Neither HD-DVD nor Blu-Ray format ‘backed’
In recent articles from Forbes, PCWorld, PCMagazine (just to name a few) regarding the Blu-ray, HD-DVD battle there has been a lot of name dropping. Mainly mentioning the companies that support either side in it’s development and hopefully in becoming the final standard in the blue laser DVD format. One name drop in particular has caught my eye because it is misleading. The DVD Forum has been mentioned as backing and supporting the HD-DVD side. True they have been over-seeing specifications for the HD-DVD format but they have also done the same for Blu-Ray Discs.
The DVD Forum’s main purpose is defining DVD formats. It also licenses the DVD Format/Logo, administers DVD verification laboratories, holds worldwide DVD conferences, and promotes information about DVD. As part of their mission statement, it simply states “Forum Members are not required to support the DVD Format to the exclusion of other formats.” Basically the DVD Forum is the Switzerland in the DVD Format War.
The DVD Forum has members from both sides of the battle and the competitors sit on the same committee known as The Steering Committee, which is the executive body of the forum, to make decisions on DVD formats. This committee is made up of 20 companies including Blu-Ray supporters (Sony, Sharp, Phillips) as well as the HD-DVD supporters (Toshiba & NEC). Another interesting note, Sony and Toshiba also make up the founding companies of the DVD Forum.
R.Hollis