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[Raistlin]

Not saying there's much of a chance of Disney changing their minds, but it would be sweet to have Pixar films on HD-DVD. I think the chance of Disney becoming neutral are better than Universal at this point.

Based on what? Your 'gut feeling'? If you look into the reasons why Disney supports BD, then I'm not sure how you can come to such a conclusion.

Of course on the entire scheme of things, if BD prevails, then Universal will go where the consumers are. I'm hopeful that HD-DVD will prevail, as it will take down Sony a few notches and teach them a big lesson about proprietary media...

:lol :lol :lol

Best post I've seen in this thread in months. Good job.

Proprietary media? HD DVD is and always has been more 'proprietary' then BD.

 

[Ripclawe]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QUJKS80&show_article=1&catnum=6

Consumers Urged to Pick New DVD Format

Aug 11 12:24 AM US/Eastern
By GARY GENTILE
AP Business Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - People who own an HD DVD player can forget about watching "Spider-Man 3" in high definition when it goes on sale during the holiday season. The movie from Sony Pictures will only be available in the Blu-ray DVD format. Likewise, people with Blu-ray players won't be able to enjoy the action-thriller "The Bourne Ultimatum," which Universal Pictures will release only in HD DVD.

These exclusive arrangements, plus aggressive price cuts for high-def DVD players, are designed to persuade consumers to finally embrace one format or the other.

But analysts wonder if the moves will anger consumers, just as the studios and consumer-electronics companies are hoping to boost high- def DVD sales as growth in standard DVDs stalls.

"The frustration for consumers is not knowing what format is going to win," said Chris Roden, an analyst at Parks Associates.

Consumers, many of whom are still smarting from the VCR format battle between VHS and Betamax, need to know their expensive equipment won't become obsolete if the competing format wins, said Steven J. Caldero, chief operating officer of Ken Crane's, specialty electronics chain in Southern California.

"People are still frustrated there is a format war to begin with," he said. "The studios are making people choose. What consumers want is something that will play everything so they don't have to choose."

Until recently, many consumers were able to defer the choice because players have been so expensive. But prices have been slashed by about half—Sony Corp.'s Blu-ray player now sells for $499 and Toshiba Corp.'s cheapest HD DVD player sells for $299, with both likely to include as many as five free movies as an incentive. (Players that read both formats remain expensive.)

Both sides are also releasing blockbuster titles such as the new "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie aimed squarely at the demographic most likely to upgrade to high-def.

The stakes couldn't be higher for Hollywood, which has seen sales of traditional DVDs, once a reliable profit engine, slow to a trickle. Direct digital delivery online, while promising, is still years away from profitability because current Internet capacity simply can't handle the enormous high-definition files.

Yet consumers remain profoundly confused by the two formats, both of which deliver crisp, clear pictures and sound but are completely incompatible with each other and do not play on older DVD players. Many haven't even heard of either format.

HD DVD, developed by Toshiba and backed by powerful companies like Microsoft, has the lead in standalone players sold because they are cheaper and hit the market first.

In the United States, standalone HD DVD players have 61 percent market share, while Blu-ray players have 36 percent share and the few dual- format players have a 3 percent share, according to market research company The NPD Group Inc.

But Blu-ray, backed by Sony and a majority of Hollywood studios, got a big boost when Sony introduced its PlayStation 3 game console, which comes standard with a Blu-ray drive. Counting those machines, there are more Blu-ray players out there.

Although Microsoft's Xbox 360 can play HD DVD movies, the drive has to be bought separately. Only 160,000 drives have been sold so far, compared with 1.5 million PS3 consoles, according to NPD.

In terms of discs sold, Blu-ray has always had the lead. Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros. and Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures release movies in both formats, and in such cases Blu-ray has outsold HD DVD by nearly 2-to-1.

Blu-Ray is getting an even bigger boost as Blockbuster Inc. announced it would stock only Blu-ray titles when it expands its high-def DVD offerings this year. Target Inc., the nation's second-largest retailer, said it will only sell Blu-ray DVD players in its stores in the fourth quarter.

