Sony Insider comments last night

[JimPullan]

Greetings Forum Members,

Last night I had a conversation with a significant executive within Sony who conveyed "the delay on entering the Blue-Ray BDP-S1 revolves around HDMI 1.3 spec's and H264/AVC/mpeg4 vs. VC-1 issues, now nearly resolved."

This person also stated that "Sony has one shot of capturing this market segment, and they will not introduce this Player until it is 'perfect' . The player will satisfy even the most techno-freek who focuses on the finite details. It's been a difficult road and the introduction of the 'perfect' player is still targeted for store introduction mid-October, in time for the Holiday season."

So, take this for what it's worth. Felt compelled to share this with you. I just wish I was as technical as you guys are and asked questions you would have been interested in knowing the answer. I'm more of a marketing, advertising and sales guy . . . not a technician or engineer. Sorry !!!

Jim

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by JimPullan

Greetings Forum Members,

Last night I had a conversation with a significant executive within Sony who conveyed "the delay on entering the Blue-Ray BDP-S1 revolves around HDMI 1.3 spec's and H264/AVC/mpeg4 vs. VC-1 issues, now nearly resolved."

This person also stated that "Sony has one shot of capturing this market segment, and they will not introduce this Player until it is 'perfect' . The player will satisfy even the most techno-freek who focuses on the finite details. It's been a difficult road and the introduction of the 'perfect' player is still targeted for store introduction mid-October, in time for the Holiday season."

So, take this for what it's worth. Felt compelled to share this with you. I just wish I was as technical as you guys are and asked questions you would have been interested in knowing the answer. I'm more of a marketing, advertising and sales guy . . . not a technician or engineer. Sorry !!!

Jim

Hmm i had read somewhere that sony said BDP-S1 was too far along the design/production path to introduce hdmi 1.3, but this is certainly refreshing news if in fact this is what is going down.

[Psiweaver]

If this is the case i'll be very very happy. As I was hoping the delays would mean the player was going to be rock solid

[Longshot]

What about being able to decode the advanced audio formats or will HDMI 1.3 do that?

[Psiweaver]

HDMI 1.3 is capable of carrying them though you would then need the decoder in your reciever and there are none out at the moment that offer HDMI 1.3.

[JimPullan]

Originally Posted by Psiweaver

HDMI 1.3 is capable of carrying them though you would then need the decoder in your reciever and there are none out at the moment that offer HDMI 1.3.

True 'right now' ! I'll be looking at the CEDIA show for Receivers and Pre-Amp's offering HDMI 1.3 spec's . I'll let you know my findings and share with you all. I'll be there in Denver Sept. 14th - Sept. 17th. back at work on Monday, the 18th. Watch for my post then!!!

Jim

[marzetta7]

Sweet. Here's hoping it is indeed true!

[JTK]

Originally Posted by JimPullan

Greetings Forum Members,

Last night I had a conversation with a significant executive within Sony who conveyed "the delay on entering the Blue-Ray BDP-S1 revolves around HDMI 1.3 spec's and H264/AVC/mpeg4 vs. VC-1 issues, now nearly resolved."

This person also stated that "Sony has one shot of capturing this market segment, and they will not introduce this Player until it is 'perfect' . The player will satisfy even the most techno-freek who focuses on the finite details. It's been a difficult road and the introduction of the 'perfect' player is still targeted for store introduction mid-October, in time for the Holiday season."

So, take this for what it's worth. Felt compelled to share this with you. I just wish I was as technical as you guys are and asked questions you would have been interested in knowing the answer. I'm more of a marketing, advertising and sales guy . . . not a technician or engineer. Sorry !!!

Jim

Finally. THIS is the kind of talk and common sense and prudence I've been waiting DESPERATELY to hear.

I pray they back that talk up 100 percent.

As usual: I continue to look out for your posts, Jim!

[AV_Integrated]

Jim, you should mention to your friend about how much press and PR is going on at forums from the HD-DVD insiders. Blu-ray desperately needs an AMIR type person talking about Blu-ray. One that actually is technically adept and realizes the qualities and limitations of the format they are supporting.

