[marzetta7]

Ahh, the Betamax argument. I hear this from many Microsoft / HD DVD / Anti-Sony FUDsters often. However, when presented with the facts, the whole argument has no validity.

First, one reason Betamax failed was due to Sony not licensing the format. In the case of Blu-ray, that is definitely not the case.

Second, another reason was VHS offered a capacity advantage over Betamax. Guess who has the capacity advantage this time around? Yup, Blu-ray.

Third, another reason--to some--Betamax failed was because of the porn industry backing that was behind VHS. And with Digital Playground, who has a 70% marketshare in the porn industry, backing Blu-ray exclusively, let's just say things are looking quite sexy on the Blu-ray side.

The only parallels in this flawed argument are that Blu-ray indeed has better quality as did Betamax did (disclaimer: as current HD DVD hardware is only capable of 1080i output) with full 1080P output, Betamax was from Sony (as Sony is one of the many major backers of Blu-ray), and the CLAIM that the format (Blu-ray) will be more expensive (in the case of Blu-ray TO THE MANUFACTURERS NOT THE CONSUMER) as was Betamax. So, basically, they take these parallels, apply spin, and claim because for some reason within the cosmos that Blu-ray has Sony backing it and that it is of better quality is is invariably doomed to failure. Cute and interesting as to how better quality will inexplicably cause your format to fail, heh? As for the claim of Blu-ray discs being more expensive, we all see that both HD DVD and Blu-ray discs will be selling for the same price--$25-$35.

It appears the HD DVD / Microsoft FUD machine is working overtime. And, they'd better, because the Blu-ray train will be coming through shortly, putting all their spin and deceit to rest.