The Last Gasp of HD-DVD

[imcarthur]

"The high-definition DVD format war has turned into a format death watch.

Toshiba is expected to pull the plug on its HD DVD format in the coming weeks, after a rash of retail defections that followed Warner Home Video's stunning announcement in early January that it would support only Sony's rival Blu-ray Disc format after May."

see Reuters

BluRay has won.

Ian

[island911]

And what about Samsung, ect?

IMO, Toshiba should not blame their failure on the format --their players are crap. They take a ~90 second just to open the tray... another 90 sec's to close and start thinking about playing. --crap.

If "BluRay has won" then the consumer has lost.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Who cares?

I have more important things to worry about in my life than which unnecessary electronic toy to buy next.

The crap is all gonna' be obsolete in ten years anyway. Heck, I haven't even gone to HDTV yet - what's the point? So I can see the same *****ty programming a teeny tiny bit more clearly?

Forget it.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Heck, I haven't even gone to HDTV yet - what's the point? So I can see the same *****ty programming a teeny tiny bit more clearly?

Unintended consequence of HDTV--chicks are MUCH uglier on the screen now. You can see every wrinkle, mole, pimple, and wayward facial hair. It's really unattractive. Especially with the news anchor chicks who are ugly to begin with.

Seriously, this gets more and more revolting to look at each year:

[cab83_750]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Who cares?

I have more important things to worry about in my life than which unnecessary electronic toy to buy next.

The crap is all gonna' be obsolete in ten years anyway. Heck, I haven't even gone to HDTV yet - what's the point? So I can see the same *****ty programming a teeny tiny bit more clearly?

Forget it.

POP,

Given the conditions, this may become an incovenience for you and me. If I am not mistaken, in 2 years or less, you will need a converter box once Digital takes place (i.e., your regular non digital, hd tv may not work without the cvtr).

Some of us may forego the need for HDTV, HD players, etc., but it is coming.

[djmcmath]

I thought the forced digital was even closer than that -- Jan 09, no? There's also rumors of a tax rebate for digital converters up to $40.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Unintended consequence of HDTV--chicks are MUCH uglier on the screen now. You can see every wrinkle, mole, pimple, and wayward facial hair. It's really unattractive. Especially with the news anchor chicks who are ugly to begin with.

Seriously, this gets more and more revolting to look at each year:

Yeah, to make it worse the make up artists have not figured it out yet. Everyone looks like they were worked on by a mortician.

What's really weird is I think they look worse than real life.

[RickM]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Yeah, to make it worse the make up artists have not figured it out yet.

What we need here is a modern day Max Factor.

[imcarthur]

"On February 17, 2009, federal law requires that all full-power television broadcast stations stop broadcasting in analog format and broadcast only in digital format."

"After February 17, 2009, you will be able to receive and view over-the-air digital programming with an analog TV only by purchasing a digital-to-analog set-top converter box. Between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be able to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the future purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes."

see FCC

Ian

[Drew001]

Originally Posted by island911

And what about Samsung, ect?

Samsung, Onkyo and RCA couldn't make a profit from selling standalone players because Toshiba kept slashing prices of their players in an effort to give the format some traction in the market.

IMO, Toshiba should not blame their failure on the format --their players are crap. They take a ~90 second just to open the tray... another 90 sec's to close and start thinking about playing. --crap.

The format failed due to lack of studio support - once Warners went Blu-ray it tipped the balance away from HD DVD and the game was over.
One of the reasons that Warners moved to Blu-ray is that it is a superior format (more bandwidth, more storage space, etc).

If "BluRay has won" then the consumer has lost.

Exactly the opposite.
The consumer is much better off now that Blu-ray is the clear winner. No need to own two different players or an expensive dual-format player in order to see films from all studios.

[RickM]

Last gasp and here's the punch to the gut...

Just out: Wal-Mart dumps HD DVDs to back Blu-ray http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080215/tc_nm/walmart_dvd_dc

[island911]

Originally Posted by Drew001

...
Exactly the opposite.
The consumer is much better off now that Blu-ray is the clear winner. No need to own two different players or an expensive dual-format player in order to see films from all studios.

Okay, I'll ask again, who do you work for? Next none buy two different players or an expensive dual-format player in order to see films from all studios. ...well, maybe those in the film biz pay attention to such politics.

Perhaps the Japaneses consumer wins if they can knock off the US standard HD-DVD, with their Japanese standard Bluray. . .but you're kidding yourself to think that the consumer wins by paying and extra $5 for a BluRay disk. Will that delta go up or down id HD-DVD is out of the picture?(so to speak)

[imcarthur]

I agree, the consumer has not lost. The statistically insignificant but technologically important hi-end manufacturers have been treading water while the battle raged. They couldn't afford to back a loser. Now that a clear winner has emerged, we will see these guys kick in with products that will show us the true potential of HD performance from a DVD. This always leads to improvements in low level products along the way.

Ian

[dhoward]

Laser disc is future...

[RickM]

Originally Posted by dhoward

Laser disc is future...

I'll sell you a boat load for a good price....

[Seric]

What, Sony caved to the porn industry? Unbuhhleeeevable. They did learn something from VHS/Beta Warzzz.

Grats pigs.

[island911]

Sony says no to porn on Blu-ray Disc (http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9008579 )

This way, the Blu way, the consumer has not lost.

[island911]

Your link finally worked for me...

This is JUST A RUMOR YOU ARE SPREADING

per the article: "Officially, no decision has been made, insists Jodi Sally, vp of marketing for Toshiba America Consumer Products. "Based on its technological advancements, we continue to believe HD DVD is the best format for consumers, given the value and consistent quality inherent in our player offerings," she said."

Originally Posted by imcarthur

"The high-definition DVD format war has turned into a format death watch.

Toshiba is expected to pull the plug on its HD DVD format in the coming weeks, after a rash of retail defections that followed Warner Home Video's stunning announcement in early January that it would support only Sony's rival Blu-ray Disc format after May."

see Reuters

BluRay has won.

Ian

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by island911

Sony says no to porn on Blu-ray Disc

This way, the Blu way, the consumer has not lost.

from that article:

"Sony wouldn't disclose exactly where it draws the line, but the rule means that adult movie makers will have to find someone else to reproduce their films in bulk. While other companies offer such services, the adult industry feels it is being cut out of the Blu-ray camp altogether."

They will find a work around. There's probably dozens of companies in China. But then, do we really WANT to see porn in HD?

Ian

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by island911

This is JUST A RUMOR YOU ARE SPREADING

Of course it is. But the emails were buzzing in the Consumer Electronics business today.

Let's see . . . studios are bailing on software, rental houses are doing likewise, retailers . . . ditto, retailers are bailing on hardware, discounting of HD-DVD hardware is failing . . .

I don't know about you, but I smell something . . .

Ian