'High-Definition' Microsoft® Windows Media® 9 Series

[dred flimstoned]

I'm bored of the DVD resolution. It's old and it sucks.
Great at the time (mid 90's). But, now...?
HDTV is a step in the right direction.
But, this (HD Windows Media) is extremely cool!
Almost 3x DVD res - Who's gonna argue with THAT resolution?

So, it's one year later since Microsoft introduced this and what else is happening? Anyone know?
I'm guessing it's an extra expense - to convert film to WMV HD - for the film companies?
People reluctant to replace their dvd players with a (fast) PC?
People reluctant to buy a high-res monitor? Too expensive?
No-one has marketed a dvd player that accomodates this format?
Panasonic dvd player/recorder only plays WMA (audio).

Story so far...

Microsoft has developed a low-bitrate HD compression codec that is just now being experimented with on some Artisan DVDs. It allows high-def quality video on the same amount of disc space as a regular single-layer DVD. Artisan's Standing in the Shadows of Motown includes a Windows Media Player 9 version of the film in high-def on disc two. Not only does it look incredible; it only takes up about 3 gigs on the disc.

Naturally, you'll need some horsepower to correctly run these files on your PC. You'll need at least a 1.8ghz Pentium 4 with a nice chunk of RAM and a 5.1 compatible soundcard to take advantage of the audio. However, if you have all of that the high-def version looks a lot nicer than running the regular DVD on your PC.

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/393/393023p1.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/ContentShowcase.aspx

DVD-ROM System Requirements
Windows® XP
3 GHz CPU (for playback of Windows Media version of film)
1600 x 1200, 1920 x 1080 or higher Screen Resolution
24-Bit 96 kHz Multichannel Sound Card
Internet Connection of at least 56.6 Kbps
interActual Player (included on DVD)
512 MB RAM
DVD-ROM
Windows Media Player 9 Series
Mouse, Speakers/Headphones
128 MB 3D Video Card

1. 'Terminator 2' DVD includes the first Windows Media 9 Series a High-Definition DVD-ROM

2. 'Standing In The Shadows Of Motown' includes a Windows Media 9 Series High-Definition DVD-ROM

3. Coral Reef Adventure from MacGillivray Freeman includes a Windows Media 9 Series High-Definition DVD-ROM

4. BMW Films 'The Hire' Series in HD Windows Media.

+ a bunch of IMAX films

Coming Soon:

Step Into Liquid
Journey Into Amazing Caves
Dolphins
The Living Sea
Amazon
To the Limit
The Magic of Flight
Speed
Stormchasers
The Discoverers
Lewis & Clark Great Journey West
The Search for Kennedy's PT 109
Treasure Seekers: Search for the Nile
International releases
Taxi 3
Red Snow

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/HDVideo.aspx

[zx50]

Well, i was on shockwave website and downloaded and played one of their HD video's, and i can tell you that the quality is nothing to shout out about, in fact the resolution was about 720xXXX but the picture. In fact i would even go as far as to say that i was a bit dissapointed. Unless they are just rough, just to give you some idea of how they will look.

[dred flimstoned]

Yup. They're just an 'idea'.
Not the real thing.

[zx50]

I found out where they have the real HD clips and i was blown away with the quality, there was hardly any grains like you tend to see on DVD. But the only thing is they are huge sizes. Do you mean that microsoft are going to start putting these on DVD or some other form of disc so you can play them on you pc, bit like how DVD's have different kind's of files on them so the computer can read them. Or maybe microsoft are going to bring out players that only play HD content. Bot i gotta admit when i saw them it was like seeing massive images on webpages come to life, they were as sharp as sharp can be. If microsoft bring's these out then i think this will kill off DVD, i am very hard to please, but these babies were perfection.

[dred flimstoned]

Ditto: I'm very hard to please too.
That's why I'm excited about this format.

Unfortunately, so far, the commercially released dvds are very few (see my first post for further details).
1. 'Terminator 2'
2. 'Standing In The Shadows Of Motown'
3. Coral Reef Adventure
4. BMW Films 'The Hire' Series
+ a bunch of IMAX films are all that exsist at present.

