One thing Murch seems to have glossed over is that it says it will write to every format except HD DVD. Blu-ray will be up to 6x write with this drive while Toshiba can't even get their 1x burner into the hands of end users. They've announced it like three separate times since January but never shipped. People have theorized that they're having problems trying to focus a blue laser write beam through the thick substrate they inherited from DVD technology. Even if they eventually work the bugs out, I suspect they'll never be able to match the write speeds of Blu-ray, which has pretty much proven that it can do 1x, 2x, 4x and soon 6x.
record capacity of the 8cm BD-R/RE disk with approximately 7GB,
8cm disk of 5 types of BD-RE/R and DVD-RAM/RW/R/playback.
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 image compression of HD resolution, MPEG-2 of SD resolution, the codec LSI which corresponds to JPEG still picture record. From H.264 it is possible even in the down converting to MPEG-2. With 1 tips/chips, as for the codec LSI which corresponds to H.264/MPEG-2/JPEG record
Universal can't seem to do much right nowadays. It doesn't want to get out of sixth place among the major studios. It doesn't want to negotiate with the iTunes store. It owns a big chunk of the third-place broadcast network. It's sticking with HD DVD until the bitter end. It's hard to imagine what they could possibly do wrong next.
Niiiice. By next year these drives should almost halve again and the all important $499 or less Universal player will be here effectively ending the war for many people.
Jesus. It won't end the war, at least not in a way you want it to come out. Universal players aren't going to solve things, because you're not going to see two competeting next-gen DVD standards indefinitely. One is going to win. I mean, you can't honestly see a sustainable situation where we have some blu-ray, some HD-DVD and some hybrid players (an computer drives), can you? You think the whole thing is confusing to the average Joe Sixpack now? Just wait.
How is half of $1200 less than or equal to $499? And by next year both formats will below $499 anyway. Blu-Ray R/W drives are $300 retail already. Getting close to the range we may start seeing them as a BTO option on Macs.
Unless there are some Universal titles worth a $200 tax to me there's no real reason to get the hybrid drive is there?
Vinea
Of course there is. HD DVD is miles ahead of Blu-ray with interactivity. Universal just stated that ALL releases from Heroes forward will be web enabled. I'm a tech geek...I gotta have that. My D2 will be hooked up to Fios and the rest of my network in short time. I don't have time to be standardizing on Blu-ray...a format that isn't even finalized to the point of matching what can be had today for $249. Come on the only reason why you're flogging Blu-ray is because you got it packed into your PS3.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kolchak
One thing Murch seems to have glossed over is that it says it will write to every format except HD DVD. Blu-ray will be up to 6x write with this drive while Toshiba can't even get their 1x burner into the hands of end users. They've announced it like three separate times since January but never shipped. People have theorized that they're having problems trying to focus a blue laser write beam through the thick substrate they inherited from DVD technology. Even if they eventually work the bugs out, I suspect they'll never be able to match the write speeds of Blu-ray, which has pretty much proven that it can do 1x, 2x, 4x and soon 6x.
Naturally, Blu-ray began it's life as a recording format so it's understandable why it's ahead in this area. To me it doesn't matter, if you give me a drive that records Blu-ray discs and DVR-R then I can easily support both formats. Blu-ray for long play material and HD-9 for short play material that easily plays back in HD DVD.
In fact I've read that DVD discs with HD content playback more smoothly in HD DVD players.
Of course there is. HD DVD is miles ahead of Blu-ray with interactivity. Universal just stated that ALL releases from Heroes forward will be web enabled. I'm a tech geek...I gotta have that. My D2 will be hooked up to Fios and the rest of my network in short time. I don't have time to be standardizing on Blu-ray...a format that isn't even finalized to the point of matching what can be had today for $249. Come on the only reason why you're flogging Blu-ray is because you got it packed into your PS3.
