Battle lines are drawn for next generation of DVD

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Think figuring out high definition TVs is confusing � plasma, LCD, projection? Well, there's already a new confusing issue for you to tackle, the battle concerning high definition DVDs.

"This is actually a serious format war,� said David Carnoy of CNET.com.

The two sides are Blue-Ray, backed by Sony, Panasonic, Samsung and Pioneer, just to name a few, and HD DVD, backed by Toshiba, NEC and Sanyo. Both record onto discs using a blue laser that is able to write more information than the red laser used now.

�Because of it's superior capacity in terms of how much storage you can put on a disc, it's going to be able to add a lot more value than a traditional DVD, because it's of course going to have better picture quality because it'll be HD TV, but it'll also have much more room for the bonus features most people associate with DVD titles,� said Andy Parsons of Pioneer.

When people think of Blue-Ray or HD DVD they typically think of movies, but keep in mind this can also be used for things like games, not just better looking games and better sounding games, but games that just do more.

�It will have Internet connectivity, so once you play and HD DVD title, you can have a connection with a certain or related website so you get more information,� said Yoshi Yuchiyama of Toshiba. �Additionally, the game function will allow you to use the secondary footage of a DVD title as a game domain so you can play the game in there.�

As it seems with a lot of new technology, it's not so simple. Blue-Ray discs won't play on HD DVD players and vice versa, which means when these units start shipping as soon as the end of the year, you're going to have to gamble on one, hoping it'll be usable for more than just a few years.

�The HD DVD is easier to produce, at least in the short run,� said Carnoy. �They're saying it's more practical, an easier transition path. But Blue-Ray is supposed to be more technologically advanced. It has a higher capacity than HD DVD. Both have some studios on board, it�s so a little unclear right now who's going to win.�

Both formats also have recorders, which will allow you to burn high definition programming onto DVDs. The manufacturers are still busy working with movie studios, though, on strong enough encryption to prevent pirates from capturing perfect HD quality movies off your cable system then bootlegging them or sharing them online.