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[ManaByte]

DIVX never had a chance in hell. Pretty much every hardware manufacturer was against it because they make no money out of it. Dumb rental service.

That didn't stop Fox, Disney, and Paramount from EXCLUSIVELY supporting DIVX due to its stronger copy protection scheme compared to DVD.

 

[kaching]

Question was rhetorical, Mana.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

That didn't stop Fox, Disney, and Paramount from EXCLUSIVELY supporting DIVX due to its stronger copy protection scheme compared to DVD.

They were retards. Paramount and Fox are still retards. They still don't understand how to sell discs to people. DIVX and DVD had completely different goals. DIVX's goal was to offer an alternative to VHS rental fees. DVD was there to replace VHS totally. Fox, Disney, Paramount felt that DVD would never replace VHS (especially Disney since their bread and butter was cartoons on VHS: heck, I still have about 30) and thus, shunned DVD.

As I said, Blu-ray and HD DVD have NOTHING in common with the previous wars. They both have the same goals - to replace DVD. VHS/Beta was to estabilish a home format because there was nothing practical before it.

This is why I hope we will have ONE format soon, whatever it is, because unlike the Betawars, there's already a well established format (DVD) and isn't NECESSARY to have something else from the consumer POV. The HD wars will remain the "icing on the cake" of home media for several years to come. The studios are treading on shaky grounds here and they really need to give the consumer a clear message soon.

I firmly believe that if there was only 1 format, Matrix set would have sold 100k+ this week.

 

[VanMardigan]

I firmly believe that if there was only 1 format, Matrix set would have sold 100k+ this week.

Nope, but you're too entrenched in your HD world to have a true perspective. Most folks who even bother to get an HDTV don't even use it for HD content, and they are not going to pay the current prices (hardware and software) for HD content. The sales numbers prove this. Folks just don't place the importance of an HD image high enough to make an HD format mainstream-relevant at this point. Heck, a lot of folks probably think DVD is HD.

 

[Raistlin]

Where's the ****ing BD-JAVA, Sony? We're tired of waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Hurry the **** up

I'm pretty sure that releases are expected in the fall ... and that this was stated many, many months ago.

I know it sucks ... but complaining won't compress the timeline.

 

[VanMardigan]

I'm pretty sure that releases are expected in the fall ... and that this was stated many, many months ago.

I know it sucks ... but complaining won't compress the timeline.

But why complain? That extra stuff is useless anyway, right?

Give 'em disc art and JUST the movie, pls.

 

[Raistlin]

I was banned for this, and David Vaughn, should be banned for this too!

The question is ... where you using a specific transfer to imply that either VC-1 is superior to AVC, or that HD DVD is superior to BD?

If that was implied at all, well then ...

 

[Raistlin]

But why complain? That extra stuff is useless anyway, right?

Give 'em disc art and JUST the movie, pls.

Who has been arguing it is useless?

 

[kaching]

Nope, but you're too entrenched in your HD world to have a true perspective. Most folks who even bother to get an HDTV don't even use it for HD content, and they are not going to pay the current prices (hardware and software) for HD content. The sales numbers prove this. Folks just don't place the importance of an HD image high enough to make an HD format mainstream-relevant at this point. Heck, a lot of folks probably think DVD is HD.

Selling 100K wouldn't have been "mainstream-relevant". You're overreacting to what he was saying.

 

[StoOgE]

Divx was also sold only at circuit city if I recall.

I had one, it was really stupid.. and unlike this format war, when the format died, the movies really did stop working. :lol

Edit: I think you misunderstand DIVX, you could buy movies on DIVX as well to own permanently. It was aimed mostly at killing Blockbuster and keeping the money in the studios pockets (they still want to do this), but you could also permanently purchase the movies for 15 bucks after you had rented them. Normally you would buy a disc, and have 48 hours after you first played it to watch the film. Then, you could "rerent" the movie for 3 bucks at a later date to watch it again, or buy a "lifetime" usage of the movie for 15 bucks.

This at a time when a DVD movie was much much more expensive. My DIVX machine still works actually (it was dual format with DVD), but the service is dead, so the movies I bought off of it dont work (you have to dial in to "unlock" the movie, and you cant dial in anymore).

The studios loved it.. they got rental fees, and you couldnt pirate anything, because you had to dial in via modem to unlock your movie every time.

 

[VanMardigan]

Selling 100K wouldn't have been "mainstream-relevant". You're overreacting to what he was saying.

I'd respond if only I understood what you were trying to say here.

And yeah, Onix, nobody has been calling the HD DVD IME (which is the equivalent of BDJ) useless. I misread about two dozen posts here.

 

[jjasper]

I'd respond if only I understood what you were trying to say here.

And yeah, Onix, nobody has been calling the HD DVD IME (which is the equivalent of BDJ) useless. I misread about two dozen posts here.

I think the general consenus is not that it is useless, but that blu ray movies shouldn't be held back from release to include it (Batman, The Matrix, etc)

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

Van, that's a strawman. repeatedly, people have said that given a choice of extras vs films *now* that they'd take the films now. That's not the same as saying they are useless.

