Anyone else finding this format war kind of entertaining? - Blu-ray Forum

skubrick · 08-21-2007, 05:15 PM

I know, I know...it's sucks not to be able to buy ALL the movies you want in high def. But is anyone running out of Blu-Ray movies to watch? I only own two movies, and rent about six per week (since I work at a Blockbuster that carries BD's, it's free!) and I'm not missing Universal that much. Is it THAT big of a deal that I have to watch King Kong upscaled instead of in true 1080p? Not really.

I've been enthralled in this war since early March when I got my HDTV, and I've gotten mad several times. But it's also really interesting to hear how the players (studios, execs, media figures, retailers, directors too now) are battling this war. Despite how inconvenient it is to us consumers, I get the same feeling that I did watching the 2000 presidential election. Even if your side doesn't win, at least it will have been a fun time watching it untangle.

But maybe that's just me...

Anyone else let go of their format war anger recently?

Sane · 08-21-2007, 05:22 PM

I do find it very entertaining (especially to see if MS really is backing all this just to make both sides fail!) but was happier when I thought it would be settled by this spring. Now it looks like it may drag on well beyond my interest level.

jermwhl · 08-21-2007, 05:24 PM

I've lost interest. I'm sick of a 'war' and just want to be able to watch my movies..and not hope and wait, and wait and hope for my favorites to be released! *sigh*

Elessar · 08-21-2007, 05:26 PM

Never had any anger to start with. I have long thought that both formats would stick. This isn't the old days where there had to be only one. These are niche products (though most around here would try to say otherwise) and as long as they are selling they will both be available. The recent Paramount announcement only proves that I am right. Ah, neutrality.

skubrick · 08-21-2007, 05:44 PM

You think the home video industry will be like the video gaming industry now, with multiple (or at least 2) formats selling titles? Some on only one, some on both...

Petey Pablo · 08-21-2007, 05:56 PM

It has been good with the exception of Blu getting the short end of this stick. Long live Blu.

Gremal · 08-21-2007, 06:09 PM

As someone interested in technology, marketing and politics, I find format wars and corporate deals like this incredibly entertaining. I'm bummed about the Paramount announcement, but Blu-ray marches on.

dadkins · 08-21-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jermwhl

I've lost interest. I'm sick of a 'war' and just want to be able to watch my movies..and not hope and wait, and wait and hope for my favorites to be released! *sigh*

Damn Skippy!
There are tons of BDs out there that I have yet to watch... and more are sure to be released.

Paramount? Meh!
They'll be back....

CptGreedle · 08-21-2007, 06:44 PM

Yes and no.

I think it is interesting to see how the corporate giants work in a real war like this. All the back stabbing and underhanded things.

But.. I hate it all the same. I would much rather watch the movies and shows that are involved in this war than the war itself.

daman · 08-21-2007, 06:50 PM

I am.

I didn't witness the Betamax vs VHS war and I'm right in the middle of this new format war and I follow the new developments very closely. It's been a roller coaster since I join this forum

GaS · 08-21-2007, 06:52 PM

Yesterday I was shocked, pissed and embarrased (because I knew how much crap we would have to take from the hd-dvd trolls). But today its more like that Southpark episode where Stan serves the OC kids. We got served yesterday, but now IT'S ON!!

Sir Terrence · 08-21-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elessar

Never had any anger to start with. I have long thought that both formats would stick. This isn't the old days where there had to be only one. These are niche products (though most around here would try to say otherwise) and as long as they are selling they will both be available. The recent Paramount announcement only proves that I am right. Ah, neutrality.

Not only are you wrong, you are very wrong. Two formats that essentially do the same thing cannot live side by side. Retailers are not going for it, Studio will not do dual encodes forever, and the CE companies do not like it either. There is also no history of it either. When DVD was released, Laser disc went away within a year and a half, even less than that from the studios. VHS and Betamax lived together for a short while, and then VHS emerged as the winner.

