DVDs 'will remain mainstream for foreseeable future'

Standard DVDs and CDs are not set to fall from use over the next few years despite the emergence of the high-definition format, it has been claimed.

This is partly due to the fact that ordinary CDs and DVDs will still work when played on new high definition (HD) players according to the Guardian's Jack Schofield.

Furthermore, HD players are only really useable when they are operating alongside a television which is also HD, while Mr Schofield pointed out that many regular DVD players are able to "upscale" non-HD DVDs to create nearly comparable effects.

Mr Schofield, who answers questions from members of the public on his blog askjack, said that DVDs will continue to be a commonly used medium in the coming years, in news likely to interest those in the DVD duplication industry. "I don't think you need to worry unless Blu-ray drive manufacturers drop DVD compatibility. This is unlikely."

He also pointed out that Blu ray are planning a dual format player which is a machine which will play both ordinary and HD DVDs.

Japanese technology company Toshiba has announced a vastly reduced forecast of its net profit margin due to the competitiveness of the DVD format market.

The anticipated profit now stands at $1.25 billion (£0.63 billion) with $1.1 billion (£0.56 billion) of losses coming from the DVD industry.