Universal rumored to be pondering Blu-ray switch

James Delahunty
10 Jan 2008 17:46

Several days ago, rumors circulated that Paramount was preparing to drop the HD DVD format for the rival Blu-ray Disc format following a Financial Times report. Paramount denied the claim (not the first time a denial of this kind has been made before a switch) and now there is yet another report, this time saying that Universal Studios is preparing to dump HD DVD for Blu-ray.
"Universal's commitment to backing HD DVD exclusivity has ended," Daily Variety reported on Wednesday. Universal, Paramount and DreamWorks Animation are the only major Hollywood studios left backing the Toshiba-developed HD DVD format.
Warner Bros., HBO and New Line Cinema recently decided to back Blu-ray exclusively in the format war, leading to speculation that the battle was coming to an end and Blu-ray would emerge victorious. Right now, retailers decline to give any input on which format will win, but it is obvious that Blu-ray is the stronger of both in terms of support.
Even Microsoft Corp.'s Albert Penello revealed at CES that the company would consider a Blu-ray Disc accessory for the Xbox 360 console if consumers would demand it. Microsoft is a strong backer of the HD DVD format. As for Universal, the only thing we are guaranteed of right now is the continued spreading of rumors throughout the media.
Source:
Yahoo (Newsfactor)