 

[StoOgE]

Van, that's a strawman. repeatedly, people have said that given a choice of extras vs films *now* that they'd take the films now. That's not the same as saying they are useless.

Some people have downplayed the extras mostly because they dont have them, and there have been some people making fun of the feature.. but for the most part Ignatz is right.

The BRD fans probably would love to have BRJ now... but given the choice of Batman and the Matrix now without BDJ and Batman and the Matrix in say November with it, they would take the former.

 

[VanMardigan]

I think the general consenus is not that it is useless, but that blu ray movies shouldn't be held back from release to include it (Batman, The Matrix, etc)

The general consensus only if you count the more sensible posters. The frickin IME is downplayed almost constantly here. And it's pretty useless if you're willing to buy a movie without it at the same price just to have it a few months early, wouldn't you say?

 

[StoOgE]

To be fair, I think IME is mostly useless. Ucontrol is awesome. You have to turn IME on at the beginning of the movie. You cant turn it on in the middle, it restarts the movie. Once you have started the movie, it becomes interactive, but its not passive like Ucontrol.


Ucontrol = hot and sexy
IME = pretty cool, but terribly implemented.

U control does need an allways on option though if you want to just sit back and watch the PIP

 

[VanMardigan]

To be fair, I think IME is mostly useless. Ucontrol is awesome. You have to turn IME on at the beginning of the movie. You cant turn it on in the middle, it restarts the movie.

Ucontrol = hot and sexy
IME = pretty cool, but terribly implemented.

I was actually using the two interchangeably.

 

[Bebpo]

The general consensus only if you count the more sensible posters. The frickin IME is downplayed almost constantly here. And it's pretty useless if you're willing to buy a movie without it at the same price just to have it a few months early, wouldn't you say?

Definitely. But this will come down to a person to person situation. Some people care about extras, some people don't. Either way if you're a BD supporter you're downplaying them even if you really love them deep down, and if you an HD-DVD supporter you're saying they're extremely important even if you'll never watch an extra in your life and couldn't care less about them. It's just the way it is.

They should just do a test and see what's more profitable. Release a barebones movie on blu-ray day and date with full of extras hd-dvd, and then 6 months later release a bd with all the hd-dvd extras. See which of the three sells the most.

There's also the problem of not enough room at blu-ray pressing plants currently. Both versions of Zodiac got delayed until late September (originally July) because they couldn't get the blu-ray discs pressed in time. But that's a whole different issue.

 

[StoOgE]

They should just do a test and see what's more profitable. Release a barebones movie on blu-ray day and date with full of extras hd-dvd, and then 6 months later release a bd with all the hd-dvd extras. See which of the three sells the most.

We may see this with 300 and Blood Diamond. They arent going to tell us the BDJ version is coming later, but I assume it will.

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

For instance, there are a few movies I own on DVD that I would like in HD that are not on BD yet. Batman Begins, Matrix, V for Vendetta. I have the interesting extras already. In the case fo new releases, I suppose I mihgt care more-- but with the catalog as lean as it is (even combining the two formats) I'd rather see more titles out, than withheld for the sake of the interactive stuff.

I dunno, maybe if I had used the HDi/Ucontrol stuff I'd sing a different tune, but I didn't upgrade to HD for interactivity, I did it for picture quality.

 

[kaching]

I'd respond if only I understood what you were trying to say here.

You seemed to be responding to DJK as if his prediction that the Matrix set might have sold through 100K in its first week if it were available on both formats was tantamount to predicting mainstream acceptance of the HD formats and, thus, you claimed he was out of touch. But 100K is still nothing compared to what DVDs can move in their first week.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

I dunno, maybe if I had used the HDi/Ucontrol stuff I'd sing a different tune, but I didn't upgrade to HD for interactivity, I did it for picture quality.

I did it for the nookie... er Audio Quality. I'm not rich; I just spend all my money on my audio equipment. Honestly, I don't give a damn about picture quality. As long as it looks Tier 2, that's good enough for me in most cases. Blockbusters, are a different story. However, I want lossless/uncompressed with every release. This is why Warner, Paramount, and Universal piss me off. Especially Warner and their Catalog titles. The audio on those are pathetic.

 

[AgentOtaku]

so watched Lost in Translation last night on HD-DVD

Here's Hidefdigest's review

...pretty much sums it up rather well...especially when he discusses the PQ...which is regrettably just ok for the most part =/

...but then again, I really wasn't expecting much because I knew how the film was shot in the first place

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

I'm the opposite. Once I went 5.1 DD, I never felt the need to upgrade. Sound improvement to me is not that big a deal. But I project @ 8 feet across, and the picture quality changes are evident. Tier 1, 2 whatever-- as long as it's better than DVD in SD.

Which is why it's fun watching all the nitpicking over extremely small (to me) details like the differences in codecs when all I care about is the movies available. Hence gong with BluRay and justifying the purchase of an otherwise-overpriced PS3.

