"Toshiba was showing their HD XA1 DVD player. But the real news was not the demonstration, but the specific comment by the manufacturer's representative that Toshiba will start shipping their HD DVD player the first quarter of 2006 with or without a commitment from the studios to provide content."
It looks like pretty much every manufacturer is going with Blu-Ray except Toshiba and NEC. I was surprised to learn the HD-DVD computer drive by NEC is read-only. I think this format war will be over before it's begun.
It looks like pretty much every manufacturer is going with Blu-Ray except Toshiba and NEC. I was surprised to learn the HD-DVD computer drive by NEC is read-only. I think this format war will be over before it's begun.
Ok now for a dose of reality. Samsung has already stated they will create a Universal Drive if the market demands it. Plus there are plenty of hardware companies that have their feet in both camps. The war is far from over unless you view things through tinted glasses.
Good article, however they make it appear like HD-DVD still even has a fighting chance. Percentage wise, I think the likelihood of Blu-Ray becoming the next generation HD standard is 85%, giving HD-DVD 15% chance of climbing out of the abyss they find themselves in. In other words, I think Blu-Ray, has to really, really screw up to give HD-DVD any leverage in this format war.
80% of the hollywood studios, definitely puts the nail in the coffin of HD-DVD, among the many other things we've discussed previously. Anyhow, we should get a clearer picture once 2006 rolls around.
But no iHD though. I'll take MMC though..that's more of a priority.
What a mess. Computer manufacturers like HP want MMC but movie studios like Warner don't and both have stated they will oppose the format if they don't get their way. It looks like iHD may still on the table though and it seems to be one thing both actually agree on.
It appears Warner got their BD-9 red laser Blu-Ray format which they plan to use for "most" of their movies. They previosuly damanded the same from the HD-DVD forum as the HD-9 format. It seems this studio will be giving consumers the least bang for their buck. No surprise there. I believe they are the driving force behind the upcoming iTMS price increases.
I'm curious, will iHD require licensing purchased from Microsoft to be used for interactivity purposes in the Blu-Ray format if it were to be accepted? If so, I say screw that. That's all the world needs is Microsoft getting more money off of licensing iHD in the next generation high definition format. If iHD requires licenses to be purchased, it is quite clear of the intentions of Microsoft, jamming their home-grown technology (with Disney's help) down the throats of the high definition disc industry because they don't want a competitor, Sun Microsystem's Java, to be on Vista. Microsoft can no longer use their version of JVM on boxes anymore since a court decision ruled in favor of Sun Mirosystems. So, in my mind, that would require Microsoft to bundle Sun's version of Java on their boxes if Blu-Ray with Java were to be supported.
If there are no licensing issues involved with iHD, well, I guess I just ranted for nothing. But I'm curious to say the least. My other questions would be, how much clout does a General Manager have over at HP? And also, what does HP have to gain with iHD other than kowtowing to Microsoft and remaining in their good graces? Anyways, some questions to consider. Comments are welcome.
I found it interesting that HP 'demanded' MCC and iHD to stick with Blu-Ray, but when the BDA didn't give in HP stayed with Blu-Ray anyway.
I too dislike the idea of MS proprietary menus, as I can foresee DVD SP being crippled by such moves, and possibly even no support in OS X. MS & HP are not doing this for consumers, it's a control issue.
But I do wonder was this all a way to allow MS to support Blu-Ray? HP makes demands, demands are not met, HP agrees to support both formats, MS supports HP. MS hasn't done a u-turn, it's merely helping a valued partner.
I enjoyed this article a lot and even learned a few new things, including MS's iHD software. I enjoyed it so much I submitted it to Digg. Let's hope I make the front page.
Sony (Blu-Ray) and NEC (HD-DVD) joining together to create new joint-venture company creating optical disc drives. Conflict of interest? NEC coming around to Blu-Ray? Don't know, but found this interesting.
The only reason HP changed their stance regarding iHD (they previously stood behind BD-J) was because Microsoft announced it was being built into Vista. Now they no longer have to pay extra royalties for it, just for Vista itself. Yet now Microsoft is saying that although Vista will support HD-DVD it will not be supported right away. They say it may take up to 18 months after Vista ships. Huh?
Yet now Microsoft is saying that although Vista will support HD-DVD it will not be supported right away. They say it may take up to 18 months after Vista ships. Huh?
Slight correction, the "18 months" figure is for Vista's release. What happened to Q4 2006? They don't give a time scale for HD-DVD support other than to say "as soon as possible" after the release. I'm more than happy to see them wait for "eventually." Pity Blu-ray will be selling in Playstation3s and PCs while M$ twiddles its thumbs. That announcement of no support as of late 2006 to mid 2007 probably has Toshiba execs tearing their hair out.
"Microsoft aims to make its next-generation 'Windows Vista' operating system compatible with Toshiba's HD DVD format after the software is released within the next 18 months, Ballmer said."
Yeah, I read that wrong. I didn't realize Vista was that far off. I don't think it's a pity that the PS3, PCs and various stand alone units will be shipping while Microsoft twiddles their thumbs though. It simply means Blu-Ray will be the dominant format and win the short-lived format war. There is really only one bad thing about the Blu-Ray format. I'll admit it sends shivers up my spine. No, not the lack of iHD. LINK
Sony BMG messed up in a big way, but may well have done DRM on music CDs enough harm to cause a rethink in the industry. Does this mean Sony are doomed? No. Will PS3 fail? No. Will Blu-Ray be cancelled? No. Should we stop buying Sony electronics? Not if we want them.
