-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Hi-Def Media Lovefest: The war is over and we can all go home.
- Thread starter HyperionX
- Start date
- Status
Lord Error
Insane For Sony
Wow, Blockbuster thing is pretty damn big news, and I just hope this means we are one step closer to Universal becoming neutral.
And in for some good-for-all HD news, Best Buy here where I live has doubled their shelf space for both BRD and HDDVD.
And in for some good-for-all HD news, Best Buy here where I live has doubled their shelf space for both BRD and HDDVD.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Onix said:
And I thought the Chinese gov't was invested in a different format altogether, that they would control.
DarkJediKnight
Member
Brimstone said:
"You stole stuff from my butt. Give me back what is mine!"
fatigues_gasolini
Member
Christ, the last thing this thread needs is Brimstone.
krypt0nian
Banned
bigfatgameguy said:
That should be the mouse over for his Reply button.
Speaking of China. THere appears to be a chinese Blu-ray player in the works from GoWell. Got this from the AVS forums...
http://www.gowellent.net/product web/vedio series/G875.html
Specs
USB 2.0 interface(high speed) & card reader
·Support SD/MMC/MS/XD card
·Support 1G NAND Flash
·DISC Playable: Blu-ray disc /H.264/MPEG4/DivX/XviD/DVD/SVCD/VCD/CD/MP3 /Kodak
Picture/Photo CD/WMV9
·Support: DivX3.11/4.02/5.02/5.03/5.05 and later,DivXPro, XviD,Nero digital
·PAL/NTSC/MULTI TV system compatible
·Full function remote control
·Support 4:3 & 16:9 TV mode
·High Definition video(HDMI V1.3) output
·10/100M BaseT Ethernet (RJ45)
·Mini PCI interface ,Support wireless home networking
·SATA HDD socket
·Building in HDD
·Component video output (Y,Pb,Pr)
·Composite video output
·S-Video output
·SPDIF Coaxial digital audio output
·Optical digital audio output（optional）
·Scart output
·5.1-CH Surround Sound Output
·2CH Dolby Downmix Output
For some reason, this screams fake... :/
No pricing or availability.
http://www.gowellent.net/product web/vedio series/G875.html
Specs
USB 2.0 interface(high speed) & card reader
·Support SD/MMC/MS/XD card
·Support 1G NAND Flash
·DISC Playable: Blu-ray disc /H.264/MPEG4/DivX/XviD/DVD/SVCD/VCD/CD/MP3 /Kodak
Picture/Photo CD/WMV9
·Support: DivX3.11/4.02/5.02/5.03/5.05 and later,DivXPro, XviD,Nero digital
·PAL/NTSC/MULTI TV system compatible
·Full function remote control
·Support 4:3 & 16:9 TV mode
·High Definition video(HDMI V1.3) output
·10/100M BaseT Ethernet (RJ45)
·Mini PCI interface ,Support wireless home networking
·SATA HDD socket
·Building in HDD
·Component video output (Y,Pb,Pr)
·Composite video output
·S-Video output
·SPDIF Coaxial digital audio output
·Optical digital audio output（optional）
·Scart output
·5.1-CH Surround Sound Output
·2CH Dolby Downmix Output
For some reason, this screams fake... :/
No pricing or availability.
paidgeek on AVS (a Sony Pictures insider) has hinted that Target will soon announce they will only carry BD players in their stores: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10814547&&#post10814547
If true, ouch again for HD DVD.
If true, ouch again for HD DVD.
Manmademan
Member
Argyle said:
this, combined with the all-but-officially-announced PS3 price drop later this year means game over for HD-DVD.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Argyle said:
That seems like a bigger deal than the Blockebuster announcement, if true. I have a grain of salt with me on this one.
I have never seen an HD DVD player in any Target store, and I've looked in 4-5 of them for HD format players over the last six months. The only Blu-ray player I've ever seen in a Target is the PlayStation 3, and it sure isn't there because it plays Blu-rays.djkimothy said:
My question is totally valid.
Target carries both Blu-ray and HD DVD software... in equal amounts. In the DVD section, on the wall, they have a little HD shelf that is half Blu-ray and half HD DVD. As far as I've seen, it's in every store. It's no more than 12-15 movies per format, though.kaching said:
kaching said:
They carry software, but its only about 10 movies for each format, and they are generally overpriced. Ive never seen hardware for either format there (outside of the PS3, I dont think they sell the add on either, but I havent looked for it).