 

[drohne]

i've really never watched an extra in my life, and it has nothing to do with the hd format war. i've never even looked at those lotr documentaries everyone raves about -- interviews and behind-the-scenes footage simply don't enhance my enjoyment of a good movie. actually they have a way of reminding me that i've only been watching actors who say banal things on ugly sets.

edit: not that i'm particularly angry about warner's delayed releases -- i couldn't make myself like batman begins, and i won't buy the matrix until it's sold separately. maybe there's something else i'm forgetting about.

 

[Bebpo]

hah, at Highdefdigest he was forced to add this into the pirates > matrix story due to fanboy pressure:

Update (6/1/07, 5:27PM ET):
Several readers have written in to complain that comparing sales data for the 'Matrix' box sets to the two individual 'POTC' releases is a case of apples and oranges. They argue that the 'Pirates' Blu-ray discs benefited from a wave of pre-release publicity for the the third film in the series along with some bundled sales incentives at big box retailers, while the Matrix box set was dragged down by the fact that many fans already own the original 'Matrix' on DVD, and had little interest in the second and third installments of the series, making the higher pricepoint for the two boxsets a particularly tough sell. Needlesstosay, the discussion continues in our forums area.

lol.

I like how people are saying PoTC got great marketing because of the new movie, whereas ignoring that you see trailers for the Matrix sets EVERYWHERE from theaters to the X360 main dashboard.

 

[djkimothy]

hah, at Highdefdigest he was forced to add this into the pirates > matrix story due to fanboy pressure:



lol.

I like how people are saying PoTC got great marketing because of the new movie, whereas ignoring that you see trailers for the Matrix sets EVERYWHERE from theaters to the X360 main dashboard.

Not to mention that highdefdigest has that flash ad with Trinity mimicing the HDDVD film control for like about 2 weeks. I was more aware of the Matrix box set then the impending release of Pirates.

I find this format war amusing, in a sadistic way.

 

[Kleegamefan]

Where are the real specs for 300?

ie, 50 GB discs? What codec? Importantly for Blu-ray since this is a Warner release. What is the audio codec?

These are more relevant to my interest people!

Its a warner release so VC1 is in the cards for the video codec....


I prayed, and prayed and prayed to the gods and it seems my prayers were answered Warner is giving mercy on us BRD fans and are providing 300 with a Dolby TrueHD soundtrack (yay!)

 

[Kleegamefan]

Frys Electronics is selling Blood Diamond (loved the movie) on Blu-ray for

Spoiler

$14.99

on tuesday!!!!

Its such a good deal, I'm buying two copies!!!

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1071897/16383238.gif

 

[VanMardigan]

I'm the opposite. Once I went 5.1 DD, I never felt the need to upgrade.

I mostly agree with this. DTS and 5.1 are good enough for me. I'll probably upgrade my receiver at some point next year and pick up some speakers, but I won't be spending a ton of money on it. I rather spend the dough on a 1080p tv.

As I say this, I'll admit that I've never heard a proper 7.1 setup, uncompressed audio greater than the stereo option on 360, etc. so it may be a case of me just not knowing what I'm missing. In any case, the 360 add-on, with its 5.1 and DTS audio options, has been more than enough for me on the audio side, because I really bought it for HD video, and that doesn't disappoint.

 

[Crayon Shinchan]

Some people have downplayed the extras mostly because they dont have them, and there have been some people making fun of the feature.. but for the most part Ignatz is right.

The BRD fans probably would love to have BRJ now... but given the choice of Batman and the Matrix now without BDJ and Batman and the Matrix in say November with it, they would take the former.

I'd take the latter. I mean, if I've waited this damn long already, I don't really mind waiting a few more months.

It's not like I've got the optimal setup to enjoy HD to its max yet anyway.

 

[Wulfer]

Frys Electronics is selling Blood Diamond (loved the movie) on Blu-ray for

Spoiler

$14.99

on tuesday!!!!

Its such a good deal, I'm buying two copies!!!

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1071897/16383238.gif

Hey Klee, thanks for the heads up! Now I can get the HD-DVD version for $14.99.

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5265327;jsessionid=Wt+A6CB-OfTtD1T-Ch+VJw**.node1?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

[DarkJediKnight]

Bill Hunt of DigitalBits officially sides with Blu-ray and calls out Harry Knowles of AICN!

So here's the thing. We've gotten a few e-mails over the last couple days - okay, a lot more than a few - about Harry Knowles over at Ain't it Cool News going on the record saying that he's chosen HD-DVD and why, and how all his director friends tell him HD-DVD is the way to go, and how he "might be wrong" but has a knack for picking winning formats so there you go. Yeah. Well... look, we love Harry and the guys over at AICN. We love 'em a bunch. But flat out, we think Harry is wrong on this one. And since somebody needs to say it, we may as well step up to the plate.

