Discussions between Blu-ray developer/pusher Sony and HD-DVD developer/pusher Toshiba to unify the next generation of DVD formatting may be leaning toward Blu-ray as the primary format, according to a published report citing sources close to the talks between the two consumer electronics giants.
But Toshiba issued a statement this week saying nothing has been decided on a finalized basis regarding a unified format.
Sony and Toshiba began talking about a possible unified next-gen DVD format in late April. But Nihon Keizai, a Japanese newspaper, has reported that what began as simple discussion has turned into final talks toward a product that would combine the Blu-ray disc structure and Toshiba software for efficient data transfer and copyright protection.
Both Hollywood and a growing number of adult-entertainment producers have hoped for a unified next-gen DVD format. So far, Walt Disney Company and its Buena Vista Home Entertainment division have joined 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures in the Blu-ray camp, while Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, and New Line Cinema have lined up in support of HD-DVD so far.
Carrie Dietrich, vice president for marketing and industry relations for the Video Dealers Software Association, said the group would not endorse either Blu-ray or HD-DVD individually. "I think what we don't want is a format war," she told AVNOnline.com. "For retailers' sake and consumers' sake, to avoid confusion, we don't want a format battle. I think it would slow the adoption and negate everything good about going to high-definition."
"We would really like one unified format," said Meredith Christopher, producer and new creative project manager for Adam&Eve, when reached for comment. She said a unified format would mean far less expense for producers and distributors and far easier buying for consumers.
"That's where I was hoping it was going," she said. "I'd hate to get back into the whole VHS-Beta ordeal again. I think it's the best thing for the consumer even as it's great for us, and with VHS dying out it is just so much easier."
Blu-ray discs use a layer to hold data on the surface of a substrate covered by thin protective layers, whereas the HD-DVD disc uses a memory layer in a kind of sandwich between two substrates. But Sony and Toshiba are now said to agree the consumer would get the best break having a common format, while moving to a rival standard would mean product development and commercial launch delays.
Blu-ray is backed by a group including Dell Electronics, Philips, Samsung, and Panasonic and its parent Matsushita. Earlier this month, Panasonic announced the coming of a tech center for producing Blu-ray discs, which the company suggested was aimed in part at assuring Hollywood that Blu-ray would end up being the next-gen DVD standard. HD-DVD has the backing of NEC and Sanyo Electric.
