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[Phoenix]

It is very possible, all that Microsoft needs to do is to include a general HD laser head into each Xbox360. The firmware can be easily programmed to either Blue Ray Disc or HD-DVD disc. The Discs are physically the same size and the data pits are the same size in both format. So the real difference comes from software that conforms the system to the standard of BD or HD-DVD. Requirements such as HDMI for BD can be easily solved with an output attachment.

If it were that simple, I'm sure we would have a unified format already as hardware providers wouldn't officially support either and just put in a "general HD laser head" (which does not exist BTW) and read both formats from a single player.

 

[Lardbutt]

Actually both of them are "open" standards. Microsoft isn't proposing "raw" XML and has filed patents for the XML scripting that would be required for their solution.

Still it seems like XML is a better choice since it's easier to use and maintain and is less bloated than Java.

 

[Phoenix]

Still it seems like XML is a better choice since it's easier to use and maintain and is less bloated than Java.

XML is a data format, Java is a programming language. XML on its own does nothing, in order for it to do something it has to be used by a programming language - which microsoft suggests is .Net to pair with their MSXML and XAML XML variants. What you're comparing is far from apples apples.

 

[Lardbutt]

But since a DVD is basically a data storage medium, doesn't it make more sense to use a data formatting script like XML to describe its contents, rather than a full blown programming language like Java? It feels like overkill to me.

 

[Phoenix]

Java doesn't describe the DVD at all, its for writing special interfaces. In 99.9% of cases you will drop a file on the DVD and it will simply be read silenty by the JVM and displayed. If you want to do something special you will have the option of doing some additional functionality. You won't write a new Java application just to publish an HDDVD. Whomever told you that lied to you and you should slap them next chance you get.

 

[Kleegamefan]

So funny to hear HD-DVD licensees talk about Blu-ray vaporware....

As far as I am concerned HD-DVD *is* vaporware....let them actually start to produce product and then we can talk about how dual-layer Blu-ray ROM disks are at a "disadvantage" to HD-DVD..

Shoot, you have been able to buy 50GB blank BD-Rs and REs for over *A YEAR* now!!!!

 

[chinch]

here comes the BRD spinman

 

[Kleegamefan]

When and if they deliver product....we can talk....

 

[Tenacious-V]

So funny to hear HD-DVD licensees talk about Blu-ray vaporware....

As far as I am concerned HD-DVD *is* vaporware....let them actually start to produce product and then we can talk about how dual-layer Blu-ray ROM disks are at a "disadvantage" to HD-DVD..

Shoot, you have been able to buy 50GB blank BD-Rs and REs for over *A YEAR* now!!!!

That's the cartridge type BD that are being sold, not the blank discs w/the coating, which will be their mainstream media. afaik the disc based BD isn't out.

Writeable BD is completely different from BDROM. HD-DVD technically IS farther along than BD. Refer back to my other post as to reasons why you shouldn't dismiss HD-DVD so prematurely.

 

[Raistlin]

compelling argument, even if it was made by MS and will be hated here.

It would only be compelling if it were accurate. :/

 

[Culex]

here comes the BRD spinman

Show me where I can order an HD-DVD player right now and buy some discs for it.

Or shut up.

 

[Raven.]

Blu-ray is the future. Attempts to impede a format with such an excellent name cannot possibly succeed.

 

[Ecrofirt]

Why does it really matter what Wintel supports?

You should still be able to buy whichever drive you want and install it on your PC.

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

Show me where I can order an HD-DVD player right now and buy some discs for it.

Or shut up.

Show me where you can buy BD-r discs in the CD/DVD formfactor.

I thought they were still encased...

 

[soundwave05]

HD-DVD will be dead in about a year.

Right around when PS3 sells through its 5-6th million unit, while HD-DVD languishes at an install base of 500,000.

 

[CaptainABAB]

Interesting analysis on Ars Technica...

http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/hardware/microsoft-hd-dvd.ars

Following observation is interesting...

On paper, Blu-ray has 50GB support, but outside of a lab context, the 50GB disc is missing in action. How feasible is a 50GB disc in the short term? Once Blu-ray devices ship (such as the PS3), the base configuration will be established. If 50GB disc support isn't nailed by then, then Blu-ray on the consumer player-level will weigh in at 25GB. Toshiba is now pointing to 30GB as the standard HD DVD disc size, and they claim to have perfected the manufacturing process already. So we can expect 30GB HD DVD support at launch. Additionally, HD DVD supports hybrid discs now, while Blu-ray's solution has yet to be demonstrated.

In other news, Toshiba delays US launch of HD DVD player....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050928/tc_nm/japan_toshiba_dc

Japan's Toshiba Corp. (6502.T) said on Wednesday it is delaying its launch of next-generation HD DVD players in the U.S. market to around February or March, revising its plan for a year-end start date.

 

[Supasso]

MS (and Intel) choose HD-DVD? What's the point? Since when do disc formats need their support? BD will work on Windows PC anyways.

 

[DarienA]

MS (and Intel) choose HD-DVD? What's the point? Since when do disc formats need their support? BD will work on Windows PC anyways.

