DVD Formats

[wee haggis]

Why is there so many types of recordable DVD formats?
Can't they just get their collective heads together and agree on standard ?

[wthess]

Problem with standards on any new technology is this: Whose standard do we choose? What happens with a new technology is all these companies come up with proprietary methods/products/materials in the hopes that their technology becomes the standard. Also, patents have a lot to do with this as well. So, standards generally don't come into play until the technology has matured somewhat and the platform is considered viable. Then, some organization, such as the IEEE, ISO, etc finally decide on a standard. The politics behind technology are generally as complicated as the technology itself, making it even more difficult to create standards. Everyone has an opinion and opinions are like rear ends....Everybody has one. It's just that some of them stink more than others.