These are niche products NOW, but the object of all parties involved is to make the winner of the format war a mainstream product that replaces the VERY compromised DVD format. You cannot do this with to basically identical products in the market place.

haushausman · 08-21-2007, 07:18 PM

Blu-Ray can't lose. It's totally impossible; Not as long as we got Disney EXCLUSIVELY. Everything they touch turns to gold. And parents get what their kids want, and kids want Disney.

As long as Disney is on board this war will continue to be pointless; and yes, somewhat entertaining in the mean time.

Sir Terrence · 08-21-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skubrick

You think the home video industry will be like the video gaming industry now, with multiple (or at least 2) formats selling titles? Some on only one, some on both...

Its not going to happen. The video model operates much differently than the gaming model. History has already proven that two simular technologies doing the same thing in the video market doesn't work. This current situation has already created customer confusion and aprehension. What works for gaming doesn't work well for video.

Elessar · 08-22-2007, 12:07 AM

This is a different world, referencing the past and saying "well this happened then, so it'll happen now" is a joke. ANyway my opinion is that both will survive but if you don't agree then I don't care. I'm happy because I have all the HD content available at my fingertips and all I have to worry about is getting harassed by HD-DVD and Blu-Ray fanboys when I say something positive about one over the other.

richteer · 08-22-2007, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Terrence

These are niche products NOW, but the object of all parties involved is to make the winner of the format war a mainstream product that replaces the VERY compromised DVD format. You cannot do this with to basically identical products in the market place.

Totally agreed, except for one point: the object of all parties involved except Micro$oft is to make the winner of the format war a mainstream (and hence, very profitable) product. Of course, M$'s objective is to prolong the war long enough such that both media fade into obscurity (a la SACD and DVD-A), so that they can cash in on medium def downloads.

GreenMotion · 08-22-2007, 12:41 AM

This is almost like the last couple of presedential elections. States going red, then blue, then back to red.

CBS calling a state red, then later retract that decision and make it blue.

Wow ...

Aaron · 08-22-2007, 12:44 AM

It's so entertaining that I'm considering making a movie about it with Final Cut Studio.

Seriously. I'd be an Internet celebrity!

Ender · 08-22-2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skubrick

Despite how inconvenient it is to us consumers, I get the same feeling that I did watching the 2000 presidential election.

That's actually a pretty good analogy, in both cases we're the ones who get screwed once the dust settles.

Elessar · 08-22-2007, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Terrence

Not only are you wrong, you are very wrong. Two formats that essentially do the same thing cannot live side by side. Retailers are not going for it, Studio will not do dual encodes forever, and the CE companies do not like it either. There is also no history of it either. When DVD was released, Laser disc went away within a year and a half, even less than that from the studios. VHS and Betamax lived together for a short while, and then VHS emerged as the winner.

These are niche products NOW, but the object of all parties involved is to make the winner of the format war a mainstream product that replaces the VERY compromised DVD format. You cannot do this with to basically identical products in the market place.

And here I thought opinions were only opinions. Even if I am wrong how does countering what i say with your opinion prove anything one way or the other. Are you some sort of industry insider? Can you see into the future? Are you a CEO of one of these CE companies? Do you work for a film studio?No? Well then shut the hell up and enjoy the format of your choice. Me, I'll be enjoying them both for the next few years while you yap on about VHS, betamax and laserdisc and some sort of Microsoft conspiracy (has got to be the funniest topic at these forums these days) this is 2007 man, there is room for people to enjoy both, as has been proven during the past year with both doing well.

08-21-2007, 05:15 PM	#1
skubrick Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Work at BR Blockbuster store in Lincoln, NE	Anyone else finding this format war kind of entertaining? I know, I know...it's sucks not to be able to buy ALL the movies you want in high def. But is anyone running out of Blu-Ray movies to watch? I only own two movies, and rent about six per week (since I work at a Blockbuster that carries BD's, it's free!) and I'm not missing Universal that much. Is it THAT big of a deal that I have to watch King Kong upscaled instead of in true 1080p? Not really. I've been enthralled in this war since early March when I got my HDTV, and I've gotten mad several times. But it's also really interesting to hear how the players (studios, execs, media figures, retailers, directors too now) are battling this war. Despite how inconvenient it is to us consumers, I get the same feeling that I did watching the 2000 presidential election. Even if your side doesn't win, at least it will have been a fun time watching it untangle. But maybe that's just me... Anyone else let go of their format war anger recently?

