Blu-ray has the last couple of months managed to convince basically all of the large movie companies to back it up and at the same time gain the support from practically the entire IT inustry, with the obvious exception of Microsoft, to support the next generation optical format Blu-ray. HD DVD on the other hand has started to slip and has basically just a few movie companies, but these also support Blu-ray, and then Microsoft of course, backing it up. To quote Andy Parson, senior VP, product development at Pioneer: “There’s no format war looming because it’s not Blu-ray vs. HD DVD.”
“It’s simply Blu-ray versus standard definition DVD… Currently, DVD has 50,000 titles presently available, and both formats will co-exist for several years to come with new BD players supporting both formats. BD players make the perfect complement to new HDTVs that are being purchased by consumers.”
The most likely scenario is a lunch of Blu-ray in spring, with especially players compatible with today’s DVD-format, which are completed with Blu-ray and its high resolution movies.
They have also posted information about the rigorous copy protection Blu-ray will use and Sony & co is doing their best to calm the stressed souls. The protection will in no way require an internet connection which some rumours have claimed. It is not too late to adapt MMC (Mandatory Managed Copy) for the Blu-ray format, which they also will.
Source: Designtechnica
