Microsoft was the primary developer of the HDi (HD interactive) technology that is mandatory on all HD DVD players. (It was originally codenamed ‘iHD’, I guess that sounded too much like an Apple product.) Microsoft has created a trademarked HDi logo and is now licensing it for use on HD DVD players and media, according to TWICE magazine. The logo will begin appearing on products in the fourth quarter.
HDi was standardized, along with the rest of the HD DVD specifications, through the DVD Forum. It is officially known as ‘Advanced Navigation’. Blu-ray uses the Blu-ray Disc Java (BD-J) standard for the same functions. The BDA’s rejection of a late proposal to include HDi in Blu-ray is the primary reason for Microsoft backing HD DVD and not BD.
