The Disconnect between Blu-Ray Disc and HD DVD

[Crackbone]

My response to a major HD DVD supporter and poster:

This is where the disconnect between some of the more intelligent Blu-Ray supporters and many of the HD DVD supporters occurs.

Yes, we are afraid of a prolonged war, but not for the reasons that you cite or wish to believe. Blu-Ray, Green-Ray or whatever the format is, that's not the issue. The issue is that the entire existence of HDM optical is threatened by the strategies implemented by the HD DVD side.

It's evident that they are attempting to play the spoiler. The HD DVD promotions are focused to be based on cost, not on the merits of HDM in general. They aren't selling the positives of HDM, they are selling it price, and price alone. It's apparent with the large amount of software that they continue to give away, simply to erase gains that BD has made by selling to the merits of the media. This was further brought to light when the Paramount deal occured. Fragmentation is the only goal.

Not in it to really win, but determined not to lose. For Toshiba, it is about saving face. For MS, it is about not letting Java invade another market.

For us? It's about losing a great product to corporate politics. The issue is that HD DVD supporters aren't taking a step back, and seeing the forest from the trees.

Capacity, codecs, interactivity, these are marketing terms, they truly mean squat in all of this. The reality is that the damage that HD DVD has created to the value of the product has already slowed adoption rates of HDM as a whole.

Warner has the power to end all of the nonsense by voting with their exclusivity. They can vote for HD optical or not. A vote for HD DVD is a vote to stick with DVD. A vote for BD is a vote for the serious adoption of HDM.

Unfortunately all of us have been played in this mess. I am hoping that Warner has the foresight and the sense to protect and nurture a product that we all of come to enjoy and love. A vote by Warner to support BD exclusively is a positive for all of us.

What all of you have to understand is where the HD DVD guys are coming from. They truly don't see they are being played. If you happen to debate them, remember, stick with the facts and always step back to see the forest from the trees.

-Crack.

[ZeeMan84]

Very good letter. Could you also send some out to Warner to convince them to come to BD exclusivity through snail mail?

[jetydosa]

Well said! Thanks!

[spicynacho]

Toshiba's message to the world, "If we can't have the money from optical discs, nobody can."

[RangerSix]

Originally Posted by Crackbone

What all of you have to understand is where the HD DVD guys are coming from. They truly don't see they are being played.

Very good write up.

This is how I view the demographic of the HD-DVD supporter:

1) The Shill: MS/Toshiba propaganda evangelists seeded throughout the tech/media forums with the intent to spread misinformation to the uninformed masses. Notables: RDJam, HMurchison, Amir, Lee Stewart, David Vaughn

2) The Anarchist: Irrational hatred of all things Sony! They have a difficult time grasping the concept that the BDA consist of the majority of the CE industry and studios. Under the fervent belief that that the BDA is anti-consumer, while at the same time gleefully supporting the Toshiba/MS bribe to Paramount that effectively blocked access of movies to BD customers. Often rude. Low IQ. Will frequently resort to cheap shots and disparaging remarks.

3) Saint Jude: Champion of lost causes. This individual enjoys defying the odds and being the underdog. Close cousin to the anarchist.

4) Four Eyes: Short sighted. Bought into HD-DVD based on price versus BD specs, merit, and long term potential.

5) Lenny (Of Mice and Men): Woefully ignorant to all things HD. Easily influenced by the shill. Like a battered spouse, Lenny will make excuses for HDDVD shortcomings. Often requires an intervention, but over time can be rehabilitated.

[Blu4ever]

I second that this was a well thought out write-up.

Although I am a Blu supporter until this war is over, I do understand how some people, at least early on, decided on HDdvd.

When I originally chose sides I will be honest, I chose the side that I thought had the best chance of winning, not because I thought it was the superior technology. Now don't get me wrong, I now firmly believe that Blu-Ray is far superior technically speaking than HDdvd. But at the time I did not know what I know now and the fact is that I did not base my decision solely on one factor.

That being said, I could have just as easily picked HDdvd and stuck with it. At the time no one really had any idea who would come out on top. The red supporters are simply holding on to the thought that they just may come out on top by way of a miracle deal and are very upset about the fact that they have shelled out 1,000's of dollars on a dying format.

I would also be very upset if I was in that situation.