Image Processing Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 27-1 HD-DVD Formats and Bit Rates
Format
Bit rate
MPEG-2/HD
15-20 Mbps
H.264/AVC HD
6-10 Mbps
WM9/VC-1 SD/HD Video
7-12 Mbps
systems. The encoded video may be PAL or NTSC. A high-definition format called MPEG-
2/HD is available as one of the alternative formats for next-generation HD-DVD disks.
The three selected formats and bit rates are shown in Table 27-1.
The interactivity on a DVD is reputed to be based around MHEG, which might pro-
vide useful opportunities for content creators who are able to target multiple platforms.
However, finding documentary evidence to confirm this is very difficult, and you will
need to purchase the DVD specifications to find out the exact details. These specifications
are available only from Phillips and cost $5000 each! The information you need is going to
be expensive and hard to obtain, which probably explains why there are not many DVD
authoring systems available. Those that are available have been produced by large com-
panies with deep pockets. No doubt this pricing is necessary to discourage casual hacking
of DVD content, but it also probably makes very little difference to a determined piracy
organization.
27.5.1
H.264 on DVDs
DVDs implemented with H.264 could be manufactured as a single-layer disk and still
carry about the same duration of content as a dual-layer disk does now. That should
reduce the manufacturing costs that are based on the cycle time of producing each disk.
Reducing this from 3 seconds per disk to 2 seconds cuts the production costs significantly.
H.264 is one of the selected alternatives for delivering HD video on next-generation
DVDs. This would run at a bit rate of around 6-10 Mbps.
27.6
Digital Video Recorders and Video on Demand
Digital video recorders (DVRs), such as the TiVo device, have begun to mature and to
include more useful integration with other services.
TiVo is now able to connect to OpenTalk-enabled services being shared by a Mac OS
system on the same network. This potentially allows it to display the iPhoto pictures and
play the iTunes song libraries on your TV. It is the beginning of an integrated home-media
network that doesn't revolve around a single device and works in a distributed fashion
due to the interoperability provided by different manufacturers.
The alternative is the eHome or Media Center approach that Microsoft is promoting.
That system would be built around a set of devices that are all running the Windows oper-
ating system.
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