Ever wonder if the "War" was deliberate?

[BTBuck1]

Sometimes I wonder if the format war is deliberate.

You have alot of similarities between the two formats, same size cases, same size disc, same laser. Only the focal length and mandatory feature sets differ and type of plastic they are printed on.

I just wonder if behind closed doors if it was agreed upon by the two "Competitors" that competition is what jolts the market and builds excitement. (just another way of looking at this)

Hypothetically what if with the Combo players comes mass adoption and eventual black cases that just say High Definition Disc with a small logo on the side or back indicating the format for older non combo players.
Remember this is just hypothetical.

It could very well end up in a situation like this. Face it, it would simplify things extremely. Granted this would have to remain seperate for several years until combo player adoption was mainstream, but then those owners would understand the situation and then it all could be channeled into one format with basically just differen't specs based on studio's preferance. Sure it may screw us on some titles, hell it does now...but it could also otherwise lead studio's into a position where they don't have to "Lose face" I, E. Universal by choosing a BD release.

I dunno...just a thought of something that could maybe happen.

[Uxi]

Yeah, I've pondered that a few times, but not for those reasons (which are largely technological and based around the advantage HDDVD would have given up if they hadn't gone to the 405nm blue-violet laser ). I kinda wish we could have see the true contest between 720p VC1 with legacy audio that was originally intended for AOD go against the 1080p MPEG2/PCM only Blu-ray for at least 6 months or so.

It's the... perpetual status quo that I find intriguing. HDDVD would have been annihilated in sales if Q4 if only Universal held out as exclusive, so the Paramount deal alone almost makes me want to put on a tinfoil hat and whisper conspiracy. But the 150,000,000 clams make that more than understandable...

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

I just wonder if behind closed doors if it was agreed upon by the two "Competitors" that competition is what jolts the market and builds excitement. (just another way of looking at this)

Except it has mostly slowed adoption and built confusion and frustration. And created enemies on both sides, among insiders and us mere mortals.

Who wants all this excitement?! I just want to watch movies.

Gary

[red_5ive]

Interesting concept. And again hypothetically speaking, what if the Paramount move was also manufactured to keep the game going?

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

Interesting concept. And again hypothetically speaking, what if the Paramount move was also manufactured to keep the game going?

exactly my point, everytime something like this happens, there is a sales spike! people get entralled in this.