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[Matlock]

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2006/03/01/533472.aspx

Price. One company out there has a $1,800 Beta-ray player (no release date) – one that doesn’t even play CDs! For 1,800, you could get a $500 Toshiba player, and about 40 HD movies.

Industry support: Looks like the pendulum is swinging back in HD-DVD’s favor. As an analyst quoted in the article says: “It's only a matter of time before people start backing out of the Blu-ray camp." If that’s the case, it might be because of. . .

Beta-ray’s own difficulties: Microsoft had serious doubts around the technical feasibility and pricing of Beta-ray for some time and our fears now seem well founded. Sony is hinting PS3 will be delayed because of Beta-ray, and that’s with Sony driving the Beta-ray standards. If even Sony can’t get it to work right, it raises lots of questions. A little reported fact (and one that the New York Times was confused about) is that the first Beta-ray discs will actually hold less: only 25GB compared to HD DVD’s 30GB. That means less room for high definition extras and interactive features, which HD DVD says they fully intend to support.

edit: and for clarification, the fellow that posted this blog is also a MS employ.

 

[Mmmkay]

I've never known Microsoft employees to write such flattering words about Blu-Ray. Great read

 

[BigBoss]

Gamerscore blog
The inside scoop from Xbox and games for Windows.

:lol

 

[gofreak]

OK, I figured it was a no-name clueless blogger, but if that's actually MS people... :lol

Shades of Major Nelson, dare I say it! Although even this seems a bit much.

 

[Jeff-DSA]

Whether there is any truth or not to the article, this is still going to be a messy thread.

 

[gofreak]

Whether there is any truth or not to the article, this is still going to be a messy thread.

Well, point for point:

'Price': There'll be a sub-$500 Blu-ray player out in the US by the end of the year, in all likelihood.

'Industry support': There's no evidence to support their claim. Blu-ray currently enjoys significantly stronger support from Hollywood studios than HD-DVD. Sony and MGM won't go anywhere, and Fox is almost more bullish on Blu-ray and its success than Sony itself. My only question mark would be Disney..

'Beta-ray’s own difficulties': They were the same difficulties HD-DVD were facing, which prompted interim AACS licensing. PS3 delay != Blu-ray delay. Blu-ray is launching in May. 50GB movies will be out in the summer.

It's rather shoddy FUD, nothing more. The whole "beta-ray" references make it read like a bitter TeamXbox post or something.

 

[Mrbob]

I'm over the mass storage issue. Once I have GRAW and Oblivion in my hands it doesn't matter to me they are printed on a DVD disc instead of HD DVD disc!

This article is spun pretty poorly though.

 

[sonycowboy]

FACT: Microsoft is ONLY backing HD-DVD to hurt the PS3. Their hope is that both formats die.

 

[SolidSnakex]

I wonder how many times his keyboard malfcutioned from all the tears falling down onto it?

 

[eeyore the donkey]

50 gb movies in May? would an HD movie really take up that much space, or anywhere near it? i don't see the need for these new formats

 

[Operations]

Sony and MGM won't go anywhere, and Fox is almost more bullish on Blu-ray and its success than Sony itself. My only question mark would be Disney..

Disney sided with Blu-Ray eons ago. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/09/disney_backs_blu-ray/

 

[Stinkles]

I JUST WANT HD CONTENT.

I don't care which group of short sighted moron lawyers finally lets me have it, but I have needed it for three years now. This is facking ridiculous. We are not waiting on technology. We are waiting on DRM. Still.

 

[gofreak]

50 gb movies in May? would an HD movie really take up that much space, or anywhere near it? i don't see the need for these new formats

50GB movies in June/July..

Disney really wants those discs, IIRC. Sony mentioned a couple of their first 50GB movies too, I think Bridge over the River Kwai and Black Hawk Down are going to be their first.

Disney sided with Blu-Ray eons ago. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/09/disney_backs_blu-ray/

Yes, i know, and for now they're exclusive. But apparently they haven't ruled out support for HD-DVD, and the whole blu-ray java and iHD thing annoyed them a little I'm sure.

 

[PolyGone]

50 gb movies in May? would an HD movie really take up that much space, or anywhere near it? i don't see the need for these new formats

No, but a movie that size would be impractical to download off the interweb. Thats the real reason they're doing this. Sure, there will be enhanced quality, but its really about the piracy control. They want to get it to a size that can't be digitized and pirated so easily.

 

[Mmmkay]

I JUST WANT HD CONTENT.

If it's any consolation, almost every major studio has said they will not use the ICT flag, so analog is hi def all the way.

 

[FortNinety]

I guess I'll be calling it Beta Ray from this point on...

 

[eeyore the donkey]

So in a 50 gb movie... do you think the extra space would be used for improved hi-def visuals of the actual movie, or mostly for extras? I just find it hard to believe that HD movies are gonna be 30-40 gb's, I mean damn my computer has a 14 gb harddrive :lol

 

[emerge]

I am not a BluRay fan at all, but reading that kind of bullshit hurts. Samsung had engineering samples of BluRay writers out to the press (end of January) even before engineering samples of HDDVD readers were out - at roughly the same price as well (500 vs 400). HDDVD writers aren't expected to be seen until CeBIT. BluRay writers are final apart from missing AACS (as are HDDVD parts). Anyway, in the end - for the customer - not much will be separating the two standards, neither in terms of price nor in terms of features.

