Sony CEO: Format Stalemate
November 9, 2007

During a Thursday speech by Sony Corp. CEO Howard Stringer, there was no chest thumping about Blu-ray already winning the format war. Instead, in some refreshing even-handedness, the Blu-ray exclusive executive said that high-def is locked "in a difficult fight," according to reports, including this AP story covering Stringer's appearance in Manhattan. He believes that Blu-ray did enjoy plenty of momentum, but the high-def climate quickly became muddled when Paramount Home Entertainment decided to go HD DVD exclusive. 
But Stringer seems to wave off all the hoopla surrounding the ongoing format war, suggesting that the only thing to be won really is corporate bragging rights.
Still, it's widely understood that Sony would seriously be in the hole if Blu-ray did wind up failing - as the compnay has invested heartily in the BD-capable Playstation 3. On that end, the BD player install base has swelled some of late, due mostly to the $100 price cut on the 80 GB PS3 and entry of the cheaper $399 40GB console.

Posted by Susanne Ault on November 9, 2007 | Comments (0)