China Blue High-Definition (CBHD) Players Launched

[The_Doctor]

There was a thread on this here but I couldn't find in on a quick glance.

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?www.ubergizmo.com

[The_Doctor]

CBHD players and software are now on Amazon. China

(No idea if they ship to the USA.)

I was checking out the specs on the Discs and was surprised to find they have English soundtracks and subs

Speed Racer

Product parameter
* Dubbing Language: Mandarin / English Subtitles Language: Chinese / English / Other CDs: 1
· 音频编码：普通话olby Digital 5.1 ES Matrix/英语olby Digital 5.1 ES Matrix * Audio Coding: Mandarin: Dolby Digital 5.1 ES Matrix / English: Dolby Digital 5.1 ES Matrix

Slumdog Millionaire

Dubbing Language: Mandarin / English Subtitles Language: Chinese / English / Other CDs: 1
Track this disc:
01 英语原声：杜比数字TrueHD5.1 01 English Soundtrack: Dolby Digital TrueHD5.1
02 普通话配音：杜比数字5.1环绕声 02 Mandarin dubbing: Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound

The Golden Compass


Dubbing Language: Mandarin / English Subtitles Language: Chinese / English / Other CDs: 1
01 English Soundtrack: Dolby Digital +5.1
02 普通话配音：杜比数字5.1环绕声 02 Mandarin dubbing: Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound

The Island (Escape clone Island )


ubbing Language: Mandarin / English Subtitles Language: Chinese / English / Other CDs: 1

Track this disc:
01 英语原声：杜比数字+5.1 01 English Soundtrack: Dolby Digital +5.1
02 普通话配音：杜比数字5.1环绕声 02 Mandarin dubbing: Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound

[GizmoDVD]

Wait...so there is both a Blu-ray and HD DVD type format in China with the same films?

[The_Doctor]

Originally Posted by GizmoDVD

Wait...so there is both a Blu-ray and HD DVD type format in China with the same films?

There is a small Blu presence in China as well as the Chinese version HD DVD called CBHD.

WB, Universal and National G are going to be coming out with more content for it, I am curious what Dark Knight Wanted, and Hulk would be like. If their players ever get down in price or if my HTPC can play the CBHD disc I might buy one just to see what its like.

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by The_Doctor

There is a small Blu presence in China as well as the Chinese version HD DVD called CBHD.

WB, Universal and National G are going to be coming out with more content for it, I am curious what Dark Knight Wanted, and Hulk would be like. If their players ever get down in price or if my HTPC can play the CBHD disc I might buy one just to see what its like.

Your HTPC support the HD codec AVS? Cause that is the codec used for CBHD. No VC1 or AVC.

[Blckman]

Oh damn GizmoDVD, Lee Stewart, and The Doctor. I just might be picking one of these bad babies up. This is really heating up because Warner Brothers has slowly climbed on board with this format. They're not stupid with 1/5 of the worlds population being in China alone. I think they will really make a killing with this format. Slumdog Millionaire and a host of other films on the way? You just might have to sign me up. This whole format war is not over by a long shot. What do you all think? The major studious are looking at the international audience as well. This is going to get really hot. Peace....

[The_Doctor]

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

Your HTPC support the HD codec AVS? Cause that is the codec used for CBHD. No VC1 or AVC.

No idea. How can I find out?

I thought it would take more that a codec, something about the wavelength used.

[Leterface]

Originally Posted by The_Doctor

No idea. How can I find out?

I thought it would take more that a codec, something about the wavelength used.

Yeah i understood the CBHD players COULD be HD DVD capable but the other HD DVD/BD players would NOT be CBHD capable.

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by The_Doctor

No idea. How can I find out?

I thought it would take more that a codec, something about the wavelength used.

CBHD has the same wavelength violet laser as HD DVD. The difference is that CBHD uses a China developed HD video codec called AVS. They did this so they wouldn't have to license either VC1 or AVC.

The SoC has the codecs burned into it. No FW UP that I am aware of. You can modify an existing codec but if it's not there - then you would have to buy a CBHD player.

[Leterface]

Now I remember - it wasn't the wavelength it was the modulation used and the codec (AVS).

[Vmk2]

so cbhd uses only avs? vc1 and avc are not optional maybe?

[Leterface]

Quoting http://www.chinahda.org.cn/en/why-cbhd.html :

"The video codec streams include AVS, MPEG2, H.264, VC-1, etc. and audio streams involve AVS audio, DRA, Dolby AC-3 and so on.?"

"For CBHD player, most advanced video streams such as AVS, MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1 are mandatory."

[Vmk2]

so warner releases might be the same vc-1 encodes as on .

[jtredskin]

As a layman in the techno babble going on here so far , my question is what will it take to get these discs (if we can get our grubby hands on them and I am sure we can :)) to play on my hd dvd player? Or what we will take to get my hd dvd's to play on one these sweet looking cbhd players (assuming we can our grubby hands on those as well :))??

also, i find it amazing that the studios seem to be jumping all over this so quickly. but there is tons of money potential involved here. i wonder how long will it take for a website to pop selling these? it looks like the war is back on. at least the first battle is heating up.....

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by jtredskin

As a layman in the techno babble going on here so far , my question is what will it take to get these discs (if we can get our grubby hands on them and I am sure we can to play on my hd dvd player? Or what we will take to get my hd dvd's to play on one these sweet looking cbhd players (assuming we can our grubby hands on those as well ??

CBHD players are designed not to play HD DVDs. Technically, the hardware should be capable of it, but the feature is prohibited by design. A smart hacker might be able to work around it, possibly.

Since HD DVD players don't support the AVS codec, they won't play CBHD discs. Again, unless some smart hacker comes up with a firmware file that can add that functionality.