: HD Format War? What War?

Bungle · 8th January 2008, 16:37

Just a little info for any of you guys who are interested in the war between the HD media formats Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. I know a few people are sitting on the fence and holding back until the war is over.

It looks like it is now.

As many of you may know, last week Warner ended it's dual format support, and has gone Blu-Ray exclusive. The deal will mean that between now and june, DVDs and Blu-Rays will be released with priority, with limited HD-DVD releases following. From june, HD-DVD will be dropped completely.
This move now gives Blu-Ray over 70% of the market share with the studio support.
Before this news, Blu-Ray was outselling HD-DVD by a ratio of between 3 and 4 to 1. The gap is expected to increse drastically in the following weeks. Even the share prive of germany's biggest manufacturer (the name escapes me) of Blu-Ray disks has jumped my over 20% since the announcement.

HD-DVD was supposed to holding a press conference and the CES show in the States on saturday, but cancelled it. Toshiba, the main backer of the format, is standing firm, insisting "HD-DVD is not dead. It has been said before and we are still here..."

Rumours are abound that Paramount, who decided to go HD-DVD exclusive a few months back, are considering using a 'get-out clause' they signed and announce a switch to Blu-Ray any time soon.

Anyway, what does all this mean? For those of you who were waiting for a winner before getting into HD movies, it is starting to look like a winner is emerging.

Anyone who has already plumped for HD-DVD, it is not all bad news. People are selling their collections of films is a panic all over the place (think e-bay), and many retailors are getting ready to clear lots of stock for peanuts. Many HD-DVD bargains are just round the corner.

And I couldn't be happier. It looks as though I will be watching Paramount's Transformers in glorious high defintion sooner than I thought!

allan40alt · 8th January 2008, 16:50

When you think of all the millions of PS3 games machines that play Blu-Ray out there why would anyone spend the same money just to get a HD-DVD machine.

Bungle · 8th January 2008, 16:56

The truth is, you can get an HD-DVD player with 7 free hi def moveis for less then £200 now. But it seems a silly investment.

My old man went up the road and bought a Sony BRD player for £270 this weekend. He will be getting the Spidey and the Pirates trilogies free for regestering it.

I think a PS3 is a better player. And it plays games, too. And it has wi-fi and a big HDD.

hlxbravo · 8th January 2008, 17:11

Yay for Blu-Ray. Was always going to be the winner TBH, like Allan says above, with all the PS3's in the world, including the one I bought for my lads at Xmas. My nephew "future proofed" (salesman words to him) himself, he bought a PS3 and a HD-DVD player....which he isn't happy with.

CivPilot · 8th January 2008, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bungle

The truth is, you can get an HD-DVD player with 7 free hi def moveis for less then £200 now. But it seems a silly investment.

My old man went up the road and bought a Sony BRD player for £270 this weekend. He will be getting the Spidey and the Pirates trilogies free for regestering it.

I think a PS3 is a better player. And it plays games, too. And it has wi-fi and a big HDD.

The man speaks sence

Charles_Harding · 8th January 2008, 17:18

No matter what systems wins, we lose!

Have you seen the price hike on HD/Blu-Ray?

" 'Hello', he lied!"

FWH · 8th January 2008, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by allan40alt

When you think of all the millions of PS3 games machines that play Blu-Ray out there why would anyone spend the same money just to get a HD-DVD machine.

Xbox 360 is HD-DVD.
A few of those around too.

VHS - Beta flashback.

norton · 8th January 2008, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWH

Xbox 360 is HD-DVD.
A few of those around too.

VHS - Beta flashback.

only of u pay the extra for the addtional hd-dvd player u need. not sure how many have bothered with these

davee7 · 8th January 2008, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWH

Xbox 360 is HD-DVD.
A few of those around too.

VHS - Beta flashback.

The XBOX360 is not a HD-DVD player - you have to pay an extra (now reduced) £110 to get a separate HD-DVD disk drive to attach to the XBOX 360.

The first nail in the coffin for HD-DVD was when the XBOX 360 Elite came out last year still without the HD-DVD playback capability included, whilst both versions of the PS3 are Blu-Ray players!!!!

sfboy · 8th January 2008, 18:13

Bungle! You sound like a shill for blu-ray- what's your source for all this? Last I heard Microsoft were planning a version of the 360 with an integrated HD-DVD.

Infact the only reason that the numbers looked good for blu-ray was that the numbers were included PS3's and I would dispute the ratio of sales you quoted.

Eitherway the format war debate is moot, eventually HD content will be downloaded straight to box, over the internet, 360 marketplace, IPTV, Sky etc.

FWH · 8th January 2008, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by davee7

The XBOX360 is not a HD-DVD player - you have to pay an extra (now reduced) £110 to get a separate HD-DVD disk drive to attach to the XBOX 360.

The first nail in the coffin for HD-DVD was when the XBOX 360 Elite came out last year still without the HD-DVD playback capability included, whilst both versions of the PS3 are Blu-Ray players!!!!

Oh, I thought it was as standard!
Thanks for that info.