Sony Pictures, News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox, The Walt Disney Co., and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer are releasing only in Blu-ray. Universal, owned by General Electric Co., is the only major studio to back HD DVD exclusively.

Nonetheless, Warner Bros. believes both formats can coexist and has been urging Blu-ray backers to begin supporting HD DVD as well. The studio has developed a dual-format disc and has said it would license the technology to other studios willing to back both.

"The fourth quarter is critical for the formats to show growth and momentum," said Steve Nickerson, Warner Home Video's senior vice president of marketing. "It's more than about winning or losing. If you can continue to show growth (in both formats), that's a positive in a situation where standard DVD sales aren't growing."

To counter Blu-ray's recent gains, the HD DVD camp is planning an advertising campaign touting the interactive elements of the format, which allow users to connect to the Internet to download special features.

"This is not about a high-def movie on a disc," said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "It's about a fully immersive experience, connected interactivity. That's what is going to separate these high-def formats."

Kornblau said he isn't worried about Blu-ray's momentum and doesn't believe there's a need for one to knockout the other.

"To call this market nascent is to a degree to pay it a complement," he said. "The people who have bought so far aren't early adopters, they are early, early adopters."

Analysts said even lower prices for players could be the key to determining a format winner. Some believe that until prices hit the $200 range, consumers simply won't upgrade from their current machines, many of which cost less than $100.

Chinese-made HD DVD players selling for $199 are expected to hit store shelves by December, while Sony is widely expected to cut the cost of its Blu-ray machine to as low as $299 by year's end.

"When that occurs, the studios and Sony are going to pull out the big guns," said Phillip Swann, president of the technology-oriented Web site TVpredictions.com. "They are going to release more titles, big titles, and really go for the kill this holiday season."

___

 

[captive]

"We can coexist"
No you fucking cant you dolt, just look at how well that went over in SACD/DVD-A. Yea they are coexisting allright, coexisting in the back section of the furthest away rack in the audio section, or not carried at all in some stores.

 

[thaivo]

Based on what? Your 'gut feeling'? If you look into the reasons why Disney supports BD, then I'm not sure how you can come to such a conclusion.

:lol
I'm not sure you understood that I was relating to a post by Van which suggested that Disney could defect, and my point was not that it would happen at all. My point was that it was more likely that Disney would change than Universal. This is based on the fact that Universal is an integral part of the HD-DVD steering committee, and that Disney is still in communications with the HD-DVD camp even til recently (Amir from Microsoft has mentioned this fact).

Best post I've seen in this thread in months. Good job.

Proprietary media? HD DVD is and always has been more 'proprietary' then BD.

Thanks, I try.

Well, in my mind Sony is the one that broke off negotiations from the original committee on next gen formats. They decided to go with a much more expensive format, that provides fairly marginal benefits.

What surprises me most is that there are people who are well informed about these formats, and actually want a more expensive format. When the two formats are played side-by-side, is there a justification for the higher price of BD?

The only justification by BD supporters seems to be that there are more studios supporting BD. That's great, but most of us HD-DVD supporters are okay with the movies we've been getting. The only BD exclusives that I'm really pained by are Pixar films, and Casino Royale. I'm willing to live without these films. It doesn't make me angry at Disney like some BD supporters at Universal.

 

[djkimothy]

The only justification by BD supporters seems to be that there are more studios supporting BD. That's great, but most of us HD-DVD supporters are okay with the movies we've been getting. The only BD exclusives that I'm really pained by are Pixar films, and Casino Royale. I'm willing to live without these films. It doesn't make me angry at Disney like some BD supporters at Universal.

Bingo! This is why they get my monies. There is currently nothing from universal that I want. So really, I gain more from buying Blu.

 

[Raistlin]

:lol
I'm not sure you understood that I was relating to a post by Van which suggested that Disney could defect, and my point was not that it would happen at all. My point was that it was more likely that Disney would change than Universal. This is based on the fact that Universal is an integral part of the HD-DVD steering committee, and that Disney is still in communications with the HD-DVD camp even til recently (Amir from Microsoft has mentioned this fact).

I would simply say that they are pretty much both equally unlikely to shift

Basically, they will move only when it is pretty clear their respective ship is sinking, it not nearly sunk.

