It must be tough working in next-generation media at the moment. Just when you thought it was safe to assume that Sony's Blu-Ray DVD format was looking strong, Intel and Microsoft have put their backing behind Toshiba's competing HD DVD standard.
Toshiba, of course, is rubbing its hands with glee over this backing: "We are confident that Intel and Microsoft's endorsement of HD DVD... will add to the momentum of support that is powering acceptance of HD DVD as the format of choice for next generation HD applications," they said in a statement. No wonder it had been written off before now - (here's an example "HD DVD looks doomed" headline).
Why this backing, and why now? Well for Microsoft, it means that they aren't forced into backing a Sony format, which be politically useful for their console business (Sony's PlayStation 3 will include Blu-Ray support). And for Intel, it just means that - well - they'll get their chips in something.
But this change may make life more difficult for some of Blu-Ray's other supporters, too. Apple? Well, they're not fans of Microsoft, but they're switching to Intel chips for their computers. And Windows PC makers like Dell and HP could potentially see an Intel compatible high-definition solution as a more interesting (and cheaper) prospect than the more-expensive Sony option.
Has the pendulum swung back in favour of HD DVD, or not?