Bungle · 8th January 2008, 23:07

the sales figures are closer to 4:1 over most of the globe, it's only America that it gets closer to 3 or 2:1. And it is software sales i am talking about, not hardware sales as you imply. Eventually, most hi-def content will be downloaded, but not anytime soon. I do not know a single person who likes the idea of that, most people want a physical thing to have.
And i wouldn't put any money on an x-box with the hd drive. What would be the point if games will never be able to use it?
Bill Gates said today that downloadable content would win this war when asked about recent events. How much confidence does that show for his beloved format?

Jack The Lad. · 8th January 2008, 23:14

Well , I think that I will go for a duel format one to be on the safe side.

Dave 8o] · 8th January 2008, 23:45

I think that there were 2 reasons that Microsoft backed HD-DVD, the first was that Blu-Ray was developed by their main rival in the console market, the second is that their eventual goal is to see video content delivered over the internet so backing the underdog would keep the format war going longer and give them time to get their IPTV going.

This article BT Group first to roll out Xbox 360 as IPTV set-top box - Engadget shows that Microsoft have now started to roll out IPTV on their Xbox 360 platform.

I expect that BRD will win the war, which I think is sad as HD-DVD is a much more accessible format especially for small production houses.

Kremmen · 9th January 2008, 07:21

Quite happy with normal DVD thanks.

They can battle all they like.

After VHS for a decade, DVD is a revolution anyway.

uncler · 9th January 2008, 09:36

I'm still amused that they managed to come up with two seperate formats (BR and HD-DVD)! I wonder what the thinking was - surely manufacuters must have considered pooling resources into a single format, following the VHS/Beta debacle of the 80's - which I'm sure is still fresh in many minds. And as Bungle correctly points out, its just meant that a lot of individuals (myself included) and retailers have been left sitting on the fence not knowing which to support.

I wonder if these formats will become niche products, much like Laserdisc in the 80's & early 90's?

l-noel · 9th January 2008, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kremmen

Quite happy with normal DVD thanks.

They can battle all they like.

After VHS for a decade, DVD is a revolution anyway.

I second you on that Kremmen !

I've not ready to rebuy all the Films I have on DVD at the moment.

Koen · 9th January 2008, 10:21

We've had the VHS - Betamax - Video2000 war. Who won? VHS, the most crappy system of the 3.
We've had DCC versus MiniDisk. Who won? Euhh... recordable CD, I guess.

(My MiniDisk player is collecting dust in the stereo rack. If anyone's intersted...)
Now it's the BluRay - HD-DVD conquest. Apparently BluRay is winning. It's not important who wins, but from a commercial and consumer point of view it's important that there is a winner as soon as possible. Not that I'm bothered at the moment, but prices will drop and availability will increase if all vendors head in the same direction. For now I'm quite happy with my HD (harddisk) - DVD combination.

K.

Maldax · 9th January 2008, 17:00

Just read Xbox may be going Blu too

dondon · 10th January 2008, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncler

I'm still amused that they managed to come up with two seperate formats (BR and HD-DVD)! I wonder what the thinking was - surely manufacuters must have considered pooling resources into a single format, following the VHS/Beta debacle of the 80's - which I'm sure is still fresh in many minds. And as Bungle correctly points out, its just meant that a lot of individuals (myself included) and retailers have been left sitting on the fence not knowing which to support.

I wonder if these formats will become niche products, much like Laserdisc in the 80's & early 90's?

The two camps had many long discussions and (allegedly) tried very hard to reach a compromise, but failed.

8th January 2008, 16:37	#1 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	HD Format War? What War? Just a little info for any of you guys who are interested in the war between the HD media formats Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. I know a few people are sitting on the fence and holding back until the war is over. It looks like it is now. As many of you may know, last week Warner ended it's dual format support, and has gone Blu-Ray exclusive. The deal will mean that between now and june, DVDs and Blu-Rays will be released with priority, with limited HD-DVD releases following. From june, HD-DVD will be dropped completely. This move now gives Blu-Ray over 70% of the market share with the studio support. Before this news, Blu-Ray was outselling HD-DVD by a ratio of between 3 and 4 to 1. The gap is expected to increse drastically in the following weeks. Even the share prive of germany's biggest manufacturer (the name escapes me) of Blu-Ray disks has jumped my over 20% since the announcement. HD-DVD was supposed to holding a press conference and the CES show in the States on saturday, but cancelled it. Toshiba, the main backer of the format, is standing firm, insisting "HD-DVD is not dead. It has been said before and we are still here..." Rumours are abound that Paramount, who decided to go HD-DVD exclusive a few months back, are considering using a 'get-out clause' they signed and announce a switch to Blu-Ray any time soon. Anyway, what does all this mean? For those of you who were waiting for a winner before getting into HD movies, it is starting to look like a winner is emerging. Anyone who has already plumped for HD-DVD, it is not all bad news. People are selling their collections of films is a panic all over the place (think e-bay), and many retailors are getting ready to clear lots of stock for peanuts. Many HD-DVD bargains are just round the corner. And I couldn't be happier. It looks as though I will be watching Paramount's Transformers in glorious high defintion sooner than I thought!

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This thread is about: HD Format War? What War?, it's in Any non Civic chat here please! at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Just a little info for any of you guys who are interested in the war between the HD media formats Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. I know ...