The comments you posted are some of the most level-headed of any that I have heard from anyone in Blu-ray. It is not wine and filet, it is meat and potatoes. Straightforward stuff - "This is what we are trying to do and this is what we are focussing on so it'll be done right."

Good stuff!

[zombie]

Originally Posted by AV_Integrated

Jim, you should mention to your friend about how much press and PR is going on at forums from the HD-DVD insiders. Blu-ray desperately needs an AMIR type person talking about Blu-ray. One that actually is technically adept and realizes the qualities and limitations of the format they are supporting.

Ain't that the truth! All of those companies in the BDA and not one of them has a representative that is active at online forums, at least not to my knowledge.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by nyg

Ain't that the truth! All of those companies in the BDA and not one of them has a representative that is active at online forums, at least not to my knowledge.

It's really incredible how one sided the represenation is over there. I've never seen anything like it.

[JimPullan]

Originally Posted by AV_Integrated

The comments you posted are some of the most level-headed of any that I have heard from anyone in Blu-ray. It is not wine and filet, it is meat and potatoes. Straightforward stuff - "This is what we are trying to do and this is what we are focussing on so it'll be done right."

Good stuff!

Please keep in mind I'm no engineer or designer and my relationship with this executive is open and candid, and this person knows if I begin probing with technical questions at the component level of a product that I'm obviously asking on behalf of others, not myself, and I must be careful. Two things I 'do not' want to occur is lose a friendship I've had for years and an insider source of intelligence information. Maybe a third, I do not want to get this person in any 'hot water' with Sony that would jeoprodize this person career or longevity with Sony. So, please do not ask me to do anything that would compromise these three concerns. Thanks . . . . .

Jim

[JTK]

Originally Posted by JimPullan

Please keep in mind I'm no engineer or designer and my relationship with this executive is open and candid, and this person knows if I begin probing with technical questions at the component level of a product that I'm obviously asking on behalf of others, not myself, and I must be careful. Two things I 'do not' want to occur is lose a friendship I've had for years and an insider source of intelligence information. Maybe a third, I do not want to get this person in any 'hot water' with Sony that would jeoprodize this person career or longevity with Sony. So, please do not ask me to do anything that would compromise these three concerns. Thanks . . . . .

Jim

Of course. Tact. Discretion. All of these things. Maximum integrity.

ANY information you're able to provide is great, so long as you're comfortable doing it.

Thanks!

[AV_Integrated]

Originally Posted by JimPullan

Please keep in mind I'm no engineer or designer and my relationship with this executive is open and candid, and this person knows if I begin probing with technical questions at the component level of a product that I'm obviously asking on behalf of others, not myself, and I must be careful. Two things I 'do not' want to occur is lose a friendship I've had for years and an insider source of intelligence information. Maybe a third, I do not want to get this person in any 'hot water' with Sony that would jeoprodize this person career or longevity with Sony. So, please do not ask me to do anything that would compromise these three concerns. Thanks . . . . .

Jim

Just the opposite. It is a personal pet peeve of mine when manufacturers don't offer the ability for consumers to provide feedback directly to them through their websites. "Hey, why not add this feature to your product, it should be easy and would add a lot of value" They hear that enough and they add it - but right now, most manufacturers don't even WANT to hear from consumers about upgrades and ideas. They want to sell, sell, sell - and hope they guess right at the end of the year when they come out with a new model.

I would let your friend know that you heard that there is a lot of negative press about Blu-ray and a lot of it comes because HD-DVD has direct respresentatives, many from Microsoft, that post on forums. These representatives provide accurate, but really one-sided information and nobody from the Blu-ray camp is on the popular public forums to do proper public relations (PR) for Blu-ray. Not that he should do it, but he should definitely let people he works with know that they are seriously losing the PR battle for early adopters by ignore the buying public.

It is absolutely stupidity on the part of Blu-ray to not have adapted to the new world of the Internet. They think they have, but then proceed to ignore it. They ADVERTISE - but they don't put out a rep to say "This is what's going on." I am not at all asking you to ask your friend to be that rep. I am not asking you to ask your friend anything really.