It's funny, Doogan e-mailed yesterday about this: "I love the statement that his deciding factor was the reverse compatibility of HD-DVD. This is why people are afraid. Because people in power, who don't know s--t and shouldn't be talking s--t ARE talking. Harry should remove this post because it's flat out wrong." Todd... God bless him. All things considered, tact may not be his forté. But I understand his point. Like I said, Headgeek knows his movies and he is big-time plugged into the theatrical side of the business. He's entitled to his opinion, and we respect him for speaking his mind. But when it comes to the home video side, Harry's maybe a little out of his element. He seems to be rather new to the whole high-def disc thing. And unfortunately, he's got many of his facts wrong.

For the record, Harry says: "The kicker is... that it can play the 9000 or so DVDs I already have, as well as the HD DVDs. That Backwards compatibility feels right."

Well... a LOT of things feel right, and we agree, backwards compatibility is one of them. But Blu-ray is backwards compatible too. It is fully 100% capable of playing all your DVDs. Worth noting.

Later in the discussion thread, Harry claims: "Porn is HD DVD - it will win. I have faith in Porn."

Not to sully the good reputation of the porn biz, but this argument is so six months ago. As we've said before, porn will not decide this format war. Yes, porn decided the VHS/Betamax format war... because at the time, the only way to watch adult films was to visit a seedy movie theater on the wrong side of town or to spool up a Super-8 or 16mm film. So when porn on videotape became available (largely on VHS) that you could watch in the privacy of your own home, people went nuts for it. Unfortunately for Harry's argument, not only are there literally hundreds of thousands of $10 adult DVDs available, free porn is EVERYWHERE on the Net. And that's what companies like Vivid see as the future - downloading high-def porn to your PC. Read my lips: Skin flicks WILL NOT decide this format war.

Later, Harry adds more: "and right now... there's something along the lines of 545 titles on HD DVD and only 62 for Blue Ray. That's nearly getting close to 10 to 1 in terms of selection."

Here's a MAJOR fact check: According to Ralph Tribbey's excellent and highly accurate DVD Release Report, here's the official U.S. title tally as of 5/23 for each format: HD-DVD - 201 titles released, plus 57 more announced. Blu-ray - 237 titles released with 40 more announced.

Maybe Harry meant adult titles? Yeah, not so much. Adult DVD Empire shows all of 9 actual HD-DVD adult titles available at the moment.

How are all those high-def titles selling? Let's see what Nielsen VideoScan says (click here and look at page one of this digital edition of Home Media): As of 5/20, Blu-ray leads HD-DVD in overall software sales, 57% to 43% since both formats launched. The more recent trends are more lopsided: Blu-ray is outselling HD-DVD 67% to 33% year-to-date for 2007. That's a 2 to 1 margin, DESPITE the fact that HD-DVD claims to have sold many more actual stand-alone players than Blu-ray Disc.

How about the most recent sales numbers? Okay... let's consider 5/22, when Disney debuted both Pirates of the Caribbean films on Blu-ray against Warner's dual Matrix box sets on HD-DVD. According to Home Media: "The two “Pirates” films sold a combined total of nearly 47,000 units, while the higher-priced “Matrix” sets sold about 13,900 units." So more people purchased BOTH Pirates BDs than purchased any Matrix box set - even the cheaper one. Warner's recent The Departed provides another case in point. By their own admission, the studio sold 58,300 copies on Blu-ray and just 35,300 on HD-DVD.

As for Harry's later comment in the Talk Back about "a lot of Reg DVDs are beginning to master in higher resolutions..."

Here's the thing... the Hollywood studios have been mastering their films in high-def for DVD release for YEARS now. Plus, lots of cheap standard DVD players already upconvert 480p DVDs to 1080 resolution via HDMI. Not just HD-DVD players. And yes, Blu-ray players do this too. It's pretty a common feature these days.

Look... like I said, we love Harry. But we think he's wrong on this one. It seems his DVD player broke, and when he saw that Toshiba had slashed their HD-DVD player prices to $299, he couldn't resist. For that, we can't blame him. But we CANNOT join him in recommending the HD-DVD format to ANYONE, no matter how cheap.

We've been involved with the home video industry for ten years now. Way back in 1997, when most people didn't even know what DVD was, we were telling people it was going to be the biggest thing since the CD. We were having conversations with the Hollywood studios that first year, where even the most senior studio executives were telling us we were crazy to think DVD was ever going to be anything more than a niche format. But we were right then. We gave the world it's first look at Circuit City's Divx format, and then said it was going to fail. We were right about that too. We were right about the need for the studios to support DVD's anamorphic widescreen capability, to ensure the highest video quality possible at the time, and we lobbed them hard to do so. Here at The Bits, we interact on a daily basis with studio personnel at all levels, with authoring/technical staffers, with DVD producers, with filmmakers and with hardware manufacturers. So we're pretty good at having our finger on the pulse of the home video industry, and knowing what the trends are. And anyone who has read The Bits since we started will know that, over the years, we've been right about a LOT more things than we've been wrong.

