Paramount Hedges Bet, Studio to Support Blu-ray and HD-DVD

[Marwin]

Paramount Hedges Bet, Studio to Support Blu-ray and HD-DVD

Paramount is now playing both sides of high definition DVD table. In a blow to the HD DVD camp backed by Toshiba, Paramount Sunday decided that while it isn't abandoning the format, it will also release high definition DVDs next year in the Sony-backed Blu-ray format.

Paramount was previously one of three studios, along with Universal and Warner, devoted exclusively to HD DVD. Sony Pictures, Disney and Fox are releasing only in Blu-ray.

"We have been intrigued by the broad support of Blu-ray, especially the key advantage of including Blu-Ray in PlayStation 3," Paramount home entertainment prexy Thomas Lesinski said in a statement. "After more detailed assessment and new data on cost, manufacturability and copy protection solutions, we have now made the decision to move ahead with the Blu-ray format."

Many in the industry have observed that momentum seems to be swinging toward the Blu-ray camp recently, particularly after the HD DVD studios abandoned plans to release their first batch of DVDs in the format by this holiday season. Toshiba also pushed back the release of the first HD DVD player until next year.

Addition of Paramount means studios repping 59% of the homevideo market, according to Video Business stats for the first half of 2005, will release in Blu-ray, while HD DVD claims 45%.

As more content becomes available in Blu-ray, it will become harder for Toshiba and other manufacturers of HD DVD equipment to convince consumers to buy their players. If Warner or Universal waver in their support, that could spell the death knell for the format.