The DVD Forum was created to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas about the DVD format, another evolution of the LaserDisc format, and to enable it to grow through technical improvement and innovation.
The organization hopes to promote worldwide acceptance of DVD for entertainment, consumer electronics and information technology applications.
[2] Reference materials and newsletters are published for DVD Forum members.
Alliance leaders Philips, Sony and Thomson were also founding members of the DVD Forum, established in 1997.
As of 2009[update], both plus and dash formats seem equally popular with customers, and both are compatible with the vast majority of DVD players.