And all of that experience tells us this: HD-DVD is not going to win this format war. In fact, one of two things is possible right now: Either Blu-ray will win, or neither format will win. But the best HD-DVD can hope for is to just keep hanging in the game as long as possible.

Our readers trust us to give it to them straight, and to help guide them through the confusing home video landscape in such a way that they don't end up wasting their money. HD-DVD is a great format technically, but its business model is an utter and complete disaster from which it will not recover.

Meanwhile, Blu-ray is just as good technically and quality-wise, it has the support of EVERY HOLLYWOOD STUDIO BUT UNIVERSAL, it has the support of the MAJORITY OF HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS, and nearly the ENTIRE computer industry. There are lots of great titles coming out, many more titles are on the way, there are more models of stand-alone players available and they're getting cheaper all the time. Blu-ray Disc is by FAR the smarter choice. If you want spend the safe money, there's your best bet.

Let's get back to that business model problem I mentioned a moment ago. It should come as a surprise to no one that Toshiba has been losing money on their HD-DVD players (as is typical for hardware of any new format in the first few years - BD manufacturers deal with this as well). But in the last couple of weeks, the company has been slashing prices dramatically and offering $100 rebates, effectively bringing the cost of the HD-A2 to $299. That seems like a great deal, and Harry certainly jumped on it. Hell, we wouldn't be surprised to see Toshiba slash down to $199 or even less by the holidays at this rate. But it means that Toshiba is losing even MORE money on HD-DVD hardware than they were before, which can't have a positive impact on their overall business. I don't know if I'd go so far as to call this a fire sale, but it sure smacks of desperation on Toshiba's part. But there's another, bigger problem with this as well. What other major (potential) HD-DVD manufacturer wants to compete with that?

The HD-DVD camp has long touted cheaper players as its big trump card, even going so far as to promote future super-cheap, off-brand models at CES this past January. But all this does is basically ensure that NO OTHER MAJOR MANUFACTURER WILL JOIN THE HD-DVD CAMP. Where's the business incentive to do so? If you can't make a profit, there's no point. Sure, LG and Samsung are making pricey combo players available that will play both HD-DVD and Blu-ray, but that's only because they know that a small enthusiast market will be willing to pay $1200+ for one. Neither has announced cheaper HD-DVD-only players to compete with Toshiba's and we're betting they won't.

When you look at the facts and trends, it seem to us here at The Bits that the ONLY thing the HD-DVD camp has to crow about right now is that they're the cheaper option. If that's all you have going for you, cheaper might win you a battle or two, but without more studio and industry support, it's never going to win you the war.

Meanwhile, on the Blu-ray side, Stan Glasgow (the president of Sony Electronics) has made recent press statements to the effect that the company's Blu-ray players could drop to as low as $299 by the holidays this year (click here). Other BD manufacturers (including Pioneer, Panasonic and Samsung) will have cheaper players available by the end of the year as well, some of them in the $399 price range. And again, they'll play Blu-ray movies from EVERY HOLLYWOOD STUDIO BUT UNIVERSAL and yes, Harry... all your standard DVDs too.

Let's look at the studio support side. HD-DVD has just one major exclusive studio supporter: Universal. Blu-ray has FIVE: Disney, Fox, MGM, Lionsgate and Sony. Which group do you think is more likely to go format neutral first? For better or worse, one of the reasons some of these studios sided with Blu-ray exclusively is because that format offers them an additional layer of content protection: BD+ (the details of which Sony is soon to finalize according to this story at Audioholics). By the way, that Audioholics story hints that Fox has a particular interest in BD+ protection for its high-def titles, which could be why they've delayed all those Fox and MGM catalog Blu-ray titles they talked about at CES. With AACS already smarting from a series of cracks, hacks and work-arounds that have exposed existing high-def titles (including The Matrix) to copying, does anyone really think those studios are going to start releasing their titles on HD-DVD format, especially when Blu-ray is already dominating software sales? Again, there's no incentive whatsoever.

We've been following this stupid, cursed high-def format war since the beginning, and it's driving us crazy. But we'll admit that maybe one good thing HAS come of it: HD-DVD cutting their prices so quickly has forced Blu-ray to do the same.

What we've found most puzzling about this format war, is why Microsoft - a company that makes neither movies and TV shows or home theater hardware, is arguably the single biggest corporate supporter of the HD-DVD format outside of Toshiba and Universal. And though no one will say it on the record (though many industry insiders admit, off the record, that they believe it), we'd be surprised if Microsoft wasn't subsidizing both Toshiba's hardware losses and Universal's exclusive commitment to HD-DVD in some way. That's just our gut feeling. We can't prove it. But even Warner, which has a significant financial stake in the disc structure patients for DVD (and thus HD-DVD) has opted to support both high-def formats. Meanwhile, Microsoft has an office of "HD-DVD Evangelism" in house.

