DVD format war heats up

In separate statements released Monday, the U.S. studios Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema said they will offer titles in the Toshiba HD DVD format but did not say which titles or give other details.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment President Craig Kornblau said in a statement he favors HD DVD over other standards.

HD DVD has been endorsed by a forum made up of more than 200 companies.

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DVD format war heats up
Iain Thomson, 11.30.04, 10:48 AM ET

VNUNet.com

Three Hollywood studios have announced their support for the high definition DVD (HD DVD) standard, raising the likelihood of a tough standards war with Sony\'s rival Blu-ray technology.

Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures and Warner Brothers have all thrown their weight behind HD DVD, which was developed by Toshiba and NEC.

Dell, Philips, Sony and Twentieth Century Fox have all sighed up for Blu-ray, and future Playstations will support the format.

"Blu-ray does offer an edge over HD DVD since it is a superior convergence format and has greater influence and backing in key industries such as Hollywood and personal computers," said analyst firm Frost and Sullivan in a report last month.

"HD DVD is not going down without a fight, though, especially since it is more compatible with current DVD players.

"When the dust settles, the best storage technology need not be the technologically superior one, as the choice is largely dependent on the controlling interests behind the technology, rather than its users and specifications."

Both HD DVD and Blu-ray are designed to provide the increased storage needed for high definition TV viewing. HD DVD holds about a third less data than Blu-ray, but the hardware is expected to be significantly cheaper.

The first Blu-ray players are due out next year. HD DVD players are not expected before 2006.

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[Evi]

And I read on another site that the HD-DVD was winning :rolleyes: But um hmmm. It\'s too early to tell. I personally like Blu-ray better, with it\'s larger storage capacity. Then again, isn\'t HD-DVD compatible with current DVD players? I don\'t care really. The Blu-ray playes will be backwards compatible with current DVD/CDs (although that will make it cost a little more).

But again...LARGER CAPACITY=BETTER...IMO.

I\'ll have to buy a player that can play all three formats now I guess.  I suppose I won\'t be investing in one until they drop down from that more then likely 500 dollar+ price range for the stand alone player.  Soon though, all three in one unit will be like 100 bucks so no big deal.

[videoholic]

Being compatible with current DVDs is bogus for they can just stick another laser in the thing for probably 5 bucks and bammo, you are backward compatible.

[Evi]

Except for the fact that it\'d cost a lot more than 5 bucks....

Dammit.  Format wars suck.