HD format battle to continue until at least 2011

According to media analyst, Screen Digest, the battle between competing Blu-ray and HD-DVD high definition formats will continue until at least 2011.

Both Blu-ray and HD-DVD have claimed dominance of the market, with statistical evidence produced to support both formats. However, there still seems to be no clear leader.

Pressure on the formats is increasing with the launch of alternative discs and services which deliver high-definition films via broadband, eliminating the need for discs altogether.

Screen Digest warns that film studios exclusively supporting one format over another are losing potential revenue.

The company calculates that exclusive studios could cut potential revenue by over $270m in 2008, based on forecasts of the sales and revenues for Western Europe and the US.

At the moment, Blu-ray sales are beating sales of HD-DVD, but Screen Digest believes both formats are strong enough to coexist for the foreseeable future.