Paramount announces support for both HD-DVD and Blu-ray Discs
Paramount Home Entertainment has become the first major content provider to announce support both the HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats. Most studios and computer manufacturers have thus far refrained from staying neutral on the issue, instead choosing sides in a format war that will likely end similar to the VHS vs. Betamax war that raged in the early 1980s.
Apple Computer, for its part, is currently backing the Blu-ray format, along with such other powerhouses as Sony, Universal Music Group, Walt Disney Pictures, Panasonic, Samsung, and HP. Sony’s upcoming Playstation 3 will use the Blu-ray format.
Toshiba’s HD-DVD format is being backed by Warner, New Line, and the recently announced duet of Microsoft and Intel.
HD-DVD discs provide 15GB or 30GB of data storage, while Blu-ray Disc can hold up to 25GB or 50GB. Toshiba claims HD-DVDs will be cheaper to manufacture, and thus ultimately win the home entertainment market.
