Universal, Paramount, Preparing to Defect to Blu-ray?

The rumors of Paramount dropping HD-DVD in favor of Blu-ray were dispelled - at least temporarily - earlier in the week when Paramount flatly denied it was leaving the HD-DVD camp. But a report in Daily Variety confirms that Universal's commitment to HD DVD has expired. And with Paramount having an escape clause based on Warner Bros.' defection to Blu-ray, how long will the two studios hold out?

Currently both studios publicly state they will continue supporting HD-DVD, and Universal has some upcoming promotions, as well. Ironically, Paramount switched exclusively to HD-DVD last August, amid payoff rumors.

Would anyone who's been reading the news lately be interested in going in and buying an HD-DVD player right now? They'd have to have been asleep all this time.

And how do you think Microsoft is feeling right now? I wonder how many of those external HD-DVD players they've sold for the Xbox 360? Looks like Microsoft backed the wrong camp.

Of course, it's true that earlier this week Microsoft announced it could possibly release an external Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360 if necesssary.

Update: Today, New Line Home Entertainment and HBO Video announced a switch to Blu-ray only.

Update: At 5 PM EST the following statement was issued by Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment and also co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group:

"Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format."