The Downfall of HD-DVD
 

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A Sony rep sent this to me . . .

Ian

i recall seeing something very similar where hitlers' car was stolen.

The sad reality of that video is that it is rapidly starting to look like consumers that bought HD-DVD probably guessed wrong.

The story:

"The two remaining studios backing HD DVD could switch sides soon, ending the high-def format war instantly.

Daily Variety has confirmed that Universal's commitment to backing HD DVD exclusively has ended. And Paramount has an escape clause in its HD DVD contract allowing it to release pics on Blu-ray after Warner Bros.' decision to back that format exclusively.

Neither studio is ready to throw in the towel immediately, however. On Thursday, Universal broke its silence about the matter to say that it plans to keep supporting the format for the time being, a pledge Par made earlier in the week. And in any case, U is committed to a series of HD DVD promotions in coming months.

Should Toshiba concede defeat on the format, the decision to drop HD DVD would be made for both studios. But Toshiba doesn't appear ready to do that. At the Consumer Electronics Show, the manufacturer reaffirmed its commitment to the format, noting strong sales during the fourth quarter and indicating it would continue marketing its hardware through 2008.

But retailers may force the HD DVD camp's hand: They're unlikely to keep devoting premium shelf space to a dying format, and at this point, the odds are not in HD DVD's favor. With Warners' defection, only Par and U remain in the HD DVD camp; Sony, Disney, Fox, Lionsgate remain ardent Blu-ray backers. Warner sister companies New Line and HBO are also shifting allegiance to Blu-ray.

Last summer, Blockbuster also threw its weight behind Blu-ray, though some HD DVD discs remain in stores.

And Warner will continue to release HD DVD discs for the next few months to honor its previous commitment to Toshiba, which extends through May 31. Paramount's HD DVD deal, which covers DreamWorks releases, was to run through this year."

Twice Magazine

Ian

Well the sooner that Sony lands a monopoly the better. We really can't take this "competition" thing, driving down prices, much longer. $600 for a BluRay player or $300 for a HD-DVD player AND $45 for the Blu disks ... how can they make ANY money!?!?!?? Only a monopoly will allow Sony the much needed price hikes.

Seriously, some of you guys are trying a bit too hard to be "right".

Monopoly?

Blu-Ray Founders = Matsu****a, Pioneer, Philips, Thomson, LG Electronics, Hitachi, Sharp, Samsung, and Sony + associates Apple, Dell, Hewlett Packard etc.

And as soon as a format is fixed you will see machines at all price/quality levels from the secondary manufacturers like Arcam, Cambridge Audio & all of the high-end companies. They have all been waiting in the wings since they don't have the resources to be wrong.

Ian

Those who thought porn would win the battle for HD-DVD missed the boat. Porn is no longer mailed to your house in an envelope. It is distributed in low-def via the web. Or so I've heard.

Sony owns the Blu license. =If you make a Bluray player, Sony gets paid.
MSFT owns the HD license. =If you make a HD-DVD player, MSFT gets paid. (less)

There is no "standards choice" barrier to market for any of those mfg's. Cost of goods and cost of license are the big players. Those mfg's that want to carry a player will. Just look at the crap electronics that get made with old standards. (VHS, CD players-"now with mp3 w'hoo")

http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/28/eu-investigating-hd-dvd-blu-ray-licensing-terms/

So, yeah, as soon as "one standard wins" (which I don't believe will happen) that standard can charge more for the licensing. --monopoly.

SHD is right around the corner. Then we'll have a new battle...

Remember these recent consumer film/video/data recording/playback formats?

In no particular order:
Cave drawings
16mm film
8mm film
Super 8mm
3/4 Videotape
1/2" BetaMax
1/2" VHS
1/8" cassette tape
1/4" recording tape (1.5, 3.5, 7, 15 ips)
2" recording tape
Hi speed video (Betacam)
LaserDisc
8" floppy disc
3.5" floppy disc (120Kb, 320Kb, 1.2Mb)
Digital tape
Optical drives
8" Bernoulli disc
5 1/4" Syquest disc (5Mb, 10Mb, 20Mb)
Hard drives (5 Mb, 10Mb, 20Mb, 100Mb, 5Gb, 10Gb, 60Gb, 80Gb, 700Gb, 1Tb, etc.
CD (read only, R/W)
35mm film
Polaroid film
2.25" film
4x5 film
8x10 film
IMAX film
DVD
... now HD DVD
Blu-Ray
Next....?

I'm sure I missed some.

It's either progress and/or designed obsolescence.

Sherwood

hey the forum's nasty word filter works like a charm :D

You got it. Technology marches on.

Ian