Microsoft, Intel join HD DVD

Video Business Online - 9/29/2005 - Microsoft, Intel join HD DVD - CA6260800: "Microsoft, Intel join HD DVD
UPDATE: Move puts pressure on both camps for unification
By Paul Sweeting 9/29/2005
SEPT. 29 | Having already split the Hollywood studios and the consumer electronics industry, the battle between Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD to become the next-generation optical disc format is now dividing the computer and information technology business.
Microsoft and Intel, the twin pillars of the �Wintel� platform that powers most of the world�s PCs, last week announced their support for HD DVD.
In a statement, Microsoft corporate VP media and technology convergence Blair Westlake said �[A]fter looking at the core advantages to the PC ecosystem and how it would benefit the consumer, it is clear that HD DVD offers the highest quality and is the most affordable and highly flexible solution available.�

The two companies cited HD DVD�s embrace of �managed copy� (a technique for allowing users to copy their discs onto a computer hard drive for use in a home network), its low-cost manufacturing, the availability of �hybrid� discs that will hold a regular DVD on one side and an HD DVD on the other and the format�s �superior capacity� compared with Blu-ray."