Thanks, I try.

Well, in my mind Sony is the one that broke off negotiations from the original committee on next gen formats. They decided to go with a much more expensive format, that provides fairly marginal benefits.

As an overall media, I would argue the benefits are far beyond marginal ... but that's an argument we can have a different day.

As to this original committee on next gen, I'm not sure what you're referring to. The DVD Forum? They aren't a committee on next gen, regardless of what Toshiba would like you to believe Regardless of the attempting merger breaking down, BD had the larger support ... both in terms of studios and CE. So HD DVD going forward, really puts them in the position of the 'proprietary' format (though neither truly can be considered one).

I just find it laughable that people continue to wrongly use Sony's stigma of proprietary formats as some sort of argument against BD. It is grossly misplaced.

What surprises me most is that there are people who are well informed about these formats, and actually want a more expensive format. When the two formats are played side-by-side, is there a justification for the higher price of BD?

While there was certainly merit to the price argument at the onset, it really isn't of use at this point. The price gap is closing, and will end up hitting practically nil by the time they are really selling in mass numbers.

As for the difference being justified, well ... as I said, it kind of ends up moot. That said, I think the price is indeed justified, but that has been argued a million times before.

The only justification by BD supporters seems to be that there are more studios supporting BD. That's great, but most of us HD-DVD supporters are okay with the movies we've been getting.

That's fine for you, but doesn't seem to represent the public at large.

The only BD exclusives that I'm really pained by are Pixar films, and Casino Royale. I'm willing to live without these films. It doesn't make me angry at Disney like some BD supporters at Universal.

The only people that are really angry at Universal are the ones that are of the opinion (including many analysts) that continuing to have a fractured market makes it far less likely that either format can get beyond niche (if survive longterm at all).

Since BD does offer better tech (again, this has been discussed a zillion times here ... and I would rather not start that again ... at least in this thread), has better studio support, has better CE support, is selling better (and the trend shows that continuing), etc., the people that are of the above position simply want HD DVD to go away. Basically, they really want an HD media format to become a viable platform, and don't see it happening with two in the mix. Since BD appears to have all the advantages, they would like to see that one win.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

The fact that even HD DVD's senior levels have changed the tune from "We can win" to "We see both formats co-existing" .... well, read between the lines. This war is over come Jan 8 or whenever CES is.

 

[Raistlin]

The fact that even HD DVD's senior levels have changed the tune from "We can win" to "We see both formats co-existing" .... well, read between the lines. This war is over come Jan 8 or whenever CES is.

Wow ... I wasn't aware that had said that :lol

That is pretty bad.

 

[thaivo]

Well, I'm just going to say that we have different views on the same topics.

I've been posting too much lately, since I lent my HD-DVD player to my dad. He's been watching two movies a night. I think that now that he has a taste of HDM, he'll probably going to pick up a player sometime soon.

 

[captive]

Well, I'm just going to say that we have different views on the same topics.

I've been posting too much lately, since I lent my HD-DVD player to my dad. He's been watching two movies a night. I think that now that he has a taste of HDM, he'll probably going to pick up a player sometime soon.

Will he be pissed at you later on for recomending him a dying format?
My dad would be, he had a betamax and laserdisc players.

 

[thaivo]

Will he be pissed at you later on for recomending him a dying format?
My dad would be, he had a betamax and laserdisc players.

I didn't recommend any format to him, only lent my player to him to watch HD movies. My dad had a laserdisc player too! He still used it until last year for Karaoke discs.. :lol

 

[FnordChan]

Sherman! Set the Wayback Machine for the year 1984!

Here's a sample:

Give me a break! I've always considered the VHS system to be far superior to the Beta system. Every aspect of Beta makes it obvious to me that Sony was just trying to push something out the door before VHS got to market. VHS is much better thought out than Beta. VHS can run for 8 hours. Beta can only run for 5. The slight difference in cassette size cannot account for this. Sony just coudn't engineer enough quality into an 8 hour speed. And look at the speeds. The progression from single to one-half to one-third speeds in VHS was as natural as if they planned it that way, which they probably did. I can't even remember the correspondence between the Beta speeds. They just pushed it as far as they could in a futile attempt to remain competitive with the superior VHS system.

