High-definition format war goes global - Blu-ray Forum

HDTV1080P · 03-16-2007, 11:15 PM

Here is a new article on the format war going global

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6425099.html?nid=2705

HDJK · 03-16-2007, 11:35 PM

It's true what the article says about Europe: HD-DVD is very popular. I just had a discussion with a DVD-rental owner who stocks some HD-DVDs but no BDs. Unfortunately there were some customers waiting so the discussion didn't last that long, but his arguments were the same as anywhere when it comes to defending HD-DVD: Sony? There are no titles I want from them (CR, Spiderman, Potc did stir something though

), Sony DVDs only run properly in Sony equipment (say what???), HD-DVD is cheaper (it's March 2007), people don't have true HD TVs yet (so they have to buy a mediocre format because they don't own a good TV yet?). I told him about the hard coating and how it would protect his investment and it seems it was the first time he heard of that.

I just hope with the launch of the PS3 in Europe that things will change faster. This charade has to end soon.

Banjo · 03-16-2007, 11:41 PM

Oh my, a global war? What have we done? ;-)

degas · 03-17-2007, 12:03 AM

W A R G A M E S

Do you really want to play?

YES NO

whippersnapper · 03-17-2007, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by degas

W A R G A M E S

Do you really want to play?

YES NO

Let's play......Global Thermonuclear War!!

Gremal · 03-17-2007, 12:35 AM

That's discouraging. I wasn't aware of Europe's love of HD-DVD, and in some respects, Europe may be a bigger market force than North America these days, with the weak dollar. I think Blu-ray has a challenge over the next few years and it will probably prevail, but until PS3 prices come down it will be fairly slow going. Just keep rolling out titles I want every month and I'll be happy.

Maximus · 03-17-2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gremal

That's discouraging. I wasn't aware of Europe's love of HD-DVD, and in some respects, Europe may be a bigger market force than North America these days, with the weak dollar. I think Blu-ray has a challenge over the next few years and it will probably prevail, but until PS3 prices come down it will be fairly slow going. Just keep rolling out titles I want every month and I'll be happy.

The total sales of HD stuff in Europe adds up to less that £1m worth. The market is tiny, and BD has not had its official launch yet (PS3 release) but HD DVD has (and the numbers are still terrible). It seems that Toshiba were concentrating on the US market so much that they forgot about all of the other places in the world including their home country Japan, and Europe (which is now the most profitable place in the world for big companies). So while HD DVD continues to hang on in the US, it is being annihilated in Japan, and will be crushed in Europe once the PS3 is released.

Blue · 03-17-2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gremal

That's discouraging.

Wouldn't believe everything you read. Can't comment about Europe, but the top secret HD-DVD launch went off with a bang in a phone box somewhere in Aus. Although I have looked under all the likely rocks, I still haven't seen evidence of a HD-DVD drive or player for sale or on demo. Although expensive Blu-ray players are on sale all over the place.

HDJK · 03-17-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue

Wouldn't believe everything you read.

There was just a News report tonight about HD media. HD-DVD was pushed as the leader in the format war in Europe, due to higher sales and more studio support (they did mention that in the US it's the other way around, but no mention of the PS3 and the march release in Europe).

partridge · 03-17-2007, 09:26 PM

I live in the UK, trust me HD-DVD and blu-ray have virtually no shelf presence right now.

That WILL change come next Friday when the PS3 arrives.

Play.com is probably the most popular online shop for DVD's, they are listing 79 blu-ray movies but only 29 HD-DVD's.

I cannot see HD-DVD making any headway in Europe once the PS3 arrives, the 360 add on isn't going to help, not with such a low number of movies to choose from. What would you rather have, King Kong or Casino Royale? I go with Bond!

Scorxpion · 03-17-2007, 10:05 PM

i aggree with you my friend here in middle east too which have the same region as europe and UK still no evidence that HD-DVD is around absolutely and i can prove this for anyone asking for facts...PS3 is going to be released on march 23 and i already post a new thread concerning this Launch .Already we have a couple hundred of Imported PS3 from Honk Kong and totally sold out and i'm an onwer of one of them with a couple games titles and BD.for example Virtua Fighter 5 imported we have in store about 25 copies and has been completely sold out what are going to happened once PS3 officialy released next week.

Blue · 03-17-2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDJK

There was just a News report tonight about HD media. HD-DVD was pushed as the leader in the format war in Europe, due to higher sales and more studio support ...

