Can Anything Save HD-DVD?

[Tanman19az]

Here is another pro-blu article that I like:

http://crave.cnet.com/8300-1_105-1-0...005&tag=sb_cat

HD DVD is almost certainly dead in the water. The surprise move of Warner to move to exclusive Blu-ray support has sunk any hope the HD DVD group ever had for winning the format war. What's more, there are rumors that the last two HD DVD studios--Paramount and Universal--are both planning a similar defection. So, can anything save the format now?

It seems pretty unlikely. If Universal and Paramount stay exclusive to HD DVD, however, it's possible the format could survive in the short term. Of course, the moment one or other of those companies leave, the war would certainly be over. Sony has proved many times that no matter how deep your pockets are, you can't win a format war when you're the only company behind it.

The other option is that either Toshiba or Microsoft could buy one of the remaining major film studios. Microsoft certainly has the cash for this, but the problem is finding one that would be for sale or is affordable. Time Warner is less profitable than Microsoft, so that would be the obvious choice. Fox is out because Murdoch is richer than God and allegedly lends money to Satan when he's short of a few quid. The only other option would be Disney, which is now part-owned by Steve Jobs, so it's unlikely to sell to Microsoft.

There's a very slim chance that the rapidly decreasing cost of HD DVD could lure consumers to buy equipment. Especially if they aren't aware that they will only be able to buy HD DVDs from two movie studios. In the US, certain players are retailing at around $130 (65 pounds) with free HD DVDs via redemption. This makes them decent value even if you only use them as upscaling DVD players.

Of course, all of the above assumes that the rest of the world follows the US in HD matters. That is probably true, but there are plenty of independent, adult and European studios that support HD DVD at the moment. If Europe decided to ignore Blu-ray--unlikely, based on PS3 sales--then perhaps U.S. distributors would be forced to release on HD DVD for Europe.

The only other option is that one of the Blu-ray exclusive producers decides for some reason--possibly another payment--that HD DVD is where their future lies. This is almost totally impossible, as Sony Pictures will obviously never leave and Disney and Fox care too much about preventing piracy to ever surrender the BD+ copy-protection scheme--which, it's worth pointing out, doesn't seem to be stopping piracy.

However you look at it, the chances are pretty slim that HD DVD has much of a chance. Despite being a good, well designed and cheap HD format, it seems the Blu-ray disc association has the right combination of factors to attract the consumer.

(Source: Crave UK)

[Marcusarilius]

85% Blu-ray now. HD DVD is already gone. The FUD will continue though. Hope these guys are hungry cause they will be eating every word they spew.

[quetzalcoatl]

I am sure there are somethings but the better question is are they in the realm of reality.
Like a nuke going off and only killing those that are for Blu.
Since I am from CA.
A earthquake only doing damage to those that are for Blu.
Microsoft giving up Billions of dollars to have the studios that make Blu stop.


I am sure there are some more things but they would be just as crazy.

[buckshot]

"Jesus saves, But george nelson makes withdrawls."

[Canada]

If hell freezes over, maybe?

[The Don]

if they somehow managed to get the Star Wars series exclusive they may have a shot at being even with us

but we need some alone time with DVD....we have to get HD-DVD out of here before downloads start buzzing..

[Moefiz]

Just let dying dogs die...why keep rewriting old news over and over...you lost...get over it and move on to somthing else.

[Marcusarilius]

The number one option is the one that is happening right now.

Retailers are discontinuing HD DVD player sales at this very moment. The DUD disks will sit on the shelves gathering dust long after there is no support to buy into the format. It is finished. Done, Over, Ka-Put, Game over, end of story, history.

Probably the last sign of HD DVD will be the very few voices of FUD crying out in the wilderness. If a fan Bouy screams and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise?

[Cory108]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

The number one option is the one that is happening right now.

Retailers are discontinuing HD DVD player sales at this very moment. The DUD disks will sit on the shelves gathering dust long after there is no support to buy into the format. It is finished. Done, Over, Ka-Put, Game over, end of story, history.

Probably the last sign of HD DVD will be the very few voices of FUD crying out in the wilderness. If a fan Bouy screams and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise?

Where do you get your information? Please keep to the facts here and not hogwash.

[davidPS3]

The war "is" over. When Warner went to our side, that was the deciding factor. We don't need Uni or Para to join in, it is done. If they do decide to come over, then it is only gravy for us.

Don't listen to the people saying we need these two other studios to join in to end the war. They will be forced to join our side shortly, only a matter of time.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by Cory108

Where do you get your information? Please keep to the facts here and not hogwash.

Anything for you Nine Inch Nails!

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by Cory108

Where do you get your information? Please keep to the facts here and not hogwash.