More: All Beta cassettes are CHROME. VHS gets the same quality from Normal tape. All Beta's use Dolby. VHS gets the same quality without Dolby, and some units give you the option of using Dolby to further improve the quality. As far as Beta-HiFi, VHS-HiFi units are already available.

Is it any wonder that more movies are available in VHS format? The Sony Betamax sells for the same reason that the IBM PC sells--some people don't look any further than the name plate.

And, in reply:

Give ME a break!!!

A couple of years ago, I went out with the intention of buying a VHS machine. After looking at the video quality and feature of several, I went home with a Sony Sl-2000. The Sony's quality at the slow speed is quite good-- good enough that I use the "5-hour" mode for 99% of my taping. Two years ago, I couldn't find a VHS machine that equalled the quality of the SL2000, in the long-playing mode.

I've read articles comparing the way the tape is handled, mechanically. I believe the Beta machines put less stress (stretching, twisting, distorting) on the tape than VHS, but the difference is, evidently, slight. Such a difference might only be apparent when playing tapes from one machine on another or for critical uses such as digital audio, where excessive dropouts are a real concern.

As far as tape availability is concerned, the video store that I rent tapes from (Prime Time Video, Sunnyvale, Ca.) carries EACH title in both Beta and VHS. Since there are more VHS owners than Beta owners, a popular titled movie will often be already rented but I can usually get a Beta copy. Thus, I have found no disadvantages to owning Beta, except for a few, rare occassions when a friend with a VHS machine had something I wanted to see,
and vice-versa.

The fact that there are many more VHS machines sold than Beta does not imply high quality-- merely ADEQUATE quality, often for non-discriminating consumers. There are more Chevrolets and Fords sold, but few will admit that they are of higher quality than a Honda, Toyota, Subaru, or Datsun.

For those of you who are unconvinced, make several generations of a VHS tape, from one VHS machine to another, on slow speed, and observe the degradation of video quality. Now try the same on Beta, at least the Sony SL2000. You will be surprised.

You say you never need to make multiple-generations of copies, VHS-slow to VHS-slow??? Great! So where's the beef? You're happy; so am I.

Bob (with an eye on a Sony SL2700, BETA!!!)

The more things change, etc, etc. Or, as one poster in the linked thread remarked, "Bill the Cat for President! Opus for Veep!"

Fnord Headroom

 

[Raistlin]

Well, I'm just going to say that we have different views on the same topics.

That's fine ... what we like is subjective.


I'm only taking issue with the proprietary comments ... which based on the actual facts, are let's just say ... unfounded.

 

[StoOgE]

actually its fox that killed the merger by nixing hdi.. you put hdi on brd like everyone else wanted and hddvd doesnt exist.. universal and microsoft would have gone with brd leaving tosh out to dry

 

[Raistlin]

Sherman! Set the Wayback Machine for the year 1984!

Here's a sample:



And, in reply:



The more things change, etc, etc. Or, as one poster in the linked thread remarked, "Bill the Cat for President! Opus for Veep!"

Fnord Headroom

The only difference, is Sony did it the 'right way' this time ... by not going it alone. They have the better tech and the better support.

 

[jjasper]

Nonetheless, Warner Bros. believes both formats can coexist and has been urging Blu-ray backers to begin supporting HD DVD as well. The studio has developed a dual-format disc and has said it would license the technology to other studios willing to back both.

:lol "We like money, buy our technology to use so we can have more please."

Edit: I wonder if Warner is also attempting to get Universal to use BD. Warner only "urging" BD backers to support HD DVD is stupid.

 

[Raistlin]

actually its fox that killed the merger by nixing hdi.. you put hdi on brd like everyone else wanted and hddvd doesnt exist.. universal and microsoft would have gone with brd leaving tosh out to dry

Assuming BD-J does indeed live up to what its supposed to do, it will probably be better. That said, it should have never come down to this.

