In early 2006, two new high-definition videodisc formats, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc, are expected to begin vying for the attention of consumers in an effort to replace current DVD as the future standard for watching movies at home. While their potential is undeniably exciting, we believe that a marketplace war between two incompatible formats is the worst course of action that Hollywood and the consumer electronics industry could take. A format war will invariably result in consumer confusion and apathy, even among dedicated enthusiasts. It’s quite possible that a prolonged format war – particularly one with no clear winner – could squander the potential market for high-definition movies on disc altogether, both now and in the future. Furthermore, certain new and consumer-unfriendly features of HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc threaten to make them incompatible with many existing high-definition displays, disallowing fair use by consumers, and undermining consumer investments in both hardware and software. It’s worth noting that the HD displays most likely to be affected by compatibility problems are largely owned by the early adopters that HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc will need to win over in order to be successful, putting at serious risk the acceptance of either format. Home theater enthusiasts, consumers at large, retailers, the Hollywood studios, and the consumer electronics industry will all suffer as a consequence.
The High-Definition Disc Consumer Advocacy Alliance has been organized to help spearhead an effort to bring an awareness of the substantial risks of destructive policies and proposed measures to the motion picture and consumer electronic industries. And to succeed, we very much need your help.
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