It really is the optical storage formats’ time at the moment. Except from the two giants fighting, Blu-ray vs. HD DVD, we also have the FVD format from China and there are other high definition format such as EVD and VMD. Now yet another format has appeared and this one has been developed by Russia and Ukraine. Considering the ex-Soviet states limited budgets the format comes as no surprise; VCDHD (Versatile Compact Disc High Density), has been developed as a low cost alternative to today’s DVD format. With a capacity at 4.7GB it is hardly a competitor for Blu-ray and HD DVD, but since manufacturers doesn’t have to pay DVD license costs and that the discs work with today’s DVD players the format is profitable.
The first movie will be “Prorwemos”, a Ukrainian action film costing about $7. The format uses a red laser, the discs are half as thick as DVD discs and costs less to manufacture. With the help of blue laser technology they hope to be able to achieve up to 15GB capacity with VCHDH. Whether the format will find its way outside of Russia and Ukraine remains to be seen.
Source: Engadget
:: Read on about VCDHD
