Microsoft steps up support for HD DVD format

Redmond (WA) – Microsoft today announced that it will be forming with Toshiba the Advanced Interactivity Consortium (AIC), intended to become an “open forum” that aims to accelerate the adoption of “advanced interactivity and interoperability” across HD DVD products.

Microsoft is slowly but surely moving from a role of being an active supporter of the HD DVD format into a new role of becoming one of the driving forces behind the adoption of the format. Having finalized HDi, the firm’s implementation of HD DVD’s interactive layer, Microsoft is now pairing up with the main promoter of HD DVD, Toshiba, to help to highlight existing and upcoming interactivity features of the format.

In Microsoft’s words, the AIC is aimed “at the promotion of superior interactivity for a wide range of next-generation consumer devices, digital content and distribution scenarios.” The organization’s mission is to “maximize consumer satisfaction worldwide” by enhancing interactivity and interoperability features within the HD DVD industry. New features are planned to be made available also to other platforms, including digital downloads to DVD players, PCs, TVs, cell phones, portable media players and game consoles.

Microsoft said that the AIC will also include Hollywood studios such as DreamWorks Animation SKG, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros.

In an unrelated announcement, MPEG LA today said that a group of 16 HD DVD patent holders today met in an effort to work toward a joint HD DVD license. Instead of having to negotiate separate licenses, the group wants to create a general license that will be providing “fair, reasonable, non-discriminatory access to essential patents.” The initial group consists of LG Electronics, Microsoft, Mitsubishi Electric, NEC, Samsung, Sanyo, Sonic Solutions, TDK, Thomson, Toshiba, JVC and Warner Bros.