BD-ROM (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/12/blu-ray_rom_spec/), the intended successor to DVD-ROM, and which rivals HD-DVD, will use Microsoft's VC-9 video codec (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/01/blu-ray_ms_codec/) for future BD-ROM content, it was revealed by The Blu-ray Disc Association (BRDA) today.

The Association has been quick to point out that the Microsoft codec will not be the only one supported, quite the reverse - there will be a whole range of codecs available to suit various needs. Naturally, BD-ROM provides MPEG 2 and MPEG 4 support, making it backwards compatible with older video storage formats. Hardware vendors will, however, have to license the Microsoft codec if they want to ship Blu-ray branded players.