Do dvd's have to be marked HD in order to play in HD?

Answer 1

There are three storage formats for video discs:

A DVD will carry standard definition video and will be described simply as "DVD". DVDs can be played on standard definition DVD players as well as either of the HD disc players mentioned below. Regardless of the player used, the image will always be standard definition.

HD DVD is one of the two HD disc formats. The disc will be described as an "HD DVD". This format was withdrawn in 2009 when Bluray won the HD format war. HD DVD players and discs are still around but none are sold commercially now. These discs can only be played on HD DVD players.

Bluray is the other HD video disc format. They will always be described as "Bluray". They can only be played on Bluray players and will not operate on standard DVD players. Nor will they play on an HD DVD player.

Note: HD DVD is the product trade name of the now defunct high definition disc format. It is also commonly used in reference to an disc that supports high definition video. Therefore, is it sometimes used as a reference to Bluray. Although Bluray is a high definition DVD, it is NOT an "HD DVD". As the HD DVD format moves into the history books of television, the term is used more and more to refer to Buray even though it is strictly not the correct term.