Fox just makes one weird decision after another. First the HDi, then their pricing for BD titles ... then their insistence on using DTS-MA instead of Dolby TrueHD for titles they can't fit (or don't want to include) LPCM soundtracks.


Don't get me wrong, I really like DTS as a company. However, they screwed up big time by delaying the MA decoding algorithms (and therefore, the decoder chips). It would be nice to actually be able to hear lossless audio on all of Fox's movies.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

actually its fox that killed the merger by nixing hdi.. you put hdi on brd like everyone else wanted and hddvd doesnt exist.. universal and microsoft would have gone with brd leaving tosh out to dry

Disney worked with MS on HDI, and then worked on BD Java. They claim that Java is superior to HDI, and I've yet to see anyone refute it. The only thing is, Java isn't complete. I'll hold my opinion until I see it. But let me say that is Blu-ray did adopt HDI, I wouldn't be crying myself to sleep.

 

[FnordChan]

The only difference, is Sony did it the 'right way' this time ... by not going it alone. They have the better tech and the better support.

Oh, sure. I was just amused that format wars from 23 years ago aren't radically different than the ones being fought today. In particular, I liked the Betamax supporter claiming that they preferred VHS being more popular because it meant their local rental store usually had the Beta version in stock except for those "rare occasions" when a friend wanted to watch a flick only on VHS. Yeah, this sounds familiar.

The real insight from 1984 is this bit right here:

I notice that after one buys one or the other format of VHS, one tends to root for it... after all, if it's Hi-Fi, you've put ~$1K into it.

Could someone change the title of this thread to "Bluray/HD-DVD: Desperately Rationalizing Our Respective Purchases As Fast As We Can"?

Fnord Headroom

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

since I just started buying Blu-Ray movies, I'm going to have to read this entire thread aren't I?

quick question, though: Buy Pirates 1&2 now and get 3 later or just buy all 3 in the box set?

 

[StoOgE]

Disney worked with MS on HDI, and then worked on BD Java. They claim that Java is superior to HDI, and I've yet to see anyone refute it. The only thing is, Java isn't complete. I'll hold my opinion until I see it. But let me say that is Blu-ray did adopt HDI, I wouldn't be crying myself to sleep.

it may wind up being better, but im not sure its worth a format war... unless fox didnt want ms to have a monopoly on interactive coding... im sure fears over huge fees for using hdi are the culprit

 

[thaivo]

I'm only taking issue with the proprietary comments ... which based on the actual facts, are let's just say ... unfounded.

I agree, it's all up to each of our subject opinions. But regarding the perception of which format is proprietary, my mind is swayed by things I've read. They may be unfounded to some, but to me it seems sensible. (yes, I've quoted this article previously, but it so well encapsulates why I feel Sony is forcing BD on consumers).

http://www.crn.com/digital-home/18835979

By Junko Yoshida & Yoshiko Hara, CRN
11:22 AM EST Fri. Nov. 14, 2003
From the November 14, 2003 issue of CRN
There's division in the ranks of the DVD Forum, whose steering committee will meet in New York next week to vote on a next-generation optical-disk format.

Sixty companies took part in the forum's technical working group to develop the high-definition (HD-DVD) format, and some of them are also members of the opposing Blu-ray Disc ROM (BD-ROM) camp. Blu-ray was developed by 10 powerful consumer electronics companies, including Sony, Philips, Hitachi, Sharp and Samsung. All 10 are members of the DVD Forum's steering committee.

Some industry observers believe HD-DVD could offer a smooth, seamless transition from today's standard-definition DVD to high definition, but they also acknowledge that the proposal faces a battle. The HD-DVD camp is hoping to commercialize its products in time for Christmas 2004. BD-ROM proponents are planning to introduce their high-definition optical-disk player, which will not be compatible with the DVD Forum's specification, in late 2005.

Aside from working on the 0.9 spec, the BD-ROM proponents appear to be doing their best to make the DVD Forum's HD-DVD-related activities irrelevant. With all 10 of Blu-ray's founding members retaining their seats on the DVD Forum's 17-member steering committee, Blu-ray backers either voted "no" or abstained on the HD-DVD proposal at a June meeting. The six companies that voted "yes" included IBM, Intel, NEC, Time Warner and Toshiba. Because a majority of eight steering committee members abstained, the HD-DVD proposal will be voted on again next week.

