Archived: Insiders Thread

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

Penton,

My question, what is the BDAs strategy concerning Business v. Adaption. It seems like HD DVD is more focused on adaption, and will sacrifice business in a big way to further their technology. But taking losses like they will with cheap players and free movies can only last so long before it is more profitable to NOT sell HD DVD technology. Is the BDA trying to use better business decisions to allow for much more profit and using the finacial windfalls to draw in perspective companies (WB)? Is the BDA trying to use profitability to stay in the game longer and thus be adapted?

Simply put………….
HD DVD’s policy has always been to try to apply a knock-out punch to Blu-ray because they don’t have the infrastructure and backing to weather a long-term battle.

Blu-ray’s dilemma is how to correctly meter their efforts/expenditures, etc. in correlation with mainstream HDM adoption so that they win in the end.

[JAGUAR1977]

I hope the BDA are correct in their beliefs, because right now it's a 50/50 splite between those who believe this is a desperation move for HD-DVD and those who believe Blu-ray is already dead and buried.

I don't like those odds, especially when we all know a sub $300 Blu-ray player would have this format war sown up in a matter of months.

I do hope the BDA allow HD-DVD to have their day of gloating, like Paramount/Transformers, then use that infrastructure and back-up to counter this $200/$99 HD-DVD player.

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Simply put………….
HD DVD’s policy has always been to try to apply a knock-out punch to Blu-ray because they don’t have the infrastructure and backing to weather a long-term battle.

Blu-ray’s dilemma is how to correctly meter their efforts/expenditures, etc. in correlation with mainstream HDM adoption so that they win in the end.

Thank you Penton,

It does seem like the BDA strategy is: body punch - body punch - jab - jab - body punch - uppercut - 10 count KO.

[mykevermin]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Simply put………….
HD DVD’s policy has always been to try to apply a knock-out punch to Blu-ray because they don’t have the infrastructure and backing to weather a long-term battle.

Blu-ray’s dilemma is how to correctly meter their efforts/expenditures, etc. in correlation with mainstream HDM adoption so that they win in the end.

Nevertheless, you must admit that this is a *considerable* uppercut, to take your analogy a step further.

And I don't say this as anything other than a BR supporter (since there are so many skeptics on here that assume that a failure to display undying love and admiration for everything done on Blu-Ray's side + low post count = HD DVD supporter).

[GoldenRedux]

Thread trimmed. Stay on topic and stop the chatter please. Keep questions directed toward the insiders, please do not respond to questions asked of the insiders if you are not an insider yourself, and do not post aimless conversation, because it will vanish; you may continue.

[BluOgre]

To all insiders why do you have the following Fox titles not show up on BR this important 4th qtr. I'm a rentailer that buys for 60+ Blockbuster stores and I can tell you if you want people to adopt the new highdef format you need to have as much of the new releases on the format as possible. Examples of what Fox is refusing to release on BR:

Amazing Grace ($21 mill box), Deck the Halls ($35 mill), Waitress ($19 mill box), Namesake ($14 mill box), Once ($9 mill box), The Seeker ($9 mill box just announced Dec 11th street), and Day Watch (<1 mill boxoffice).

When customers see this product on DVD and not on highdef for ANY format it gives the impression studios are not serious about highdef so why should they be. Fox has been great with their huge titles this 4th qtr but sometimes it's the small titles that can make the difference. Paramount and Universal both release ALL titles (big or small) as does Disney and Sony. Why does Fox lack that same commitment?

[SS316SRV]

To any Insider,

How closely do studios monitor hardware sales? I am disregarding Sony because they are both a hardware maker and studio. Are Fox, Warner, Universal more concerned with how their movies sell, or are total format sales (hardware+software)? Is there any non-homevideo realm where blu-ray is looking to expand into?

[spreeguy]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Here's something I'd like to ask about. They were demonstrating the 1.1 capabilities over the last two days showing Sunshine and alternating the mix's volume between main audio and PIP audio showing that you can change the level between the two or completely turn one off.

Is this something that's capable because of the new chip they're using or what? If the audio is being mixed inside the player does that mean if it's DTS that the streams are being mixed (Core + PIP track, DD + PIP track, etc.) in the player and not lossless?

Originally Posted by Ben

It appears to be a capability of 1.1 compliant players. They also showed off a custom surround sound feature where you could move dialogue and effects around the sound field and create your own mix. Petty cool, actually.

A BD player being unlike a Proton Pack, crossing the streams appears to be okay...

Originally Posted by theknub

kjack,
would this ability make 1.3 and bitstreaming a non factor since if the player is doing the mixing, it can only output in pcm?

Did I miss the response to this??? Is it possible to mix two DTS tracks without the player decoding them? Or is this a feature only accessable to 1.1 players with DTS-MA decoding?

