A very interesting article has appeared over at the Gameshout website concerning Microsoft allowing free HD-DVD support. In a move that could further alienate Blu Ray and other next generation formats, licensing charges as high as $30 may come into place.
"Microsoft announced that Windows Vista, the new Windows operating system, will offer HD DVD support. However, it's apparent that Microsoft probably has a lot more at stake in the success of HD DVD technology than we know.
Microsoft is offering up "coupons", or certain cash incentives to manufacturers who use HD DVD drives in their future machines.
For HD DVD support, Microsoft is will be making the support "free" in Vista, whereas they could be passing along up to a $30 charge in licensing for Blu-ray support. That drive support licensing figure might sound a little unfair, granted, but remember that Microsoft does have an extensive, long standing intellectual property licensing partnership with Toshiba, which could well entitle them to access HD DVD technology, whereas other companies might have to pay for up for the very same.
My personal opinion on this? If true I think it is a very bad move. No one yet knows who will be the victor in the next geration format wars but a wise man surely supports all equally? Time will tell if this turns out to be true or not.
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