Others accused the Blu-ray group of a blatant attempt to undermine more than a year's worth of technical development efforts by engineers from 60 companies in the DVD Forum's working group, who labored to complete the HD-DVD proposal.

Many in the Blu-ray camp don't see any conflict of interest, however. Sony's Fidler made it clear that Blu-ray backers "believed in the need for a new organization outside the DVD Forum due to the new technologies the [BD-ROM] format adopted, including a new physical-disk format and laser technology." Just as the consumer electronics industry moved from infrared with CD to red laser with DVD, and now on to blue laser for high definition, the Blu-ray camp sees it as a natural progression to set up a completely new industry group outside the DVD Forum.

Further, because HD-DVD maintains the same physical-disk format as standard DVD, Yamada stressed that Hollywood studios and replicators can switch from DVD to HD-DVD without changing their production lines.

Industry watcher Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research, Tiburon, Calif., is among those who believe Blu-ray is "not the answer" for next-generation DVD. He described the technology as something pushed by Sony and others that have heavily invested in the blue-laser technology.

 

[Raistlin]

I agree, it's all up to each of our subject opinions. But regarding the perception of which format is proprietary, my mind is swayed by things I've read. They may be unfounded to some, but to me it seems sensible. (yes, I've quoted this article previously, but it so well encapsulates why I feel Sony is forcing BD on consumers).

http://www.crn.com/digital-home/18835979

By Junko Yoshida & Yoshiko Hara, CRN
11:22 AM EST Fri. Nov. 14, 2003
From the November 14, 2003 issue of CRN
There's division in the ranks of the DVD Forum, whose steering committee will meet in New York next week to vote on a next-generation optical-disk format.

Sixty companies took part in the forum's technical working group to develop the high-definition (HD-DVD) format, and some of them are also members of the opposing Blu-ray Disc ROM (BD-ROM) camp. Blu-ray was developed by 10 powerful consumer electronics companies, including Sony, Philips, Hitachi, Sharp and Samsung. All 10 are members of the DVD Forum's steering committee.

Some industry observers believe HD-DVD could offer a smooth, seamless transition from today's standard-definition DVD to high definition, but they also acknowledge that the proposal faces a battle. The HD-DVD camp is hoping to commercialize its products in time for Christmas 2004. BD-ROM proponents are planning to introduce their high-definition optical-disk player, which will not be compatible with the DVD Forum's specification, in late 2005.

Aside from working on the 0.9 spec, the BD-ROM proponents appear to be doing their best to make the DVD Forum's HD-DVD-related activities irrelevant. With all 10 of Blu-ray's founding members retaining their seats on the DVD Forum's 17-member steering committee, Blu-ray backers either voted "no" or abstained on the HD-DVD proposal at a June meeting. The six companies that voted "yes" included IBM, Intel, NEC, Time Warner and Toshiba. Because a majority of eight steering committee members abstained, the HD-DVD proposal will be voted on again next week.

Others accused the Blu-ray group of a blatant attempt to undermine more than a year's worth of technical development efforts by engineers from 60 companies in the DVD Forum's working group, who labored to complete the HD-DVD proposal.

Many in the Blu-ray camp don't see any conflict of interest, however. Sony's Fidler made it clear that Blu-ray backers "believed in the need for a new organization outside the DVD Forum due to the new technologies the [BD-ROM] format adopted, including a new physical-disk format and laser technology." Just as the consumer electronics industry moved from infrared with CD to red laser with DVD, and now on to blue laser for high definition, the Blu-ray camp sees it as a natural progression to set up a completely new industry group outside the DVD Forum.

Further, because HD-DVD maintains the same physical-disk format as standard DVD, Yamada stressed that Hollywood studios and replicators can switch from DVD to HD-DVD without changing their production lines.

Industry watcher Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research, Tiburon, Calif., is among those who believe Blu-ray is "not the answer" for next-generation DVD. He described the technology as something pushed by Sony and others that have heavily invested in the blue-laser technology.

