HD-DVD time is micro Ritter and Hollywood running

With the micro myrtle and Hollywood paramount each open position, the next generation of DVD standards increasingly fierce battle. This shows that this battle whirling contest is not only a technical standard so simple. The latest issue of the "business weekly" published depth analysis that the actual competition both sides is the direction of future development of home entertainment, while Microsoft is in this game long neglected an important participant".

Each year in July, the world's top 400 media and technology executives will participate in the Sun Valley, Idaho, hosted by investment bankers Herb Allen summit. They discussed the development of new technologies and the industry's major mergers and acquisitions at the summit. But this year's summit is a little unusual, Microsoft chairman Bill Gate disclosed to the entertainment giant Sony Corp CEO Stringer "challenge", according to a witness, a heated debate on the two giants in a private room in the discussion.

Gates pointed out that SONY's so-called Blu ray next generation DVD standard, in order to run Microsoft Windows software on the PC running well, you must make changes. Stringer and two assistants defended Blu ray, saying it would not improve.

This makes Gates more angry. According to a person familiar with Stringer said, the name of SONY's first "foreigner" CEO sighed: "in the future there may be something deeper (division)." However, a spokesman for Microsoft Corp, said Gates and Stringer at the meeting did talk, but the atmosphere is not so hot".

Gates to "paralysis" Stringer plan measures eventually made public. In September 27th, Microsoft and Intel jointly SONY to "fire", suggesting that SONY's Blu ray technology does not completely fulfill previous commitments, the two companies said it would support led by SONY rival Toshiba Co HD-DVD standard.

Blue - the key to win the company

The news provoked criticism and criticism from the industry. Several Hollywood film makers publicly expressed support for SONY. There are two Chinese DVD manufacturers are said to join the camp HD-DVD. DELL and Hewlett-Packard Co have also taken the rare step of publishing a joint statement to attack Microsoft and Intel. DELL Brian, which is responsible for technology strategy, uses Zucker to describe Microsoft's response.

However, the impact of this move is limited. Although the PC industry has won the support of the two giants, Toshiba's HD-DVD standard has not seen much time.

SONY is sparing no effort to seek the support of Hollywood and other consumer electronics manufacturers. October 3rd, Paramount Pictures said it would suspend the previous HD-DVD exclusive Pro gaze, will support two standards. According to industry sources, Warner Brothers will also follow the paramount in the near future. In this way, there will be 6 Hollywood blockbusters will support Blu ray 7. SONY may have reached a deal with Toshiba to make it even a part of Microsoft's patent fees, but that is only to make the other side to save face. Compared with Toshiba, SONY seems to have been for the Blu ray DVD to win the support of key parties.

In the intense competition

One of the reasons that the parties changed the banner is a huge storage capacity with blue light. Blu ray DVD disk can accommodate at least 50G data, or even 100G. The HD-DVD disc from 15G start, the highest is only 45G. "We need a new generation of DVD standards that will fit into the next 10 to 15 years," said one Hollywood executive."

Microsoft is one of the criticisms of Blu ray, Blu ray DVD disc production costs are too high, it is difficult to achieve mass production. However, supporters of Blu ray technology believe that in the long run, the cost of the two is almost the same. DELL CEO Michael Dale said: "we do not see what there is much difference, how to know the production of DELL."

Why industry executives for a small disc standard in fact, fly into a rage? Development pattern on this CD Bill Gate and Stringer debated about the entertainment and technology industries will change. The next generation of DVD in addition to high-definition movies, and movie theme games such as additional features, can also allow fans to download from the internet.

In different perspectives

In order to seize this strategic opportunity to bring financial resources, IT industry, media companies, consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers have been bickering. Saffo, the American College of the future, said: "it's like the Irish proverb, 'is this a private duel? Can we take part in it?'" said Paul"

For both sides of the duel, the price is extremely high. For Hollywood studios, in recent years, the annual value of $18 billion DVD market is shrinking, they need to use high definition film this bait to allow consumers to pay a big dig again. Consumer electronics manufacturers (DELL and HP are moving closer to the group) also hope to be able to "cash" consumer expectations for high-definition devices such as DVD players and flat-panel tvs. For Microsoft and Intel as the personal computer giant, they expect the new growth opportunities, and want to expand plays a role in our daily lives, such as helping people to manage digital photos, or download from the Internet "Batman sequel trailers.

Behind this war of words, in fact, hidden two different ways to go home entertainment. In Microsoft and Intel's future digital home, the use of their hardware and software more concise media center computer is a family entertainment