Rental giant Netflix to support Blu-ray only

The high-definition format war progressed a step after movie rental giant Netflix announced it is to phase out HD-DVD in favour of Sony's Blu-ray format.

"The prolonged period of competition between two formats has prevented clear communication to the consumer regarding the richness of the high-def experience versus standard definition," said chief content officer Ted Sarandos.

"We're now at the point where the industry can pursue the migration to a single format, bring clarity to the consumer and accelerate the adoption of high-def.

"Going forward, we expect that all of the studios will publish in the Blu-ray format and that the price points of high-def DVD players will come down significantly. These factors could well lead to another decade of disc-based movie-watching as the consumer's preferred means."

Although Microsoft backed Toshiba's HD-DVD with its optional Xbox 360 add-on, the device has had a poor sales record forcing Microsoft to slash the price.

Sony's PlayStation 3 has been built around the Blu-ray format and, despite some initial setbacks, the console now looks to have the winning format with movie studios Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Warner Home Video, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Entertainment all in support.