The article New technology could end DVD format war was posted on Cnet this afternoon.
The article talks about how the British company New Medium Enterprises has figured out a way to produce a multiple-layer DVD containing both the Blue-Ray and HD-DVD version of a movie. There are two primary advantages to this:
1. Cost. It currently costs $.06 to produce a single layer DVD. Using NME's technology, the cost to produce a multiple layer DVD (they've successfully tested 10 layers thus far) is only $.09.
2. Compatibility. Consumers can purchase one copy of a movie that contains both formats, meaning that their movie library will not be obsolete depending on which format wins out.
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Upon further review of this topic, it sparked remnants of history repeating itself—VHS vs. Betamax, Macintosh vs. PC, and Sirius vs. XM. Competition is healthy and necessary for companies to continue striving for better devices and cutting-edge technology that keeps customers’ interests. The competition comes in the form of manufacturers’ support, aggressive promotion and advertising, film industry studio backing, best opportunities for long-term technological growth, and, as in this case, partnering with the gaming community. Sure, they could combine efforts and promote one universal format, like CDs, but where’s the fun in that?!
Having a device that can play both Blu-Ray and HD DVD formats was a classic flanking strategy that seems to harm that competitive environment. So there may be a chance of picking the “wrong” format and being stuck with outdated media—customers have been faced with this problem since the beginning of time. It wouldn’t be life if there were no risks!
Meanwhile, when everyone is losing sleep over these physical discs and deciding on which is better, blue or red lasers, who is watching that obscure little company that’s working on some high-tech all-digital media that will obsolete both formats and make its competition irrelevant?
LLB
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