How to convert HD DVD format to Blu-ray format?

[Jones77]

Is it possible to convert HD DVD format to Blu-ray format? Anybody knows how to?

[PamJazz]

What You'll Need

* A Windows machine with a fast processor
* An HD-DVD drive
* A Blu-Ray burner
* 30GB of free disk space, at least, though 40GB or more is recommended
* An internet connection to download all the software you need


Step 1: Ripping

First, we have to get the original HD DVD movie off the disk and onto the computer. You'll need to have a HD-DVD inside, or hooked up to, your PC, and software to cut through the DRM.

Windows users have it easy. Buy Slysoft's AnyDVD HD (about $115), which will rip HD DVD without further ado. A free alternative is DVDFab HD Decrypter.

Once done, you'll have a bunch of files on your machine in .EVO format.

[PamJazz]

Step 2: Transcoding and Authoring
Transcoding refers to changing the file format and size, while authoring refers to preparing and arranging the files so that players may properly understand them.
If you just want to keep the file on the computer as a backup, you can stop here. Even if no one is making physical HD DVD players, there'll always be software to play the files themselves.
If you're targeting Blu-Ray, however, you'll need to get your hands dirty fixing your files to the required specs. You'll run the ripped HD DVD disk through a bunch of different programs, in the following order:
1. EVOdemux to "demultiplex" the ripped files and pick exactly what you need to keep.
2. H264Info or vc1conv -— which one you need depends on whether the format of HD DVD movie you ripped is h.264 or VC1.
3. eac3to to compress the audio, often necessary to fit movies onto cheaper 25GB Blu-Ray disks.
4. tsMuxeR and TsRemux to get the video streams ready for burning.

[PamJazz]

Step 3: Burning

Finally, you can copy the the authored Blu-Ray presentation to a physical disk. IMGBurn 2.4 is a way to do it free of charge, but Nero 8 ($100) will handle the job if you already have it.
You will also need a Blu-Ray disk burner, of course. Sony's BWU100A, at $430 refurbished, is one choice. The cheapest going is Lite-On's $360 LH-2B1S. Don't like the price? Too late to complain now.
Or you can just keep your old HD machine and change over later.
Alternative methods
One can also use a HD capture card with component video inputs to slurp up the output from the Xbox 360's HD DVD player. Install video capture software, hook up the player to the capture card, and go. Watch out for disk space!
Jake Ludington reports success with the $1,400AJA XENA LH capture card. Or, Blackmagic Design's Intensity a $250 HDMI Capture Card, also works. The problem is expense: a HD capture card isn't cheap. To get the resulting files onto Blu-Ray disc, use Nero 8 with the HD plugin

[PamJazz]

I read this wiki article awhile ago at Convert Your HD DVDs to Blu-Ray - Wired How-To Wiki. I thought it would be a very interesting topic to discuss since you asked the question Jones.