[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Rio

I: The issue is the number of HD DVD supporting companies. As to this, there seems no progress since last summer. It is needed getting more support from studios as well as CE manufacturers. How's about this?

A: With regard to the relationship between CE makers, we have been negotiating with drive vendors and chip vendors. Our target is, cooperating with them as possible as we can, and making good "reference design" of the HD DVD player. Based on this, many companies could manufacture cheap and good quality players.

As you know, it's very difficult to develop the next generation DVD players. We think that making a good reference design is the best solution to address this issue. To do that, Microsoft will provide various software resources and know-how.

Another way is, appealing how well the format is succeeding. Like the data (number of titles) shown to you. As the result of those efforts, various companies, from high end AV company to low end, (may? will?) join in (to the HD DVD camp?). Toshiba maybe occupies the middle of that line. In case of Blu-ray, there are many makers at the "high quality" position, but there is no low end, other than PS3.

I: Could you elaborate on the development of the reference design? What kind of companies are involved and in what shape do you plan to provide?

A: It's a same scheme as currently being done for DVD players. Based on the designs provided by drive vendors and chip vendors, each company adds something and makes products. Chip vendors provide chips, then Microsoft provides HD DVD player software and HDi software stack.

What differnt from BD is that there is no company like Microsoft in the BD camp. We don't have studio. We are not in the position to compete against Toshiba, chip vendors, and drive vendors. We can assist any company. Sony cannot assist Chinese companies, can they? Since they are the competitors. We are not. We can be the partners.

Yep, these two answers pretty much show that their has been no change in studio or manufacturer support since last summer.
I'll bet Amir wished he had a stiff whiskey during this interview.
What a load of shite he waffles on about.