VERY interesting Format War history article

[sj001]

Found this linked on thedigitalbits.com, this article covers a lot of stuff that wasn't in the other history of the war article that's been circulating around.

http://businessweek.com/technology/c...9074_tc024.htm

Daggers Drawn Over DVDs
How Sony gained an edge in its fierce battle with Microsoft over video formats

Every July, 400 of the most powerful media and tech industry chieftains meet at investment banker Herb Allen's conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, for what are usually convivial discussions of megatrends and megamergers. But this year, Microsoft (MSFT ) Chairman Bill Gates III laid into Sony (SNE ) Chief Executive Howard Stringer, according to two sources, including one who witnessed the exchange in a private room.

Gates argued that Sony's new high-definition DVD standard, called Blu-ray, needed to be changed so it would work smoothly with personal computers running on Microsoft's Windows operating system. Stringer and two lieutenants defended the technology, insisting Blu-ray would work fine in PCs.

[Marcusarilius]

It's amazing what a slime ball Bill Gates is. Do you think the name "Microsoft" has any connection or personal relevance to a part of his reproductive system? Might explain quite a bit.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

It's amazing what a slime ball Bill Gates is. Do you think the name "Microsoft" has any connection or personal relevance to a part of his reproductive system? Might explain quite a bit.

Without a doubt... and shame on those studios who exclusively support HD-DVD. Stringer took a stand for the studios, and to help watch out their asses, and look what happens. Gates always has to have his way, but not this time.

[Neo65]

Would be nice to have an actual book written about the internals of this. Sort of a "Barbarians at the Gate" for our times.

I have heard several comments on the versions of events by acquaintances supposedly involved at various stages, and supposedly Toshiba was VERY OPEN to a negotiated common format. Then suddenly it unravelled, whether this is because Sony was inflexible in some fine detail, or whether Toshiba suddenly found some extra courage to proceed with AOD, that's open to debate.

What seems to be a common thread was that one day, we hear the format war was avoided, Toshiba was going to be part of BDA, and the next day it was full blown.

[quetzalcoatl]

Even wonder if Bill Gates and Eric Cartman are the same person?

"screw you I am going home"

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by sj001

Without a doubt... and shame on those studios who exclusively support HD-DVD. Stringer took a stand for the studios, and to help watch out their asses, and look what happens. Gates always has to have his way, but not this time.

I agree. Not this time. And not this time for Microsoft DDLs either. Not this time for Bill Gates pathetic rule. His days are numbered in HD movie anything. Lies and slander can't stand up to truth and facts. The man is an id Narcasictic 2 two year old that has to win by any means possible. "Good. Double the pride, double the fall." Can't wait till no one is buying into his DDL venture after spending billions. The fall will be in slow motion and savoured by many.

[miokti]

so... Billy tells Stringer to change something on Blu... and what was it that Billy want changed? the copyright protection software?! what kind of movie studio would want to be on this guy's side?

[TJones8124]

It's a really good article, but please keep in mind it was written in 2005.

[joeorc]

well here is yet more info about the events that transpired...kind of puts it all into perspective..

http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2007/0...vs-hd-dvd-war/

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by TJones8124

It's a really good article, but please keep in mind it was written in 2005.

yes, please remember it was written back in 2005. Back then people wrote whatever they wanted. Most likely 98% of these events never occured, because this article was written in 2005 any similarities to strategies and events in 2007 by companies or studios is mere coincidence and can be disregarded.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

yes, please remember it was written back in 2005. Back then people wrote whatever they wanted. Most likely 98% of these events never occured, because this article was written in 2005 any similarities to strategies and events in 2007 by companies or studios is mere coincidence and can be disregarded.

No animals were hurt in the making of this post.

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

No animals were hurt in the making of this post.

actually a cat was killed during it.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

No animals were hurt in the making of this post.

True, but he was already Cat atonic from swallowing the Microshibamount coolaid.

Any simularities to an intelligent post living or dead is purely coincidental.

[airwedge1]

I ****ing hate Microsoft. Why can't they just make a better product instead of trying to use devious tasks to lock people in. **** them.

[Elandyll]

2 things to retain that I saw (both articles were very interesting):

1) the "truth" <tm> is out there
... "The move was a serious blow for Microsoft's Xbox. The company had decided to hold down costs by not including a next-generation DVD player in the game console. Instead, it planned to stream high-definition content from a PC sitting in one room to the console, which would be attached to a television. But Cryptography's safeguards meant studios could block their content from being taken off the DVD. That was the reason for Gates's exchange with Stringer at the conference. Gates wanted Sony to drop such technology, but Stringer wouldn't budge. "

2) I knew Toshiba was selling at a loss. From the start of course, but even moreso now. I just didn't realize how far it went

"The hardware required to play HD video and WinCE-based HDi posed a big problem for Toshiba’s HD-DVD players that overshadowed the somewhat simpler disc player mechanism they use compared to Blu-ray. Toshiba’s first HD-DVD player, the HD-A1, wasn’t released until early 2006, two years later than promised.

In order to run Microsoft’s WinCE-based HDi menus and render HD video, it incorporated a PC: a Pentium 4 processor, 1 GB of RAM, a 256 MB Flash drive, and 32 MB of additional Flash RAM. A parts breakdown revealed that the components alone cost around $674, even without manufacturing costs, bundled accessories, packaging, and other expenses.

Toshiba sold the $500 players at a large loss to encourage uptake of HD-DVD prior to the release of the first Blu-ray players, which debuted around $1000 a few weeks later.
"
Those HDI compoenents must cost Tosh a fortune (it probably had a dedicated part made by now, but still.)

[jorg]

lol all this hate for dicksoft reminded me of these

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by jorg

lol all this hate for dicksoft reminded me of these

The only thing missing is the funny little mustash. Otherwise... Zeig Heil!

[Anthony P]

yes, please remember it was written back in 2005. Back then people wrote whatever they wanted. Most likely 98% of these events never occured, because this article was written in 2005 any similarities to strategies and events in 2007 by companies or studios is mere coincidence and can be disregarded.

lol

[Elder]

I've known about this stuff for years and it's why I have such a large distaste for all things Microsoft. I only own one PC at my house and I use it only as a last resort. Everything else I do I do on my various Macs. I know I could be called an Apple fanboy, but whatever. The fact remains that Microsoft has always been like this, trying to inforce their own formats onto others.

I really hope major news breaks at CES and Blu-ray walks away the winner within a six month timeframe. I'd LOVE to read the news on how Microsoft spins that.

[HeavyHitter]

Good article. It sounds like typical Microsoft - that's been their history. Meanwhile, you have all the HD DUD boys defending them and blaming Sony for all of this.