Topic: CBHD (China Blue High-Definition)

[SiCkBoY]

Everyone assumed the high definition format war was over after movie studios abruptly bailed on the HD-DVD format seemingly over night, but could it be just beginning? China certainly hopes so, whose China Blue HD (CBHD) just received a shot in the arm from Warner Brother's announcement that it plans to support the format with several films in the first half of 2009.

Like HD-DVD, CBHD players and media are comparatively inexpensive next to Blu-ray. According to the Optical Memory National Engineering Research Center (OMNERC), who jointly produced the CBHD format with the DVD Forum, converting an existing DVD production line to CBHD costs just $800,000, significantly lower than the $3 million it takes to switch to Blu-ray. Add low licensing fees to the mix and you have a format that's easier on the wallet for Chinese customers than Blu-ray.

Studios appeared uninterested in backing the CBHD format when the group tried to promot itself in the fall of 2008. With Warner Brothers jumping on board, it will be interesting to see if other studios follow suit, especially since a pricing advantage wasn't enough to keep HD-DVD afloat. And with the announcement of a new Blu-ray licensing firm, which is expected to result in lower priced players and media by mid-year, CBHD's window of opportunity might be closing fast.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/is_warner_brothers_trying_rekindle_hd_format_wars

[barrister]

The sure obstacle against CBHD's becoming the dominant format is that Sony's Columbia Pictures will never support it.

I don't see this as a revival of the format war.  Warner does not seek to replace BD with a new format; it's simply setting its sights on additional revenue from the Chinese and Asian market.  They figure that there's no way they can turn a profit with BD in parts of the world where piracy is king.

 

[chuck427]

What is China Blue HD? Is that like BD? I hope this doesnt hinder Bluray's progress....

[barrister]

CBHD (China Blue High-Definition) is based on HD DVD, not BD. 

CBHD is a format that was approved by the DVD Forum, and is the result of a joint venture between OMNERC (Optical Memory National Engineering Research Center) and the DVD Forum.

The CHBD specs are a modified form of the HD DVD specs, the major difference being that it uses the AVS codec (Audio-Video Standard) for video and audio compression.

The owner of AVS is the government of the People's Republic of China.  The Chinese developed the AVS codec because they were sick and tired of having to pay expensive royalties and licenses to foreign patent owners.

[chuck427]

Thanks for the info Barrister..
i wonder if this will be big here in the Philippines...especially since we are closer and im sure it will be cheaper..
only roblem though is that u wont be able to get all movies right? because Warner is the only comapny so far that will make titles for this..

[ALICE GO]

ON THE EVENT the final product has a perfect high definition bit-rate resolution, I'll contemplate importing this commodity in bulk from Chinese exporters thru Alibaba.com. I'll include some adult titles if there's any to be openly sold.

[gearhead000]

ayan.... me volunteer na na magpapasok in the event maging common na ito sa chinese market.

[techdude]

My guess is Warner is hoping CBHD takes off in China.  Since the chance that it will prosper anywhere else is minimal, it would deter pirates from making investments in pirated Bluray disc thus preserving it's hold on the Bluray market in areas where revenue really matters like the USA.

[SiCkBoY]

It appears CBHD (China Blue High-Definition), formerly known as CH-DVD (China High Definition DVD), has a shot at doing something HD-DVD never could: Beat Blu-ray. Or at least that's the case in Japan.

Apparently a Japanese news station ran the numbers and confirmed that the CBHD format holds a 3 percent market share lead over Blu-ray, FormatWarCentral.com reports. The revelation was presented as part of a documentary, which you can view here, though you're on your own in translating the dialogue.

Under its former designation, the CBHD format was first announced in September 2007 as a joint venture between OMNERC and the DVD Forum, the latter of which was responsible for the failed HD-DVD format. CBHD supporters hope the format will succeed where HD-DVD didn't by offering better copy protection features. However, Warner Brothers is so far the only Hollywood studio to support CBHD.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/bluray_losing_high_definition_war_japan

[SiCkBoY]

Wow!  What do you think guys?  If this format is easy to pirate, this will surely be the dominant HD format here in the Philippines.

