Good format war articles

[JTK]

Today's Wall Stree Journal (6-20-06) had a really good article breaking down the entire format war and what not.

Their conclusion about we, the customers, being screwed over is one I agree with 100 percent.



Also:

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,126112,00.asp

[zombie]

The bitrates she lists for early HD DVD releases is interesting. Doom in particular doesn't take up much room at all. It's just under two hours long and is a terrific looking disc despite that. Not saying the movie is a modern day classic by any means but that's not the point.

[suprmallet]

What I found odd is that she mentioned that most of these only have 5.1 audio, isn't DDTru+ more than 5.1?

Also, considering you can get most of these discs for the price of a DVD, I don't see why we wouldn't get two and three discs sets like we do now, regardless of whether it's on BD or HD.

[AV_Integrated]

I find many articles to be lacking on the multitude of points and variables that potentially can lead one format to win over another format in this 'battle'. While people are quick to point out the price of the Toshiba, they often downplay or minimize the PS3 even though it hasn't been seen yet. It also matters, IMO, a great deal that Blu-ray carries a lot of CE manufacturers that will actually be making product, while HD-DVD has Toshiba... and I guess we'll see the M$ X-Box 360 drive. No mention at all of the huge studio support currently behind Blu-ray.

Do those things simply not matter to consumers? I think that they really do matter when you have to tell someone that they bought the player that only 1/4th of their favorite titles are available on. The PS3 was downplayed as a movie system at a gaming convention... that doesn't suprise me. But, CEDIA may bring out a few different looks - and SHOULD - if Sony plays their cards right.

One of the better and more balanced articles I have read, but still people are stabbing in the dark about PS3s impact on this format war. 2 million units + announced, and I want one for Blu-ray first, gaming second.

[JTK]

DigitalBits take on the Samsung player and the format war at this point: Here


One highlight:

:

"Don't even bother with Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD for at least a year, because there are significant bugs to be worked out yet."

I agree with that 100 percent.

The most prudent and patient course of action would be to sit this format war out, but I know that's easier said than done.

[hmurchison]

One of the better and more balanced articles I have read, but still people are stabbing in the dark about PS3s impact on this format war. 2 million units + announced, and I want one for Blu-ray first, gaming second.

It's not prudent to give the PS3 too much attention because it is first and foremost a gaming system. For every PS3 sold you cannot guarantee that Blu-Ray movies are going to be the focus. The Xbox HD DVD add on however will virtually guarantee that every purchase equals a movie focus.

I don't prescribe to waiting if you want HD movies now. I think Bill was being a bit kind when he said wait for both but reality is the Toshiba unit with the latest firmware isn't a barn burner starting up but there are no qualitative bugs in the picture. They look great so why wait if you don't have to?

Blu-Ray on the other hand needs to get off of bitstarved MPEG2 on SL ASAP but it's still a worthy purchase for those that prefer not to put their lives on hold.

[mainman]

Originally Posted by JTK

Today's Wall Stree Journal (6-20-06) had a really good article breaking down the entire format war and what not.

Their conclusion about we, the customers, being screwed over is one I agree with 100 percent.



Also:

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,126112,00.asp

This article is saying that the cheaper PS3 wont be able to output 1080p. But it is anounced that both the PS3's will output 1080p.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by mainman

This article is saying that the cheaper PS3 wont be able to output 1080p. But it is anounced that both the PS3's will output 1080p.

Who knows for sure?

Since this is a Sony product we're talking about, none of us can or will know for 100 percent certainty until it's actually out on the streets.

I sure hope both PS3's can do 1080p.

[Sidewinder]

The cheaper PS3 version doesn't have an HDMI output, therefore 1080p will only be possible if the ICT (allowing only 540p over analog output) isn't activated on the movies...correct me if I'm wrong.

@ hmurchison:

If only 5% of the initial PS3 owners would be interested in Blu-ray movies that'd mean 100'000 more active BR-movie players in use.

Sooner or later PS3 owners will have a look at BR-movies and they'll find out, that their PS3 can play those discs right out of the box...they won't have to buy an add-on or a standalone Player to test those BRs: just buy a single BR, throw it in and see what happens to your HDTV.
A 360 owner must buy an add-on to test some movies, which one do you think will be the first to give HD-movies a try, PS3 or 360 owner?
Even if the add-on is very cheap, it still means additional $ to try something new...so I guess we shouldn't overstate nor understate the PS3 momentum.

For Sony it'd be wise to throw in a BR with some jaw-dropping movie clips in every PS3 box they sell, this would make the step to BR-movies even less risky, wallethurting for the user.

[suprmallet]

Um, how do you know how much 5% of initial PS3 owners will be? It could be that with the Wii coming out and Microsoft doing some 360 promo to battle the PS3, that it doesn't actually sell well.

I do think Sony should include a BD movie in the box (but NOT the Fifth Element!), as that would do more to promote BD than anything else.

[Psiweaver]

I think the ps3 will sell well. the xbox 360 is merely average as far as a game system goes. Its way too much like the previous xbox 360. the graphics aren't that great and they don't really have much room to improve them because the discs are soo full with the higher rez polygons. The 360 is looking just about as good as it will look right now because they have no where to expand to. THe ps3 on the other hand will be able to use the blu ray discs for games and so the graphics will be far superior to the ones found on the xbox 360. For the 360 though they might be able to counter with an hd dvd drive but its unclear wether or not that woudl be able to be used for games or would simply just work for movies. The wii is going after a very different consumer than the ps3. Just like the gamecube which is very sucessful in the younger generation and the people who are nostalgic for earlier ninetendo systems. My guess though is that the ps3 will look wonderful and that it will ultimately be the best of the 3 systems for most of the game buying populace. I predict the wii to be successful as well by targeting a different market than either xbox 360 or ps3. The xbox will fall a bit when ps3 comes out, remember there is a lot of turmoil at microsoft right now so its unclear the direction the company will head in.

[Sidewinder]

Originally Posted by suprmallet

Um, how do you know how much 5% of initial PS3 owners will be? It could be that with the Wii coming out and Microsoft doing some 360 promo to battle the PS3, that it doesn't actually sell well.

I do think Sony should include a BD movie in the box (but NOT the Fifth Element!), as that would do more to promote BD than anything else.

Yes, you're right, we don't know how well the PS3 will sell. But I guess that the initial 2Mio. units worldwide (I didn't mean US only with the 5% figure...) will be sold out in very short time.

[Sidewinder]

Originally Posted by Psiweaver

For the 360 though they might be able to counter with an hd dvd drive but its unclear wether or not that woudl be able to be used for games or would simply just work for movies. The wii is going after a very different consumer than the ps3.

I totally agree with the Wii going after another market, they do not really intend to draw that much PS users away, they want to broaden the Video game market (bringing old "saturated" Gamers back, or allow non-gamers to get into games with intuitive gameplay).

About the HD-DVD add-on: MS claimed that they won't use the add-on for gaming purposes. It would only hurt MS to do so, who would be willing to pay for the right to play new games on their "old" 360? Not much I guess, but more important, who would produce games for a new drive when only a small percentage of the 360 owners actually own such a drive?
As I remember, no add-on for any console ever was successfull.