HD-DVD and Blu-ray seek comprimise
Link: HD-DVD and Blu-ray seek comprimise
In something of a surprise move, Toshiba and Sony - the lead developers of opposing next generation DVD technologies - are reported to have sat down together to begin talks on how to bring their ideas together to launch a joint standard DVD format.
The move comes as pressure mounts from the technology and film industries that a repeat of the format wars of the 1980’s - then between VHS and Betamax recording - could be damaging to the consumer industry.
At the moment the HD-DVD and Blu-ray DVD formats work in different ways, with HD-DVD allowing for backwards compatability - ie, HD-DVD players should be able to play existing DVDs - while Sony’s Blu-ray DVD format offers a greater amount of storage on a single DVD disc.
Both companies are vying to have their core technology for disc structure at the heart of any hybrid format, with additional software processing coming from the other company.
Negotiations between the industry giants could therefore be difficult, but with the accessibility of the new standard becoming an ever more important issue, the DVD industry at large invites a solution sooner, rather than later.
