By Allan D. Francisco
In a move that could possibly signal an early resolution of the brewing next-generation DVD format war, industry giants Intel and Microsoft chose to support the HD DVD format over its rival technology Blu-ray Disc. The world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer and largest software vendor have aligned their technical and marketing clouts with the HD DVD camp. After what the companies claimed to be an extensive review of the merits of opposing high-definition (HD) DVD formats, Intel and Microsoft came to the conclusion that the HD DVD format developed by the DVD Forum, and which counts Toshiba as among its foremost proponents, satisfies their criteria and delivers various advantages, such as PC and networked device interoperability.
In a news release issued by the companies, Microsoft’s Media/Entertainment and Technology Convergence Group Vice President Blair Westblake said, “ … After looking at the core advantages to the PC ecosystem and how it would benefit the consumer, it is clear that HD DVD offers the highest quality, and is the most affordable and highly flexible solution available.” On the other hand, Brendan Traw, Intel Fellow and Chief Technology Officer of Intel’s Digital Home Group, said, “Intel has determined that HD DVD best meets the needs of consumers and the requirements for the respective consumer electronics, computer and entertainment industries for delivering a high-definition, interactive experience to the home on optical media.”
Industry Interests, Consumers’ Good
Furthermore, the companies claimed they chose HD DVD for the format’s various features including Managed Copy, which allows consumers to make copies of their discs to a hard disc drive or home server; and hybrid disc technology, which enables consumers to view standard-definition movies stored on HD DVDs using existing DVD players, while HD movies can be played back later with HD DVD players. Other factors considered by the companies were the superior storage capacity and interactivity of HD DVDs compared with those of the Blu-ray Disc’s BD-ROM discs.
Intel and Microsoft apparently were swayed in no small part by the group’s assertion that HD DVDs can be mass-produced using existing manufacturing equipment and processes for DVDs. This will allow the industry to migrate to a next-generation DVD format without investing in new production equipment and technologies.
The companies, which previously refused to support either side, appear to have decided based on what’s best for the industry and its interests. Or did they? Surely, the reasons they have cited coincide with what the industry needs and would result to better optical storage systems for the consumers and other end-users. Some industry analysts, however, claim that Sony’s use of the Blu-ray Disc technology for its latest PlayStation video game console as one of the main reasons for Microsoft’s decision to opt for HD DVD. Microsoft intends to use HD DVD for its new Xbox game platform, a growing rival to Sony’s bestseller game product.
Big Stakes for Sony
No matter what the true reasons might have been for the IT giants’ next-generation DVD platform choice, Sony is far from conceding defeat. Its industry partners remain loyal and committed to the electronics giant and its proposed Blu-ray Disc technology. At a news conference in New York, Dell Computers CEO Michael Dell said that his company would continue supporting Blu-ray Disc. Other supporters remaining loyal to Sony include fellow Japanese electronics manufacturers Hitachi and Sharp, as well as computer company Hewlett-Packard. Several Hollywood studios, such as MGM, Disney and Sony Pictures, still pledge their allegiance to Sony and its platform.
Meanwhile, Samsung has introduced in the U.S. market a Blu-ray disc recorder with a built-in high-definition digital terrestrial tuner, providing another much-needed boost for the Blu-ray Disc platform and its main proponent Sony. The DVD format war comes at a most critical period for the company, which needs to launch another blockbuster product to reverse its declining performance. The company recently announced plans to cut its workforce by 10,000 jobs worldwide, and is likely to report its first annual loss since 1997.
The decision of Intel and Microsoft to support the HD DVD platform could help bring about an early resolution to the offing next-generation DVD format wars. Their choice, the company claim, is based on what they perceive to be best for the industry’s interests and what’s good for end-users. Sony, Blu-ray Disc format’s most avid proponent, refuses to concede defeat, and pledges to continue pushing its format against the HD DVD platform. Such a resolution will also affect the businesses and operations of electronics manufacturers and their partners including manufacturers of components and devices and suppliers of materials.
Whatever the outcome of this format rivalry would be, it would have huge implications not only for Sony’s fortunes, but also ultimately for the consumer and what his or her next-generation optical data storage options will be. (Allan D. Francisco)
