Blu-ray: We'll Replace DVD in Three Years

Blu-ray is aiming to replace the DVD format within three years, and is practically claiming victory at the CeBIT technology show in Germany.

The European chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association says that by the end of that period, Blu-ray would be the only next-generation format left. It pointed to the launch of the PlayStation 3 as a major impetus for the format's eventual supremacy.

A little over 1.8 million PS3's have been shipped in the US and Japan, and the console is set to launch in Europe next week with about 1 million consoles available. HD DVD has conceded that it is being outsold in hardware by a five-to-one margin.

However, it disputes claims by the BDA that it is also losing the battle in software, saying disc sales are pretty much even. Likely a lot of Blu-ray's recent sales have to do with a promotion allowing PS3 owners to get a free disc.

HD DVD seems to have the upper hand in Europe, with smaller studios migrating to the format, although Sony disputes this as a sign of trouble. Rather, they say hardware availability in the region is hindered by the fact that there are only two Blu-ray players available in Europe.

To combat Blu-ray head on, two of HD DVD's biggest backers -- Toshiba and Microsoft -- are directly assisting smaller studios in migrating to HD DVD. Of the majors, five out of eight studios only support Blu-ray, as opposed to one only supporting HD DVD, Universal.