8th January 2008, 16:50	#2 (permalink)
allan40alt Supporter Civinfo guru Join Date: 6th August 2006 Location: Rugby, Warwickshire. Posts: 2,094 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts	When you think of all the millions of PS3 games machines that play Blu-Ray out there why would anyone spend the same money just to get a HD-DVD machine.

8th January 2008, 16:56	#3 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The truth is, you can get an HD-DVD player with 7 free hi def moveis for less then £200 now. But it seems a silly investment. My old man went up the road and bought a Sony BRD player for £270 this weekend. He will be getting the Spidey and the Pirates trilogies free for regestering it. I think a PS3 is a better player. And it plays games, too. And it has wi-fi and a big HDD.

8th January 2008, 17:11	#4 (permalink)
hlxbravo Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 15th October 2007 Location: Oldbury, nr West Bromwich. Posts: 101 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yay for Blu-Ray. Was always going to be the winner TBH, like Allan says above, with all the PS3's in the world, including the one I bought for my lads at Xmas. My nephew "future proofed" (salesman words to him) himself, he bought a PS3 and a HD-DVD player....which he isn't happy with.

8th January 2008, 17:18	#6 (permalink)
Charles_Harding Civinfo guru Join Date: 14th August 2006 Location: S.E. London Posts: 2,652 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	No matter what systems wins, we lose! Have you seen the price hike on HD/Blu-Ray? " 'Hello', he lied!"

8th January 2008, 18:13	#10 (permalink)
sfboy Wheelnut Join Date: 8th January 2007 Posts: 59 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Bungle! You sound like a shill for blu-ray- what's your source for all this? Last I heard Microsoft were planning a version of the 360 with an integrated HD-DVD. Infact the only reason that the numbers looked good for blu-ray was that the numbers were included PS3's and I would dispute the ratio of sales you quoted. Eitherway the format war debate is moot, eventually HD content will be downloaded straight to box, over the internet, 360 marketplace, IPTV, Sky etc.

8th January 2008, 23:07	#12 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	the sales figures are closer to 4:1 over most of the globe, it's only America that it gets closer to 3 or 2:1. And it is software sales i am talking about, not hardware sales as you imply. Eventually, most hi-def content will be downloaded, but not anytime soon. I do not know a single person who likes the idea of that, most people want a physical thing to have. And i wouldn't put any money on an x-box with the hd drive. What would be the point if games will never be able to use it? Bill Gates said today that downloadable content would win this war when asked about recent events. How much confidence does that show for his beloved format?

8th January 2008, 23:14	#13 (permalink)
Jack The Lad. Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 28th August 2007 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 1,395 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Well , I think that I will go for a duel format one to be on the safe side.

8th January 2008, 23:45	#14 (permalink)
Dave 8o] Valve Cap Join Date: 29th December 2007 Location: Leeds Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think that there were 2 reasons that Microsoft backed HD-DVD, the first was that Blu-Ray was developed by their main rival in the console market, the second is that their eventual goal is to see video content delivered over the internet so backing the underdog would keep the format war going longer and give them time to get their IPTV going. This article BT Group first to roll out Xbox 360 as IPTV set-top box - Engadget shows that Microsoft have now started to roll out IPTV on their Xbox 360 platform. I expect that BRD will win the war, which I think is sad as HD-DVD is a much more accessible format especially for small production houses.

9th January 2008, 07:21	#15 (permalink)
Kremmen Krem de la Krem Civinfo guru Join Date: 7th January 2007 Location: West London Posts: 2,333 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Quite happy with normal DVD thanks. They can battle all they like. After VHS for a decade, DVD is a revolution anyway.

9th January 2008, 09:36	#16 (permalink)
uncler Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 22nd November 2007 Location: SE London, UK Posts: 117 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I'm still amused that they managed to come up with two seperate formats (BR and HD-DVD)! I wonder what the thinking was - surely manufacuters must have considered pooling resources into a single format, following the VHS/Beta debacle of the 80's - which I'm sure is still fresh in many minds. And as Bungle correctly points out, its just meant that a lot of individuals (myself included) and retailers have been left sitting on the fence not knowing which to support. I wonder if these formats will become niche products, much like Laserdisc in the 80's & early 90's?

9th January 2008, 10:21	#18 (permalink)
Koen Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 18th September 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 238 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	We've had the VHS - Betamax - Video2000 war. Who won? VHS, the most crappy system of the 3. We've had DCC versus MiniDisk. Who won? Euhh... recordable CD, I guess. (My MiniDisk player is collecting dust in the stereo rack. If anyone's intersted...) Now it's the BluRay - HD-DVD conquest. Apparently BluRay is winning. It's not important who wins, but from a commercial and consumer point of view it's important that there is a winner as soon as possible. Not that I'm bothered at the moment, but prices will drop and availability will increase if all vendors head in the same direction. For now I'm quite happy with my HD (harddisk) - DVD combination. K.

9th January 2008, 17:00	#19 (permalink)
Maldax Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 12th June 2006 Location: Reading, Berks Posts: 1,046 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just read Xbox may be going Blu too