HP requests Blu-ray to add technologies

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hewlett-Packard Co, the world's number two computer maker, on Wednesday said it asked the makers of Blu-ray, a new DVD format backed by a group led by Sony Corp, to include two technologies currently supported by a rival format.

HP said it appealed to the Blu-ray Disc Association to include mandatory managed copy and a feature known as iHD technology, which provides a foundation enabling new interactivity with standards-based development tools and technologies. iHD support is slated to be implemented in Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system.

Managed Copy would allow consumers to make legitimate copies of their HD movies and enjoy this content around the home or across their network. Making this feature mandatory will ensure a consistent consumer experience across all next-generation DVD content, HP said.

HP said its request marked a significant step toward bridging the differences between the two competing formats. Earlier on Wednesday, Forrester Research declared Blu-ray, a new DVD format backed by electronics makers led by Sony as the winner in the heated battle over next-generation DVD technology.