Except that no...I don't own a PS3 and the primary reason is there isn't a compelling game on the PS3 that I want. I am likely to get a XBox 360 because there ARE games I want on it. The reason I don't own a HD player at the moment is the silly format war and again...if Blu-Ray disappeared tomorrow I would cheer.
But that isn't likely and the only format likely to go away is HD-DVD so the sooner the better. There STILL isn't a $500 title out there for me although we're getting close to where there's enough of a Blu-Ray catalog I don't need a single $300-$500 value title.
And at the moment there are no Universal titles I MUST have. The only one that comes close is Serenity and as much as I like that movie its not a $280 title.
I'll get a BR drive for ~$250 and install it in the next Mac I own that I will use as a HTPC. I'll also likely upgrade the projector to the Panny 1080p at that time.
Quote:
Naturally, Blu-ray began it's life as a recording format so it's understandable why it's ahead in this area. To me it doesn't matter, if you give me a drive that records Blu-ray discs and DVR-R then I can easily support both formats. Blu-ray for long play material and HD-9 for short play material that easily plays back in HD DVD.
Except there's no reason to have HD-DVD except for Universal titles. Which either singly or as a whole is overwhelmingly compelling.
Of course there is. HD DVD is miles ahead of Blu-ray with interactivity. Universal just stated that ALL releases from Heroes forward will be web enabled. I'm a tech geek...I gotta have that.
Maybe 1 of every 20 DVD extras I have seen was worth the time it took to watch. High or low production values, 95% of the extras were mindnumbing filler, trailers, some stuff that is cut out that nobody wants to see, and directors/actors spouting PR. (Arrrgh!) I bought the movie, I don't need to be sold it again. If you just took an amateur film buff talking with the director (not in PR mode), pointing out things from the movie, discussing them and the decisions that lead to them, would make a great extra in comparison to the usual.
Nevermind the technology, is there a reason to think the content of the extras in any next generation format are going to be more interesting?
Quote:
In fact I've read that DVD discs with HD content playback more smoothly in HD DVD players.
Assuming that is a real problem, is that effect coincidence and slightly worse QC on part of the initial BD player manufacturers - then it would be fixed soon - or are you saying there a technical format-related reason that a Blu-Ray player will play the DVD's worse?
hey Kupan Just out of interest, you think you could take those estimated sales graphs and tack on the HD-DVD sales as well? Or would we actually be able to see them?
They are just hotlinked from Ars (I know, not nice). But why? Should I add on iPods and Dells and DVD players? That graph is to showcase video game sales. Has nothing to do with HD DVD vs Blu-ray, and I only posted it because marzetta brought up the PS3 overtaking the 360.
But back to the topic at hand?something I have thought would happen, and it looks to be:
One woman who had recently purchased an HDTV set said she was interested in playing high-def movies on it and was thinking of getting a high-def disc player. When asked whether she would buy a Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD player she noted that she?d have to buy HD DVD because it was an ?HD TV set? not a ?Blu-ray TV.?
Don?t count things over yet. If HD DVD can get to the sub $200 level soon, and more consumers start really looking at these formats, this kind of ?confusion? could help HD DVD. I?ve always thought Blu-ray was a stupid name. All the marketing people, and that?s the best they could come up with?
You make it sound like they surpassed the installed base, while all it was is just for a week of sales. The installed base of Xbox 360 vs PS3 in America:
360: 6.54m America
PS3: 1.62m America
so still awhile outside of overtaking the 360. A long while...
And really why does that matter in the context of Blu-ray vs HD DVD? Sure the PS3 is a blu-ray player at heart, but the 360 alone is not. And not every PS3 is used for blu-ray. Yes, the PS3 has helped (if not saved) blu-ray, but woo-hoo if it beats the 360 for a week of sales. But, since we are troting out sales numbers of video game consoles: This just in, the PS3 is getting <b>spanked</b> everywhere right now:
3rd place in the US (and not even close to 2nd)
2nd place in Japan (not close to 1st being much closer to 3rd)
3rd place in Europe (with about a million behind the wii)
And as Ars says:
If Sony isn't careful, and loses any more exclusives, they could fall to 3rd with no signs of life. But this really doens't matter at all in terms of the hi-def market.
