HD DVD jump is evolution not revolution

The progression from normal DVDs to Hi-Definition (HD) versions is "evolution not revolution" according to industry experts and will be a gradual process.

Screen Digest, a London-based business intelligence, research and analysis firm for global, audiovisual media, has said that the public are not yet fully embracing the new technologies in this field.

Helen Davis Jayalath, senior analyst at Screen Digest, said: "There is a growing demand for HD-ready TV sets and those are increasing in penetration around the UK, however the majority of people that buy those sets see the HD coming as an added bonus.

"They are not buying it because they want HD TV, they are buying it because they like the big flat screen and the fact that they no longer have to give away a corner of their room to the television. It is much an aesthetic and design decision as it is a technological decision."

She added that in terms of the video business, DVD to HD discs is not a revolution compared with the transition from VHS to DVD which changed the way people related to movies and packaged content.

According to PC Magazine it is highly unlikely that both formats of DVD will survive as the HD and normal DVD technologies "don't work together".

© Adfero Ltd