Just make him aware that this is what IS going on. That Blu-ray supporters HAVE been abandoned by Blu-ray and have no clue what is going on. It is all guesswork and hopefullness. There is little info on BD50, none on VC-1/AVC usage by other studios. The only existing encoding software right now is the Sony MPEG2 software... or is there something else? This should not be kept 'secret' as most are expecting it. But, it should be put out directly from those working with it. And boy, you better believe that it IS lacking and everyone online knows it!

HD-DVD is talk, talk, talk, talk. Our format does this, our format does that, our format is better for this reason, and this reason, and this reason. This is coming up, this should resolve the issues you have with this, the upcoming fimware should fix that. Oh, you have an issue with that? I will pass it on to this department and they will take a look at it - you aren't the first to say it.

Where is BD response to THAT level of consumer commitment? Because if they think they are providing it already, they are SERIOUSLY kidding themselves!

[hmurchison]

Hey I'll do the job for the cheap sum of $20k a year no bennies. I'll post as much or more than Amir and I'll be goooooood.

I know Sony's product will be done right. They always launch with impressive Elite level hardware.

[JimPullan]

Originally Posted by AV_Integrated

Just the opposite. It is a personal pet peeve of mine when manufacturers don't offer the ability for consumers to provide feedback directly to them through their websites. "Hey, why not add this feature to your product, it should be easy and would add a lot of value" They hear that enough and they add it - but right now, most manufacturers don't even WANT to hear from consumers about upgrades and ideas. They want to sell, sell, sell - and hope they guess right at the end of the year when they come out with a new model.

I would let your friend know that you heard that there is a lot of negative press about Blu-ray and a lot of it comes because HD-DVD has direct respresentatives, many from Microsoft, that post on forums. These representatives provide accurate, but really one-sided information and nobody from the Blu-ray camp is on the popular public forums to do proper public relations (PR) for Blu-ray. Not that he should do it, but he should definitely let people he works with know that they are seriously losing the PR battle for early adopters by ignore the buying public.

It is absolutely stupidity on the part of Blu-ray to not have adapted to the new world of the Internet. They think they have, but then proceed to ignore it. They ADVERTISE - but they don't put out a rep to say "This is what's going on." I am not at all asking you to ask your friend to be that rep. I am not asking you to ask your friend anything really.

Just make him aware that this is what IS going on. That Blu-ray supporters HAVE been abandoned by Blu-ray and have no clue what is going on. It is all guesswork and hopefullness. There is little info on BD50, none on VC-1/AVC usage by other studios. The only existing encoding software right now is the Sony MPEG2 software... or is there something else? This should not be kept 'secret' as most are expecting it. But, it should be put out directly from those working with it. And boy, you better believe that it IS lacking and everyone online knows it!

HD-DVD is talk, talk, talk, talk. Our format does this, our format does that, our format is better for this reason, and this reason, and this reason. This is coming up, this should resolve the issues you have with this, the upcoming fimware should fix that. Oh, you have an issue with that? I will pass it on to this department and they will take a look at it - you aren't the first to say it.

Where is BD response to THAT level of consumer commitment? Because if they think they are providing it already, they are SERIOUSLY kidding themselves!

Well, I guess I won't be of much assistance to You! Why? I value my friendship with this person and the mutual respect for each other more than your thurst for answers. As I quoted earlier the exact concerns we share here on the Forum are being addressed and resolved. What the end result will be is to be introduced in Mid-October - 1st generation player, followed by a 2nd generation player towards the end of the 1st quarter of 2007.

Not only do we (forum members and consumers) know what Sony has at stake when they introduce their first player, but the do as well. Yes, we're anxious, but patience will yield 'complete satisfaction'.

Jim

[thunderhawk]

Originally Posted by hmurchison

Hey I'll do the job for the cheap sum of $20k a year no bennies. I'll post as much or more than Amir and I'll be goooooood.

I know Sony's product will be done right. They always launch with impressive Elite level hardware.

