Did we already see the end of HD-DVD? - Blu-ray Forum

Objectivity · 10-25-2007, 11:07 PM

A few weeks ago, there was a lot of confusion about Sony selling its cell processor facilities to Toshiba. There was a lot of talk about it here, but I don't recall this thought being discussed.

Sony and Toshiba (and IBM?) worked together to create the cell processor. That processor is used in Sony architecture, mostly the PS3 at this point, but more down the line is likely. I think the long term goal is that various objects in a house with the processor network together to be more than the sum of their parts.

Regardless, while working together on the cell, Toshiba and Sony are at odds over hi-def formats. It's clear that the war is dragging on and even though there's an end in sight, it's costing both companies money because consumers aren't fully behind either product.

Did Sony reach out to Toshiba and make it an offer? For example, "We'll sell you our portion of the cell processor (and agree to keep using it for xx years) if you agree to abandon HD-DVD."

Toshiba would win because it gets a revenue stream that isn't going to eventually die; Sony wins because Blu-Ray loses its only competition. Also, Sony still gets royalties from cell as a co-creator.

To avoid any appearance of backlash for Toshiba, its part of the agreement - to stop supporting HD-DVD and making players - is put off for a set amount of time (say six months).

Does this scenario seem likely, or even plausible? It seems like a good end around; if Universal won't go independent on its own, it will have to if no major company is making the players for its movies any more.

FiReBiRd95 · 10-25-2007, 11:10 PM

interesting???

stringent · 10-25-2007, 11:24 PM

Conspiracy theories. They do your head in if you keep thinking.

Just because two rival companies who have competing formats does not mean they can't do other business which will be profitable to them.

kaliraver · 10-25-2007, 11:28 PM

It is interesting to see that a deal was reached between the two companies. I just hope that format is nearing an end since I am getting really tired of two formats holding up the war. The real war is against DVD which will be a very hard challange since there isn't a lot of HDTV's in households in the U.S. and even less in the world.

95pgtproject · 10-25-2007, 11:29 PM

this "war" will be going on for a long LONG time yet I do see your point but Im getting sick of all these posts about Blu-ray winning and hd-dvd is dead or just about to die.

HD-dvd will be around for a few more years if not more it is way to close most of the consumers have yet to even know crap about HD. Actually other companies could come out with HD media and still compete with Blu ray and HD just because it hasnt caught on. I do really wish Blu-Ray was the only HD media but that wont be for a long time yet unfortunally unless Warner or Universal change there minds so until then no the end of hd-dvd is not near......................

jw · 10-25-2007, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95pgtproject

this "war" will be going on for a long LONG time yet I do see your point but Im getting sick of all these posts about Blu-ray winning and hd-dvd is dead or just about to die.

HD-dvd will be around for a few more years if not more it is way to close most of the consumers have yet to even know crap about HD. Actually other companies could come out with HD media and still compete with Blu ray and HD just because it hasnt caught on. I do really wish Blu-Ray was the only HD media but that wont be for a long time yet unfortunally unless Warner or Universal change there minds so until then no the end of hd-dvd is not near......................

the 100 year war....

FiReBiRd95 · 10-25-2007, 11:37 PM

lol

95pgtproject · 10-25-2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwbbud

the 100 year war....

LOL there will be green-ray 4D virtual reality-reality on the ps18 by then

Beta-guy · 10-25-2007, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95pgtproject

LOL there will be green-ray 4D virtual reality-reality on the ps18 by then

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_Versatile_Disc green-ray

95pgtproject · 10-25-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta-guy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_Versatile_Disc green-ray

AHAHAHAH see I knew it

olarmy96 · 10-26-2007, 12:33 AM

Just like all large Japanese conglomerates, they have many separate, large divisions. Sony semiconductor and Sony CE are two different divisions. In Japan, Sony is not seen as a major semiconductor player as they only produce chips for their own consumption. However, Toshiba is one of the largest semiconductor companies.

