Universal Music snubs HD-DVD and goes Blu-Ray

Quakester2000

August 17, 2005

adderal used our news submit to tell us that the HD-DVD
camp has been dealt another blow as Universal Music Group has decided to
back the Blu-ray technology camp. Blu-Ray which is developed by Sony is
currently fighting a recruitment battle with its rival HD-DVD developed by
Toshiba for supremacy of the next generation of high definition content.
Universal music has now been listed as a member on the Blu-ray webpage.

The current battle to
recruit followers of each of the formats has been likened to Sony's Betamax
vs JVC and Matsushita VHS format all over again. HD-DVD will be the first
on the scene with players and movies available from the fall, Blu-Ray
devices will start appearing next year. Sony also plans to add Blu-Ray
functionality to its Playstation 3 console which is also due to be released next
year.

Funny enough
Universal pictures the former sister company that was sold to NBC which
is responsible for films such as White noise and Meet the Fockers is
backing the rival HD-DVD format.

Universal Music Group, one of the world's largest music
companies, on Tuesday said it planned to back Sony's next-generation DVDs,
firing another salvo in the next-generation media format
wars. Blu-ray, developed by Sony,
is challenging rival HD DVD to be the main technology
used in new DVDs that delivers sharper pictures and more features. HD DVD
was developed by Toshiba.

The
backing by Universal Music, whose talent roster includes Elton John,
Mariah Carey and U2, is of little surprise. The company is listed as a
member of the Blu-ray Disc Association on its Web site.
The battle between Sony and Toshiba draws comparisons to the
videotape format wars of the 1970s and 1980s between Sony's Betamax and
JVC and Matsushita Electric Industrial's VHS, which curtailed consumer
adoption.

Blu-ray is expected to be introduced by Sony in its next video game
console, the PlayStation 3 by spring 2006. Devices that
run Toshiba's HD DVD are expected to be in stores by
this fall.

Universal Pictures, a division of General Electric's NBC Universal
and unrelated to the music group, is backing HD DVD.

Source: NEWS.COM