HMM editorial: "Decision Time"

[Grubert]

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ques...p?startpage=44

Nothing we haven't discussed repeatedly, but it's interesting that the industry media are saying the same thing now.

One of the first questions people ask me when they hear that I work in the home entertainment industry is, "Which high-def format should I buy?"

I don't think folks a few months ago knew the difference between 1080p, 720p and 1080i, much less Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. But now the public is more aware of the different resolutions available on their HDTVs, as evidenced by the move to purchase more 1080p higher-resolution sets. They also are coming around to understanding high-definition content - what with the digital broadcast deadline looming in February 2009 - and may be getting closer to making a decision about which high-def disc format to select.

But the format war is bringing them to a sudden halt in choosing a side (especially for those who remember the grand battle between Betamax and VHS in the early days of video).

"There is growing concern throughout the industry that both high-definition disc formats could be lost completely in a world of competing delivery options and viewing platforms," Jim Bottoms, analyst at Understanding and Solutions, said in September. "Whatever happens, continued competition between the two groups will lead to continuing confusion and uncertainty, and therefore delayed consumer-purchase decisions."

This confused consumer is what is calling the hand of the only remaining studio supporting both formats, the mighty Warner. If Warner decides to switch from supporting both to supporting only one format, the high-def format playing field could change considerably. In fact, the format war could essentially be over.

As they say, content is king, and at the moment Warner can change the content equation markedly by choosing sides.

Any of the other studios could also affect the outcome by switching sides.

The game has been afoot for some time, but now the mystery of who will win the format war is coming to a head.