I’m not sure who is going to win the high definition DVD format war but Blu-Ray is the superior format. The Blu-Ray disc holds 25GB on a single sided disc and 50GB on a dual layered disc. In comparison the HD-DVD holds 15GB on a single sided disc and 30GB on a dual layered disc. More storage space means more data more software, mp3s, standard definition video, and documents. As well in terms of high definition video theoretically more storage space means better picture quality.

Now because of the storage capabilities I hope that Blu-Ray becomes the dominant format. If the format war was based solely on its storage size capabilities then surely it would win. But unfortunately things are not that simple. Some film studios have made allegiances with HD-DVD while some have made allegiances with Blu-Ray. In the HD-DVD camp are the Weinstein Company and Universal. The Weinstein Company is smaller studio however Universal has an extensive catalog of films. Included in this catalog are E.T., Jurassic Park, King Kong(2005), the Bourne Supremacy films, and the Rush Hour films amongst others. In Blu-Ray’s camp are Disney, Fox,Columbia Pictures, MGM, and Lionsgate. There are studios who have chosen to support both formats, these are New Line Cinema,Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks, and Warner Bros. However because some of the studios have chosen sides it means that some films will simply not come out for both formats.

So because of this I will wait to purchase a device that can burn to a Blu-Ray disc and is compatible with all of its features, and can play HD-DVD discs and is compatible with all of its features. These type of players should be on their way. One example of this an internal drive for desktop computers the LG GGW-H10N. Extremetech did a preview of it which you can read here.