If you go to their DVD section they have this little standee that sticks out of the isle for "HD movies" and has BRD on one side and HDDVD on the other. It even has some nice misinformation comparing the two formats :lol
Frys is the best B&M for HD stuff. Amazon prices, but I can pick them up same day.
Ignatz Mouse said:
The physical hardware is the same as HD-DVD. The C-HD-DVD spec is different in implementation on what software can be read by the player, so the Chinese don't have to pay any royalties for domestic consumption, but those manufactured and exported, the Chinese manufacturers have to pay royalties on.
This allows for economy of scale.
distantmantra
Member
StoOgE said:
The Targets in the Seattle area also have a shelf full of Blu Ray movies right below the PS3 demo unit.
distantmantra said:
That makes sense.. the Target I got to doesnt do that, but they stick BRD movies in the games section on those endcaps where they normally stick the discounted games. Which isnt a bad idea, but they stick Talladega nights in there.. which, comes with the PS3 AFAIK... :lol
Frys is really really great if you own either format. They stock every movie on either format, and most are 20 bucks, or 25-28 bucks for a combo movie on HDDVD. They also have some awesome HDDVD/BRD demos in the TV area.. and they let you play around with the settings on a TV before you buy it.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Brimstone said:
So how does this matter at all for the rest of the world?
BTW, you never answered my Zune question. It wasn't meant to be snide or anything, I was curious.
distantmantra
Member
StoOgE said:
Yeah, that's where the BD movies are in the games section at our Target too, the PS3 demo unit just happens to be on the endcap.
Talladega Nights doesn't come with the PS3 anymore. I bought mine (60GB) in late February, and no movie.
distantmantra said:
Gotcha.. the PS3 at our store took over the PS2's spot, there isnt a PS2 demo unit anymore (the side open to the camera section right near the aisle.. the BRD movies are on the opposide endcap, next to the TV's.. so they are actually in a pretty bad location at my store. The funny thing is, they also put new PS3 games with the BRD movies.. whats the point in putting them behind locked glass if full price games are also out in the open? :lol
speculawyer
Member
Brimstone said:
speculawyer
Member
Oh jeez, don't encourage him.LJ11 said:
Days like these...
Have a Blessed Day
I think that Blockbusters decision was precipitous at best. I agree that they should have at least waited until after the holidays. I can see their reasoning. They figure that if there is only one format the adoption rate will increase. I honestly dont think it would increase much (maybe help with the fence sitters) but for the time being I think most americans are perfecty content with DVD and the format war has little to do with the adoption rate IMO.
Now for those of you arguing against choice I'm pretty sure if the ables were turned you guys would be all for choice so don't be hypocrites. I would see your point if Toshiba stopped making/selling players, retailers stopped selling HD DVD movies and studios stopped putting out movies for the format. Then even I'd say yeah it's dead I can see why they chose to stop renting movies for HD DVD but that has yet to happen.
Now for those of you arguing against choice I'm pretty sure if the ables were turned you guys would be all for choice so don't be hypocrites. I would see your point if Toshiba stopped making/selling players, retailers stopped selling HD DVD movies and studios stopped putting out movies for the format. Then even I'd say yeah it's dead I can see why they chose to stop renting movies for HD DVD but that has yet to happen.
I think Blockbusters decision is simple:
they dont want to be stuck with a bunch of movies a year from now that no one will rent.. and they want a physical media to win. Their nightmare is that both formats fail and digital distribution takes over.
This is less a "BRD is killing HDDVD and the war is over" and more of a "BRD is beating HDDVD, and we need one of them to survive.. our support now could help alot". While it might be early to declare a winner at this point, blockbuster cant afford to wait a year from now when things are clearer.. by that point they could both be doomed. If that happens and Digital Distribution chanels take over Blockbuster is in a whole lot of trouble.
Blockbuster doesnt care which one wins.. but BRD is outperforming HDDVD, and blockbusters support could help end the war earlier, and help ensure BRD survives as a format. Retailers are less likely to care, because they can return inventory back to the distributor if one of the formats fails. blockbuster is stuck with it.
they dont want to be stuck with a bunch of movies a year from now that no one will rent.. and they want a physical media to win. Their nightmare is that both formats fail and digital distribution takes over.