This analyst clearly has HP & MS stock and has taken sides based on his own opinion. That's his choice, but suggesting Blu-Ray might never be released and the PSP is not very good is just daft.
Comments
Originally posted by marzetta7
Good article. Here is another regarding IFA's Electronics show:
http://www.blu-ray.com/ifa2005/
It looks like pretty much every manufacturer is going with Blu-Ray except Toshiba and NEC. I was surprised to learn the HD-DVD computer drive by NEC is read-only. I think this format war will be over before it's begun.
Originally posted by 1984
It looks like pretty much every manufacturer is going with Blu-Ray except Toshiba and NEC. I was surprised to learn the HD-DVD computer drive by NEC is read-only. I think this format war will be over before it's begun.
Ok now for a dose of reality. Samsung has already stated they will create a Universal Drive if the market demands it. Plus there are plenty of hardware companies that have their feet in both camps. The war is far from over unless you view things through tinted glasses.
http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/11/15/dvd/index.php
Originally posted by OldCodger73
Here's another article on the BlueRay/HD debacle.
http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/11/15/dvd/index.php
Good article, however they make it appear like HD-DVD still even has a fighting chance. Percentage wise, I think the likelihood of Blu-Ray becoming the next generation HD standard is 85%, giving HD-DVD 15% chance of climbing out of the abyss they find themselves in. In other words, I think Blu-Ray, has to really, really screw up to give HD-DVD any leverage in this format war.
80% of the hollywood studios, definitely puts the nail in the coffin of HD-DVD, among the many other things we've discussed previously. Anyhow, we should get a clearer picture once 2006 rolls around.
But no iHD though. I'll take MMC though..that's more of a priority.
Originally posted by hmurchison
Good news...Blu Ray to support Mandatory Managed Copy
But no iHD though. I'll take MMC though..that's more of a priority.
What a mess. Computer manufacturers like HP want MMC but movie studios like Warner don't and both have stated they will oppose the format if they don't get their way. It looks like iHD may still on the table though and it seems to be one thing both actually agree on.
It appears Warner got their BD-9 red laser Blu-Ray format which they plan to use for "most" of their movies. They previosuly damanded the same from the HD-DVD forum as the HD-9 format. It seems this studio will be giving consumers the least bang for their buck. No surprise there. I believe they are the driving force behind the upcoming iTMS price increases.
If there are no licensing issues involved with iHD, well, I guess I just ranted for nothing. But I'm curious to say the least. My other questions would be, how much clout does a General Manager have over at HP? And also, what does HP have to gain with iHD other than kowtowing to Microsoft and remaining in their good graces? Anyways, some questions to consider. Comments are welcome.
I too dislike the idea of MS proprietary menus, as I can foresee DVD SP being crippled by such moves, and possibly even no support in OS X. MS & HP are not doing this for consumers, it's a control issue.
But I do wonder was this all a way to allow MS to support Blu-Ray? HP makes demands, demands are not met, HP agrees to support both formats, MS supports HP. MS hasn't done a u-turn, it's merely helping a valued partner.
Originally posted by OldCodger73
Here's another article on the BlueRay/HD debacle.
http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/11/15/dvd/index.php
I enjoyed this article a lot and even learned a few new things, including MS's iHD software. I enjoyed it so much I submitted it to Digg. Let's hope I make the front page.
http://www.nec.co.jp/press/en/0511/1703.html
Sony (Blu-Ray) and NEC (HD-DVD) joining together to create new joint-venture company creating optical disc drives. Conflict of interest? NEC coming around to Blu-Ray? Don't know, but found this interesting.
http://www.panasonic.co.jp/corp/news...n051117-2.html
Can we expect drives like these in the next Macintel Powermac?
Originally posted by hmurchison
Microsoft has frozen any kernel changes in Vista so they cannot guarantee full compatibility.
Hurray for software design that makes viewing a movie file a kernel issue.
Originally posted by 1984
Yet now Microsoft is saying that although Vista will support HD-DVD it will not be supported right away. They say it may take up to 18 months after Vista ships. Huh?
Slight correction, the "18 months" figure is for Vista's release. What happened to Q4 2006? They don't give a time scale for HD-DVD support other than to say "as soon as possible" after the release. I'm more than happy to see them wait for "eventually." Pity Blu-ray will be selling in Playstation3s and PCs while M$ twiddles its thumbs. That announcement of no support as of late 2006 to mid 2007 probably has Toshiba execs tearing their hair out.
Yeah, I read that wrong. I didn't realize Vista was that far off. I don't think it's a pity that the PS3, PCs and various stand alone units will be shipping while Microsoft twiddles their thumbs though. It simply means Blu-Ray will be the dominant format and win the short-lived format war. There is really only one bad thing about the Blu-Ray format. I'll admit it sends shivers up my spine. No, not the lack of iHD. LINK
Pity Blu-ray will be selling in Playstation3s and PCs while M$ twiddles its thumbs.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Y...our-Side.xhtml
Originally posted by Elixir
interesing little opinion on sony that i share as well.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Y...our-Side.xhtml
Sony BMG messed up in a big way, but may well have done DRM on music CDs enough harm to cause a rethink in the industry. Does this mean Sony are doomed? No. Will PS3 fail? No. Will Blu-Ray be cancelled? No. Should we stop buying Sony electronics? Not if we want them.
This analyst clearly has HP & MS stock and has taken sides based on his own opinion. That's his choice, but suggesting Blu-Ray might never be released and the PSP is not very good is just daft.