Next gen system optical formats

So this is what we have:

Sony PS3 to use Blu-Ray:

- Columbia, MGM, 20th Century Fox, Dell, and HP all support Blu-ray
- The first version can be dual-layer for 50gb of storage space
- TDK just announced it has made an 100gb version of BR (link)
- Sony is pushing it\'s recording capabilities, which sounds pretty decent

Xbox 360 is rumored to support HD-DVD:

- Warner, Paramount, Universal and New Line Cinema all support HD-DVD
- First version can be dual-layer for up to 30gb of storage space
- Toshiba recently announced a triple layer can be added for 45gb

And talks of a Blu-Ray / HD-DVD merger are still up in the air. (link)  As for deciding which format you should choose based on the studio, it\'s been noted that the studios are pretty flexible about formats (especially Fox) and sound like they are willing to side with the competitor if they are the better contendor in the format war.

I\'d personally like to see a merger between the two camps but the way Japanese businessmen are (dead serious, they are stubborn & very prideful) we may see a war after all.  If that\'s the case I\'d like to see Sony win out, Toshiba with their weaker tech is being hard-headed about the whole thing.

[Evi]

HD-DVD is using a Windows Media codec...so the fact that it has anything related to Windows Media makes me shun it without blinking.

Well its too early to tell as a consumer but I think the industry should adopt the Blue Ray format

Blu-Ray.

[Evi]

Well its too early to tell as a consumer but I think the industry should adopt the Blue Ray format

What\'s "Blue" Ray?

Its a...blu-ray

[Evi]

Is that like a different version or something?

Nah.

Actually both formats are mandating the use for 3 video codecs:

1) mpeg-2
2) mpeg-4 H.264
3) VC-1 (aka Microsoft Windows Media 9)

It\'s up to the studio to decide which codec will work best for their application, but expect H.264 to be the most popular.

It actually  used to be just HD-DVD that offered anything beyond mpeg-2 but Sony got wise and caved in to the multiple formats.  See competition is a good thing!

[Evi]

See competition is a good thing!

Indeed it is.

I would like to see a merger, but since that seems unlikely then I want blu-ray to win.  

One thing is for sure though and that is I\'m not buying any Blu-Ray/HD-DVD movies until I see who comes out on top.

EDIT:  Microsoft supporting a next-gen drive in their 360 is very much a rumor, and Allard and company have gone on record about it.  They haven\'t sided with anyone because there is no standard, and it will be a while before it\'s clear which format they should put into their console.

[Evi]

They haven\'t sided with anyone because there is no standard, and it will be a while before it\'s clear which format they should put into their console.

There\'s a possibility they may not even use one at all.

Originally posted by EviscerationX
There\'s a possibility they may not even use one at all.

They likely won\'t this fall, but Allard said don\'t count it out for the future.

[Evi]

Why would they not do it and then do it? That would piss off a lot of Xbox fans. "Mine can play HD movies and yours can\'t! Haha!"

blue-ray for the win