Petteri Pyyny
10 Dec 2004 13:42
Disney announced yesterday that it will support Blu-Ray as its choice for the next generation optical format, instead of the HD-DVD. Disney's announcement means basically that it is more and more unclear which "next generation" format will take over once DVD runs out of steam, as all the major Hollywood studios are almost equally split over the two competing blue-laser technologies.
After Disney's announcement, Blu-Ray camp includes virtually all the major consumer electronic companies, such as Sony, Pioneer and Philips and also some heavy-weight studios like Disney, Sony and MGM. Meanwhile, HD-DVD camp hasn't been resting either -- Toshiba just recently announced a hybrid DVD/HD-DVD disc format and its supporters include studios like Universal and Warner Bros.
As the confusion over the winning next generation optical disc format continues, it is obvious that the transition from DVDs to high-resolution blue-laser formats will begin next year, as HDTV-capable sets get more and more popular, specially in the United States and in Japan, and people will begin to look for content that supports the resolution the TV sets are capable of.
Source: Financial Times