Multi-format discs an exercise in frivolity

Stan Beer
Wednesday, 20 September 2006 16:17

Opinion and Analysis

Aside from the cost disadvantages, whatever they may or may not be, there is also the question of movie studios which line up behind one format and refuse to support the other. In the case of Universal, which supports HD DVD but not Blu-ray, a three layer multi-format disc does not do one iota of good for Blu-ray drive owners who may want to see Universal movies in their chosen high-definition format.

In fact, even if a studio like Warner Bros produces movies in all three formats and burn all three to one disc, would consumers then be expected to pay for the formats they don't use?

Unfortunately, the high definition video format divergence will not be solved by a multi-format disc. A more feasible but costly solution would be a multi-format player. The best solution of all is for the Blu-ray and HD DVD camps to get together and develop a roadmap to a converged high definition video standard.

However, for competitors like Sony and Toshiba, the idea of working together for the benefit of consumers so that their common market develops and moves forward probably makes too much sense.