Experts: Hybrid HD drives unlikely to solve problems for the customer

The digital media industry is going through a bad time. There are two groups favoring two different high definition formats and the consumer is not ready to pick a winner.

Toshiba has developed the HD DVD format while Sony is promoting their own Blu-Ray format. Hardware manufacturers and media companies are divided between these two groups. Some have chosen to support both the formats.

Time Warner has gone ahead and developed their own hybrid disc which includes the media in both this format. LG Electronics has however launched a hybrid player capable of playing both HD DVD and Blu-Ray format.

The home entertainment market is slowing down with lack of sales of DVDs. the industry had hoped that the high definition format would help these lagging sales. However, the confusion in the mind of the end customer has instead made the situation worse.

Experts believe that hybrid solutions supporting both the new format and the older DVD format are unlikely to solve the problem. Steven Hirsch, co-CEO of Vivid Entertainment Group said in a statement: “To me, it makes no sense. Now there will be three discs, adding yet another cost to producers. These two sides should get together to prolong the life of DVDs, since sales are stagnating.”

Analyst Richard Doherty of Envisioneering said about LG’s hybrid drive: “Pure Blu-ray proponents don’t like it at all because it lends more credibility to HD DVD. It definitely extends the debate.”

Some supports of the Blu-Ray group are also said to be angry with LG’s move to launch this player. LG is a promoter of the Blu-Ray format.

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