No clear winner likely in HD optical format war, says Screen Digest

The competing Blu-ray and HD-DVD optical HD recording formats are most likely to co-exist with neither achieving a “knock-out” position until affordable combo-format devices become available and dominate, according to market researcher Screen Digest.

According to the company’s recently published “HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc and the future of home entertainment: a strategic analysis" report, there are four potential outcomes to the battle between the competing HD optical formats, which also include clear-cut victories by one or the other and a scenario where neither achieves mass consumer adoption.

According to Screen Digest chief analyst Ben Keen, the most likely outcome — the emergence of an affordable combo unit — while likely, is not certain.

By 2010, Screen Digest believes that just under one-third of total spending on video discs in the United States, Japan and Europe will be generated by sales of HD formats, or $11 billion out of a total $39 billion.

For more information, visit: www.screendigest.com.