Hmm, I made it sound like "they surpassed the installed base" did I? With the quote here cleverly omitted from you...
Quote:
The Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) has struck back against the Xbox 360 , outselling the Microsoft console in the first week since its price cut. Sony cut the PS3 price by $100 (£50) and in the week that followed, 41,005 PS3s were sold, as opposed to just 35,084 Xbox 360s.
Predictably the Nintendo Wii is still putting both to shame, clocking up 76,394 sales in the same time period.
Will this renewed PS3 popularity last? It's impossible to tell at this early stage. But Sony has confirmed that it plans to phase out this discounted 60GB PS3 in favour of the more expensive 80GB version, so the status quo could return when that happens.
Read Mahhht Daaaaamon. Read.
And what does it have to do with the high-def market? Add things up Mahhht Daaaamon. Add things up. The more PS3s in the market, the more probability of Blu-ray sales will see an uptick. That's all I'm saying. You may want to discount the PS3 because you don't have a concrete attach rate number, but don't be fooled, the PS3 effect is what turned the tide over to Blu-ray in this format war. So try not to downplay its significance, as it makes your arguments appear all the more insignificant--like you latest...with the HD DVD name. Keep hoping.
Universal can't seem to do much right nowadays. It doesn't want to get out of sixth place among the major studios. It doesn't want to negotiate with the iTunes store. It owns a big chunk of the third-place broadcast network. It's sticking with HD DVD until the bitter end. It's hard to imagine what they could possibly do wrong next.
but don't be fooled, the PS3 effect is what turned the tide over to Blu-ray in this format war.
This is true. Without the PS3, the war would have been over long ago and HD-DVD would have won handily.
Of course, handicapping their console with such an expensive drive caused Sony to lose their dominance in the Video Game arena to Nintendo. So it's not all bad.
Jesus. It won't end the war, at least not in a way you want it to come out. Universal players aren't going to solve things, because you're not going to see two competeting next-gen DVD standards indefinitely. One is going to win. I mean, you can't honestly see a sustainable situation where we have some blu-ray, some HD-DVD and some hybrid players (an computer drives), can you? You think the whole thing is confusing to the average Joe Sixpack now? Just wait.
Totally agree...couple in Warner's fabulous brain child of THD, you have a recipe for a niche market due to confusion...but probably just what Microsoft wants in order to capitalize on their VOD plans.
This--having one video format in the CE space--is precisely why you had Internet sites clamoring for a universal standard/format for the next generation hd format in the first place. One format offers simplicity, increases the chances of mass market adoption, and still drives prices down as well with numerous companies competing for your business.
I think Toshiba, the sole manufacturer of HD DVD players, ought to throw in the towel for the simplicity needed for the high def market to reach the critical masses. Or, they can continue to take on the rest of the industry, bleed money, and overall take nice pyhrric losses in an inevitable defeat to Blu-ray...their choice, but also their detriment.
?In Europe, 80% of the high-def content is HD vs. Blu-ray,? said Graffeo. ?We need to look at this business on a global basis.?
That's not true. Or perhaps they mean that 80% of the European content makers support HD DVD, but they seem to "forget" that the top selling movies in Europe are US movies.
This is true. Without the PS3, the war would have been over long ago and HD-DVD would have won handily.
Of course, handicapping their console with such an expensive drive caused Sony to lose their dominance in the Video Game arena to Nintendo. So it's not all bad.
I now have all 3 consoles, and I don't think that Sony will lose their dominance - the PS3 is far superior to either of the other two. PS3 sales started to jump up once they dropped the price, and I think that they will have passed Microsoft in a year or two, and pass Nintendo in 3 or 4 years.
For my part, I will only be using the Wii when my kids come over, and only using the 360 to play Microsoft exclusives like Too Human, and everything else will be bought on the PS3.
