China Blue High-definition Disc
Chinese high-definition disc format derived from HD DVD.
China Blue High-Definition (CBHD), also called China High Definition DVD, is an optical disc format for high-definition video. It was first announced in September 2007 by the Optical Memory National Engineering Research Center (OMNERC) at Tsinghua University. The format is based on HD DVD, which was developed by the DVD Forum as a successor to standard DVDs. After HD DVD lost the format war to Blu-ray and was discontinued, CBHD continued to be made and sold, but only in China.
The format was originally called CH-DVD. It came from a joint effort between the DVD Forum and OMNERC, with development starting in 2005. An early prototype was shown in 2007. In 2008, at the DVD Forum’s 42nd Steering Committee Meeting, OMNERC got permission to change the HD DVD specifications. Although HD DVD supporters hoped CBHD would carry on the format, CBHD discs do not work in HD DVD players, despite their similarities. This makes CBHD a proprietary format used only in China.
CBHD is heavily based on HD DVD, and Japanese engineers, especially Hisashi Yamada—former Chief Technology Fellow at Toshiba’s Digital Media Network and often called the “father of DVD”—helped China create its own high-definition video format. CBHD differs from HD DVD in several ways. It uses China’s government-owned AVS video codec, the DRA audio codec, and a new copy protection system called DKAA, instead of the AACS system used by HD DVD and Blu-ray. Developers say CBHD has more copy protection features and is part of China’s effort to fight piracy and reduce reliance on foreign patents and royalty payments. CBHD also uses a Chinese navigation system called CETC instead of HD DVD’s Advanced Content system. Like HD DVD, CBHD discs hold 15 GB on a single layer and 30 GB on a dual layer, and they can be made on existing DVD production lines.
In early March 2009, Warner Bros. announced support for CBHD, releasing titles like the Harry Potter series and *Blood Diamond* at prices between 50 and 70 yuan (about $7.25 to $10.15). According to an August 2009 TV-Tokyo report, CBHD was outselling Blu-ray in China by three to one, helped by heavy advertising and government backing. In September 2009, Universal Studios and National Geographic also backed the format, along with Paramount Pictures (US), Celestial (Hong Kong/China), and BBC/Discovery (UK/US). Six CBHD players were released: four by Shinco (models CBHD
- announced
- September 2007
- developer
- Optical Memory National Engineering Research Center (OMNERC), Tsinghua University
- based_on
- HD DVD
- capacity
- 15 GB single-layer, 30 GB dual-layer
- region
- China
- key_codecs
- AVS video, DRA audio
- copy_protection
- DKAA
Lore & Background
CBHD discs have the same capacity as HD DVD (15 GB single-layer, 30 GB dual-layer) and can be produced on existing DVD production lines. The format received support from major studios including Warner Bros., Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, and National Geographic. By August 2009, CBHD was reportedly outselling Blu-ray in China by a 3-to-1 margin, attributed to heavy advertising and government backing.
Reader's Guide
CBHD represents a notable attempt by China to establish a domestically controlled high-definition optical disc standard, reducing reliance on foreign patents and addressing piracy through enhanced copy protection. Although it failed to gain international traction and remained confined to China, it briefly outsold Blu-ray in its home market due to government support and lower player prices. The format's reliance on HD DVD technology, which had lost the format war to Blu-ray, limited its global appeal. CBHD's legacy lies in illustrating how national standards can emerge in response to intellectual property concerns and market control, even if they do not achieve widespread adoption. Its eventual decline was likely hastened by the rise of streaming and the dominance of Blu-ray worldwide.
Did You Know?
- CBHD was announced in September 2007 by the Optical Memory National Engineering Research Center of Tsinghua University.
- The format uses the PRC government-owned AVS video codec and DRA audio codec.
- CBHD discs have a capacity of 15 GB single-layer and 30 GB dual-layer, identical to HD DVD.
- By August 2009, CBHD was outselling Blu-ray in China by a 3-to-1 margin.
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