applications, and offers Internet connectivity.
Maximum total bitrate	48 Mbits
Maximum data transfer rate	54 Mbits
More information	http://www.blu-raydisc.com/

HD DVD

Video codecs	MPEG2 AVC/H264 - MPEG-4 AVC VC-1
Video frame size	High Definition Video 1920x1080x59.94i, 50i (16:9) 1920x1080x24p, 23.976p (16:9) 1280x720x59.94p, 50p (16:9) 1280x720x24p, 23.976p (16:9) Standard Definition Video 720x480x59.94i (4:3/16:9) 720x576x50i (4:3/16:9)
Max video bitrate	29.4 Mbits
Audio codecs	Dolby Digital up to 5.1 channels Dolby Digital Plus up to 7.1 channels Dolby Lossless up to 9 channels DTS up to 5.1 channels DTS HD up to 9 channels Linear PCM up to 9 channels Mpeg Audio
Subtitles	Image bitmap subtitles
Other Features	HDi HDi allows interactivity to be authored into a data format using XML and ECMAScript (standardized JavaScript) as its interpreted scripting engine. In contrast, the competing Blu-ray Disc high definition video discs will use either HDMV or BD-J for authoring interactive features.
Maximum total bitrate	30.24 Mbits
Maximum data transfer rate	36.55 Mbits
More information	http://www.dvdforum.org/

Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD Folder and File Structure

Blu-ray Disc
BDMV
The BDMV directory contains the PLAYLIST, CLIPINF, STREAM, AUXDATA and BACKUP directories.
PLAYLIST
The PLAYLIST directory contains the Database files for Movie PlayLists.
CLIPINF
The CLIPINF directory contains the Database files for Clips.
STREAM
The STREAM directory contains AV stream files.
AUXDATA
The AUXDATA directory contains Sound data files and Font files.
BACKUP
The BACKUP directory contains copies of the "index.bdmv� file, the �MovieObject.bdmv� file, all the files in the PLAYLIST directory and all files in the CLIPINF directory.

index.bdmv
The �index.bdmv� file stores information describing the contents of the BDMV directory. There is only one index.bdmv file under the BDMV directory and its filename is fixed to �index.bdmv�.
MovieObject.bdmv
The �MovieObject.bdmv� file stores information for one or more Movie Objects. There is only one MovieObject.bdmv under the BDMV directory and its filename is fixed to � MovieObject.bdmv �.
xxxxx.mpls
The �xxxxx.mpls� files store information corresponding to Movie PlayLists. One file is created for each Movie PlayList. The filenames of these files are in the form �xxxxx.mpls�, where �xxxxx� is a 5-digit number corresponding to the Movie PlayList.
zzzzz.clpi
The �zzzzz.clpi� files store Clip information associated with a Clip AV stream file. The filenames of these files are in the form �zzzzz.clpi�, where �zzzzz� is a 5-digit number corresponding to the Clip.
zzzzz.m2ts
The �zzzzz.m2ts� files contains a BDAV MPEG-2 transport stream. The names of these files are in the form �zzzzz.m2ts�, where �zzzzz� is a 5-digit number corresponding to the Clip. The same 5-digit number �zzzzz� is used for an AV stream file and its associated Clip information file.
sound.bdmv
The �sound.bdmv� file stores data relating to one or more sounds associated with HDMV Interactive Graphic streams applications. This file may or may not exist under the AUXDATA directory. If it exists, there shall be only one sound.bdmv file and its filename is fixed to �sound.bdmv �.
aaaaa.otf
The �aaaaa.otf� file stores the font information associated with Text subtitle applications. The names of these files are in the form �aaaaa.otf�, where �aaaaa� is a 5-digit number corresponding to the Font.

