To the next step...

When DVD was introduced,
the world impressed and wondered.
It looked exactly the same as CD,
but a DVD can contain as much as 5 times of a CD.

That's an old news.
The issue is about "next generation" optical discs already.
it enables to increase the capacity,
by using blue laser instead of red laser,
which is used in the present DVDs.

The problem is,
there are TWO "next generation" optical discs.
"blu-ray disc" supported by Sony, Panasonic, etc.,
and "HD DVD" supported by Toshiba, NEC, etc.

"blu-ray" is characterized with it's capacity.
it can contain as much as 10 times of a DVD.
but it has no compatibility with the present DVDs.

"HD DVD" is characterized with it's compatibility.
the current industrial line for DVD can be directly turned into it.
but it has less capacity, just 6 times of a DVD.

What will happen, when there are two standards?

Hollywood is in the middle of vortex.
the whirlpool of the two makes them troubled.
If they just take one standard,
the consumers on another standard might not buy.
If they take both standards,
it will cost a lot.

Just like the battle between "VHS - beta".

Furthermore,
Chinese are developing the third standard.
although they are using red laser,
they might dominate the whole market,
if the battle of "blu-ray - HD DVD" continues.

Situation was too grave.
just this April,
the administration of both Sony and Toshiba discussed about UNIFICATION.

They will make an another standard,
which develops advantages of both standards.

These are the merits of the new standard.

1. It allows to lessen the cost.
2. It makes consumers not to worry about choosing the standards.
3. It spreads and enlarges the market faster.
4. It keeps from meaningless price competition.
5. It keeps the proper profit on the maker's hand.

I would support the technology of Japan.
but they must study more about management strategies.

There's no much time left.
Time won't wait for you...