Did my job (now where is my check?)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Was at best buy earlier and was showing my dad the new blu-ray players. When a guy next me picked up an HD DVD player. I looked right him and said you sure you want to by that. You will never watch 75% of all movies ever made. I told him about warner and all that. Then I walked him and I guess his father off to the movie section and showed him the difference in size. Then an employee came over and helped me out.
Turns out my best buy sells 30 blu-ray players (standalones) to just 1 hd dvd player. They only have 2 left and will not be getting anymore shipped.

Hows that for Facts Cory108?...

[Prometheus59650]

Originally Posted by Tanman19az

Here is another pro-blu article that I like:

http://crave.cnet.com/8300-1_105-1-0...005&tag=sb_cat

HD DVD is almost certainly dead in the water. The surprise move of Warner to move to exclusive Blu-ray support has sunk any hope the HD DVD group ever had for winning the format war. What's more, there are rumors that the last two HD DVD studios--Paramount and Universal--are both planning a similar defection. So, can anything save the format now?

It seems pretty unlikely. If Universal and Paramount stay exclusive to HD DVD, however, it's possible the format could survive in the short term. Of course, the moment one or other of those companies leave, the war would certainly be over. Sony has proved many times that no matter how deep your pockets are, you can't win a format war when you're the only company behind it.

The other option is that either Toshiba or Microsoft could buy one of the remaining major film studios. Microsoft certainly has the cash for this, but the problem is finding one that would be for sale or is affordable. Time Warner is less profitable than Microsoft, so that would be the obvious choice. Fox is out because Murdoch is richer than God and allegedly lends money to Satan when he's short of a few quid. The only other option would be Disney, which is now part-owned by Steve Jobs, so it's unlikely to sell to Microsoft.

There's a very slim chance that the rapidly decreasing cost of HD DVD could lure consumers to buy equipment. Especially if they aren't aware that they will only be able to buy HD DVDs from two movie studios. In the US, certain players are retailing at around $130 (65 pounds) with free HD DVDs via redemption. This makes them decent value even if you only use them as upscaling DVD players.

Of course, all of the above assumes that the rest of the world follows the US in HD matters. That is probably true, but there are plenty of independent, adult and European studios that support HD DVD at the moment. If Europe decided to ignore Blu-ray--unlikely, based on PS3 sales--then perhaps U.S. distributors would be forced to release on HD DVD for Europe.

The only other option is that one of the Blu-ray exclusive producers decides for some reason--possibly another payment--that HD DVD is where their future lies. This is almost totally impossible, as Sony Pictures will obviously never leave and Disney and Fox care too much about preventing piracy to ever surrender the BD+ copy-protection scheme--which, it's worth pointing out, doesn't seem to be stopping piracy.

However you look at it, the chances are pretty slim that HD DVD has much of a chance. Despite being a good, well designed and cheap HD format, it seems the Blu-ray disc association has the right combination of factors to attract the consumer.

(Source: Crave UK)

Good article.

My only disagreement is with the "buying a studio" option. Sure, it is one, but nothing I've heard from M$ suggests they care nearly enough about the format to do it.

Para and Uni will be forced over. It's a matter of months at best. Warner always had the majority of content. They were always the fulcrum. Where they tipped, the war tipped.

With BD SALs beating HD in Dec and software holding 2-1 for the past year, there was only one way to go for them that A) the consumer was headed anyway and B) That didn't just drag out the war and endanger Hi def in general.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Prometheus59650

My only disagreement is with the "buying a studio" option. Sure, it is one, but nothing I've heard from M$ suggests they care nearly enough about the format to do it.

It's more of a "learn your lesson from Sony".

(1) Get a studio to guarantee exclusive access to content
(2) Introduce a new format

For Microsoft that would be downloads.

[Terjyn]

I don't know why anyone would call this a good article. It's the post-mortem version of FUD...most of the ways HD-DVD could survive have either lies or false implications.

[Uxi]

Not a chance HDDVD can survive. Maybe not flat line yet... or maybe it is and the body just hasn't begun to stink yet?

[unreal1080p]

Originally Posted by Tanman19az

Can Anything Save HD-DVD?

YES --> They can save their souls by admitting defeat instead of trying to screw unsuspecting customers with 50% firesale pieces of junk that won't play any new HDM movies later this year. HD DUD is going straight to HELL!

[Gio]

Originally Posted by Tanman19az

Here is another pro-blu article that I like:

http://crave.cnet.com/8300-1_105-1-0...005&tag=sb_cat

HD DVD is almost certainly dead in the water. The surprise move of Warner to move to exclusive Blu-ray support has sunk any hope the HD DVD group ever had for winning the format war.
(Source: Crave UK)

i wasnt suprised, i thought we all knew it was coming

[Brons2]

Originally Posted by Tanman19az

In the US, certain players are retailing at around $130 (65 pounds) with free HD DVDs via redemption. This makes them decent value even if you only use them as upscaling DVD players.

werd y0 the HD-A2 is an excellent upconverting player especially when you pick it up for well under $100

[turboedguy]

Other than three wishes, theres no hope.