Ah c'mon, company representatives should be doing that. Why do we - technology enthousiasts - do that job?...

Where's the power of all those CE companies in the BDA? I thought it's there, altho I've not seen it (yet I hope).

[AV_Integrated]

Originally Posted by JimPullan

Well, I guess I won't be of much assistance to You! Why? I value my friendship with this person and the mutual respect for each other more than your thurst for answers. As I quoted earlier the exact concerns we share here on the Forum are being addressed and resolved. What the end result will be is to be introduced in Mid-October - 1st generation player, followed by a 2nd generation player towards the end of the 1st quarter of 2007.

Not only do we (forum members and consumers) know what Sony has at stake when they introduce their first player, but the do as well. Yes, we're anxious, but patience will yield 'complete satisfaction'.

Jim

I don't know how much of a friend he is then. Not to be rude, but with my friends I know I can go "Hey, why doesn't your company have a representative out there on these major forums that can talk about the product and answer questions?"

Not a "You should do it" thing, but a question about why that person doesn't exist. I continue to think that these major companies do NOT know what they have riding on things and how they show little interest or respect to their early adopters and buying public. If they DID care, they would respond much more proactively and VOCALLY to the early MPEG2 movies. So, I have to contend that Sony really doesn't seem to be in touch with the issues at had, because a major issue they continue to ignore is a direct response, to the early adopters about shoddy quality.

Not at all something your friend should address - but something Sony should. I've sent them several emails about this with no response.

No response... Hmmm... No, I'll buy from Panasonic or elsewhere, thanks.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by AV_Integrated

HD-DVD is talk, talk, talk, talk. Our format does this, our format does that, our format is better for this reason, and this reason, and this reason. This is coming up, this should resolve the issues you have with this, the upcoming fimware should fix that. Oh, you have an issue with that? I will pass it on to this department and they will take a look at it - you aren't the first to say it.

Where is BD response to THAT level of consumer commitment? Because if they think they are providing it already, they are SERIOUSLY kidding themselves!

I agree with you 100000 percent, but let me make one little amendment here:

HD-DVD hasn't just been talk thus far. They've backed it up with action and great results and arguably have overachieved in every respect whereas Blu-Ray has NEEDLESSLY underachieved in just about every respect.


NO ONE, including me, could have given HD-DVD two spits' in hell chance of being around right now, let alone in the shape they are in right now...and yet here they are.

Time for the BDA to get real, get serious, get aggressive, and start backing it up. Now. Stop givnig free gifts via blunders to the competition. That would be the first, best thing they could do right off the bat.

[Shadowself]

Originally Posted by AV_Integrated

Just the opposite. It is a personal pet peeve of mine when manufacturers don't offer the ability for consumers to provide feedback directly to them through their websites. "Hey, why not add this feature to your product, it should be easy and would add a lot of value" They hear that enough and they add it - but right now, most manufacturers don't even WANT to hear from consumers about upgrades and ideas. They want to sell, sell, sell - and hope they guess right at the end of the year when they come out with a new model.

AV, I can understand your position and once completely agreed with it.

However...

You forget the litigeous nature of many people (especially in the U.S.).

As someone who has been involved in such legal cases I can, from personal experience tell you that if a company took suggestions and then implemented them, someone *would* sue for compensation. "You took my idea and made billions! I want $10 million!", would be heard too many times.

(((I once had to spend 4.5 days on the stand being hammered by lawyers -- no fun at all! They really do ask truly unanswerable questions that make you look bad.

How do you answer the question, "So you corrected the design to cover this incredible flaw, didn't you?", when there was no flaw or redesign done? And when you try to explain that the lawyer has completely misunderstood the design he gets the judge to force you to answer a "Yes or no" question with *JUST* "yes" or "no".

You only have to go through an experience like that once to change your attitude. Unfortunately I've been through it four times. My side won twice, lost once and settled in our favour once.)))

It's not worth the risk. Feeding lawyers millions of dollars (Hell, my current company's lead lawyer costs $600 per hour!) to win such lawsuits does not help anyone other than those lawyers.