Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer will support the new high definition Blu-ray Disc format, created by a Sony-led group.
Wednesday's MGM announcement marks the latest move in an increasingly heated battle over rival DVD technologies between the Sony-led camp and another group led by Toshiba, which is pushing a format known as HD DVD.
MGM's move was not considered a surprise, as the studio behind the lucrative James Bond film franchise was bought in April by an investor group including private equity firms Providence Equity Partners and Texas Pacific Group, as well as Sony and Comcast.
MGM said it plans to begin releasing film and television titles from its library of 4,000 films in the format when the new Blu-ray hardware launches in North America, Japan and Europe.
"MGM's library coming to Blu-ray is certainly a nice feature in the Blu-ray camp," said Gerry Kaufhold, analyst with In-stat.
Last month, Warner Bros., a long time supporter of HD DVD among Hollywood studios, threw its weight behind Blu-ray, following a similar move by Paramount.
One format will ultimately triumph, industry members said, as in the high-stakes home video battle between VHS and Betamax in the 1980s.
http://news.com.com/MGM+gets+behind+Blu-ray/2100-1025_3-5942439.html?tag=nefd.top
Wednesday's MGM announcement marks the latest move in an increasingly heated battle over rival DVD technologies between the Sony-led camp and another group led by Toshiba, which is pushing a format known as HD DVD.
MGM's move was not considered a surprise, as the studio behind the lucrative James Bond film franchise was bought in April by an investor group including private equity firms Providence Equity Partners and Texas Pacific Group, as well as Sony and Comcast.
MGM said it plans to begin releasing film and television titles from its library of 4,000 films in the format when the new Blu-ray hardware launches in North America, Japan and Europe.
"MGM's library coming to Blu-ray is certainly a nice feature in the Blu-ray camp," said Gerry Kaufhold, analyst with In-stat.
Last month, Warner Bros., a long time supporter of HD DVD among Hollywood studios, threw its weight behind Blu-ray, following a similar move by Paramount.
One format will ultimately triumph, industry members said, as in the high-stakes home video battle between VHS and Betamax in the 1980s.
http://news.com.com/MGM+gets+behind+Blu-ray/2100-1025_3-5942439.html?tag=nefd.top