I doubt there's any deal that would affect HD-DVD. However, I think this shows another example of a company focusing on its core strengths. Sony in this case is dropping semiconductor manufacturing and focusing on consumer electronics where it is a top company.

Toshiba is not seen as a top CE company; maybe it will withdraw that part to focus on its core competency.

10-25-2007, 11:07 PM	#1
Objectivity Active Member Member since:Feb 2007 Trading Score:8	Did we already see the end of HD-DVD? A few weeks ago, there was a lot of confusion about Sony selling its cell processor facilities to Toshiba. There was a lot of talk about it here, but I don't recall this thought being discussed. Sony and Toshiba (and IBM?) worked together to create the cell processor. That processor is used in Sony architecture, mostly the PS3 at this point, but more down the line is likely. I think the long term goal is that various objects in a house with the processor network together to be more than the sum of their parts. Regardless, while working together on the cell, Toshiba and Sony are at odds over hi-def formats. It's clear that the war is dragging on and even though there's an end in sight, it's costing both companies money because consumers aren't fully behind either product. Did Sony reach out to Toshiba and make it an offer? For example, "We'll sell you our portion of the cell processor (and agree to keep using it for xx years) if you agree to abandon HD-DVD." Toshiba would win because it gets a revenue stream that isn't going to eventually die; Sony wins because Blu-Ray loses its only competition. Also, Sony still gets royalties from cell as a co-creator. To avoid any appearance of backlash for Toshiba, its part of the agreement - to stop supporting HD-DVD and making players - is put off for a set amount of time (say six months). Does this scenario seem likely, or even plausible? It seems like a good end around; if Universal won't go independent on its own, it will have to if no major company is making the players for its movies any more.

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10-25-2007, 11:10 PM	#2
FiReBiRd95 Active Member Member since:Sep 2007	interesting???

10-25-2007, 11:24 PM	#3
stringent Senior Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:UK	Conspiracy theories. They do your head in if you keep thinking. Just because two rival companies who have competing formats does not mean they can't do other business which will be profitable to them.

10-25-2007, 11:28 PM	#4
kaliraver Blu-ray Samurai Member since:May 2007 Location:San Francisco Bay Blu-Ray SteelBooks™: (150+) Blu-ray collection:373 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:285	It is interesting to see that a deal was reached between the two companies. I just hope that format is nearing an end since I am getting really tired of two formats holding up the war. The real war is against DVD which will be a very hard challange since there isn't a lot of HDTV's in households in the U.S. and even less in the world.

10-25-2007, 11:29 PM	#5
95pgtproject Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Blu-ray collection:210 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:21	this "war" will be going on for a long LONG time yet I do see your point but Im getting sick of all these posts about Blu-ray winning and hd-dvd is dead or just about to die. HD-dvd will be around for a few more years if not more it is way to close most of the consumers have yet to even know crap about HD. Actually other companies could come out with HD media and still compete with Blu ray and HD just because it hasnt caught on. I do really wish Blu-Ray was the only HD media but that wont be for a long time yet unfortunally unless Warner or Universal change there minds so until then no the end of hd-dvd is not near......................

10-25-2007, 11:37 PM	#7
FiReBiRd95 Active Member Member since:Sep 2007	lol

10-26-2007, 12:33 AM	#11
olarmy96 Active Member Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:110 Digital collection:683 Trading Score:15	Just like all large Japanese conglomerates, they have many separate, large divisions. Sony semiconductor and Sony CE are two different divisions. In Japan, Sony is not seen as a major semiconductor player as they only produce chips for their own consumption. However, Toshiba is one of the largest semiconductor companies. I doubt there's any deal that would affect HD-DVD. However, I think this shows another example of a company focusing on its core strengths. Sony in this case is dropping semiconductor manufacturing and focusing on consumer electronics where it is a top company. Toshiba is not seen as a top CE company; maybe it will withdraw that part to focus on its core competency.

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