Retailers back Warner combo DVD

LAS VEGAS--Time Warner said top U.S. retailers will stock its proposed new DVD, which merges two competing formats on one disc, in a step toward getting consumers to pay more for better pictures and sound.

Best Buy, Circuit City Stores and Web seller Amazon will support the format, studio executives said Tuesday.

The new DVD is Warner Bros.' solution to the battle for DVD technology between Sony's Blu-ray and Toshiba's HD DVD--formats that both hold many times the storage capacity of current DVDs, and are roomy enough for high-definition movies.

Consumers are holding off on purchases while the standards debate continues, analysts say.

Warner Bros.'s new disc, called Total HD, is expected to hit stores in the second half of this year. It said the decision to merge the two formats could spur sales and adoption.

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