Sony, Toshiba to agree on new DVD format

[korben_dallas]

Next Gen DVD

Japan's Sony Corp. and Toshiba Corp. are close to finalizing a plan to develop a common standard for next-generation DVDs to resolve a three-year-long battle over formats that threatened the industry's growth, a Japanese newspaper reported on Monday.

Both sides have indicated that a new, unified format will use Sony's technology for recording information onto an optical disk while Toshiba will supply software that will handle efficient data transfer and copyright protection.

Yea. No betamax repeat!

[teknubic]

Hrm. If I know Sony, it'll be proprietary. And if I know Toshiba, it'll be cheap but have a short life. I don't like the smell of this.

[stanger89]

You're (hopefully not) jumping the gun a little. Nothing's been agreed upon yet. In fact Toshiba has said they aren't close to reaching an agreement, and announced a 45GB HD-DVD yesterday I believe.

If I know Sony, it'll be proprietary

You seem to be forgetting CD. Sony doesn't have a great track record when they go alone, but when they have support, they've done well. And BD has a lot of support.

[teknubic]

Originally Posted by stanger89

You seem to be forgetting CD.

I thought that was Philips.

Originally Posted by stanger89

Sony doesn't have a great track record when they go alone, but when they have support, they've done well. And BD has a lot of support.

Agreed.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by teknubic

I thought that was Philips.

I thought it was Sony and Philips.

[dvd_maniac]

Toshiba Press release regarding 45GB disc

[Lucas]

I think the Toshiba announcement is negotiation posturing......!
Seems the 15Gb vs 30Gb difference gave more power to Sony in the negotiations.

[stanger89]

But the 45GB disk probably nullified the manufacturing/cost advantage of HD-DVD also.