HD DVD back from the dead!

Like a hi-def phoenix rising from the dead format flames, HD DVD is back.

In the biggest turnaround of the millennium, the format thought to be pushing up daisies for good is being reincarnated by the Taiwan World Association of Technology in an all-new 3-inch form.

The diddy HD DVD will launch with space for a terabyte of data, but storage boffins believe that as the technology advances and more layers are added the new format may be capable of holding a yottabyte (YB) of data. That's enough for nearly all of Steven Seagal's back catalogue of movies.

The tiny disc is being developed in top secret labs alongside new pocket-sized HD movie players and is due to be with us in time for Christmas.

So, Blu-ray, are you ready for round two?

Essentials
Mini HD DVD
On sale: Q4 2008