It seems like only a month ago that HP announced plans to back Blu-Ray as the next generation optical storage format with some reservations of course.  For more details on what the a Blu-Ray (or an HD DVD is for that matter) click here and read this fascinating article that will keep you riveted. 

In fact it was only a month ago that HP announced they may second guess their own plans to back Blu-Ray if they don't comply to certain features that will be included in Windows Vista.  The features include iHD and Mandatory Managed Copy and as consumers we should hope these features are included.  They'll be key in adding an element of interactivity with your software and you'll be able to copy your content easier with these features included.  But, they may never see the light of Blu-Ray.

Fox Filmed Entertainment just came out with a statement not only backing Blu-Ray (if that was ever in doubt) but boldly predicting it's practically assured victory over the HD DVD format in the pending format war.  Fox's co-chairman James Gianopulos said at a Rueters Media and Advertising Summit in New York: 

"We believe that Blu-ray not only has the superior technology and backing in terms of strength to market but also the superior content protection,"

INCOMING!  Take THAT Toshiba, Ruper Murdoch is calling you out.  Of course the studios prefer the format that won't allow easy copy of their properties.  Owners of the data prefer to consipate the free exchange of data and it's Blu Ray that does it.  Thus making HD DVD the better format as far as I can see.  Sure, HD DVD doesn't have the capacity of Blu Ray and really who has actually seen the new WinVista features anyway?  But they sound good on paper.

So, it seems you may never see the Windows Vista features HP wants on Blu-Ray.  But, how strong is Fox's backing?  It's not just Fox but every major studio except Universal already backs Blu-Ray.  But with powerhouses like Intel and Microsoft backing HD DVD you can expect it's not completely down and out.

As a consumer it's still best to wait and see.  So don't go pre-ordering your Pioneer Blu-Ray player just yet.  Pioneer anounced delays in releasing its 50Gig Blu-Ray disc players until late '06.  This is the second major delay in Blu-Ray's release (we were supposed to see a Teac RW player for PC already in late '05).  By the time this pending format war gets rolling maybe they'll have another competitor. Holographic Storage Technology.

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