Microsoft has decided to support one of two competing formats for popular DVD recording technology: the DVD+RW format. Microsoft will provide feedback and technical details at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference next week.
The endorsement by the world's largest software maker could prove important in determining a winner in a long-running standards battle for DVD burners. Many hardware manufacturers find it easier and cheaper to build PCs that follow such specifications rather than risk breaking from the pack and supporting a technology that might wither.
"Microsoft's support of a format could precipitate a quicker adoption of a standard," said Mary Craig, an analyst at research firm Gartner. It "would almost ensure the success of the DVD+RW format potentially being the standard for PCs."
As we all know the DVD compatibility problem is not good for the further development of the DVD standard. HP and Dell already chose this format but other companies like Compay and Apple are going towards DVD-RW, DVD-R and DVD-RAM.
Software makers like Roxio and Nero are betting on 2 horses making the software compatible with both standards. But also other companies like Sony are doing this.
We wonder if this move from Microsoft has any effect on the battle. Of course Microsoft can't tell the people what to use but personally I think this if definately a big move.
Also thanks to Digital_Gangsta for pointing us to this news. For more information you can read the yahoo or the news.com coverage.
Source: news.com
