Microsoft, Intel Join HD DVD Camp!

[Dashken]

Intel and Microsoft announced Monday that they have joined the HD DVD Promotion Group, citing the Toshiba-led format's "unique advantages, including PC and connected device interoperability and an easy, affordable transition to high definition for consumers."

This move seemingly pits Microsoft and Intel against a formidable group of major players in the computer industry that have committed to Blu-ray Disc including Apple, Dell, HP and Sun Microsystems. Although this obviously opens the door to the possibility that a future version of Microsoft's Xbox 360 will support HD DVD, it appears that the gaming console will still launch in November supporting only the current standard definition DVD format. Sony's PlayStation 3 is scheduled for launch next spring, and will support Blu-ray Disc.

The Wall Street Journal reported that this announcement means that Microsoft will build only HD DVD support into its upcoming Window Vista operating system. Other strategic alliances that may come into play in this dispute involve Intel, and the fact that Blu-ray Disc supporters Apple, Dell, and HP all figure to use Intel processors in future.

Intel and Microsoft cited a number of reasons for the announcement, but paramount among them seems to be the perception that HD DVD is more convergence-friendly and is better suited to their vision of how digital content will flow through digitally networked homes in the future. HD DVD's "Managed Copy" feature guarantees consumers can copy their HD DVD discs to a hard drive or computer, or more specifically to a Window Media Center PC running Intel's Viiv (rhymes with "five") technology that can distribute that content to every room in a digitally connected house.

"Our vision with Intel Viiv technology is that digital media content can be enjoyed on the Intel-based PCs and consumer electronics devices in and around the home in an easy and affordable manner," Intel's Brendan Traw said. "Intel has determined that HD DVD best meets the needs of consumers and the requirements for the respective computer electronics, computer and entertainment industries for delivering a high-definition, interactive experience to the home on optical media."

Other factors the two companies noted as influencing their decision was backward compatibility with the current DVD standard using "proven" HD DVD hybrid disc technology, low-cost, high-volume manufacturing, superior capacity and interactivity and the belief that the compatibility of the HD DVD with the current DVD spec simplifies development of slim disc drives for the growing segment of notebook PCs.

One of HD DVD's main strengths is certainly in its claim that current DVD replication facilities can be cheaply and quickly retrofitted to manufacture hybrid HD DVD discs at mass quantities that contain a standard DVD layer that can be accessed and played on the existing and seemingly ubiquitous install base of DVD players. Intel and Microsoft are buying into this in a big way, stating this allows consumers to continue to build their DVD collections without fear by purchasing "future proof" HD DVD hybrid discs that will not become obsolete in the near future.

Earlier this year it was announced that JVC had developed a hybrid disc format that would combine a dual-layer standard definition DVD disc with a single-layer (25GB) Blu-ray Disc. The HD DVD camp obviously doesn't believe it will be as quick or cost effective to mass-produce BRD hybrids as it will be with their own format.

The claim of "superior capacity" in the joint Intel/Microsoft announcement may catch some off guard given that this has always been Blu-ray's rallying cry, but their contention is that HD DVD will launch with dual-layer HD DVD-ROM discs with full 30GB capacity while Blu-ray Disc's BD-ROM discs will at least initially be single-layer and thus limited to 25GB capacity. This wouldn't be so surprising given that the current DVD format originally launched with only single-layer discs available as packaged media.

While this announcement would seem another sure sign of an imminent and bloody format war, the possibility exists that the commitment of Intel/Microsoft may give HD DVD some additional bargaining power in talks to unify the formats. In fact, some interesting verbiage was included in the Intel/Microsoft statement to the press that clearly states that a single format is the best option: "As longtime leaders in the development of new industry specifications, Intel and Microsoft believe a single optical disc format is an ideal solution that would drive rapid consumer adoption. Although the companies have determined that HD DVD is the only viable solution at this time, each remains committed to working toward one format that meets consumer and industry requirements."

Source: http://www.guidetohometheater.com/news/092905Microsoft/