This is less a "BRD is killing HDDVD and the war is over" and more of a "BRD is beating HDDVD, and we need one of them to survive.. our support now could help alot". While it might be early to declare a winner at this point, blockbuster cant afford to wait a year from now when things are clearer.. by that point they could both be doomed. If that happens and Digital Distribution chanels take over Blockbuster is in a whole lot of trouble.
Blockbuster doesnt care which one wins.. but BRD is outperforming HDDVD, and blockbusters support could help end the war earlier, and help ensure BRD survives as a format. Retailers are less likely to care, because they can return inventory back to the distributor if one of the formats fails. blockbuster is stuck with it.
InterMoniker
Member
Lol Sure buddy
:lolDays like these... said:
Actually... I was witness to this in HMV yesterday. Imagine the following scenario with two middle-age J6P guys... with thick Canadian accents.
:lol :lol :lol I had to run out before I started laughing.
edit: Sorry, I was looking for some way for me to post this because I thought it was hilarious
DarkJediKnight
Member
Days like these... said:
I agree completely. However, decisions like this doesn't happen easily. There's a chance (micorscopingly slim) that HD DVD can win and in that case, BB look like idiots. I think the problem that Blockbuster has seen is with HD DVD combo discs. These things are a nightmare to shelf. Wrong disc getting rented, returned etc...
I also think Stooge's theory has merit. Blockbuster can see the trends happening and they do now want to be stuck with a format. It costs them money. They don't just buy a few HD DVDs, they buy thousands of each disc and distribute them among the stores.
Still, I'm a bit perplexed as to why it happened so early. In fact I would be less shocked if Best Buy dropped HD DVD, as I know from a friend of mine who works there; they are selling the HDA2 below cost due to Toshiba's constant price drops. They lose money on every standalone sold.
distantmantra
Member
Suikoguy said:Thankfully
They should do another pack in for the holidays, with something like Casino Royale, or a Pixar movie.
At least something that would be considered showcase :lol
As much as I hated Spiderman 3, it would probably be a good pack-in title.
distantmantra
Member
The NPR show Day to Day is discussing the Blockbuster decision today. I'm surprised this is getting this much mainstream attention.
distantmantra
Member
jjasper said:
It needs to be a "kid friendly" movie to make any real difference in terms of moving units, especially during the holiday season.
Zombie James
Banned
Some of the Digg comments are hilarious :lol
OokieSpookie
Banned
djkimothy said:
mainevent is rather absent too
Warm Machine
Member
methane47 said:
What is interesting though is if people on the internet are pretty clueless info wise, what do you expect the general public to be like?
The Blockbuster thing is big but I do agree that Blockbuster is fading in popularity. Cheap DVDs probably helped bring this on as well as stiff competition.
I think the war has at least another year to go. I attribute this to a mass market tipping point where the install base gets big enough to actually matter and when that happens companies like Disney and Fox will bow the sorts of movies that move hardware, like Alien/Die Hard/Pixar films/Catalogue animation/etc. It doesn't make sense for a company to pull out the big guns if it isn't going to justify the cost.
I think BOTH formats have the worst product advertising ever. They do nothing to educate the public on the benefits and all they do is attempt to shout more and better which means sweet FA to people if they aren't given a scale to weigh that on.
It is really strange though that while there are 1.5million PS3s out there and the number of HD-DVD players out there is substantially smaller that there is such a discrepancy in software sales. I know, I know, sore subject but its effect is real.
As for on demand HD downloads, what device are people expecting to use to do this? It still sounds like there is a hardware solution there to make it happen. Is it a case of a HD Cable PVR that downloads these movies and can current PVRs do this?
VanMardigan
has calmed down a bit.
distantmantra said:
I'm not. This IS a big deal. I for one, am very disappointed that I won't be able to rent HD DVD movies in Blockbuster. There really is no competition where I live, so that means that I have to rely solely on BB online for HD DVD rentals. And they're pretty much hit/miss in that area. It could take months to get a new release. I guess the distro for my area just doesn't have many HD movies in stock.
- Status