[Frank Rohmer]

I’ve been burning HD-DVD content on a standard DVD-5 for over a year now. The final result is “HD-DVD” however it’s not burned onto a HD-DVD disc it’s burned onto a standard DVD. Huh? you might ask. Well DVD Studio Pro V 3 & 4 have been allowing us to do this for quite some time now. Yes it’s True HD-DVD content onto a standard DVD disc. Here’s how it’ works.

First, of course I shoot in HDV, 1080i. Then I edit in HDV, 1080i. Then I author in HD using DVD Studo Pro V4. When I burn the disc, DVD Studio Pro formats the disc as a HD-DVD disc then it burns the HD-DVD content onto the disc as a HD-DVD. I know it sounds strange but it really works! I’ve conducted several tests on Toshiba HD-DVD players model # HD-A20 and other HD-DVD players and it always reads the disc and displays the content in true HD-DVD resolution. One of the key components is to get the right HD-DVD player. I’ve been using the Toshiba HD-DVD players purchased from COSTCO. $400.

This HD-DVD player will analize any disc when inserted and it’ll tell you what type of disc you’ve put in. I’ll get the exact same reading on the the discs that I burn compared to an actual HD-DVD disc (King Kong HD and Die Another Day HD) purchased from COSTCO.

The discs that i burn will also work in newer Apple computers too.

Be careful though… The discs that I’ve been burning don’t work in all HD-DVD players.
I’ve tested LG’s dual Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players and it didn’t work in that unit.
The good news is that Toshiba introduced 3 HD-DVD players that are below the $500 mark.
You could almost include one of them as a gift to your customers…

The bad news is that I can only get about 20 minutes on a DVD-5 and roughly 40 minutes onto a DVD-9.

I’m still trying to get my hands on an external HD-DVD recorder. Stay tunned!
Frank
Apple Certified Final Cut Pro Instructor