I'm confused how this is a knock on BD? In general, it's the opposite.

The DVD Forum exists for one purpose ... DVD spec and promotion. However, Toshiba has tried to use them to get some sort of validation for it's HD format. The DVD Forum shouldn't even be involved.

The fact that a good chunk of the companies in the steering committee where against HD DVD ... but Toshiba forced through a 'blessing' for HD DVD ... and later, licensing administration doesn't reflect good on Toshiba.

They used their power on the DVD Forum to try and make sure their HD format won ... regardless of the objections of other members.


Exactly how is BD at fault here?

 

[thaivo]

Exactly how is BD at fault here?

I'll give my take on the matter later.. gotta run to a lunch date with my wife. Of course it all comes down to how you look at the motivations of the companies. In short, my view is Sony pushed a less consumer friendly medium (mainly due to price).

 

[xsarien]

Hey, so not to interrupt, but:
What are the chances of this dumbass format war ending soon? Say, in the next 6-12 months? My DVD player is on its last fucking legs here and it seems silly to just get another one with the next-gen players coming down in price and my 2-year-old TV ACHING to use that damned HDMI port already.

 

[kaching]

Whoa whoa whoa. When was this?

Hey, just be glad Van wants to at least pretend to remember something you didn't say - with me he's forgotten actual conversations we've had in this very thread.

 

[HyperionX]

Hey, so not to interrupt, but:
What are the chances of this dumbass format war ending soon? Say, in the next 6-12 months? My DVD player is on its last fucking legs here and it seems silly to just get another one with the next-gen players coming down in price and my 2-year-old TV ACHING to use that damned HDMI port already.

Pretty soon. My guess would be a matter of months before it ends. Universal is running out of movies to sustain HD-DVD, and I don't think Toshiba is willing to lose money indefinitely.

 

[Oni Jazar]

Hey, so not to interrupt, but:
What are the chances of this dumbass format war ending soon? Say, in the next 6-12 months? My DVD player is on its last fucking legs here and it seems silly to just get another one with the next-gen players coming down in price and my 2-year-old TV ACHING to use that damned HDMI port already.

By the end of the year all the supposed cards will have been dealt. Blu-ray with Profile 1.1 (and possibly 2.0), HD DVD with the cheaper models (possibly from China). Universal, Disney, Sony, Weinstein and hopefully Fox will put out their major releases for the year. The sales charts will indicate a clear trend for user preference. By CES a winner will be evident or both formats will co-exist for a long time.

If you're on the fence then wait until January.

 

[VanMardigan]

Hey, just be glad Van wants to at least pretend to remember something you didn't say - with me he's forgotten actual conversations we've had in this very thread.

Oh shit, you're still mad I don't know who you are and I don't remember arguing with you?? LET IT GO, you sound pathetic!!!! :lol

And chubs, if you're not the same chubigans from IGN forums, accept my apologies.

 

[chubigans]

And chubs, if you're not the same chubigans from IGN forums, accept my apologies.

I am actually. But lets not let old IGN baggage carry over to this forum eh?

 

[VanMardigan]

I won't, you're a good guy. I'm just trying to point out that, despite how confident you sounded in that previous post, you've been wrong before.

 

[chubigans]

I won't, you're a good guy. I'm just trying to point out that, despite how confident you sounded in that previous post, you've been wrong before.

Mayyyyyyyybe. But this time I WILL BE RIGHT!

 

[Ponn]

All this coming from a well known ps triple fan boi who some how thinks it will win the next gen race just as soon as (insert title of choice here) launches.

So what was that you were saying about stupid arguements? lol

O rly? I would LOVE to see all this. Please please please link to my post where I said anything remotely like that. Especially since i've been pretty big on my 360 since I got it back in March.

Gotta love the "make up an argument and say someone said it then call them stupid for making it" defense. :lol

 

[el Diablo]

since I just started buying Blu-Ray movies, I'm going to have to read this entire thread aren't I?

quick question, though: Buy Pirates 1&2 now and get 3 later or just buy all 3 in the box set?

