Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has said that the next version of Windows, named "Windows Vista", will eventually support HD-DVD, despite recent announcements of support for the rival format, Blu-ray. However, it is likely that support for HD-DVD will not be there when Vista originally launches, some time in the next 18 months or so - support will be added later.
Ballmer said that the company's support for HD-DVD was based on several reasons, including the way in which it can be integrated with the PC.
'We think it has some real advantages and that's why we have been working very actively with Toshiba and other members of the DVD forum in order to promote this concept,' he said.