HP, one of the leading suppliers of personal computers (PCs), reportedly plans to start offering its customers to install universal next-generation DVD optical drives, which will allow to use both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. This is the first time when a PC maker installs a hybrid drive into its desktops.

Even though HP was a strong backer of Blu-ray disc (BD) format, after some of its proposals were rejected by the Blu-ray Association, it started to support HD DVD. As a result, the company has been equipping its desktop and notebook machines with HD DVD read only memory (ROM) drives for several quarters now, popularizing the Toshiba-developed technology among the PC users.

Currently HP offers optional DVD/HD DVD drives with a number of its PCs, including HP Pavilion Media Center m8000y and HP Pavilion d4790y desktops as well as HP Pavilion dv9000t and HP Pavilion dv9000z laptops. Customers have to pay additional $200 for HD DVD ROM for desktop computers and $400 for HD DVD ROM/DVD-burner intended for mobile systems.

According to InformationWeek web-site, starting from the 9^th of May HP will also start to offer LG GGW-H10N “Super Multi Blue” drive, which can can read, record and re-write CDs and DVDs (10x speed for DVD±R, 8x for DVD±RW, 6x/8x for DVD±R DL) as well as playback, read and record single- and dual-layer Blu-ray discs (4x or 3.5x speed), it also can playback HD DVDs. The cost of the device remains unclear.

HP will be the first company to offer hybrid optical drive for personal computers with its systems, following LG’s roll-out of universal BD/HD DVD/DVD player earlier this year and Samsung Electronics’ plan to reveal its own hybrid player this year. According to analysts, players that are compatible with both Blu-ray and HD DVD will dominate the market several years from now.

Blu-ray disc fiercely competes with HD DVD format to replace conventional DVD in future. While Blu-ray offers larger storage space for content, HD DVD drives and discs are easier and cheaper to produce.