I would imagine the industry is a little dubious about this format.
Piracy: Video pirates & Internet file sharers would have a new (better) source to duplicate dvds/vcds and distribute DivX & XviDs from.
Public: Are still using standalone dvd players - not PCs - to view dvds. Windows Media Center is Microsoft's vision of how one machine should be the nucleus of entertainmant etc.
Electronics firms would have to pay Microsoft to licence the format for their (future) players. There would have to be a demand (from the public) and enough material (catalogue) to warrant this move.
Also, most people will not be able to see the benefits of this hi-resoltion as it would involve buying a monitor/display device that would replicate 1920 x 1080 or above.

So, i think for now, only a minority will be able to enjoy (if they even know or care about?!) this format.

Evolution is sloooow!

[zx50]

Well to tell you the truth, i only have a 1024x768 resolution and god just imagine what these would be like on a higher resolution monitor.

[divxdude]

You wont see much of a difference if they still record with film then do a digital conversion. the only time you'll see a difference is if something is recorded digitally then transfered digitally. hence, no fuzz or dirt anywhere.

Personally ive seen stuff in HD, i really dont see what all the hype is about. HD and DVD look the same to me.

[zx50]

Have you actually seen microsoft's, because them babies are perfect. I honestly think it's impossible to acheive anymore quality on them, but people have their own taste. But the detail on them was pin sharp, I've never seen DVD's look like that.

[divxdude]

the problem with M$ MEdia Center stuff is your limited to viewing it on your machine. Unless it can be output to DVD, but even if you can do that, your limited to 720x480. Thats as high as DVD resolution can go.

Or unless you can video out your pc to a HDTV, but in reality how many people do you see doing that?

Even if M$ stuff picked up and more people started to use it, the MPEG group would just release something better, and so would the DivX group.

[zx50]

Yeah there is that, i still think they are totally awesome. Until i see something better i'm still gonna think that they are the ultimate.

[tigerman8u]

Originally posted by zx50
But the only thing is they are huge sizes. Do you mean that microsoft are going to start putting these on DVD or some other form of disc so you can play them on you pc, bit like how DVD's have different kind's of files on them so the computer can read them.

Huge file sizes, maybe Blue Ray technology will be the answer to that. New technology, new hardware= more money for who? Will dvd format be obsolete in another couple of years like cd-r took over floppy and dvd taking over cd-r?

[shiny#3]

"your limited to 720x480. Thats as high as DVD resolution can go."

This statement is only true for NTSC DVDs

Pal standart resolution is 720x576

[zx50]

I'm PAL, (from the uk)

[dred flimstoned]

"HD and DVD look the same to me." - LMAO

"New technology, new hardware= more money for who?" - LMAO

"Huge file sizes, maybe Blue Ray technology will be the answer to that" - Read the first piece again. Pay attention to the words 'compression' and '4GB'. HD in one disc: extras on another. Or, like so-called 'SuperBit' - just the film, minimal extras.

These are the type of comments that reveal an insight into the mindset of the 'reader'.
Instead of thinking, "Wow! Great new technology breakthrough...Hope it picks up".
We get "HD and DVD look the same to me"!
What can you say to someone who can't tell the difference?!

As for who gets the money.
That is not what we're talking about here.
This is not a Microsoft-bashing thread.
Who invented it is not the issue.
Personally, i find it more fascinating and, ultimately, hopeful that it is Microsoft's baby. Because, at least it stands some sort of chance of been seen and used by us mortals.

As I mentioned before, there are movies already available....more on the way. Yes, playback does depend on PC power. Yes, you will need a hi-res monitor. Yes, it will upset people who don't have the above! Yes, it will probably mean buying your dvd collection again in 5-10 years time! Believe me. I'm gutted, as i have over 300 dvds.

I'm sure the next generation of dvd players/drives will be backward compatiable. As the majority of people are going to be reluctant to switch over. But, like Cassette to Minidisc to CD - VHS to DVD, eventually they will have little or no choice.

DVD is not yet obsolete. But, it's nice (for some of us, anyway) to get a glimpse at whats in store for the (near) future