Has Blu-ray already won?

[Spankey]

I don't like getting into HD-DVD bashing threads, and those based merely on speculation, but the more I read, it seems like the tide of opinion is steadilly turning towards Blu-ray. All it took on internet boards was for a few HD-DVD fans to buy into Blu-ray and some recent titles to be launched on the format. More and more people are asking about players and now that classic DVD titles and new releases are coming, HD-DVD is just about out of ammo.

[hmurchison]

Originally Posted by sltmag

I don't like getting into HD-DVD bashing threads, and those based merely on speculation, but the more I read, it seems like the tide of opinion is steadilly turning towards Blu-ray. All it took on internet boards was for a few HD-DVD fans to buy into Blu-ray and some recent titles to be launched on the format. More and more people are asking about players and now that classic DVD titles and new releases are coming, HD-DVD is just about out of ammo.

No neither format is out of ammo. In fact they are reloading. I too notice renewed interest in Blu-ray which I attribute to a couple of factors.

1. Better quality and more plentiful movies.
2. Hardware cost decreases (cheaper Sammy's and the PS3 coming)

Those factors goes a LONG way. Hell they might even have me purchasing a player soon rather than later. Buckle up toto..the ride's about to get bumpy.

[JTK]

^^ Yup.

Too early to declare an outright winner.

[mnmarcus]

Originally Posted by JTK

^^ Yup.

Too early to declare an outright winner.

I figure that Blu-ray has a good chance since it has Sony and Panasonic behind it, so I made the investment.

If I'm wrong, my new $1100 Panny will end up in the closet with my Pioneer Laserdisc players.

[Blue]

I think the war has been won - there are just a number of battles still in progress.
Toshiba need more than Universal and Microsoft on side. Toshiba are cutting their own throat in a couple of ways.
1. They are spending money on a product whoose success is very doubtful
2. They make TV's and other high def displays. This market is being stunted by them having the HD-DVD out and about.
My prediction Toshiba will get a License to make a Hybrid player to gracefully exit the HD-DVD arena. I would say at the CES in a years time (not this comming Jan the one after)

[Blackraven]

Universal would need to stay as an HD-DVD exclusive if they want to continue their offensive.

They know that once they lose Universal switches to the other side, they would've lost their exclusive studio and it would mean victory goes to Blu-ray.

It also means that if they don't keep Universal with them, I won't be buying an HD-DVD player.

I've clocked around AT LEAST 10 titles for my Blu-ray purchase next year (Speed, Transporter 1 and 2, Kill Bill 1 & 2, LXG, Final Fantasy : Advent Children, V for Vendetta, Gone In 60 secs. and From Hell).

If they lose Universal now, then I won't be able to buy their Rundown and Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift title. Also, don't forget that if the switch happens, they would lose out on the Bourne trilogy (with Bourne Ultimatum coming out next year) for HD-DVD.

If they lose Universal, then there won't be anymore reason to buy HD-DVD.

P.S. EDIT

In regards to hardware, the HD-DVD sector is under threat if only Toshiba remains the primary manufacturer. I mean, RCA is just a mirror copy of Toshiba, Lite-on produces for both formats and the other PC OEM makers ship on both.

Also, the threat of inferior quality products like the HD-A1 makes the situation worse and the fact that the HD-E1 and HD-XE1 have been delayed for Europe (where Blu-ray has the lead in the movie count: Blu-ray with 54 vs. HD-DVD with less than 20 so far)

The upcoming XA2 needs to give them a boost in spite of the delay. But then again, it's going to be priced heavily as well (like the Samsung and Panasonic at launch).

The handicap of having lesser CE support means that it is working against HD-DVD and they have to think of something in order to stay in the game. Otherwise, the current trajectory would be that Blu-ray would beat them.

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by Blue

2. They make TV's and other high def displays.

Too bad their REGZA line of LCD TVs SUCK!!! Sad really because such bad product history *might* (i repeat might) ruin SED.

New technology but low in features and lesser bang per buck (or lesser value).

Otherwise, OLED might beat SED if Toshiba doesn't get its act together.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by mnmarcus

I figure that Blu-ray has a good chance since it has Sony and Panasonic behind it, so I made the investment.

If I'm wrong, my new $1100 Panny will end up in the closet with my Pioneer Laserdisc players.

Lots of anger and complaining in your brief post history here thus far.

Take it easy.

I very seriously doubt that your Panasonic BD player is going to end up collecting dust.

Blue's post above mine spells it out combined with this: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=3665

[Dave]

I also do not think that the war is over, but the power which Blu-Ray has is so great that i hope HDDVD manages to exist long enough so that is helps our camp get better and cheaper faster than we even expect it to

I think that HD DVD existence is not a threat to us but more like stimulus

But i think that even the most aggressive HDDVD fans will jump ship faster then we expect them to do so