The major studios have begun to settle on their selections in the format wars and the choices have led many to conclude that Blu-Ray is going to beat out HD DVD in the long run. Indeed, it has recently been noted that Blu-Ray is highly favored in Japan and that sales of HD DVD systems dropped significantly after the announcement that Warner Studios would be exclusively supporting Blu-Ray.

Despite this, many are insisting that the wars aren’t over and that HD DVD is anything but dead. Universal Studios Executive Vice President Ken Graffeo gave an interview recently in which he insisted that despite any rumors to the contrary, HD DVD isn’t going anywhere. He concedes that they haven’t yet addressed the Warner issue and that there may need to be some sort of agreement with Blu-Ray to end the format wars but says that something will be worked out to support HD DVD in the long run. Perhaps that’s true since 20,000 people have signed an online petition asking studios to support HD DVD.