For my part, I will only be using the Wii when my kids come over, and only using the 360 to play Microsoft exclusives like Too Human, and everything else will be bought on the PS3.
I'm not saying the PS3 is dead by any means, but I think Nintendo has hit upon something with its social gaming focus. My Dad, who's always hated video games, played Wii Sports last week.
He has now asked me where he can go to buy one.
When Wii Fit and that Balance Board thing hit the streets, there will be shortages and riots.
Quote:
Originally Posted by marzetta7
I think Toshiba, the sole manufacturer of HD DVD players, ought to throw in the towel for the simplicity needed for the high def market to reach the critical masses. Or, they can continue to take on the rest of the industry, bleed money, and overall take nice pyhrric losses in an inevitable defeat to Blu-ray...their choice, but also their detriment.
Nice to see your opinion hasn't changed after 61 pages and 2,436 posts.
They are just hotlinked from Ars (I know, not nice). But why? Should I add on iPods and Dells and DVD players? That graph is to showcase video game sales. Has nothing to do with HD DVD vs Blu-ray, and I only posted it because marzetta brought up the PS3 overtaking the 360.
Yeah why not chuck iPods at it too I believe there are some interesting comments about all this over on roughly drafted
Quote:
Originally Posted by kupan787
But back to the topic at hand?
Good idea.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kupan787
Don?t count things over yet. If HD DVD can get to the sub $200 level soon?
erm.. according to a few posters here, it already has reached that level
Sorry folks, maybe its just me, but how does this :
Quote:
Originally Posted by hmurchison
Of course there is. HD DVD is miles ahead of Blu-ray with interactivity. Universal just stated that ALL releases from Heroes forward will be web enabled. I'm a tech geek...I gotta have that. My D2 will be hooked up to Fios and the rest of my network in short time. I don't have time to be standardizing on Blu-ray...a format that isn't even finalized to the point of matching what can be had today for $249. Come on the only reason why you're flogging Blu-ray is because you got it packed into your PS3.
Of course there is. HD DVD is miles ahead of Blu-ray with interactivity. Universal just stated that ALL releases from Heroes forward will be web enabled. I'm a tech geek...I gotta have that. My D2 will be hooked up to Fios and the rest of my network in short time. I don't have time to be standardizing on Blu-ray...a format that isn't even finalized to the point of matching what can be had today for $249. Come on the only reason why you're flogging Blu-ray is because you got it packed into your PS3.
Naturally, Blu-ray began it's life as a recording format so it's understandable why it's ahead in this area. To me it doesn't matter, if you give me a drive that records Blu-ray discs and DVR-R then I can easily support both formats. Blu-ray for long play material and HD-9 for short play material that easily plays back in HD DVD.
In fact I've read that DVD discs with HD content playback more smoothly in HD DVD players.
Hmm, you gotta have that, since you're a tech geek...well, it seems you've change your tune because a year ago you stated this...
Quote:
Originally Posted by hmurchison
I don't see consumers screaming for java games. I don't see them screaming for lossless audio. Some like extras but many will admit they may watch them once and that's it. What they want is to put the disc in a player and watch the movie. The audio and video capabilities of both formats are virtually locked in. They won't be able to add new codecs without destroying backwards compatibility.
Again I will say that HD DVD proponents and Blu Ray proponents seem to divide along technology lines.
The typical HD DVD user just wants high quality audio and video for the best price.
The typical Blu Ray user wants a technical tour de force. Of course it won't deliver better quality than HD DVD but hey it's sure fun to brag out spincoats and 50GB discs.
What happened...? Keep losing talking points?...I think so Murchy. Why, now all of a sudden is interactivity soooo important to the HD DVD format when a year ago, you're basically dismissing it. Moreover, what is to happen when Blu-ray implements PIP more often (which is really the only real interactive thing that HD DVD offers that Blu-ray doesn't in most movies)? This will happen later this year. Will the talking point--interactivity--revert back to not mattering then. I won't be suprised if it will.
