Freedom: 1 (HD-DVD)

[Pirate]

This HD DVD release of 'Freedom 1' is unique in several ways: not only is it the first anime title to be released on HD DVD in the US, but it's also the first US-release of a "Twin-Format" HD DVD/DVD disc. Not to be confused with double-sided HD DVD/DVD combo discs, twin-format discs can contain up to three layers of recorded content on a single-sided disc. 'Freedom 1' uses two of those layers -- a 15GB HD DVD layer, and a 4.6GB standard-def DVD layer.

As if that weren't enough, 'Freedom 1' also boasts a tweaked VC-1 encode that was reportedly co-developed by both Microsoft and Bandai (the disc's distributor). To top things off, the disc includes several never-before seen advanced HDi-enhanced extras, including a customizable picture-in-picture track, and several supplementary features accessible only through your HD DVD player's internet connection.

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/freedomvol1.html

[Taxi]

...twin-format discs can contain up to three layers of recorded content on a single-sided disc.

This seems like a much more compelling solution for the HD-DVD folks to get their titles into Blockbuster stores.

Did the current "combo" disc just become obsolete?

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Taxi

Did the current "combo" disc just become obsolete?

Let's hope so.

[Derb]

Interesting. Twin Format Disc has been an option on HD players sinse the HD-A2 came out last year.

Its less than 30 minutes, so I guess Bandai was sceptical about releasing something else with a longer running time on this twin-disc.

[ganthc]

This will only work for titles that can fit on an hd-15 disc space though, and only one layer for dvd as well. I don't think this is a feasible option for all releases, but it may be a solution for some.

[Sehnzeleid]

Originally Posted by Derb

Interesting. Twin Format Disc has been an option on HD players sinse the HD-A2 came out last year.

Actually it's been an option since the A1, the first HD DVDs in Japan were TWIN format.

[Derb]

Originally Posted by Sehnzeleid

Actually it's been an option since the A1, the first HD DVDs in Japan were TWIN format.

Interesting.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by ganthc

This will only work for titles that can fit on an hd-15 disc space though, and only one layer for dvd as well. I don't think this is a feasible option for all releases, but it may be a solution for some.

TWIN format can actually technically be any of the following configurations:
HD15/DVD5
HD15/DVD9
HD30/DVD5

Whether the yields are up to HD30/DVD9 combo levels on the latter two is another story, though. That being said, there have been some HD30/DVD5 TWIN format releases in Japan.

It's also very possible that Warner has some patents on dual-sided discs. I wouldn't be surprised since they heavily supported dual sided discs on DVD and now HD DVD as well with combos and TotalHD discs.

[Sehnzeleid]

Yeah, I think with the A1/XA1 you have to select which format you want to play each time you insert the disc.

[Ruined]

Anyone else pick this up? It has some really neat HDi effects. The show itself is quite cool, also. I'd recommend it if you want to see what HD DVD is capable of. Lots of PiP effects including Zoom, Resize, Transparency, Location, Video Swap, etc. Some net features as well. Finally you can play the movie while in a window watching a PiP wireframe version of the 3D effects in the movie. Also, probably would be best if you update your player to the latest firmware (gen1 v2.3, gen2 v2.0) to ensure the net features all work smoothly.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Anyone else pick this up? It has some really neat HDi effects. The show itself is quite cool, also. I'd recommend it if you want to see what HD DVD is capable of. Lots of PiP effects including Zoom, Resize, Transparency, Location, Video Swap, etc. Some net features as well. Finally you can play the movie while in a window watching a PiP wireframe version of the 3D effects in the movie. Also, probably would be best if you update your player to the latest firmware (gen1 v2.3, gen2 v2.0) to ensure the net features all work smoothly.

It's a 'show' or movie? What is it about?

[Pirate]

Threads merged.