Sony Corporation said recently that it is unnecessary for external circles to worry about the prospect of its next generation DVD standards. Before this announcement, Intel and Microsoft expressed their support for the format proposed by Toshiba, Sony's rival, according to International Finance News on September 29.

Intel and Microsoft confirmed the report by media, namely the two companies supported the HD-DVD format instead of Sony's blue-ray DVD. The former possesses the best functions for consumers.

Sony said Intel and Microsoft's support for HD-DVD will not "bring impact''. The corporation believes that its format can offer better copyright protection and other functions.

Microsoft and Intel are two most influential companies in personal computer sector. Their support for HD-DVD has brought another challenge to Sir Howard Stringer, chief executive officer with Sony Corporation.

Since Sony has failed to make use of vigorous market demand for panel type TV sets in addition to Apple's success in portable digital music player ipod, Sony ��s consumer electronics business suffers a heavy blow.

By People's Daily Online