June 28^th, 2005 (12:42am) - Microsoft has announced that it has agreed to develop HD DVD players with HD DVD’s forerunning-supporter Toshiba. This gives Toshiba a powerful ally in the next generation of DVD players being released within the next year.

Microsoft hasn’t said that it is exclusively going to support the HD DVD. For the time being, however, Microsoft only supports the HD DVD. With Microsoft’s help, the development of the HD DVD as a format will gain a boost through codecs and software made by Microsoft. It would seem as if it were a logical move on Microsoft’s part at this point, as two of its competitors, Sony and Apple, have joined together to support the Blu-Ray DVD.

Blu-ray has the support of major electronics and computer companies such as Apple Computer Inc, Dell Inc, Hewlett Packard Co and Samsung Electronics Co. Among Hollywood studios, Walt Disney Co and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc also back the Blu-ray.

While HD DVD doesn’t have very many computer-makers behind them, they do have Microsoft, as well as a majority of the Hollywood companies including Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros Studios.