So why would Microsoft do this? The are three reasons why it makes good business sense for the company. First, having HD-DVD playback capability on their Xbox 360 (via the add-on drive) is a smart strategic move to counter-balance Sony's having Blu-ray playback capability built into their PS3 system. Second, HD-DVD uses Microsoft's VC-1 video compression codec almost exclusively. For a variety of reasons - not the least of which is that it's a great codec - this has encouraged a number of Blu-ray Disc studios to adopt VC-1 as well, so more and more Blu-ray releases utilize it too. This again benefits Microsoft. But more importantly, Microsoft's real long-term goal is to dominate the content downloading arena - particularly the downloading of entertainment content to devices in living rooms. That's what many industry observers, including many in Hollywood, see as the ultimate future of the home video industry. Selling lots of Xbox 360s and having everyone adopt the VC-1 codec both work to further Microsoft's goals in this area by helping to drive the growth of Xbox Live. According to the company's own recent press releases, Xbox Live is already "the number one online distributor of television and feature film content in the living room where it's most easy for consumers to access." In addition, "the service has quickly become the number two online distributor of television and feature film content, second to iTunes." Finally, Xbox Live is currently "the ONLY online distributor of major feature films and television programming in high definition (HD) resolution."

Microsoft doesn't give a rip about HD-DVD, or movies on disc at all for that matter, except to the extent that backing HD-DVD for a while now both undermines Sony's efforts and leverages Microsoft's success in achieving their ultimate goal of dominating the future of online distribution of digital entertainment. That's how we see it.

So how do we foresee this format war playing out? Our prediction is that by this time next year, Universal will have gone format neutral, agreeing to support Blu-ray Disc in addition to HD-DVD. It could happen at CES in January 2008, it could even happen sooner. When that happens, and we do believe it's a matter of when and not if, this format war will effectively be over. Which matters not to Microsoft, because VC-1, the 360 and Xbox Live will do just fine either way. If Blu-ray begins to dominate this thing, Microsoft will simply announce a Blu-ray add-on drive for the 360 and continue on their merry way.

That doesn't mean that HD-DVD is going to die or disappear. We'd bet that most, if not all, of the studios that currently support HD-DVD will continue to do so, at least for a while. And I'll remind you (though I know many HD-DVD fans will continue to claim otherwise) that none of what we've said is intended to disparage the HD-DVD format itself. It's a great high-def format, capable of excellent video and sound quality and extras. We enjoy HD-DVD ourselves, and we'll continue to do so. But HD-DVD is just not going to win this format war. We just don't see any circumstance in which HD-DVD can best Blu-ray and dominate the HD disc market and, believe me, we agonize over this stuff every day.

The bottom line remains the same: Any way we slice it, when we look at ALL the facts, we think Blu-ray Disc remains the best bet in this format war, and the safer bet for consumers. That's just the way we see it.

We simply CANNOT and WILL NOT recommend to our readers that they adopt a format that only has the full support of just ONE major hardware manufacturer and ONLY A HANDFUL of the Hollywood studios - no matter how cheap the price - when a format of EQUAL quality and FAR GREATER studio and manufacturer support exists.

Unlike those who hate Microsoft or hate Sony, our position isn't personal or emotional. Unlike those who work for HD-DVD and Blu-ray connected companies, we are not getting paid for our opinions or to generate media spin. Our opinions as expressed here are simply our own logical, common sense conclusions, based on our own research and experience. (For the record, regarding our advertising: We generally accept advertising from all interested parties within certain guidelines of good taste, and our advertising arrangements have NEVER and WILL NEVER influence our editorial opinions.)

We'll continue to enjoy HD-DVD discs and review them too, for those who may be interested. But if you want our opinion as to which HD format you should buy, unless circumstances change DRAMATICALLY, in all good conscience we simply can't recommend HD-DVD.

Simply put: If you're ready to get into high-def discs... we say Go Big Blu.

So yes... Blu-ray Disc is now officially the high-def format of choice for The Digital Bits. In the same way that we recommended everyone chose anamorphic widescreen DVDs over the alternative, we think you'll come to appreciate this advice in the months and years ahead as well.

To those of you who happen to disagree with us, favoring HD-DVD instead, more power to you and we respect your decision. We raise our glasses to you. (Skol, friends!)

It would be nice to think that we could just stay neutral in this thing, as some would rather we do indefinitely, but we just care too much about our readers, and about all the great things that have come about as a result of having a single, unified home videodisc standard for the last decade: DVD. But when the industry decided to spit in the face of that success, stubbornly taking opposing sides when it came time to launch high-def movies on disc (and to both HD camps, shame on all of you for it), they basically forced everyone else who really cares about this stuff to choose sides as well. We've tried to sit on the sidelines as long as we could, offering our carefully and logically reasoned opinions and advice whenever we felt it necessary or appropriate. But this stupid war has just dragged on too damn long. We're getting way too many frustrated e-mails from confused readers, who want to make the upgrade to high-def but are afraid to spend their hard-earned money on the wrong format. So it's time we made our choice, and we've decided to line-up with the overwhelming majority of studios and manufacturers behind Blu-ray.

It's a tough call for us, having to take sides. But it's time. Sometimes you just have to have the strength of your convictions and the balls to stand by them... and so we do and have.

