http://www.eetimes.com/issue/mn/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=163106182

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,115533,00.asp

This is new high def DVD format. Chinese already have own high def format, which is lower quality, this new Taiwanese format will be repacing it. Players/recorders/burners will use red laser but will be denser than DVD. 720p and 1080i products will be available this year, with first product beginning ship around this time.

Sony introduced 1st Blu Ray recorder nearly 2 years ago and so far the format getting superceded by HD DVD, etc. Taiwanese makers will have several months jump start on Japanese, when they start mass producing their recorders and players. First mass produced Japanese products will cost around 1000 USD; Taiwanese will be around 100 USD then.

Radek

Radek

This sounds like it has the the potential for success in North America as VCDs (which never took hold outside of Asian immigrant communities). I could be wrong though. I'm pretty sure the Taiwanese and Chinese players' reason for being is to avoid paying royalties to MPEG LA. It would be nice if the Taiwanese alternative is successful in North America though. Competition is a good thing.

It seems 3 delivery formats will fight for existence:

HD DVD
Blu Ray
FVD

Less dominant will be HDV, DVHS, and new JVC red laser high def DVD.

Radek