New decision gives HD-DVD supremacy over Blu-ray

In a “decision taken only in the last few days” Microsoft has backed the new HD-DVD (High Definition DVD) format over rival standard, Blu-ray.

In an exclusive interview with Tom’s Hardware Guide, one of Microsoft’s lead representatives on the DVD Forum Steering Committee said that decisions regarding whether his company and Intel would back and promote HD DVD as a high-definition video disc standard, were determined only within the last few days. Prior to some critical recent developments and announcements, both companies – which had proclaimed neutrality – may have been ready to back Blu-ray.

This week two of the world’s leading DVD-player production facilities based in China have announced their support of HD-DVD. “Now that we see China embracing HD DVD,” said Jordi Ribas, Microsoft’s Director of technology strategy for Windows Digital Media, “we actually see that on the cost side, HD DVD will have an advantage, because the Chinese have been the ones who have lowered the prices, via the competition, for HD DVD players.”

Update: This battle is not quite over yet, it seems. Joe Wilcox of Microsoft Monitor suggests : “Intel and Microsoft are circling the wagons for a last stand.”

Robert Scoble responds : “I TOTALLY disagree with Joe that HDTV’s future remains uncertain, though. If you’ve ever talked with an HDTV owner (my boss just got one) they are worse than Tivo owners. Jeff tells me his HDTV has totally changed how he watches TV. Says when you get one you will seek out HDTV content like never before.”