Bill Hunt, Editor
(along with Todd and Adam and all the rest)
The Digital Bits
billhunt@thedigitalbits.com

 

[Wulfer]

Bill Hunt of DigitalBits officially sides with Blu-ray and calls out Harry Knowles of AICN!

Yawnn.......... old news he's sided with Blu-ray from the beginning. Old news, a blu-ray crow stating he's sided with Blu-ray. I'm totally shocked over this news NOT!





In other breaking news Blu-ray and the higher end HD-DVD version of Blood Diamond for $14.99

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/526...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

[rubso]

Unlike those who hate Microsoft or hate Sony, our position isn't personal or emotional. Unlike those who work for HD-DVD and Blu-ray connected companies, we are not getting paid for our opinions or to generate media spin. Our opinions as expressed here are simply our own logical, common sense conclusions, based on our own research and experience. (For the record, regarding our advertising: We generally accept advertising from all interested parties within certain guidelines of good taste, and our advertising arrangements have NEVER and WILL NEVER influence our editorial opinions.)

Simply put: If you're ready to get into high-def discs... we say Go Big Blu.

:lol

 

[Raistlin]

And yeah, Onix, nobody has been calling the HD DVD IME (which is the equivalent of BDJ) useless. I misread about two dozen posts here.

I'm pretty sure most BluRay fans do not think it is useless. The fact that they know it is coming allows them to generally consider it a wash ... and therefore weigh the other features of the two techs when making a decision.


If it wasn't coming, then maybe some people would reconsider their position.

 

[Raistlin]

Yawnn.......... old news he's sided with Blu-ray from the beginning. Old news, a blu-ray crow stating he's sided with Blu-ray. I'm totally shocked over this news NOT!

Except the difference here is that his statements are factually correct, involve solid logic, and offer historical precedence.

 

[Bebpo]

Frys Electronics is selling Blood Diamond (loved the movie) on Blu-ray for

Spoiler

$14.99

on tuesday!!!!

Its such a good deal, I'm buying two copies!!!

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1071897/16383238.gif

Wow. Hmmmmm....I liked the performances but wasn't too huge on the film as a whole. But man, Jennifer Connelly sure is a looker and in HD for $15...................slightly tempting.

 

[Oni Jazar]

You guys laugh at Bill but his logic is sound. Either Blu-ray will win or both formats will continue to putter on with limited success. There's just no other way. For the good of an HD optical media this format war needs to end.

 

[rubso]

DarkJediKnight, I was wondering, how did you have the impression that PotC PQ was better than Matrix, while you are using an HD-A2 HD-DVD player that output 1080i max. resolution ?

 

[DarkJediKnight]

DarkJediKnight, I was wondering, how did you have the impression that PotC PQ was better than Matrix, while you are using an HD-A2 HD-DVD player that output 1080i max. resolution ?

Because it's obvious. Richer color, more depth in images. The same way I compare all my HD DVDs and Blu-ray. There is no noticable difference between 1080i and 1080p/60 (which is what all HD DVD players do at the moment). My projector upscales it to 1080p/24. The best looking Matrix movie is Revolutions. Reloaded a close second and Matrix a distant third. The Matrix looks great but isn't as sharp as movies like Matrix 2,3, Crank, King Kong POTC1,2. I've also notices minor compression artifacts during the training sequence in the dojo. It's just the way the Matrix movies are filmed. That greenish hue doesn't lend to 3d images as the poppy, and bright Pirates. Pirates films I'm guessing are also a lot harder to compress because it switches from the brightest day to the darkest nights.

In case you're wondering, I upgraded to the Epson Home 1080 Cinema. Unlike most reviewers who use 50-70" tvs, my screen is 120" and I can detect pretty much every defect in the print.

I also drive a 93" beatdown Camry with 336km because of my audio/video gear.

 

[rubso]

Because it's obvious. Richer color, more depth in images. The same way I compare all my HD DVDs and Blu-ray. There is no noticable difference between 1080i and 1080p/60 (which is what all HD DVD players do at the moment). My projector upscales it to 1080p/24. The best looking Matrix movie is Revolutions. Reloaded a close second and Matrix a distant third. The Matrix looks great but isn't as sharp as movies like Matrix 2,3, Crank, King Kong POTC1,2. I've also notices minor compression artifacts during the training sequence in the dojo. It's just the way the Matrix movies are filmed. That greenish hue doesn't lend to 3d images as the poppy, and bright Pirates. Pirates films I'm guessing are also a lot harder to compress because it switches from the brightest day to the darkest nights.

somewhat true, but still, 1080p/60 > 1080i.
I just hope you pick up the HD-XA2 as soon as the FW upgrade comes out

In case you're wondering, I upgraded to the Epson Home 1080 Cinema. Unlike most reviewers who use 50-70" tvs, my screen is 120" and I can detect pretty much every defect in the print.

I haven't bought any Projectors in my life, but that's awesome, congrats !

I also drive a 93" beatdown Camry with 336km because of my audio/video gear.

