Blu-ray wins format war over HD DVD
JJ Johnson
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Technology
Since mid-2006 when the Sony Corporation first introduced the new high definition disc Blu-ray, Toshiba followed right behind with their version of a high definition disc called HD DVD. Since then, there has been a war between these two formats.
Both boost picture quality and sound for the new age of high definition. But just last month, Toshiba pulled the plug on producing HD DVDs and players. This move was brought on by major movie corporations backing the Blu-ray format over the HD format because of Blu-ray's greater storage capacity.
So what if Sony's Corp.'s Blu-ray has won the format war? Who cares?
If you or your parents, friends or family members purchased a HD DVD player, you might consider telling them to sell it or give it away to someone who doesn't watch a lot of movies. Major movie corporations like News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney, Co., Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and recently General Electric Co.'s Universal Pictures have all switched exclusively to Blu-ray and will no longer produce or sell HD DVDs.
"The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate. While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray," Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital Platforms, said in a statement.
Rental and department stores have followed suit as well. Wal-mart Stores Inc. are eliminating the sale of HD DVD players and discs. This move will affect 4,000 Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores in the United States, according to MSNBC. Netflix Inc., an online movie rental company, also made the switch to Blu-ray.
"From the Netflix perspective, focusing on one format will enable us to create the best experience for subscribers," the company said in a statement, adding that not many customers order high-def DVDs.
Both boost picture quality and sound for the new age of high definition. But just last month, Toshiba pulled the plug on producing HD DVDs and players. This move was brought on by major movie corporations backing the Blu-ray format over the HD format because of Blu-ray's greater storage capacity.
So what if Sony's Corp.'s Blu-ray has won the format war? Who cares?
If you or your parents, friends or family members purchased a HD DVD player, you might consider telling them to sell it or give it away to someone who doesn't watch a lot of movies. Major movie corporations like News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney, Co., Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and recently General Electric Co.'s Universal Pictures have all switched exclusively to Blu-ray and will no longer produce or sell HD DVDs.
"The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate. While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray," Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital Platforms, said in a statement.
Rental and department stores have followed suit as well. Wal-mart Stores Inc. are eliminating the sale of HD DVD players and discs. This move will affect 4,000 Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores in the United States, according to MSNBC. Netflix Inc., an online movie rental company, also made the switch to Blu-ray.
"From the Netflix perspective, focusing on one format will enable us to create the best experience for subscribers," the company said in a statement, adding that not many customers order high-def DVDs.
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