HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray

I’d like to give my thoughts on this debate. Over the past few months I’ve read a bunch of articles, blogs, and news posts regarding the whole next-gen high-def consumer format that is “supposed” to replace the billions of standard-def DVD’s in the world right now. It’s a real shame that the manufacturers and movie studios can’t come to an agreement on one standard. Each go on record to say that the format they support has features A, B, and C that really benefit the consumer blah blah blah. Meanwhile down here at the bottom of the food chain, we consumers are left with often confusing, always tech-ladened geek talk that spins most people’s heads for days at a time. Why was it so easy with the original DVD format we all know and love? Why can’t Sony, the mother of Blu-ray, and Toshiba, the mother of HD-DVD, just talk about it? Hey guys…it’s called a conference call! Now I realize that the whole reason for conflicting, incompatible standards boils down to money. What a surprise. But is it really more profitable to fight about competing standards than to settle on one single format? I guess I have alot to learn about contemporary global business practices. Maybe I’ll just hold on to my hard-earned money and let the early adopters fight it out with the corporate bullies. The next couple of years will be interesting.