Comments
pipe stick smoke it!
Translated link from Hitachi HERE
1080 goodness in your own home movies, yum!
record capacity of the 8cm BD-R/RE disk with approximately 7GB,
8cm disk of 5 types of BD-RE/R and DVD-RAM/RW/R/playback.
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 image compression of HD resolution, MPEG-2 of SD resolution, the codec LSI which corresponds to JPEG still picture record. From H.264 it is possible even in the down converting to MPEG-2. With 1 tips/chips, as for the codec LSI which corresponds to H.264/MPEG-2/JPEG record
all that and a 5.3 mega pixel cmos too
Just out of interest, you think you could take those estimated sales graphs and tack on the HD-DVD sales as well?
Or would we actually be able to see them?
Universal can't seem to do much right nowadays. It doesn't want to get out of sixth place among the major studios. It doesn't want to negotiate with the iTunes store. It owns a big chunk of the third-place broadcast network. It's sticking with HD DVD until the bitter end. It's hard to imagine what they could possibly do wrong next.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/07/19...and/1#c6027092
Niiiice. By next year these drives should almost halve again and the all important $499 or less Universal player will be here effectively ending the war for many people.
Jesus. It won't end the war, at least not in a way you want it to come out. Universal players aren't going to solve things, because you're not going to see two competeting next-gen DVD standards indefinitely. One is going to win. I mean, you can't honestly see a sustainable situation where we have some blu-ray, some HD-DVD and some hybrid players (an computer drives), can you? You think the whole thing is confusing to the average Joe Sixpack now? Just wait.
How is half of $1200 less than or equal to $499? And by next year both formats will below $499 anyway. Blu-Ray R/W drives are $300 retail already. Getting close to the range we may start seeing them as a BTO option on Macs.
Unless there are some Universal titles worth a $200 tax to me there's no real reason to get the hybrid drive is there?
Vinea
Of course there is. HD DVD is miles ahead of Blu-ray with interactivity. Universal just stated that ALL releases from Heroes forward will be web enabled. I'm a tech geek...I gotta have that. My D2 will be hooked up to Fios and the rest of my network in short time. I don't have time to be standardizing on Blu-ray...a format that isn't even finalized to the point of matching what can be had today for $249. Come on the only reason why you're flogging Blu-ray is because you got it packed into your PS3.
One thing Murch seems to have glossed over is that it says it will write to every format except HD DVD. Blu-ray will be up to 6x write with this drive while Toshiba can't even get their 1x burner into the hands of end users. They've announced it like three separate times since January but never shipped. People have theorized that they're having problems trying to focus a blue laser write beam through the thick substrate they inherited from DVD technology. Even if they eventually work the bugs out, I suspect they'll never be able to match the write speeds of Blu-ray, which has pretty much proven that it can do 1x, 2x, 4x and soon 6x.
Naturally, Blu-ray began it's life as a recording format so it's understandable why it's ahead in this area. To me it doesn't matter, if you give me a drive that records Blu-ray discs and DVR-R then I can easily support both formats. Blu-ray for long play material and HD-9 for short play material that easily plays back in HD DVD.
In fact I've read that DVD discs with HD content playback more smoothly in HD DVD players.
Of course there is. HD DVD is miles ahead of Blu-ray with interactivity. Universal just stated that ALL releases from Heroes forward will be web enabled. I'm a tech geek...I gotta have that. My D2 will be hooked up to Fios and the rest of my network in short time. I don't have time to be standardizing on Blu-ray...a format that isn't even finalized to the point of matching what can be had today for $249. Come on the only reason why you're flogging Blu-ray is because you got it packed into your PS3.
Except that no...I don't own a PS3 and the primary reason is there isn't a compelling game on the PS3 that I want. I am likely to get a XBox 360 because there ARE games I want on it. The reason I don't own a HD player at the moment is the silly format war and again...if Blu-Ray disappeared tomorrow I would cheer.
