To be honest, one of the main issues one has to deal with,
as a journalist, when having to write about the Blu-Ray versus HD-DVD is
finding the most appropriate title.
Let’s take, for example, the latest news in
optical storing devices. Without any notice, Warner Bros. Entertainment has
decided to favor Blu-Ray over HD DVD format. Starting with May 2008, Warner
Bros. Entertainment, one of the biggest media group in US will release its
movies only in Blu-Ray format. Before this announcement, Warner Bros was
releasing its movies in both formats.
The Warner Bros. Entertainment decision is considered to be a
big blow for the HD DVD format, which is losing the support of one of its
biggest allies.
Warner Bros justified its option for Blu-Ray format by saying
that the format confusion is blocking the adoption of the new DVD formats.
"Today's decision by Warner Bros. to distribute in a
single format comes at the right time and is the best decision both for
consumers and Time Warner", said Jeff Bewkes, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Time Warner, the parent company of Warner Bros.
Entertainment.
Well, what could be the ideal title to describe such a
situation? HD-DVD dumped by its allies? The betrayal stabs the HD-DVD’s
heart?
Losing Warner Bros. Entertaiment’s support could mean the
end of the war for Toshiba, the creator and the main supporter of HD-DVD
format. The company reacted shortly after Warner Bros. Entertainment
announcement by issuing a press statement.
"We will assess the potential impact of this
announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and valuate potential next
steps," said Toshiba in a statement. "We remain firm in our belief
that HD DVD is the format best suited to the wants and needs of the consumer."
In addition, the HD DVD Promotion Group, a group which promotes
the HD-DVD format and in which Toshiba is one of the main founders reacted by
saying that despite the fact that Warner's decision is a setback for HD DVD, the
consumer will decide.
“We believe widespread adoption of a next generation format
will ultimately be determined by the consumer," said the HD DVD Promotion
Group in a press statement.
Following Warner’s announcement, the HD DVD Promotional
Group has decided to cancel 1:1 press meetings at CES, in addition to the press
conference that was scheduled for Sunday evening.
The group has said is “discussing the potential impact of
this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluating next
steps.”
It’s clearly that the HD DVD camp was taken by surprise and Warner’s
decision may impact also other CES presentations.
For example, it was rumored that Microsoft was set to unveil an Xbox 360 with
an integrated HD DVD unit. Microsoft, which is one of the supporters of HD DVD
format, is selling already an external HD DVD unit for its gaming platform and
it had heavily promoted the Toshiba’s format.
Also, it remains to be seen how the Universal Pictures and
Paramoount Pictures movie studios, the only movies studios that are currently left
in the HD DVD camp, will react to the news.