[ment]

i do not think that People's Republic of China would make CBHD to be easily pirated. It will still have strong anti-piracy protection just like Blu-ray i guess. Ayaw lang nga nila siguro magbayad ng royalty na sa Sony. Since DVD is about to be replaced na in the future with HD contents, they need to start producing players in bunches that can satisfy hollywood studio in terms of protection, while at the same time not being held down by Sony in terms of number of units to be produced. and the  royalties that accompanies with its manufactur. as we all know China loves cheap mass manufacturing and big profit.

if this CBHD can satisfy these ....... i see no reason why it will not prosper. and force hollywood studio to accept this format simply because consumer demands them to Abangan ....

[dmaximus]

This is interesting. Will keep an eye on this thread.

[av_phile1]

It appears CBHD (China Blue High-Definition), formerly known as CH-DVD (China High Definition DVD), has a shot at doing something HD-DVD never could: Beat Blu-ray. Or at least that's the case in Japan.

Apparently a Japanese news station ran the numbers and confirmed that the CBHD format holds a 3 percent market share lead over Blu-ray, FormatWarCentral.com reports. The revelation was presented as part of a documentary, which you can view here, though you're on your own in translating the dialogue.

Under its former designation, the CBHD format was first announced in September 2007 as a joint venture between OMNERC and the DVD Forum, the latter of which was responsible for the failed HD-DVD format. CBHD supporters hope the format will succeed where HD-DVD didn't by offering better copy protection features. However, Warner Brothers is so far the only Hollywood studio to support CBHD.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/bluray_losing_high_definition_war_japan

According to this iste, it's not a 3% lead over BD.

http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2009/08/homegrown-cbhd-discs-outsell-blu-ray-by-3-1-margin-in-china.ars

China Blue is beating the hell out of BD with a 30% market share and a 3-1 lead over BD. 

And CBHD is starting to be marketed in the UK accdg to Engadget.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/10/13/china-blue-hd-crosses-over-to-the-uk-third-opium-war-inevitable/

[markcrenz]

pagtagal maririnig na sa sidewalks: si-bi-di, si-bi-di! mas malinaw to sa di-bi-di, di-bi-di suki!

[Blu-devil]

Hope this cheap Chinese knock off piece of Sh*t fails, spectacularly. It has FAIL written all over it.

[ment]

although I am a bluray adopter na ...... I would really love to see CBHD succeed.

Competition means lower prices. and better products. Both for CBHD and Bluray format

[nerveblocker]

Blu-ray might still be smirking over its moral victory against HD DVD, but they might have a much larger problem on their hands - China Blue High-Definition, or CBHD in short. Both TCL and Shinco have released their new players based on the CBHD format on an official basis, and should it actually catch on in the world's most populous country, movie studios might be lured into supporting this format to further increase their coffers. TCL thinks that the CBHD format will not compete with the Blu-ray format since they look towards different market niches, with price being the main factor. CBHD players cost less than $300 as they are not aggravated by high patent royalties unlike Blu-ray. We think CBHD will remain an internal format for the country of its origin - what about you?

Source: China Blue High Definition Players Launched

[Blu-devil]

Amazon has BRANDED Blu-ray players for $80 notes + new releases such as Ice Age 3 for $10 this will wipe the floor with cheap ass Blu-ray wanna b's

[av_phile1]

Blu-ray might still be smirking over its moral victory against HD DVD, but they might have a much larger problem on their hands - China Blue High-Definition, or CBHD in short. Both TCL and Shinco have released their new players based on the CBHD format on an official basis, and should it actually catch on in the world's most populous country, movie studios might be lured into supporting this format to further increase their coffers. TCL thinks that the CBHD format will not compete with the Blu-ray format since they look towards different market niches, with price being the main factor. CBHD players cost less than $300 as they are not aggravated by high patent royalties unlike Blu-ray. We think CBHD will remain an internal format for the country of its origin - what about you?

Source: China Blue High Definition Players Launched

This is an older article and CBHD already has a 30% hold on the Chinese home entertainment market which, if my guess is right, could be a lot more than all the BD markets in the world combined. Warner Bros who had supported HD DVD earlier, is already making titles for it.