If you're confused (like most everyone else) about the recent statements involving recordable Blu-ray disc playback in set top players, read on to get a better understanding.
First things first: a description of the different BD-RE (Blu-ray disc rewriteable) and BD-R (Blu-ray disc recordable) spec versions.
BD-RE 1.0 -- PDD -- The original "Blu-ray product", first released in 2003. These discs were encased in cartridges and aren't compatible with final Blu-ray products. The format is still used in certain professional equipment, though it has been redubbed Professional Data Disc (PDD).
BD-RE 2.0 and BD-R 1.0 -- BDAV Format -- Supports HD-Video and simple menus stored on BD-R/RE media
BD-RE 2.1 and BD-R 1.1 -- BDMV Format -- Supports HD-Video and full menu system/JAVA applications to be stored BD-R/RE media
BD-RE 3.0 and BD-R 2.0 -- BDMV Format with AACS support -- Supports HD-video and full menu system/JAVA applications to be stored on BD-R/RE media with AACS copy protection available
The physical discs used for BD-RE 2.1 and BD-RE 2.0 are the exact same, as are the BD-R 1.1 and BD-R 1.0 discs. The difference is in which mode the discs are recorded, BDMV or BDAV. Much has been made recently of certain set top players being unable to play the BDMV discs. The reason for this is that the newer AACS-supported spec has now been finalized, and for new players to be allowed to play BD-RE 2.1/BD-R 1.1 discs, they MUST also be able to playback BD-RE 3.0/BD-R 2.0 discs. What this means for users is that until and unless manufacturers put out firmware updates that allow those players to correctly handle the new media, they cannot allow the playback of the old media.
This is annoying to many users, who were not well-informed about this upcoming change before it happened, though in all likelihood, it is only a short-term problem. Adding compatibility for the new media is reportedly a fairly simple process for manufacturer's, though there does not seem to be much media available at this time with which to perform tests. Currently, the PS3 and Corel's Intervideo PC application are reported to be able to handle the new formats, though set top box compatibility is unknown for any of those players. In any event, a firmware update will almost certainly be required for any set top player to read the new media correctly.
The bigger question, however, is what is going to be happening with the existing media and PC burners on the market? Can current burners be updated to support writing to the new media? Will the new media essentially replace the existing media in the marketplace? If the answer to the first question is yes, then second question would likely also be answered yes as there wouldn't be much reason for the older-spec'ed media to continue to exist. If current burners can't be made to work with the new media, however, then it seems very likely that both types of media will need to coexist, likely causing considerable confusion for consumers.
More than likely, in that scenario, we would have media labeled "BD-R/RE for Video" that conform to the new specs and discs labeled "BD-R/RE for Data" that conform to existing specs. This wouldn't be the end of the world, by any means, but retailers likely won't like the additional product they would need to stock and the overall confusion of the situation. It certainly wouldn't be unprecedented, however: recordable CD's are available in standard and "music" versions that are supposed to be required by Audio CD recording devices. Also, the DVD-R/RW spec calls for a special "DVD-R/RW For Authoring" specification, though that media was never made mandatory for the purpose for which it was created.
Whatever scenario ends up playing out, it definitely doesn't seem to be the "bad" news originally proclaimed by HD DVD fans, though additional confusion in the market certainly isn't welcome.
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