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H-P makes appeal to bridge Blu-ray, HD-DVD formats

MANHASSET, N.Y. — In the latest attempt to unify the divergent Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD optical disk formats, Hewlett-Packard Corp. has formally appealed to the Blu-ray Disc Association to incorporate two key technologies in the format.

One technology is Managed Copy, which enables consumers to make legitimate copies of their HD movies. The other technology, iHD, provides consumers enhanced content, navigation, and functionality for HD films to provide a higher-level interactive experience.

Both technologies are currently supported in the HD-DVD format, but not Blu-ray. Hewlett-Packard (Palo Alto, Calif.) is driving the inclusion of both technologies in the Blu-ray spec so customers do not have to choose between competing formats.

"H-P is committed to delivering rewarding consumer experiences, and we see format compatibility as critical to making technology accessible and easy to use for consumers," said John Romano, senior vice president, Consumer PC Global Business Unit, HP, in statement. "As a leader in the development and promotion of the Blu-ray Disc format, HP expects these moves to help ensure that the format provides the best possible experience for customers."

Whether H-P succeeds in the latest quest to unify the divergent optical disk formats remains to be seen. So far, the Blu-ray and HD-DVD camps have succeeded mostly in polarizing entire industries along separate camps.

For instance, PC makers Dell, HP and Apple Computer support Blu-ray, while PC parts suppliers Microsoft, Intel, Toshiba and NEC back HD-DVD.

Proponents of both formats continue to implement separate roll-out plans for products.

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