China creates third DVD format

THE CHINESE are releasing a third DVD standard to compete with HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.

China's electronic makers have released a range of players made with the new format, called Enhanced Versatile Disc (EVD), as part of a bid to promote a Chinese alternative to foreign technology.

EVD first appeared in 2003, but was dropped two years ago after there was a fight about licensing fees.

However Chinese electronics makers have revived the format and are saying they plan to switch completely to EVD by 2008 and stop producing DVD players.

The move will shut the competing second-generation formats from the Chinese markets and will also kill off DVD by 2008.

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