At present, consumers who plan on moving to a high definition disc format have quite a tough decision to make. They can buy a HD DVD player if they are happy to forget about Disney, Fox, MGM, Lions Gate and Sony titles or a PS3 or Blu-ray player if they want these producers, but don't mind leaving out Universal titles. While there is also the LG dual-format player, which solves both problems and avoids leaving one with a potentially losing format player, one needs extra deep pockets to fork out on one these.
Now in Europe, the European commission has decided to get involved in the format war by sending studios who back the Blu-ray format only to explain why they are exclusively backing this format. Universal has likely been sent a similar letter asking why it backs only the HD DVD format. It will be interesting to see the explanations back from these studios as to why they are exclusively supporting the one HD format. At present, of the major studios, only Paramount and Warner Bros. release titles in both HD formats.
Going by this c|net report, executives from companies backing HD DVD have told c|net that while Blu-ray is well ahead of HD DVD in the US, in Europe, HD DVD is doing quite well as the result of some studios independent of Hollywood choosing the HD DVD format only due to lower production costs. Around 50% of movies produced in mainland Europe are independent of Hollywood.
Further info can be read in this DailyTech report and this c|net report. Thanks to GristyMcFisty for letting us know about this news.
