Format neutral supporters wanted - from HD DVD to Blu-ray!

[tron3]

1. Read this whole thing before you respond.
2. Don't attack the guests of MY thread. Keep it civil. Hostilitles toward HD DVD end now.
3. Get used to the fact this site will have a LOT more neutral members from the fall out of blu-ray winning. There are more neutral supporters here now than you suspect.

Edited for the FUDers who refuse to read the whole thing and understand why this thread is here. Want the topic closed? Stop responding!

WE ENCOURAGE HD DVD ADOPTERS TO COME TO BLU-RAY, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. Being neutral is just a side effect of doing so, not the intent!

Change is inevitable. Our perception of format neutral HDM adopters seems to be blu-members who have defected, and thus get treated like Benedict Arnold. In reality, some have also defected to blu-ray, while still others just decided on both, and are seeing the light - and it is blu. A few dumped HD DVD in favor of BD.

You double adopters really "feel the pinch" because you pay twice to enjoy a movie. Two players, two movie formats, and the inevitable win by blu-ray. I don't want to FUD you, but lets face facts like adults. If HD DVD had most of the unflinching studio support, blu-ray would be a high tech flash in the pan. Sometimes consumers don't get the choice. But you guys did. Because you pay twice, and pay in the end when HD DVD dies, you "feel the pinch" on this mingle of red and blue. That is why I affectionately call you guys, "The Purple Nurples". Feel free to use it in your signature line.

Firstly, I DO NOT suggest blu-ray owners go neutral. That is not the purpose of this thread. I do suggest that some stern HD DVD fans deeply consider the losing proposition of staying red. Toshiba will string you along all the way to the bank. They have DEEP pockets. Enough money to buy support into a format no studio really WANTS to support, but they do for what ever monetary or corporate reason.

I keep saying that Warner sits on the fence with both feet hanging in camp blu. This becomes more evident with each passing week. Your last great strike at us was Paramount / Dreamworks. But how empty is that victory when it must be bought with corporate incentives, and not by the will of the consumer? It's 150 million EMPTY reasons which have everthing to do with corporate pride, greed, control, not giving you quality and CEO's with massive egos.

I know lots of you neutral members tend to stay underground because of the blu-fanboys here. Yes, some of us are just as bad as any red-fanboy. Look at me and my blu-blood following. It started out a mess, but that is calming down. I don't dispise HD DVD. Initially I thought it could win, I liked the idea. It really was a good idea how they souped up DVD. I thought it was great. Alas, compared to blu-ray, it is a day late and $99 short. That is why I won't support it, though I did get tempted for Transformers sake.

You are doing YOURSELF the favor by reading the hand writing on the wall. Toshiba uses Paramount as a corporate shield to cover that hand writing. But the blu lettering is going bleed through that shield when Warner goes camp blu. They say they will see after this Christmas season. Maybe they will ride the coat tails of the Paramount / Dreamworks contract to double dip. Even Paramount had to do damage control with Dreamworks because their own affiliate didn't like the HD DVD deal. Now, Dreamworks movies are produced under their name. Thus, we hope to see Dreamworks films on BD in the near future. Basically, a contract loophole.

What does that tell you about the future of HD DVD? I'm doing this in hopes of opening some eyes. Think twice before you invest any more money in this technology. Consider that DVD will always be with us. BD players will always be backwards compatible. When the world turns blu, HD DVD becomes the 8-track tape in a world of cassettes. No one will be backwards compatible with you.

Does this stop you from watching and enjoying your investment of hundreds of dollars in movies? Heck no, but like 8-track players, the day comes when it needs to be fixed. Ok, so you buy one on ebay. But will it receive any more firmware updates? Nope. Does HD DVD have hard coating to protect the disc from being damaged? Nope. Will you be able to replace that movie? Maybe not. Ebay isn't the savior here - it only prolongs death. Ebay will not fix your player, it may not have the one you want, and the certainly can NOT provide you with new movies or firmware updates to fix play back issues.

10 or 15 years after the format war ends, your only option for a player will be a used one 10 or 15 years old. At best, unopened new "old" stock. Maybe even refurbs. In essence, technology already 10 - 15 years old and growing older by the day. DVD will not suffer this fate because it will always be backwards compatible. Don't expect Toshiba or format neutral player to save you indefinately. Once a product looses support they will stick around only for warranty sake. Some 3rd party will take over support of the player because Toshiba and company wash their hands of it. "Thanks for the money and support, but here come the lions."

I am NOT telling anyone here to dump their HD DVD players or to stop buying movies. That is your choice. I AM encouraging people to adopt blu-ray sooner than later. As I have said, some day this place is going to have a captive audience. Many members will be victims of fall out. Fighting, finger pointing, and nya nya nya doesn't help anyone at that point. What's done is done. No going back.

Toshiba and Microsoft won't do the right thing. They will fight to the bitter end and use you as their Kamakazis. Do the right thing for the future of HDM. For yourself. Adopt blu, and let's stop the war ourselves. Amen?