But that isn't likely and the only format likely to go away is HD-DVD so the sooner the better. There STILL isn't a $500 title out there for me although we're getting close to where there's enough of a Blu-Ray catalog I don't need a single $300-$500 value title.
And at the moment there are no Universal titles I MUST have. The only one that comes close is Serenity and as much as I like that movie its not a $280 title.
I'll get a BR drive for ~$250 and install it in the next Mac I own that I will use as a HTPC. I'll also likely upgrade the projector to the Panny 1080p at that time.
Naturally, Blu-ray began it's life as a recording format so it's understandable why it's ahead in this area. To me it doesn't matter, if you give me a drive that records Blu-ray discs and DVR-R then I can easily support both formats. Blu-ray for long play material and HD-9 for short play material that easily plays back in HD DVD.
Except there's no reason to have HD-DVD except for Universal titles. Which either singly or as a whole is overwhelmingly compelling.
Vinea
Of course there is. HD DVD is miles ahead of Blu-ray with interactivity. Universal just stated that ALL releases from Heroes forward will be web enabled. I'm a tech geek...I gotta have that.
Maybe 1 of every 20 DVD extras I have seen was worth the time it took to watch. High or low production values, 95% of the extras were mindnumbing filler, trailers, some stuff that is cut out that nobody wants to see, and directors/actors spouting PR. (Arrrgh!) I bought the movie, I don't need to be sold it again. If you just took an amateur film buff talking with the director (not in PR mode), pointing out things from the movie, discussing them and the decisions that lead to them, would make a great extra in comparison to the usual.
Nevermind the technology, is there a reason to think the content of the extras in any next generation format are going to be more interesting?
In fact I've read that DVD discs with HD content playback more smoothly in HD DVD players.
Assuming that is a real problem, is that effect coincidence and slightly worse QC on part of the initial BD player manufacturers - then it would be fixed soon - or are you saying there a technical format-related reason that a Blu-Ray player will play the DVD's worse?
Are these DVD's with HD content common?
hey Kupan
They are just hotlinked from Ars (I know, not nice). But why? Should I add on iPods and Dells and DVD players? That graph is to showcase video game sales. Has nothing to do with HD DVD vs Blu-ray, and I only posted it because marzetta brought up the PS3 overtaking the 360.
But back to the topic at hand?something I have thought would happen, and it looks to be:
From http://www.contentagenda.com/blog/15...750012075.html
One woman who had recently purchased an HDTV set said she was interested in playing high-def movies on it and was thinking of getting a high-def disc player. When asked whether she would buy a Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD player she noted that she?d have to buy HD DVD because it was an ?HD TV set? not a ?Blu-ray TV.?
Don?t count things over yet. If HD DVD can get to the sub $200 level soon, and more consumers start really looking at these formats, this kind of ?confusion? could help HD DVD. I?ve always thought Blu-ray was a stupid name. All the marketing people, and that?s the best they could come up with?
You make it sound like they surpassed the installed base, while all it was is just for a week of sales. The installed base of Xbox 360 vs PS3 in America:
360: 6.54m America
PS3: 1.62m America
so still awhile outside of overtaking the 360. A long while...
And really why does that matter in the context of Blu-ray vs HD DVD? Sure the PS3 is a blu-ray player at heart, but the 360 alone is not. And not every PS3 is used for blu-ray. Yes, the PS3 has helped (if not saved) blu-ray, but woo-hoo if it beats the 360 for a week of sales. But, since we are troting out sales numbers of video game consoles: This just in, the PS3 is getting <b>spanked</b> everywhere right now:
3rd place in the US (and not even close to 2nd)
2nd place in Japan (not close to 1st being much closer to 3rd)
3rd place in Europe (with about a million behind the wii)
And as Ars says:
If Sony isn't careful, and loses any more exclusives, they could fall to 3rd with no signs of life. But this really doens't matter at all in terms of the hi-def market.