Same here the media especially print is all over HD-DVD. The best was about 8 months ago when they reviewed a Toshiba and Sony Laptop's with HD drives. The Toshiba optical drive was superior as it read HD-DVD (not tested as they didn't have a disc), but could read / write DVD +CD. The Sony was no good as it could read / write Blu-ray (worked flawlessly, they said so - just took a long time to burn 50GB) Read / write DVD, but only read CD - so it was a really bad drive as all PC burners should be able to burn a CD (according to them), doesn't matter about the HD part.
I can buy Blu-ray players with a few Km (miles) from my place and have been able to do so for months, as I said HD-DVD players are very well hidden. I think I would have more luck buying elicit drugs. The media is behaving just like the fanboi's, if you say it, it must be true. I stand by my statement, although Blu-ray is not big, about 16 titles and no new one's since Nov, but HD-DVD is nonexistent. A press statement does not enable you to purchase HD-DVD drives and disc's. I'm aware of a studio in France backing HD-DVD but that's it, so even in region B there is more studio support (including Hollywood that press for B as well) no matter what the media says.

thunderhawk · 03-18-2007, 12:23 AM

Pfff. Not seen one HD DVD here in Belgium yet.

(maybe it's because I'm not asking for them..?)

Europe, weake up and forget about the FUD.

Damn you M$...

Blackraven · 03-18-2007, 10:11 AM

Just wait for the PS3 to come to PAL land (only a few more days left).

It will do some damage.

03-16-2007, 11:15 PM	#1
HDTV1080P Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 205	High-definition format war goes global Here is a new article on the format war going global http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6425099.html?nid=2705

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03-16-2007, 11:35 PM	#2
HDJK Blu-ray Guru Member since:Oct 2006 Location:Switzerland Trading Score:2	It's true what the article says about Europe: HD-DVD is very popular. I just had a discussion with a DVD-rental owner who stocks some HD-DVDs but no BDs. Unfortunately there were some customers waiting so the discussion didn't last that long, but his arguments were the same as anywhere when it comes to defending HD-DVD: Sony? There are no titles I want from them (CR, Spiderman, Potc did stir something though ), Sony DVDs only run properly in Sony equipment (say what???), HD-DVD is cheaper (it's March 2007), people don't have true HD TVs yet (so they have to buy a mediocre format because they don't own a good TV yet?). I told him about the hard coating and how it would protect his investment and it seems it was the first time he heard of that. I just hope with the launch of the PS3 in Europe that things will change faster. This charade has to end soon.

03-16-2007, 11:41 PM	#3
Banjo Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Blu-ray collection:143	Oh my, a global war? What have we done? ;-)

03-17-2007, 12:03 AM	#4
degas Senior Member Member since:Jan 2007 iTunes collection:1317 Blu-ray reviews:3	W A R G A M E S Do you really want to play? YES NO

03-17-2007, 12:35 AM	#6
Gremal Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Daddyland Home Theater Gallery:49 Blu-ray collection:184	That's discouraging. I wasn't aware of Europe's love of HD-DVD, and in some respects, Europe may be a bigger market force than North America these days, with the weak dollar. I think Blu-ray has a challenge over the next few years and it will probably prevail, but until PS3 prices come down it will be fairly slow going. Just keep rolling out titles I want every month and I'll be happy.

03-17-2007, 09:26 PM	#10
partridge Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Oct 2005 Location:England	I live in the UK, trust me HD-DVD and blu-ray have virtually no shelf presence right now. That WILL change come next Friday when the PS3 arrives. Play.com is probably the most popular online shop for DVD's, they are listing 79 blu-ray movies but only 29 HD-DVD's. I cannot see HD-DVD making any headway in Europe once the PS3 arrives, the 360 add on isn't going to help, not with such a low number of movies to choose from. What would you rather have, King Kong or Casino Royale? I go with Bond!

03-17-2007, 10:05 PM	#11
Scorxpion Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2006 Location:Middle East,Lebanon Blu-ray collection:57	i aggree with you my friend here in middle east too which have the same region as europe and UK still no evidence that HD-DVD is around absolutely and i can prove this for anyone asking for facts...PS3 is going to be released on march 23 and i already post a new thread concerning this Launch .Already we have a couple hundred of Imported PS3 from Honk Kong and totally sold out and i'm an onwer of one of them with a couple games titles and BD.for example Virtua Fighter 5 imported we have in store about 25 copies and has been completely sold out what are going to happened once PS3 officialy released next week.

03-18-2007, 12:23 AM	#13
thunderhawk Moderator Member since:Jul 2004 Location:Belgium	Pfff. Not seen one HD DVD here in Belgium yet. (maybe it's because I'm not asking for them..?) Europe, weake up and forget about the FUD. Damn you M$...

03-18-2007, 10:11 AM	#14
Blackraven Expert Member Member since:Jan 2005 Location:Makati, Philippines	Just wait for the PS3 to come to PAL land (only a few more days left). It will do some damage.

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