 

[SnakeXs]

FACT: Microsoft is ONLY backing HD-DVD because it closer follows what they want in DRM. Their hope is that both formats die, so that all media is streamed/digital only, thus allowing them to put your cock in a vice grip of DRM, their way.

.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

FACT: Microsoft is ONLY backing HD-DVD to hurt the PS3. Their hope is that both formats die.

Got any evidence for this fact?

 

[Mmmkay]

Got any evidence for this fact?

Ross Rubin of NPD Techworld sure thinks so.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Ross Rubin of NPD Techworld sure thinks so.

Yeah, well - opinions don't constitute evidence for me. I guess what I am asking for probably doesn't exist. MS would have to admit what was claimed. It's just peoples theories, and that's all it ever could be. It isn't a "fact".

It may very well be the case, but I wouldn't go calling it a fact.

 

[Mmmkay]

It may very well be the case, but I wouldn't go calling it a fact.

Nor would I, but this thread was kinda established on hyperbole, so who can blame him.

 

[TheDuce22]

Just curious, has the porn industry chosen a side yet? :lol

 

[meltpotato]

Just curious, has the porn industry chosen a side yet? :lol

YES! there was a thread on it too :lol

 

[mckmas8808]

YES! there was a thread on it too :lol

So who'd they pick? I MUST KNOW!!!

 

[meltpotato]

So who'd they pick? I MUST KNOW!!!

Blu-Ray. search porn on your ps3 or soemthing. i dont have time right now (shouldnt even be on GAF XD), but it was a pretty funny press release.

 

[qirex]

$1800? What a joke. Samsung is showing blu-ray burners that should be around $500 this year.

 

[Suikoguy]

Most HD content thus far (OTA and Downloadable Types) are very low bitrate and have tons of macroblocking. People who have seen blu-ray (and other formats like HDDVD) say the image is even clearer, especially during hectic scenes or scenes with lots of movement of pans.

 

[Stinkles]

$1800? What a joke. Samsung is showing blu-ray burners that should be around $500 this year.

It's not a joke, it's the RRP of a Pioneer Elite player.

 

[Striek]

I don't think these MS shills have much respect for their readers intelligence.

Got any evidence for this fact?

Didn't some MS guy say something along the lines of 'it doesnt matter if they both fail, we believe digital distribution is the future'? I'll find it later.

Anyway, its clear that if MS didn't back HD-DVD it would be dead, instead of on life support.

 

[qirex]

It's not a joke, it's the RRP of a Pioneer Elite player.

Yeah, but Pioneer Elite DVD players cost almost a grand even today.

edit: $2000 MSRP DVD player:
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-53&menu=true&Sort=highPrice&id=23921

 

[ManaByte]

$1800? What a joke. Samsung is showing blu-ray burners that should be around $500 this year.

That's a burner drive for PC.

The Samsung consumer-level BD player will be the first BD player on the market and will retail for $999-$1200 depending where you get it from. For the record, Circuit City is quoting $999 for it.

 

[ManaByte]

Didn't some MS guy say something along the lines of 'it doesnt matter if they both fail, we believe digital distribution is the future'? I'll find it later.

Digital distribution is the future, and it isn't just MS who sees this. Iger's big thing at Disney is getting their content out to people in any way possible. ABC shows on iTunes is the start of this, but ABC just announced they would be putting shows such as Lost up on a new site they're launching MyABC for FREE (they'll have commercials).

 

[qirex]

That's a burner drive for PC.

I know. My point is that a console, already containing a beefy CPU and GPU would only need the mechanism and license fees which will be even cheaper than a PC burner.

Honestly I think both formats are doomed for movies but Blu-Ray will have more legs because of the PS3.

 

[XMonkey]

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2006/03/01/533472.aspx


edit: and for clarification, the fellow that posted this blog is also a MS employ.

What the fuck is this shit.

 

[choplifter]

Why the Xbox 360 doesn't have Blu-ray ? simple, Xbox 360 launched in 2005.
Blu-ray not ready.

 

[monkeyrun]

because you could have an external USB Bluerayplayer later when it's available.

 

[Count Chocula]

Wow talk about arrogance. If the best they can do to downplay Blu Ray is calling it names? They are in bigger trouble than I thought.

 

[ManaByte]

Wow talk about arrogance. If the best they can do to downplay Blu Ray is calling it names? They are in bigger trouble than I thought.

They are in trouble? For not putting an incredibly pricey piece of technology in their videogame console? Huh?

 

[Andy787]

I don't think these MS shills have much respect for their readers intelligence.

Didn't some MS guy say something along the lines of 'it doesnt matter if they both fail, we believe digital distribution is the future'? I'll find it later.

