News
October 22nd, 2005, 12:03 AM
By Frank Ling, GN Writer
Friday, October 21, 2005
Warner Brothers announced today that it will also support Blu-ray in addition to HD-DVD technology. The move by Warner Bros. has surprised some in the film industry because the film studio had previously committed to releasing its movies just on HD-DVD. Warner Bros. explained that the decision to include the Blu-ray format was reached after the developers of Blu-ray and HD-DVD were unable to agree on a unified format system. Warner has selected both until a dominant format takes over.
Warner Bros. is one of the many film studios who are backing the Blu-ray system. Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount, Universal Pictures, and New Line Cinema have jumped on the Blu-ray wagon. Microsoft’s Bill Gates has complained that Blu-ray prevents computer users from easily making backup copies of data and other files for personal use. However, the decision by many film companies using Blu-ray is precisely because of its tougher encryption program. Bottom line: Blu-ray makes the copying of DVD movies harder.
Bob Chapek, president of Buena Vista Home Entertainment, a subsidiary of Disney, said “This news further illustrates the potent combination of Blu-ray Disc's superior consumer proposition and the undeniable market support demonstrated by the huge consortium of companies supporting Blu-ray. The continued dramatic momentum towards Blu-ray makes us more optimistic than ever that a "format war" can be avoided.”
Contrary to what Mr. Chapek says, there definitely will be a “format war.” It is a matter of economics. The winner will eventually be crowned, not necessarily because of superior technology, but because in the long run, it will make (or save) more money for the companies.
The outcome is still too early to call, so don’t place your bets yet.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Warner Brothers announced today that it will also support Blu-ray in addition to HD-DVD technology. The move by Warner Bros. has surprised some in the film industry because the film studio had previously committed to releasing its movies just on HD-DVD. Warner Bros. explained that the decision to include the Blu-ray format was reached after the developers of Blu-ray and HD-DVD were unable to agree on a unified format system. Warner has selected both until a dominant format takes over.
Warner Bros. is one of the many film studios who are backing the Blu-ray system. Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount, Universal Pictures, and New Line Cinema have jumped on the Blu-ray wagon. Microsoft’s Bill Gates has complained that Blu-ray prevents computer users from easily making backup copies of data and other files for personal use. However, the decision by many film companies using Blu-ray is precisely because of its tougher encryption program. Bottom line: Blu-ray makes the copying of DVD movies harder.
Bob Chapek, president of Buena Vista Home Entertainment, a subsidiary of Disney, said “This news further illustrates the potent combination of Blu-ray Disc's superior consumer proposition and the undeniable market support demonstrated by the huge consortium of companies supporting Blu-ray. The continued dramatic momentum towards Blu-ray makes us more optimistic than ever that a "format war" can be avoided.”
Contrary to what Mr. Chapek says, there definitely will be a “format war.” It is a matter of economics. The winner will eventually be crowned, not necessarily because of superior technology, but because in the long run, it will make (or save) more money for the companies.
The outcome is still too early to call, so don’t place your bets yet.