Example from Talladega Nights Blu-ray

\BDMV\index.bdmv
\BDMV\MovieObject.bdmv
\BDMV\PLAYLIST\00000.mpls
\BDMV\PLAYLIST\00054.mpls
\BDMV\PLAYLIST\00058.mpls
\BDMV\PLAYLIST\00059.mpls
\BDMV\PLAYLIST\00060.mpls
\BDMV\PLAYLIST\00061.mpls
\BDMV\PLAYLIST\00062.mpls
\BDMV\PLAYLIST\00063.mpls
\BDMV\PLAYLIST\00064.mpls
\BDMV\PLAYLIST\00065.mpls
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00000.clpi
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00001.clpi
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00055.clpi
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00059.clpi
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00060.clpi
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00061.clpi
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00062.clpi
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00063.clpi
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00064.clpi
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00065.clpi
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00066.clpi
\BDMV\CLIPINF\00067.clpi
\BDMV\STREAM\00000.m2ts
\BDMV\STREAM\00001.m2ts
\BDMV\STREAM\00055.m2ts
\BDMV\STREAM\00059.m2ts
\BDMV\STREAM\00060.m2ts
\BDMV\STREAM\00061.m2ts
\BDMV\STREAM\00062.m2ts
\BDMV\STREAM\00063.m2ts
\BDMV\STREAM\00064.m2ts
\BDMV\STREAM\00065.m2ts
\BDMV\STREAM\00066.m2ts
\BDMV\STREAM\00067.m2ts
\BDMV\AUXDATA\sound.bdmv
\BDMV\BACKUP\index.bdmv
\BDMV\BACKUP\MovieObject.bdmv
\BDMV\BACKUP\PLAYLIST\00000.mpls
\BDMV\BACKUP\PLAYLIST\00054.mpls
\BDMV\BACKUP\PLAYLIST\00058.mpls
\BDMV\BACKUP\PLAYLIST\00059.mpls
\BDMV\BACKUP\PLAYLIST\00060.mpls
\BDMV\BACKUP\PLAYLIST\00061.mpls
\BDMV\BACKUP\PLAYLIST\00062.mpls
\BDMV\BACKUP\PLAYLIST\00063.mpls
\BDMV\BACKUP\PLAYLIST\00064.mpls
\BDMV\BACKUP\PLAYLIST\00065.mpls
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00000.clpi
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00001.clpi
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00055.clpi
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00059.clpi
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00060.clpi
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00061.clpi
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00062.clpi
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00063.clpi
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00064.clpi
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00065.clpi
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00066.clpi
\BDMV\BACKUP\CLIPINF\00067.clpi
\AACS\MKB_RO.inf
\AACS\MKB_RW.inf
\AACS\ContentRevocation.lst
\AACS\Unit_Key_RO.inf
\AACS\Content000.cer
\AACS\CPSUnit00001.cci
\AACS\mcmf.xml
\AACS\DUPLICATE\MKB_RO.inf
\AACS\DUPLICATE\MKB_RW.inf
\AACS\DUPLICATE\ContentRevocation.lst
\AACS\DUPLICATE\Unit_Key_RO.inf
\AACS\DUPLICATE\Content000.cer
\AACS\DUPLICATE\CPSUnit00001.cci
\AACS\DUPLICATE\mcmf.xml
\AACS\DUPLICATE\ContentHash000.tbl
\AACS\ContentHash000.tbl

HD DVD
Example from Pitch Black HD DVD

\ADV_OBJ\DISCID.DAT
\ADV_OBJ\menus.aca
\ADV_OBJ\VPLST000.XPL
\HVDVD_TS\BLACK.EV
\HVDVD_TS\BLACK.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE03.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE03.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE07.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE07.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE13.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE13.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE14.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE14.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE16.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE16.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE20.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE20.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE25.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE25.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE26.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE26.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE27.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE27.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE39.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE39.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE40.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE40.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE47.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE47.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE53.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE53.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE55.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE55.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE56.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE56.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE63.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE63.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE76.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\CHASE76.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\DARKFURY.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\DARKFURY.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\FEATURE_1.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\FEATURE_1.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\FEATURE_2.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\FEATURE_2.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\GAME.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\GAME.MA
\HVDVD_TS\HVA00001.VTI
\HVDVD_TS\INTRO.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\INTRO.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\MAKING.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\MAKING.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\MENU.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\MENU.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\RAVE.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\RAVE.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\UNILOGO.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\UNILOGO.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\VIEW.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\VIEW.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL_INTRO.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL_INTRO.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL_LOOP.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL_LOOP.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL_MERC.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL_MERC.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL_ORRERY.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL_ORRERY.MAP
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL_SLAM.EVO
\HVDVD_TS\VISUAL_SLAM.MAP

More Info

Official Blu-ray Disc - http://www.blu-raydisc.com/

Official HD DVD - http://www.dvdforum.org/hddvd-tech.htm

Getting started with HD DVD - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/hddvd/default.aspx