HP Blesses Rival HD-DVD Formats
December 20, 2005
HP has agreed to support the HD-DVD high-definition DVD format in addition to the Blu-ray Disc format, becoming the latest influential company to back both competing standards for high-quality digital television.
The Palo Alto, Calif., systems vendor also joined the HD-DVD Promotions Group.
Originally only a backer of Blu-ray, HP last month promised to add support for HD-DVD if Blu-ray didn't adopt Mandatory Managed Copy and iHD, which are already included in the HD-DVD format.
Blu-ray adopted Mandatory Managed Copy, which permits consumers to make legal copies of video content. But it did not accept iHD, which allows content providers to offer new interactivity to provide consumers with better content, navigation and functionality for HD films.
Microsoft developed iHD and will support it in its forthcoming Windows Vista operating system.
HP believes both Mandatory Managed Copy and iHD are important to fostering the digitally connected home, which is why it chose to support HD-DVD. Moreover, HP is in bed with Microsoft on most digital media strategies, making iHD an obvious support decision for HP.
HP believes this integration will reduce development costs and provide a more cost-effective solution for consumers. HP also blessed HD-DVD for being cheaper and easier to manufacture.
HP is now essentially a neutral supporter of both technologies.
"We're encouraged that the Blu-ray Disc Association is adopting Mandatory Managed Copy. Because HP wants to deliver the most user-friendly and cost-effective solution to our customers, we have decided to support both formats," said Maureen Weber, general manager, personal storage business, HP.
"By joining the HD-DVD Promotions Group and continuing work with the Blu-ray Disc Association, HP will be in a better position to assess true development costs and, ultimately, provide the best and most affordable solution for consumers."
Read the entire article here: EnterpiseITPlanet.com
December 20, 2005
HP has agreed to support the HD-DVD high-definition DVD format in addition to the Blu-ray Disc format, becoming the latest influential company to back both competing standards for high-quality digital television.
The Palo Alto, Calif., systems vendor also joined the HD-DVD Promotions Group.
Originally only a backer of Blu-ray, HP last month promised to add support for HD-DVD if Blu-ray didn't adopt Mandatory Managed Copy and iHD, which are already included in the HD-DVD format.
Blu-ray adopted Mandatory Managed Copy, which permits consumers to make legal copies of video content. But it did not accept iHD, which allows content providers to offer new interactivity to provide consumers with better content, navigation and functionality for HD films.
Microsoft developed iHD and will support it in its forthcoming Windows Vista operating system.
HP believes both Mandatory Managed Copy and iHD are important to fostering the digitally connected home, which is why it chose to support HD-DVD. Moreover, HP is in bed with Microsoft on most digital media strategies, making iHD an obvious support decision for HP.
HP believes this integration will reduce development costs and provide a more cost-effective solution for consumers. HP also blessed HD-DVD for being cheaper and easier to manufacture.
HP is now essentially a neutral supporter of both technologies.
"We're encouraged that the Blu-ray Disc Association is adopting Mandatory Managed Copy. Because HP wants to deliver the most user-friendly and cost-effective solution to our customers, we have decided to support both formats," said Maureen Weber, general manager, personal storage business, HP.
"By joining the HD-DVD Promotions Group and continuing work with the Blu-ray Disc Association, HP will be in a better position to assess true development costs and, ultimately, provide the best and most affordable solution for consumers."
Read the entire article here: EnterpiseITPlanet.com