:lol :lol :lol <3 you man!!

 

[Mrbob]

BTW, it starting to sound like Sony's BDSP-3 (Which is replacing their $999.99, now $799.99 Blu Ray drive) will be shipping later this month/early next month at a lower price than antipated. MSRP was originally ste a $599.99, but now reports coming out it will actually be $499.99 now for the standalone Sony Blu Ray player. This player is also sold for a profit too.

Seems like Blu Ray drive costs are driving down pretty big. Obviously thanks to the PS3 which is letting Blu Ray production ramp up to a much higher rate.

The question becomes, what will the PS3 price be this fall? $499.99 is pretty much confirmed now, but will it go lower?

 

[Kolgar]

Bill Hunt stepping up to the plate for Blu-ray? SHOCKER!

Far as I can tell, it's the same old stuff he's been saying for months. Cut him and the man bleeds blue.

Color me unimpressed and unconvinced. Sure, it might go down the way he says, but then again it might not. The war ain't over and we don't know what's going to happen; we only know what certain people want to happen.

 

[Mrbob]

Numbers came out too for the week ending May 27, and Blu Ray dominated in the hi def wars release week between Pirates and Matrix.

Week ending May 27, 2007

Week: Blu-ray 69 HD DVD 31
YTD: Blu-ray 67 HD DVD 33
SI: Blu-ray 58 HD DVD 42

YTD stayed the same, SI rose a point in Blu-ray's favor.

Top 5 Blu-ray
1 POTC: Dead Man's Chest 100.00
2 POTC: Black Pearl 89.35
3 Apocalypto 73.73
4 Letters from Iwo Jima 26.68
5 Casino Royale 13.64

Top 5 HD DVD
1 Ultimate Matrix Coll 100.00
2 Complete Matrix Coll 77.99
3 Letters from Iwo Jima 66.30
4 Planet Earth 52.73
5 The 40-Year Old Virgin 26.96

Top 10 high-def sellers
1 POTC: Dead Man's Chest BD 100.00
2 POTC: Black Pearl BD 89.35
3 Apocalypto BD 73.73
4 Ultimate Matrix Coll HD 33.28
5 Letters from Iwo Jima BD 26.68
6 Complete Matrix Coll HD 25.88
7 Letters from Iwo Jima HD 22.06
8 Planet Earth HD 17.55
9 Casino Royale BD 13.64
10 Flags of our Fathers BD 11.86

 

[Kabuki Waq]

you ****ers how could you make APocalyto #3? should be numba 1!

 

[starship]

Numbers came out too for the week ending May 27, and Blu Ray dominated in the hi def wars release week between Pirates and Matrix.

Week ending May 27, 2007

Week: Blu-ray 69 HD DVD 31
YTD: Blu-ray 67 HD DVD 33
SI: Blu-ray 58 HD DVD 42

YTD stayed the same, SI rose a point in Blu-ray's favor.

Top 5 Blu-ray
1 POTC: Dead Man's Chest 100.00
2 POTC: Black Pearl 89.35
3 Apocalypto 73.73
4 Letters from Iwo Jima 26.68
5 Casino Royale 13.64

Top 5 HD DVD
1 Ultimate Matrix Coll 100.00
2 Complete Matrix Coll 77.99
3 Letters from Iwo Jima 66.30
4 Planet Earth 52.73
5 The 40-Year Old Virgin 26.96

Top 10 high-def sellers
1 POTC: Dead Man's Chest BD 100.00
2 POTC: Black Pearl BD 89.35
3 Apocalypto BD 73.73
4 Ultimate Matrix Coll HD 33.28
5 Letters from Iwo Jima BD 26.68
6 Complete Matrix Coll HD 25.88
7 Letters from Iwo Jima HD 22.06
8 Planet Earth HD 17.55
9 Casino Royale BD 13.64
10 Flags of our Fathers BD 11.86

I think it posted before.

nvm. I just saw Complete Matrix Coll as well.

 

[djkimothy]

you ****ers how could you make APocalyto #3? should be numba 1!

you could blame me with that. I'm not willing to do a blind buy on that. :/

I don't get how these charts work.
Both Pirates combined sold about 47,000 and Matrix sold about 14,000, so the ratio is 3.38:1.
Now if we consider numbers in these charts, we'll have Pirates combined at 189.35 and Matrix at 33.28 which means a ratio of 5.69.
I really don't get it, anyone can explain these charts to me?

Those numbers are normalized to the number 1 selling title. So for every 100 sold of number 1 title, xx.x numbers have been sold for the other guy.

 

[mckmas8808]

Great sales for Blu-ray.

 

[Mrbob]

Great sales for Blu-ray.

Yeah they are pretty good for right now, but this holiday season it is time for Sony to step it up and get Blu Ray to the next level. There are going to be a ton of Blu Ray hi def exclusive movies hitting this holiday season, and Sony (as well as other companies) need to price their hardware accordingly. $499.99 is great for the stand alone player, but now it is time to make the PS3 even cheaper.