Impending HD-DVD vs Blu-ray Format Battle Nipped by Ricoh?

Apple is one of the supporters of the Blu-ray format for high definition video DVDs. The other format is called HD-DVD. Both formats use blue laser technology with a smaller wave length than red lasers so that more information can be written on a DVD. The Blu-ray format allows a DVD to hold more information than the HD-DVD format but it is also more expensive. Consumers, poised for another Betamax-VHS battle, are none to happy. So, it's Ricoh to the rescue according to EE Times as cited by CNet. Ricoh will announce a part that allows DVD players to use both formats at the 2006 International Optoelectronics Exhibition in Japan later this week. More... [Dana Baggett]