Microsoft & Intel Backing HD-DVD Format
Posted on September 28, 2005
Filed Under Computers/Tech
Tags: HD DVD, Intel, Microsoft
Blu-ray support a last minute switch, Microsoft says
Scott M. Fulton, III
September 27, 2005 - 19:02 EST
Redmond (WA) - In an exclusive interview with Tom’s Hardware Guide, one of Microsoft’s lead representatives on the DVD Forum Steering Committee said that decisions regarding whether his company and Intel would back and promote HD DVD as a high-definition video disc standard, were determined only within the last few days. Prior to some critical recent developments and announcements, both companies - which had proclaimed neutrality - may have been ready to back Blu-ray.
“Until now, we viewed ourselves more as a technology provider for both groups,” said Jordi Ribas, Microsoft’s director of technology strategy for Windows Digital Media, and a key developer of the VC-1 codec currently in use by both HD DVD and Blu-ray. He revealed that Microsoft and Intel had produced a list of what he called “key requirements for the success of next-generation DVD.” For several months, while those requirements were being circulated, both companies worked on developing key standards to be implemented by both formats. Ribas said he was directly involved with implementing the VC-1 codec, and also worked jointly with Disney to produce the iHD interactive layer considered by both camps, but eventually adopted only by HD DVD (Disney is a member of the Blu-ray Disc Association.) During that time, Intel and Microsoft both maintained their public neutrality. But very recently, from the two companies’ perspective, things started unraveling unexpectedly for Blu-ray.
“Our decision is based mainly on where the formats are today,” Ribas said, referring to Microsoft. “A year and a half ago, both format organizations had very similar goals, and to some extent, the story of Blu-ray was actually very powerful. It had higher capacity, it had what we would consider benefits at the time. But then as time went on, and we’d seen what’s the reality of both formats today, and what were promises versus what’s proven and what’s real, that’s when we decided to make the decision.”
[Source - Tom’s Hardware Guide]
It appears that everything is not as it seems when it comes to the Blu-ray format and that Microsoft is actually concerned about costs at the consumer level. Consumers will have to be confident in the product they are buying in order for it to be successful and I still feel that one high definition format is needed to attain this confidence. HD-DVD may end up being the format of choice based on the reasons stated in the article.
- Update
Here is another great article with some very detailed information regarding the HD format debate! This article is not as reccent as the one above, but it provides a lot of good information -
Blu-ray vs HD DVD: State of the Union Division
Posted Sep 19, 2005, 2:10 PM ET by Ryan Block
Well, as far as HD DVD vs. Blu-ray goes, it looks like we’ve pretty much passed the point of no return now; with each passing day it seems less and less likely that a compromise will be reached on a next-gen format. The ongoing peace talks between the two camps, which have been on-again, off-again for months now, seem to have finally dissolved. It’s disappointing, but however you feel about the fact that the HD DVD and Blu-ray factions squandered countless chances to make it right and come together, it looks like in just a few short months they’re going to be duking it out mano a mano right in our livingrooms. There may not be a lot we can do to fight back, apart from refusing to adopt either format out of sheer spite of their pigheadedness, but no matter what we might as well at least arm ourselves with the knowledge necessary to understand the nature of the situation at hand.
[Source - Engadget.com]
Chris
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*Bob just shakes head low in sadness*
I feel your pain my friend - you are not alone!
*Chris comforts Bob by telling him that at least the X-Box360 will be out in less than two months
*
Chris