Anyway, its clear that if MS didn't back HD-DVD it would be dead, instead of on life support.

Yep. Bill Gates.

 

[Rhindle]

Well, point for point:

'Price': There'll be a sub-$500 Blu-ray player out in the US by the end of the year, in all likelihood.

Probably. But that still doesn't make it affordable for a sub-$400 game machine.

'Industry support': There's no evidence to support their claim. Blu-ray currently enjoys significantly stronger support from Hollywood studios than HD-DVD. Sony and MGM won't go anywhere, and Fox is almost more bullish on Blu-ray and its success than Sony itself. My only question mark would be Disney..

There hasn't been all that much movement, but what momentum is there is all in HD-DVD's favor, i.e. HP, LG supporting HD-DVD. Disney has indicated they may support both formats.

'Beta-ray’s own difficulties': They were the same difficulties HD-DVD were facing, which prompted interim AACS licensing. PS3 delay != Blu-ray delay. Blu-ray is launching in May. 50GB movies will be out in the summer.

No way. There are substantial problems with mass-manufacturing double-layer BRD disks.

 

[Striek]

Digital distribution is the future, and it isn't just MS who sees this. Iger's big thing at Disney is getting their content out to people in any way possible. ABC shows on iTunes is the start of this, but ABC just announced they would be putting shows such as Lost up on a new site they're launching MyABC for FREE (they'll have commercials).

In the next ten years though, 500M DVD consumers aren't going to be using digital distribution. Studios have been saying they can see both being healthy for the forseeable future.

Yep. Bill Gates.

Knew it was someone important. Guess that settles that.

 

[Count Chocula]

They are in trouble? For not putting an incredibly pricey piece of technology in their videogame console? Huh?

In trouble for ignoring what might be a significant advantage for Sony next round.
This is like Nintendo levels of arrogance.
Though I'm sure if Blu Ray happens to pan out we'll see major backpedalling like none of this ever happened.

 

[ManaByte]

There hasn't been all that much movement, but what momentum is there is all in HD-DVD's favor, i.e. HP, LG supporting HD-DVD. Disney has indicated they may support both formats.

Disney will likely end up supporting both. The format isn't much of a concern with them anymore, they just want to get their content to as many people as possible and they'll do that by supporting anything and even pissing off theaters. Iger is one of those people who has been talking about releasing movies in theaters and on DVD at the same time.

In trouble for ignoring what might be a significant advantage for Sony next round.
This is like Nintendo levels of arrogance.
Though I'm sure if Blu Ray happens to pan out we'll see major backpedalling like none of this ever happened.

You obviously have no idea what a "format war" in consumer electronics is and how it is NOT a good thing.

 

[SolidSnakex]

What the fuck is this shit.

A long blog entry by someone getting paid to write it. As in, no one should take it seriously.

 

[scooby_dooby]

Well, point for point:

'Price': There'll be a sub-$500 Blu-ray player out in the US by the end of the year, in all likelihood.

Your psychic powers kicking in?

'Industry support': There's no evidence to support their claim. Blu-ray currently enjoys significantly stronger support from Hollywood studios than HD-DVD. Sony and MGM won't go anywhere, and Fox is almost more bullish on Blu-ray and its success than Sony itself. My only question mark would be Disney..

except the recent statements by HP...hollywood support is kinda irrelevant, the studios will go wherever the consumers go, and hd-dvd looks to have a good initial line-up, and aprox the same # of titles for 06.

'Beta-ray’s own difficulties': They were the same difficulties HD-DVD were facing, which prompted interim AACS licensing. PS3 delay != Blu-ray delay. Blu-ray is launching in May. 50GB movies will be out in the summer.

we'll see what happens with that, from the get-go hd-dvd has always been considered to be the easiest to implement, i wouldn't be surprised to see either delayed, but BR is most likely.

 

[meltpotato]

except the recent statements by HP...hollywood support is kinda irrelevant, the studios will go wherever the consumers go, and hd-dvd looks to have a good initial line-up, and aprox the same # of titles for 06.

Your psychic powers kicking in? 'consumer choice' is the biggest myth in capitalism.

 

[mollipen]

FACT: Microsoft is ONLY backing HD-DVD to hurt the PS3. Their hope is that both formats die.

After hearing this theory before, I absolutely believe it. Microsoft wants digitial downloads that come in WMV format laced with MS-brand DRM. I have no doubt in my mind that that is why they are supporting HD-DVD: they don't expect it or even want it to get popular, they simply want the market as confusing for as long as possible so that the idea of digital downloads becomes a more popular idea to people.

 

[LAMBO]

I think it's going to be real simple in HDDVD vs Blue Ray. The studios are going to go where the consumers go, and there will be a built in blue ray audience with the ps3. People are saying the world isn't ready for a new format, those people are right, so what makes anyone think that someone is going to run out and buy a standalone HDdvd player? The ps3 will put millions of blue ray players in the homes, and in a few years when people are looking for HD movies many will be pleasently surprised that they've had the player the whole time.