Hmm, I made it sound like "they surpassed the installed base" did I? With the quote here cleverly omitted from you...
The Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) has struck back against the Xbox 360 , outselling the Microsoft console in the first week since its price cut. Sony cut the PS3 price by $100 (£50) and in the week that followed, 41,005 PS3s were sold, as opposed to just 35,084 Xbox 360s.
Predictably the Nintendo Wii is still putting both to shame, clocking up 76,394 sales in the same time period.
Will this renewed PS3 popularity last? It's impossible to tell at this early stage. But Sony has confirmed that it plans to phase out this discounted 60GB PS3 in favour of the more expensive 80GB version, so the status quo could return when that happens.
Read Mahhht Daaaaamon. Read.
And what does it have to do with the high-def market? Add things up Mahhht Daaaamon. Add things up. The more PS3s in the market, the more probability of Blu-ray sales will see an uptick. That's all I'm saying. You may want to discount the PS3 because you don't have a concrete attach rate number, but don't be fooled, the PS3 effect is what turned the tide over to Blu-ray in this format war. So try not to downplay its significance, as it makes your arguments appear all the more insignificant--like you latest...with the HD DVD name. Keep hoping.
Universal can't seem to do much right nowadays. It doesn't want to get out of sixth place among the major studios. It doesn't want to negotiate with the iTunes store. It owns a big chunk of the third-place broadcast network. It's sticking with HD DVD until the bitter end. It's hard to imagine what they could possibly do wrong next.
I agree.
Universal...Beyond Mediocrity.
but don't be fooled, the PS3 effect is what turned the tide over to Blu-ray in this format war.
This is true. Without the PS3, the war would have been over long ago and HD-DVD would have won handily.
Of course, handicapping their console with such an expensive drive caused Sony to lose their dominance in the Video Game arena to Nintendo. So it's not all bad.
Jesus. It won't end the war, at least not in a way you want it to come out. Universal players aren't going to solve things, because you're not going to see two competeting next-gen DVD standards indefinitely. One is going to win. I mean, you can't honestly see a sustainable situation where we have some blu-ray, some HD-DVD and some hybrid players (an computer drives), can you? You think the whole thing is confusing to the average Joe Sixpack now? Just wait.
Totally agree...couple in Warner's fabulous brain child of THD, you have a recipe for a niche market due to confusion...but probably just what Microsoft wants in order to capitalize on their VOD plans.
This--having one video format in the CE space--is precisely why you had Internet sites clamoring for a universal standard/format for the next generation hd format in the first place. One format offers simplicity, increases the chances of mass market adoption, and still drives prices down as well with numerous companies competing for your business.
I think Toshiba, the sole manufacturer of HD DVD players, ought to throw in the towel for the simplicity needed for the high def market to reach the critical masses. Or, they can continue to take on the rest of the industry, bleed money, and overall take nice pyhrric losses in an inevitable defeat to Blu-ray...their choice, but also their detriment.
?In Europe, 80% of the high-def content is HD vs. Blu-ray,? said Graffeo. ?We need to look at this business on a global basis.?
That's not true. Or perhaps they mean that 80% of the European content makers support HD DVD, but they seem to "forget" that the top selling movies in Europe are US movies.
This is true. Without the PS3, the war would have been over long ago and HD-DVD would have won handily.
Of course, handicapping their console with such an expensive drive caused Sony to lose their dominance in the Video Game arena to Nintendo. So it's not all bad.
I now have all 3 consoles, and I don't think that Sony will lose their dominance - the PS3 is far superior to either of the other two. PS3 sales started to jump up once they dropped the price, and I think that they will have passed Microsoft in a year or two, and pass Nintendo in 3 or 4 years.
For my part, I will only be using the Wii when my kids come over, and only using the 360 to play Microsoft exclusives like Too Human, and everything else will be bought on the PS3.
Universal just stated that ALL releases from Heroes forward will be web enabled.
And they'll probably sell just as well as other Universal titles: not that much.
