when are they going to standardize a format (blu-ray vs.hd)?

Answer 1

Both have achieved solid niche status. Neither is likely to replace the other and neither will replace DVD any time soon.

Like SACD and DVD-A in the high definition audio world the two formats will probably stay niche formats existing simultaneously with DVD and, increasingly, various forms of down-loadable video.

Think of CD (analogous to DVD) and how DVD-A and SACD tried to be the HD/multichannel music format (analogous to HD DVD and Blu-ray), but MP3 became much bigger because superior convenience was more important to most consumers than higher quality (analogous to video downloads). See a pattern?

DVD will remain the mainstream video format, HD DVD and Blu-ray will coexist as the HD alternative for those who can benefit (most consumers currently can't, and even after HDTV becomes more widespread many still won't benefit appreciably from HD disk formats)and are willing to pay the premium price, and downloads will slowly become more mainstream (probably at a mid level resolution (e.g. 720p) enabled by more efficient compression algorithms).

So plan on buying a "universal format" player (HD DVD, Blu-ray, DVD, CD, etc) in 12-18 mo (once prices come down) or buy a low end HD DVD player now and use it as an "everything but Blu-ray" player until universal players become available.

Answer 2

The "they" you are talking about are 2 camps (Blu-Ray Disc Association and HD DVD Promotion Group) at war with each other. Neither one is going to lay down.
The early buzz before they were released was that they had discussions for awhile to come up with 1 standard but neither camp liked what the other was unwilling to abandon. Both groups went on their way. We are the only ones that can make it happen now by voting with our wallets. The sooner we select one over the other the sooner we will have all new releases come out in that format and thats all that matters. If everyone buys a Blu-Ray then all the studios will release their movies in Blu-Ray to increase sales.
By this point many more people have chosen Blu-Ray - BD movies have outsold HD DVD by more than 2-1 and Blu-Ray players have outsold HD DVD players by 3-1 (remember that a bunch of the players are PS3s.)

Answer 3

Samsung just put it's Blu-ray player (BD-P1400) on sale this week for $299 to compete with HD-DVD player's low prices. Click right here for the latest FORMAT WAR news: http://www.avtruths.com/blurayvshddvd.html

Answer 4

That's the million dollar question. I'm afraid they are going to both be around for some time. Unlike the VHS vs Beta war where only Sony was backing the Beta format, there are many companies backing both of the new HD formats.

Answer 5

I think it's likely that dual-format players will dominate, eventually. Right now it's still cheaper to buy one of each, though, so the wise choice might be to buy the cheapest one, and pick up a dual format player in a year or two.

Answer 6

Hi. It may never happen.Neither one wants to give in,besides at the moment they are only an option.DVD would have to be replaced,and that is not happening yet.