I'm personally waiting for the box set. I have a feeling they'll add more BD-J features to 1 and 2. If not then at least i'll have a snazzy box :lol

 

[Crayon Shinchan]

I won't, you're a good guy. I'm just trying to point out that, despite how confident you sounded in that previous post, you've been wrong before.

And you've been wrong repeatedly, but hey, let's not let that get in the way of a good ol' character attack.

 

[VanMardigan]

And you've been wrong repeatedly, but hey, let's not let that get in the way of a good ol' character attack.

What ARE you talking about?

 

[neojubei]

The only justification by BD supporters seems to be that there are more studios supporting BD. That's great, but most of us HD-DVD supporters are okay with the movies we've been getting. The only BD exclusives that I'm really pained by are Pixar films, and Casino Royale. I'm willing to live without these films. It doesn't make me angry at Disney like some BD supporters at Universal.

Wait until the Incredibles and Finding Nemo comes out on blu-ray, oh and Toy Story 1 and 2, and you'll have to cave in.

since I just started buying Blu-Ray movies, I'm going to have to read this entire thread aren't I?

quick question, though: Buy Pirates 1&2 now and get 3 later or just buy all 3 in the box set?

Wait for the box set.

 

[Big-E]

Just got back from my Futureshop where I picked up Final Fantasy and the Fifth Element. Haven't been there in a month or two and I was surprised to see how large their Blu-Ray section has become. A funny aside is that they were selling the crappy first run version of Fifth Element for 3 dollars more than the revision.

 

[jet1911]

Finally got my Hot Fuzz copy to work on my 360 player. This movie is great. :lol

Also watched 300 on Blu Ray. The picture quality is incredible.

 

[captive]

woo, im listening to Dark Side of the Moon SACD, i havnt listen to this in years, amazing. I wish there were more SACD/DVD-A i were interested in.

 

[captive]

Finally got my Hot Fuzz copy to work on my 360 player. This movie is great. :lol

Also watched 300 on Blu Ray. The picture quality is incredible.

I watched 300 last night, i can see how people dont like the grain. I didnt mind it except for a couple of scenes for some reason it made some characters faces look digital or something.
But yes it looked and sounded great.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

Lol. Faramir's voiceover in 300 sounds so forced! :lol

 

[captive]

Lol. Faramir's voiceover in 300 sounds so forced! :lol

Haha i didnt realize that was faramir when i saw it in theaters but last night it clicked i lol'ed.

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

I'm personally waiting for the box set. I have a feeling they'll add more BD-J features to 1 and 2. If not then at least i'll have a snazzy box :lol

I doubt they will seeing as they already have discs pressed and that's cheaper than making new ones, but wait I shall.

Lol. Faramir's voiceover in 300 sounds so forced! :lol

it sounds like he's talking while trying to make his jaw stick out, or like a sergeant in one of those old WW2 movies.

 

[jjasper]

I watched Final Fantasy this morning. I thought the movie was ok, but holy shit it looks incredible, I would highly recommend giving it a rent just to see how freaking awesome it looks.

 

[neojubei]

I watched Final Fantasy this morning. I thought the movie was ok, but holy shit it looks incredible, I would highly recommend giving it a rent just to see how freaking awesome it looks.

That's it I'll break down and buy the blu-ray tomorrow. I wished the cover was different.

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

More like a pipe dream or wishful thinking from blu ray supporters. You guys have been crying wolf since, what like 2005?

Some people since Jan, me since oh, March for probably and June for sure.

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

Target is an endcap agreement,

Only according to Ken Graffio. That's not how the quoted Target stance sounded *at all*.

 

[Andy787]

So, Sony Pictures just released this:

..On DVD.

...

Why in THE FUCK is this not surrounded by a small blue package containing discs that can only be read by blue diode lasers and displayed via delicious high definition Blu-Ray technology?! WHY!?

 

[MickeyKnox]

So, Sony Pictures just released this:

..On DVD.

...

Why in THE FUCK is this not surrounded by a small blue package containing discs that can only be read by blue diode lasers and displayed via delicious high definition Blu-Ray technology?! WHY!?

It'll come soon enough.

God I miss good DeNiro.