A few weeks back, Time-Warner inc. announced Total HD, which combines both HD DVD and Blu-ray formats on a single disc.  At the International CES, Warner Bros. Entertainment unveiled further details about the this new disc format and that they will be available in the 2nd half of 2007.

As Warner believes that having two formats will both frustrate the consumer and slow the adoption of HD technology, Total HD (THD) discs get around the issue by allowing playback in both Blu-ray and HD DVD players as well as help retailers by only needing to stock the one format instead taking up valuable shelf space stocking both Blu-ray and HD DVD formats.  The disc holds both formats by having the title in the HD DVD format on one side and in the Blu-ray format on the reverse side, which is basically two 0.6mm discs bonded together to give a 1.2mm disc the same diameter as a standard single format Blu-ray or HD DVD disc.  The format also allows dual-layer support for both sides, thus allowing up to 15GB/30GB of single/dual layer HD DVD and 25GB/50GB of single/dual layer Blu-ray content to be placed on a single disc.

Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment are all supporting the THD disc format.  Time-Warner has yet to discuss about its format with single-format studios. 

Should the time come when hybrid Blu-ray and HD DVD players hit the market, a Total HD disc will give the additional advantage of being able to choose which format to play.  For example if a consumer prefers the interactive features of Blu-ray, they just pop in the Blu-ray side.  Finally, should the disc get a bad scratch on one side, the user would still be able to play the reverse side.  On the other hand, if this format turns out to be a success, it may also mean more expensive titles due to the additional costs involved in producing the double-sided Total HD discs.