Toshiba adds a little Microsoft firepower to the high-density DVD war going on with Sony. The two companies announced today they would further their recent collaborations as they both work to develop the future of the HD-DVD format. "Microsoft values our strong relationship with Toshiba, a company we admire for its long-standing commitment to innovation," said Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft. "This agreement demonstrates our desire to share our innovations with other companies in ways that promote the spread of new ideas -- and benefit customers by accelerating the development of exciting new products."
Sony who produces not only the Playstation competing directly against Toshiba. The PS3 will have the Blu-Ray technology in it and a number of power players in this game have already picked sides.
"We are very excited to take our long-standing partnership with Microsoft to the next level. Our companies have worked together since Toshiba launched the world's first laptop PC back in 1985, and we enjoy a relationship rooted in mutual respect and understanding," said Atsutoshi Nishida, president and CEO of Toshiba. "We look forward to extending the scope of our relations to encompass HD DVD, a major driver of the next-generation consumer electronics."
A Little History
Right now, the battle started this way. Sony introduced its concept for a new format of DVD that works with a blue laser. The blue laser is able to read higher density information from the DVD. The new format will allow disks to carry at least 50 Gbs of information. This consists of two layers of 25Gbs each. TDK has been playing with the disk and has added two more layers making it 100Gbs. Anyway, Sony plans on putting this product in their PS3 and they will market DVD players and DVDs and sell their products for new computers.
Toshiba, shortly after Sony's announcement, started talking about their own format, the HD-DVD. The format held less information as each layer only supported 15 Gb each but they upped it to 3 layers or 45 Gbs. The advantage for the HD-DVD is that it's much closer to the current design of DVDs and would require minimal retooling on the part of DVD manufacturers. The Blu-Ray is a total departure from current DVD architecture and would cost much more to retool for production.
Both companies have been at odds over which format will be accepted. Negotiations have been on the table for months but neither side was willing to give. Both sides wanted their formats accepted.
A number of companies have chosen sides in this fight. Disney have both flown with Sony on this fight but this new development could change things. Back in November 2004, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, New Line Home Entertainment and
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