A Centillion number of formats and standards

I have a question.

I beta test for a couple of different companies in the NLE area. I keep hearing complaints about support for this format and what about that new camera?

Why are we putting up with Sony and Pana developing their own standards instead of settling on one? What if hard drive makers each had their own version of SATA or SCSI, there would be a huge outcry.

But Sony and Panasonic seem to get away with it. And it's not like their camera products are really that good, most of them are a series of compromises in a metal and plastic box.

So can anyone help me understand why this is so?



Thanks




Paul