Blu-ray and HD DVD to Star in the Largest Consumer Electronics European Fair

Looks like the largest consumer electronics trade fair, the International Funkausstellung, which started today in Berlin and will end on 6 September, will be highlighted by the never-ending battle between HD DVD and Blu-ray.
According to IFA representatives, more than 1,000 exhibitors have already started showcasing their latest full-featured gadgets to other 273,000 visitors.

Philips is the headline of the event, up until now, as the maker has already presented its latest technologies such as clothing with integrated images and has also confirmed in an official statement that he backs the Blu-Ray format, the rival of HD-DVD. "Philips' Mr Covers said he did not think the rivalry was a problem for the consumer and dismissed suggestions that they could be confused."In the end the consumer has to make the choice to buy or to wait," reports BBC.

And what's the stake of both formats? The supremacy over the HD market. And if we think of the predictions made by analysts who expect an amount of 14 million HDTVs to be sold in Western Europe by the end of 2006, then we have an idea of what it would mean for the winner.

Moreover, even if IFA makes its debut and no one expected so many manufacturers and visitors, rumors say that the number of attendants is determined by the success of the World Cup 2006, which triggered a major growth in demand for the high-end home entertainment gadgets.

"High definition is at the heart of our product line. We believe the European market is ready for high definition DVD. The World Cup was a real catalyst," stated Lucas Covers, Philips' chief marketing officer for consumer electronics, cited by BBC.

The success of the 2006 World Cup in driving sales of high-end home entertainment systems has raised expectations at the IFA show, which this year makes its debut as an annual event.