Interesting enough there's a similar comment from Dell's CEO:

Endgadget

While showing off the expanded XPS line, Dell CEO Michael Dell also commented that the company remains committed to Blu-ray, despite Microsoft and Intel’s decision to line up behind rival HD-DVD. When asked how the Microsoft/Intel decision would affect the company’s ability to execute the strategy, he quipped, “here’s a question for you. Anybody know which version of Windows was the first to support DVD drives?” After a few moments of silence, he answered: “None. PC makers have always had to include their own codecs. That’s how we did it for DVD drives, and that’s how we’ll do it for Blu-ray.” However, Dell didn’t answer another question, on when the company’s first PCs with Blu-ray drives would ship. Perhaps the door’s still open at least a crack for HD-DVD after all.

 

[Nerevar]

Actually both of them are "open" standards. Microsoft isn't proposing "raw" XML and has filed patents for the XML scripting that would be required for their solution.

in all fairness, if MS didn't patent it someone else would and then try and take MS to court to get them to pay money to continue using it. It's not like they have a choice in the matter.

 

[chris316]

Another article to add to the blu-ray/hd-dvd saga:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nb20050929a3.htm

Toshiba Corp. is willing to compromise on creating a unified format for next-generation DVDs if it can be done by yearend, a senior official in charge of format negotiations said Wednesday.
"We have no intention of giving up on creating a single format," Yoshihide Fujii, president and CEO of Toshiba's Digital Media Network Company, said at a news conference to unveil the product lineup for the holiday season.

His comment came a day after Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp. decided to throw their support behind HD DVD, the next-generation format promoted by Toshiba.

The move by the two PC industry giants was a huge boost to the HD DVD camp, which has been competing against Blu-ray -- the format pushed by Sony Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. -- to become the next-generation standard.

Toshiba said it plans to release HD DVD players for Japan around yearend and early next year in the United States. HD DVD recorders are scheduled to hit the domestic market sometime before the World Cup soccer tournament gets under way between May and early June.

Blu-ray DVD recorders made by Sony, Matsushita and Sharp Corp. are already on the market.

Asked about possibility of a compromise with Blu-ray, Fujii said he was "flexible.

He said earlier negotiations this spring failed because the Blu-ray camp was not able to convince Toshiba of the reliability of the format's disc structure.

Fujii also told reporters the deadline for any further negotiations will be year's end, when Toshiba releases its HD DVD players.



Will they unify? Only one can hope.

 

[DarienA]

The fact that Toshiba continues to be so open to a unified format tells me they be scared!

 

[CaptainABAB]

The fact that Toshiba continues to be so open to a unified format tells me they be scared!

Of Blu-Ray? No

Of both formats failing? Yes



If picking HD-DVD was about xbox 360, I still don't understand why Intel joined in. They have no interest in 360 vs. PS3 and they sure as hell are less dependent on Microsoft then Dell (which came out for Blu-Ray).

 

[Phoenix]

in all fairness, if MS didn't patent it someone else would and then try and take MS to court to get them to pay money to continue using it. It's not like they have a choice in the matter.

FALSE!

All Microsoft has to do was put it in a publication thereby invalidating their (and anyone elses) ability to patent it.

 

[KeithFranklin]

Actually both of them are "open" standards. Microsoft isn't proposing "raw" XML and has filed patents for the XML scripting that would be required for their solution.

Actually the Java spec is owned by Sun. Sun has the JCP or Java Community Process that helps guide the Java spec, but when it gets down to it Sun has last word on changes.

 

[maharg]

Indeed. Referring to Java as an open standard is rather twisting the concept. An open standard is one which is managed by an independent group like the ISO or ANSI. So long as Sun keeps control over Java, no matter how much community input they accept, it is proprietary.

 

[Phoenix]

The Java Language Specification is open (i.e. available and implementable with no concern for blockage from a corporate entity) and implemented by a number of open source projects. A closed specification cannot be implemented by third parties legally.

The Java Virtual Machine (particularly HotSpot) is proprietary and will likely never be open. JSRs deal with further advances to both the language and the JVM and are not generally steered by Sun despite popular belief. JSRs are steered by Expert Groups with only a Project manager from Sun whose job it is to work with engineering to ensure that changes brought forth from the JSR are brought forward. This is not very disimilar than the operational nature of Apache, JBoss Group, etc. No major project exists in a completely 'open' state.

 

[The Shadow]

Um...I think some of you are confusing hybrid disks with hybrid players.

So what if BR doesn't currently support hybrid disks? I sure as hell don't care. As long as the players will support both DVD and BR disks I won't need a hybrid disk anyway.

Taken from the BR FAQ from the site Tenacious linked to:

Will Blu-ray be backwards compatible with DVD?


Yes, several leading consumer electronics companies (including Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony and LG) have already demonstrated products that can read/write CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs using a BD/DVD/CD compatible optical head, so you don't have to worry about your existing DVD collection becoming obsolete. Although it's up to each manufacturer to decide if they want to make their products backwards compatible with DVD, the format is far too popular to not be supported. The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) expects every Blu-ray Disc device to be backward compatible with CDs and DVDs.

Eh..I think some of you are giving this whole thing more attention than it deserves; treating it as some video game fanboy war and assuming huge company heads think like fanboys do. I seriously doubt MS went with HD-DVD just to "spite" Sony. That's just a retarded theory right there.