Bluray vs HD-DVD

As I site here watching Back to the Future on my 42" Plasma Screen and enjoy surround sound from my Sony 6.1 system - it's such a shame to think that the next generation of technology is being hampered by the Bluray vs HD-DVD showdown.

It's a throwback to the days of VHS vs Betamax, an interesting showdown where of course VHS won out and not necessarily because it was the better format - marketing and studio backing played a big part.

I think we're seeing a litte of that now in the Bluray vs HD-DVD showdown. While it seems Bluray has the inside running at the moment and the format can actually store more data, the Bluray format developed by Sony and Phillips is actually more expensive to manufacture, more prone to scratching/failure and seems to be winning purely on the backing of more players and movie studios.

The HD-DVD format developed by Toshiba and Hitatchi, while slightly inferior in terms of storage space actually uses the same design process as DVD's meaning the creation process doesn't require massive overhauls (saves production costs) and the HD-DVD discs are are sturdy as DVD's and less prone to damage which is a good thing.

Bluray seems to have got a nice entry into the market through the Playstation3 gaming console, Sony pushing the devices into the market and doing their best to get the Bluray devices into homes through a cheaper means.

While HD-DVD lags in uptake and backing from the studios, and more recently the bombshell dropped by Warner Brothers - as they commit to the Bluray standard exclusively in mid to late 2008 - the maker of HD-DVD Toshiba/Hitatchi are continuing their efforts to standardize the format and don't seem likely to take a back seat in the battle.

Hmmm all we need now is the likes of Shoemoney or John Chow to come out and back a standard so the masses will follow. Hey John, maybe hit either side up for a paid plug? Could be a nice earner, and hey flick me some commission for the thought.

HD-DVD gets my vote, although sadly I think my horse is behind and my backing doesn't really help at this stage.

(Speaking of Back to the Future, check out this cool clip I have embedded below, from actor Tom Wilson who played Biff in the popular series)