[RUMOR] New VC codec prepared as an answer

[Elandyll]

That has been started on Engadgethd by a "supposedly" Gamestop vendor, the info coming originally from their Microsoft Rep.
Needless to say that my BS o'meter is at 99.9, but I thought it 'd be interesting to see what people would think about this.

The guy pretends that a MS rep told him that, as part of a Toshiba - MS plan to come back front stage, following the Superbowl ad two things will happen.

First, the release of a "VC 2.1 codec". According to that same person, this codec allows such a compression boost that, when compared to curent gen codec, you can have 50 Gb down to 18Gb, with the same visual quality or better (2.77 ratio). Also, according to him, this "magical" codec is so advanced and sophisticated, that current machines can decode it -faster- than VC1, allowing faster loading, and faster parsing through pictures.

The ratio would then allow for HD DVD of a Theoretical 90Gb capacity (on current 33Gb discs).

Quickly noted, this codec (IF real, very much doubt it) would also be usuable on Blu Ray.
Hence 140Gb discs.

2nd Rumor, is the anounce of "New HD DVD products and prices" mid March, from Uni, Para and Tosh.
Don't really see where they can go from the Hardware point (short of giving them away for free), but maybe he means a new price point for the software and 4th gen players.

This second rumor seems much less far fetched (nothing prevents them from setting the HD DVD discs MSRP around $24.95 per exemple, or $19.95 even to compete with DVDs), if Tosh is still willing to subside its Studio partners.

Link:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/30...ly/1#c10133736

[nhaase]

Why would a gamestop vendor know this? Your BS meter is probably accurately calibrated.

[Sylin]

Isn't the current VC codec VC 1? Why would they release a 2.1? Wouldn't the logical version progression be 2.0?

[CAB]

Well I laughed.

[plee]

Also, the current machines would have to be updated because if it does use newer techniques to compress you can bet that the current codec will not uncompress it correctly.

Also, by March it will be over!!! They would need to announce now if they have any real plans. 3 weeks and counting since Warner and as each day passes so does a retailer/venders, etc....

[ezcobar411]

And all of this will accomplish what? Oh yea, nothing at all. The lower price thing has been proven to accomplish nothing and the new compression technology won't sway blu studios. Studios like Fox are more concerned with security. Also, why would you need compression like that when you have tl-51 discs? Right? Right?

[Salinger]

In the thread, it's actually just a Gamestop employee, probably some high school kid. And I'd say the only interaction he has with MS is putting XBox titles on the shelf. Why in the world would any MS employee who is high enough up to know such a thing, share it with an employee of a video game store?

As for pricing, well, they can't drop hardware prices anymore, what are they going to do next, pay people to take an HD-DVD player?? A number of red supporters keep talking about this big plan Tosh/Par/Uni have coming, meanwhile, while they're sitting on it (for whatever reason) one domino after another is falling all around them in their own demise.

[Elandyll]

Well, they couldn't pull out a 3 layer, I don't see how they would pull out a codec that's 3 times as effective -and- less demanding from the current decoders ....

[CptGreedle]

I think this is BS too.
I doubt any VC2 codec will be that amazing, and if it is, Blu-ray can use it too so there is No advantage for HD DVD there. Besides, they might say its all that great, but no one else has even seen it yet. I doubt it will outdo anything Blu-ray has already. Not to mention the 100 GB and 200 GB models would outdo HD DVD so much it would be funny!

I don't think anything Tosh can release will bring HD DVD back this time. We need this war to end and they need to learn when to stop!
Sony needs to buy them off already. And I think Para and uni would be more likely to go Blu than release new HD DVD products.

[Blaumann]

lol

wouldn´t the players need a 2.1 video decoder to decode this magical codec?

[ILOVEBLU!]

if true this wont do much to help hd dvd warner put the final nail in the coffin i dont see how hd dvd can even survive through quarter 3 of this year

[eat_me_cool]

100% bullshit.

Until its delivered, its meaningless. Especially from an anonymous poster on a blog site.

[jason_grumpy]

Official Seal of the HD DVD Party

[POOPonYOU]

Someone didn't spray the air freshner!!! I can tell cause it's smells like Sh*t.

[Sonny]

[unreal1080p]

Originally Posted by jason_grumpy

Official Seal of the HD DVD Party

Someone forgot to "brand" the HD DVD logo on the ass of that Bull so we can "officialy" add this image to the Blu-Ray arsenal.

[stockstar1138]

HD DVD PG: We are releasing a new video codec, along with G4 players, and Paramount and Universal have mustered up a whopping 7 new movies for the HD DVD format.

Retailers: That's great, too bad we won't be carrying any of them.

[bdLuvr]

Originally Posted by Elandyll

Well, they couldn't pull out a 3 layer, I don't see how they would pull out a codec that's 3 times as effective -and- less demanding from the current decoders ....

Hmmm if it was true and MS was in it, I dont think they would target Digital Media. It would be more for their download option.

[rub]

Hah!

[Neo65]

Just about as realistic as having a new fuel that can make your car have twice the MPG without changing the engine.

Total Nonsense.