PC makers fuming over DVD dispute

After quietly heating up over recent months, the battle over next-generation DVD formats boiled over on Thursday, as Dell and Hewlett-Packard assailed Intel and Microsoft, which have lined up in the opposite camp.

Earlier this week, Microsoft and Intel announced that they were backing the HD DVD format, saying its approach will spur easier home networking of movies and make it simpler to distribute hybrid discs containing both high-definition and traditional DVD movies. Dell and HP shot back on Thursday, saying the world's largest software and processor makers were spreading "inaccurate" information. They also reiterated their backing for the rival Blu-ray format.

"From a PC end-user perspective, Blu-ray is a superior format," HP personal-storage unit general manager Maureen Weber said in a statement. Weber said Blu-ray offers anywhere from two-thirds to 150 per cent more storage capacity, as well as higher transfer rates, and fits easily into slim notebooks. "The technical merits and consumer benefits of Blu-ray Disc make it the ideal solution for HP's customers."

Dell founder Michael Dell also lashed out at Microsoft and Intel during Wednesday's launch of a new premium PC line.

"Which version of Windows was the first to support DVD drives? The answer is none," Dell said, "because there is no DVD codec in Windows, because manufacturers have always provided their own codecs."

Both formats use blue lasers to pack more data onto a disc than is possible with today's DVDs, which are scanned by red lasers.

HD DVD has been supported by a Toshiba-led consortium, while Blu-ray has backing from Sony and the PC makers.

The spat is yet another example of the technology industry failing to line up behind a single standard. The format wars began in earnest with VHS versus Beta in the videotape arena but can also be seen in more recent divides, including the DVD+R versus DVD-R split. That DVD battle continued without a settlement, though many computers now have drives capable of recording to either type of media.

This particular battle is interesting in that it pits Intel and Microsoft against several of their largest customers. The battle has also divided the Hollywood studios.

Twentieth Century Fox, Vivendi Universal and Walt Disney have backed Blu-ray, while HD DVD's supporters include New Line Cinema, Paramount Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Warner Home Video.

Envisioneering Group analyst Richard Doherty said that although the content and technology providers appear willing to bicker, the shops that sell consumer DVD players and PCs want to see a single standard.

"What the retailers have told both groups is, 'Get your act together. We want one format'," Doherty said.

Doherty said there is still some hope that a peace agreement will be reached, saying that as recently as earlier this month, talks were held aimed at finding a compromise.

"There were dialogues," he said, "but no puff of white smoke [indicating a decision was reached]."

CNET News.com's Michael Singer contributed to this report.