Katie MarsalMovie studio Warner Bros. has confirmed that it will switch to releasing HD movies only in the Blu-ray Disc format, potentially ending HD DVD's run in the marketplace and affecting the computer industry as a consequence.
Abandoning HD DVD is a difficult decision but a "strategic" one based on a shifting balance of power between the two disc standards, Warner says. Since more customers are buying Blu-ray titles, choosing the one standard may help decisions at store shelves. Prices for movie players are said to be low enough that encouraging competition between the rival standards is no longer necessary.
"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger," Warner Bros. chief executive Barry Mayer explains.
Dropping the standard is expected to create a tidal shift in the balance between Blu-ray and HD DVD. While both formats have until now offered a similar amount of movies in their format, Warner's defection may place as much as 70 percent of all major-label HD movies in the Blu-ray camp.
The timing of the choice may prove crucial for Apple. Both analysts and AppleInsider sources have indicated the Mac maker is likely to fully endorse Blu-ray as early as this month's Macworld San Francisco Expo. The company is a member of the Blu-ray Disc Association but has also included basic HD DVD support in its video editing software.
Microsoft has so far put most of its weight behind HD DVD and has supported the medium both through an Xbox 360 add-on and by encouraging use of the format by PC makers.
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
82 Comments
Oh dear. Let the posturing begin. I don't think we'll hear the end of this from either side, be it the shills, cheerleaders or trolls.
naturally you have me to thank for this... I knew whichever format I chose would the loser, someone had to be a scapegoat \
Anyhow, I do not see this as the end by a longshot... prices on HD DVDs will plummet because of this, and the average consumer won't be up on the news that HD DVD will soon be dead, or even if they are on the up and up they will buy HD DVDs for $10 a piece... this will cause another major imbalance in numbers... very very interesting how this is all unfolding.
I've actually never seen a side-by-side comparison of either format to be able to judge which is better in terms of quality. I know BR holds up to twice as much info - but both formats seemed DRM'd to high heaven.... I guess I really don't care what Warner does...
Don't ya just love it...... changes at light speed........ or make that ray speed.
Since I want to use optical discs for data, not just for movies, I want the format with the higher capacity to become dominant. That's BD. (And as nice side effects, a BD can hold more minutes of video, and can offer more advanced interactivity.)
Besides, it's just easier to say BD than HD-DVD