08-22-2007, 12:41 AM	#17
GreenMotion Special Member Member since:Apr 2007 4K collection:82 Blu-ray collection:1064 Trading Score:10	This is almost like the last couple of presedential elections. States going red, then blue, then back to red. CBS calling a state red, then later retract that decision and make it blue. Wow ... Last edited by GreenMotion; 08-22-2007 at 12:52 AM.

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08-21-2007, 05:22 PM	#2
Sane Active Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Ottawa, Canada	I do find it very entertaining (especially to see if MS really is backing all this just to make both sides fail!) but was happier when I thought it would be settled by this spring. Now it looks like it may drag on well beyond my interest level.

08-21-2007, 05:24 PM	#3
jermwhl Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Virginia	I've lost interest. I'm sick of a 'war' and just want to be able to watch my movies..and not hope and wait, and wait and hope for my favorites to be released! sigh

08-21-2007, 05:26 PM	#4
Elessar Banned Member since:Jul 2007	Never had any anger to start with. I have long thought that both formats would stick. This isn't the old days where there had to be only one. These are niche products (though most around here would try to say otherwise) and as long as they are selling they will both be available. The recent Paramount announcement only proves that I am right. Ah, neutrality.

08-21-2007, 05:44 PM	#5
skubrick Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Work at BR Blockbuster store in Lincoln, NE	You think the home video industry will be like the video gaming industry now, with multiple (or at least 2) formats selling titles? Some on only one, some on both...

08-21-2007, 05:56 PM	#6
Petey Pablo Member Member since:Jul 2007	It has been good with the exception of Blu getting the short end of this stick. Long live Blu.

08-21-2007, 06:09 PM	#7
Gremal Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Daddyland Home Theater Gallery:49 Blu-ray collection:184	As someone interested in technology, marketing and politics, I find format wars and corporate deals like this incredibly entertaining. I'm bummed about the Paramount announcement, but Blu-ray marches on.

08-21-2007, 06:44 PM	#9
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	Yes and no. I think it is interesting to see how the corporate giants work in a real war like this. All the back stabbing and underhanded things. But.. I hate it all the same. I would much rather watch the movies and shows that are involved in this war than the war itself.

08-21-2007, 06:50 PM	#10
daman Active Member Member since:Jul 2007	I am. I didn't witness the Betamax vs VHS war and I'm right in the middle of this new format war and I follow the new developments very closely. It's been a roller coaster since I join this forum

08-21-2007, 06:52 PM	#11
GaS Senior Member Member since:Aug 2006	Yesterday I was shocked, pissed and embarrased (because I knew how much crap we would have to take from the hd-dvd trolls). But today its more like that Southpark episode where Stan serves the OC kids. We got served yesterday, but now IT'S ON!!

08-21-2007, 07:18 PM	#13
haushausman Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Chicago Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:343 Blu-ray reviews: 5	Blu-Ray can't lose. It's totally impossible; Not as long as we got Disney EXCLUSIVELY. Everything they touch turns to gold. And parents get what their kids want, and kids want Disney. As long as Disney is on board this war will continue to be pointless; and yes, somewhat entertaining in the mean time.

08-22-2007, 12:07 AM	#15
Elessar Banned Member since:Jul 2007	This is a different world, referencing the past and saying "well this happened then, so it'll happen now" is a joke. ANyway my opinion is that both will survive but if you don't agree then I don't care. I'm happy because I have all the HD content available at my fingertips and all I have to worry about is getting harassed by HD-DVD and Blu-Ray fanboys when I say something positive about one over the other.

08-22-2007, 12:44 AM	#18
Aaron Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Oklahoma City Home Theater Gallery:3 Blu-ray collection:33 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:4	It's so entertaining that I'm considering making a movie about it with Final Cut Studio. Seriously. I'd be an Internet celebrity!

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