[kjack]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Here's something I'd like to ask about. They were demonstrating the 1.1 capabilities over the last two days showing Sunshine and alternating the mix's volume between main audio and PIP audio showing that you can change the level between the two or completely turn one off.

Is this something that's capable because of the new chip they're using or what? If the audio is being mixed inside the player does that mean if it's DTS that the streams are being mixed (Core + PIP track, DD + PIP track, etc.) in the player and not lossless?

Sorry, missed this due to all the Walmart stuff...

Profile 1.1 players are required to be able to simultaneously decode both the main audio and PiP audio regardless what audio codec each uses. The two resulting PCM audio streams are mixed along with PCM menu sounds, etc. The result is output as PCM over HDMI + converted to analog to drive the analog audio outputs + encoded to DTS or DD to drive the SPDIF output.

The user may also select to output the main audio as bitstream over HDMI to let the receiver decode it. In this case, you lose PiP audio (unless it is selected to be output instead of main audio or PiP is made full screen) and menu sounds.

[SS316SRV]

I have yet to find a definate naswer on this yet, but will Profile 1.0 be able to be upgraded to Profile 1.1 via firmware?

[tobytobe2002]

Originally Posted by mykevermin

Nevertheless, you must admit that this is a *considerable* uppercut, to take your analogy a step further.

And I don't say this as anything other than a BR supporter (since there are so many skeptics on here that assume that a failure to display undying love and admiration for everything done on Blu-Ray's side + low post count = HD DVD supporter).

What I find significant is not the $99 limited time sale (volume for that sale won't matter much in the big picture), but the preception that Wal-Mart, the proverbal 800 lb. gorilla of the retail world, is nowing throwing its weight behind HD DVD, not only with the sale but also with the $198 regular price and the HD DVD commercial.

As far as I know, Wal-Mart is NOT HD DVD exclusive -
Can any insiders provide any information/reassurance that Wal-Mart has similar deals with the BDA lined up for the 4th quarter? For instance, I read some posts that there may be another "secret sale" (like the one for tomorrow involving HD DVD) that will focus on BD players/discs

[JimboTHX1138]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

I have yet to find a definate naswer on this yet, but will Profile 1.0 be able to be upgraded to Profile 1.1 via firmware?

I'm hoping for the PS3 to be updated to 1.1 any day now. But other profile 1.0 players won't be able to be updated because they lack the necessary secondry video and audio decoders.

[kjack]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

How closely do studios monitor hardware sales?

I am a little concerned about this if they do. If hardware sales and low stand-alone player prices are important to them, are they aware of how many BD player manufacturers we're working with in China, who they are, and what their schedule is?

[spreeguy]

Paidgeek, since 1.1 players are required to decode all audio codecs, and an update is expected soon for the PS3. Would it be possible for SPHE to include a DTS-MA track on future titles? I've always prefered DTS-MA because of its high bitrate core for those connected via optical (used to be one of them).

[Kris Deering]

Close Encounters is going to have a DTS-HD MA track on it.

profile 1.1 players are not required to decode all audio codecs though. I don't know where you got that tidbit. For DTS-HD MA they only need to decode the core.

[spreeguy]

Originally Posted by kjack

...Profile 1.1 players are required to be able to simultaneously decode both the main audio and PiP audio regardless what audio codec each uses....

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Close Encounters is going to have a DTS-HD MA track on it.

profile 1.1 players are not required to decode all audio codecs though. I don't know where you got that tidbit. For DTS-HD MA they only need to decode the core.

Sorry, I must have read a bit to far into what kjack said.

[mattym]

Originally Posted by kjack

I am a little concerned about this if they do. If hardware sales and low stand-alone player prices are important to them, are they aware of how many BD player manufacturers we're working with in China, who they are, and what their schedule is?

does the China schedule involve before christmas? Gowell have had BD players listed on their site for some time but its a dead page...

[kjack]

Originally Posted by spreeguy

Sorry, I must have read a bit too far into what kjack said.

Yes, you did -- sorry for any confusion...

[phloyd]

So how long before we see a nice 1.1 player with 7.1 analog outs and all the audio codecs inside?

While I admire this unit for its capabilities and price, I want a little more myself

[atdm71]

Originally Posted by kjack

I am a little concerned about this if they do. If hardware sales and low stand-alone player prices are important to them, are they aware of how many BD player manufacturers we're working with in China, who they are, and what their schedule is?

Good question. I suspect they are of some obvious importance from installed base perspective. PS3 has given Blu-ray a huge advantage of installed base, but HD DVD could very well put a decent foot in the door with $98 and $198 Toshiba branded players distributed through Walmart and now Bestbuy (latter just sold out, which is at least a good sign).

Here's hoping we get a float of $200 - $250 BDPS300s out there, el pronto. Leave the expensive players for profile 1.1 and 2.0.