Archived: Ask the Insiders: Judgment Day Edition

[elwaylite]

They state "SONY". I would not sweat it.

[dialog_gvf]

Toshiba has sold 578,000 HD-DVD units and Sony 370,000 Blu-ray machines this year, the Times reported, citing Adams Media Research.

That may be a mistatement, or really only Sony. But one thing is for sure:

578,000 << 1 million << 1.8 million

Gary

[shug7272]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

It doesn't have anything to do with anything really, I have been using this handle online for about three years, well before I got my job.

I think I had just finished watching that episode of the Simpsons when I signed up to some website or other.

Thank you sir, I made the Fox connection from the simpsons.

[blitz6speed]

The #s are from Adams Media Research, one of the most worthless research firms ever. They're worse then VGChartz, pulling figures out of their rear end. Wait for NPD, or better yet, wait for CES to get actual #s.

[Raikun]

I know I brought up David Vaughn making statements claiming only Cinram and Sony were doing BD-50 production a few days ago...but now that conversation has sprung back up again, this time with Amir in the mix hehe, he's saying that Panasonic's only BD-50 line is a pilot line and unfit for mass production.

So I guess I'm just inquiring as to where I could find out more so I can respond hehe (I think I'm about to get double teamed by Amir and DV there lol).

I hope it's okay to ask this here, because even though it's something that would affect Warner...this question isn't about Warner, it's about BD-50 replication. =) (And Panasonic's in particular.)

Thank you. =)

[Bullseye]

Aimir as a HD-DVD insider should no better than to be talking about the competitions production lines. He looses all credibility when he does so and would be better off talking about his own group.

Do you have a link? If it is AVS there is clear guidelines insisting that insiders not discuss the rivals format particularly production.

[Dave J]

Originally Posted by blitz6speed

The #s are from Adams Media Research, one of the most worthless research firms ever. They're worse then VGChartz, pulling figures out of their rear end. Wait for NPD, or better yet, wait for CES to get actual #s.

That bloomberg article is refering to an old article (12/10/07) on the New York Times website which published Adams Media Research estimates for 2007 player sales.

In Hi-Def DVD Wars, Warner Brothers’ Choice May Tip It in Blu-Ray’s Favor

[Blupaint]

Originally Posted by Dave J

That bloomberg article is refering to an old article (12/10/07) on the New York Times website which published Adams Media Research estimates for 2007 player sales.

In Hi-Def DVD Wars, Warner Brothers’ Choice May Tip It in Blu-Ray’s Favor

Correct

[Raikun]

Originally Posted by Bullseye

Aimir as a HD-DVD insider should no better than to be talking about the competitions production lines. He looses all credibility when he does so and would be better off talking about his own group.

Do you have a link? If it is AVS there is clear guidelines insisting that insiders not discuss the rivals format particularly production.

It's not at AVS, it's at HDD.

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/show...=32731&page=80 I think is where Amir chipped in on Panasonic.

Amir -

People who are mentioning Panasonic are playing with words and taking advantage of folks not understanding the business. Panasonic sold and got out of DVD replication a few years ago. Faced with the issue of replicators not investing in blu-ray, and slow progres on spin coating, in 2005, decided to create a pilot line to test out spin coating. What is a Pilot line? It is an extension of their R&D work and can create limited number of discs. But by no means, is it a scaled production facility. It simply doesn't have the capacity or cost structure to do so.

Don't believe me? Here is the press release from the beloved site: https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=64 (page is missing from Panasonic web site!):

" Panasonic has modified its existing pilot production line for single-layer Blu-ray Discs, called BD-ROM, so that it is able to replicate dual-layer BD-ROM discs with 50GB of storage capacity. "

Emphasis mine. They cleverly put the word "production" after that to make folks think it is a real factory. It is not. But given the small scale of HD titles, they are able to replicate some titles. But let's not confuse an outfit full of engineers who invented the machines, with a factory where normal operators have to run machines built by others and in much higher volume, with real economics....

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Dave J

That bloomberg article is refering to an old article (12/10/07) on the New York Times website which published Adams Media Research estimates for 2007 player sales.

In Hi-Def DVD Wars, Warner Brothers’ Choice May Tip It in Blu-Ray’s Favor

I like you sig, cool idea... you may want to add, Phillipe Daufmann, CEO, Viacom. He has made many pro HD-DVD statements that lead me to believe he was the one who took the payoff from Microshiba.

[TJones8124]

Originally Posted by Raikun

It's not at AVS, it's at HDD.

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/show...=32731&page=80 I think is where Amir chipped in on Panasonic.

Amir -

So I read that thread. It's like people don't understand that you can build more production facilities as they are required. Currently, demand is low and is being met on a production level. As demand increases, so can production. Demand doesn't change exponentially after 1 night. Dave Vaughn, Kosty, and Amir are the ones that don't understand basic economics.

My favorite line was the one that mentioned there are 98 capable HD DVD production facilities vs 2 BD production facilities. It seems like they think it's important they can produce more discs that a very small portion of the population currently want.

[dialog_gvf]

Is DV's and Amir's last gambit that Blu-ray replication can't handle success?

That's desperate for even the desperate.

Gary

[blitz6speed]

Max

Amir is calling you out saying you have no real connections at warner/new line compared to him. Its rather entertaining.

[Razter]

Max: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...0#post12649960

[CasualCat2001]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Is DV's and Amir's last gambit that Blu-ray replication can't handle success?

That's desperate for even the desperate.

Gary

I think that has always been DV's claim. I think someone has asked insiders here and at AVS to comment on that before. I want to say Paid has and dismissed it, but I'd have to dig.

[Raikun]

Okay, so the Panasonic one...is that the same line that Amir insists is a "Pilot test" line, and thus unsuitable for mass production?

(Now it's Amir, DV, and Kosty triple-teaming over there lol).

[Hussla]

I thought Amir retired from Microshaft?

If so then how the hell could he still be an industry insider?

[Raikun]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Well, yeah.

But what makes it unsuitable for mass production? The fact that they don't run it at maximum capacity or employ people to run it all the time. That is all it is, Panasonic aren't stupid, do you really think they are going to pick up all this experience and expertise in replicating BD25/50s and let Sony and Cinram (only those two according to Dave Vaughn and Amir) corner the market for the next 7-10 years.

Thanks a ton Max. =) (I asked about MEI too hehe).

[phloyd]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

But what makes it unsuitable for mass production? The fact that they don't run it at maximum capacity or employ people to run it all the time. That is all it is, Panasonic aren't stupid, do you really think they are going to pick up all this experience and expertise in replicating BD25/50s and let Sony and Cinram (only those two according to Dave Vaughn and Amir) corner the market for the next 7-10 years.

Common sense does not run strongly with that crowd...

BTW, with todays 2 BD50 titles, I count more BD50 movie titles than BD25. 214 to 213... we turn a new page as we enter 2008 - now BD50 is 'the norm'.

[navychop]

Originally Posted by Hussla

I thought Amir retired from Microshaft?

If so then how the hell could he still be an industry insider?

Could an insider address this? I thought he was reassigned to a "smaller" position with fewer people under him, then started reading "retired." Or is it just retired from HD DVD (HA!)?