How to encode for future use (HD DVD ?)

[Simpathetic]

Hi guys,

maybe this question has been asked before - but I just can't find it ! Or maybe it's still too vague to tell and thus stupid to ask.
Anyway, here it comes:
If I now want to encode content which should be both state-of-the-art (mpeg4) and (at least likely to) be played in nextgen HD / BD (whatever will win) players, what &()%$§ codec(s) / program should I use ?

The only thing that's sure as far as I know is that HD content will be MPEG4/AVC, but the only way I know to encode to that is NeroDigital. Any more known specs/limitations (specific resolutions / bitrates) ? Haven't seen them ! And how 'bout audio ? Will it also be only AAC at certain rates ?

Or should I stick to good ol' MPEG2 DVD content and try to downsize it by the well-known methods ? I would really like to keep filesizes small, so liked DivX so far, but who knows about future HD DVD / BluRay PLayers capable of Divx+mp3 ?

God, i hope I made my desparate point clear (neither is english my mother's tongue nor am I good at putting things straight)

So please go ahead and share your wisdom !

[Simpathetic]

God I just read my lines. Sorry 'bout the orthography !

[Doom9]

without the specs being finalized yet, how should anybody know what HD DVD or BluRay discs should look like?

Most likely the container used will be something special like VOBs on DVDs so forget about NeroDigital right there (plus you can create AVC in MP4 with x264/faac/mp4box as well). And AAC isn't on the list of supported audio codecs either (the list was in my news a while ago).

So the answer to your question is: right know you cannot know. If you create specs compliant DVDs they'll certainly be playable but that's as far as anyone can go. Anything more (except for what audio codecs are supported) is just speculation.

[acidsex]

I thought read somewhere that HE-AAC would be included on the specs. Has that changed?

The longer they keep dicking around and dragging ass on finalizing the specs, the longer it will take for them to cash in on the HD market which is growing each day.

[Simpathetic]

well, thanks @ doom9 !
I just couldn't believe that they're still not finished about the specs (or just not willing to tell ?). But on the other hand, I shouldn't be surprised ! We still don't even know whether it'll be 2 standards or just one (though it seems like almost definately two, right?)

[bond]

I thought read somewhere that HE-AAC would be included on the specs. Has that changed?its only going to be used in the ram section of hd-dvd