Perhaps Universal should concentrate on thier PQ instead.
I agree.
Universal...Beyond Mediocrity.
I guess, to be more accurate...
Universal...The Look and Sound of Mediocrity
For my part, I will only be using the Wii when my kids come over, and only using the 360 to play Microsoft exclusives like Too Human, and everything else will be bought on the PS3.
I'm not saying the PS3 is dead by any means, but I think Nintendo has hit upon something with its social gaming focus. My Dad, who's always hated video games, played Wii Sports last week.
He has now asked me where he can go to buy one.
When Wii Fit and that Balance Board thing hit the streets, there will be shortages and riots.
I think Toshiba, the sole manufacturer of HD DVD players, ought to throw in the towel for the simplicity needed for the high def market to reach the critical masses. Or, they can continue to take on the rest of the industry, bleed money, and overall take nice pyhrric losses in an inevitable defeat to Blu-ray...their choice, but also their detriment.
Nice to see your opinion hasn't changed after 61 pages and 2,436 posts.
They are just hotlinked from Ars (I know, not nice). But why? Should I add on iPods and Dells and DVD players? That graph is to showcase video game sales. Has nothing to do with HD DVD vs Blu-ray, and I only posted it because marzetta brought up the PS3 overtaking the 360.
Yeah why not chuck iPods at it too
But back to the topic at hand?
Good idea.
Don?t count things over yet. If HD DVD can get to the sub $200 level soon?
erm.. according to a few posters here, it already has reached that level
Of course there is. HD DVD is miles ahead of Blu-ray with interactivity. Universal just stated that ALL releases from Heroes forward will be web enabled. I'm a tech geek...I gotta have that. My D2 will be hooked up to Fios and the rest of my network in short time. I don't have time to be standardizing on Blu-ray...a format that isn't even finalized to the point of matching what can be had today for $249. Come on the only reason why you're flogging Blu-ray is because you got it packed into your PS3.
answer this question?
How is half of $1200 less than or equal to $499?
I was really looking forward to that answer.
Of course there is. HD DVD is miles ahead of Blu-ray with interactivity. Universal just stated that ALL releases from Heroes forward will be web enabled. I'm a tech geek...I gotta have that. My D2 will be hooked up to Fios and the rest of my network in short time. I don't have time to be standardizing on Blu-ray...a format that isn't even finalized to the point of matching what can be had today for $249. Come on the only reason why you're flogging Blu-ray is because you got it packed into your PS3.
Naturally, Blu-ray began it's life as a recording format so it's understandable why it's ahead in this area. To me it doesn't matter, if you give me a drive that records Blu-ray discs and DVR-R then I can easily support both formats. Blu-ray for long play material and HD-9 for short play material that easily plays back in HD DVD.
In fact I've read that DVD discs with HD content playback more smoothly in HD DVD players.
Hmm, you gotta have that, since you're a tech geek...well, it seems you've change your tune because a year ago you stated this...
I don't see consumers screaming for java games. I don't see them screaming for lossless audio. Some like extras but many will admit they may watch them once and that's it. What they want is to put the disc in a player and watch the movie. The audio and video capabilities of both formats are virtually locked in. They won't be able to add new codecs without destroying backwards compatibility.
Again I will say that HD DVD proponents and Blu Ray proponents seem to divide along technology lines.
The typical HD DVD user just wants high quality audio and video for the best price.
The typical Blu Ray user wants a technical tour de force. Of course it won't deliver better quality than HD DVD but hey it's sure fun to brag out spincoats and 50GB discs.
What happened...? Keep losing talking points?...I think so Murchy. Why, now all of a sudden is interactivity soooo important to the HD DVD format when a year ago, you're basically dismissing it. Moreover, what is to happen when Blu-ray implements PIP more often (which is really the only real interactive thing that HD DVD offers that Blu-ray doesn't in most movies)? This will happen later this year. Will the talking point--interactivity--revert back to not mattering then. I won't be suprised if it will.