Toshiba sees both HD formats co-existing

[CptGreedle]

Originally Posted by Beta-guy

a question just came to me, has HD-DVD since the begining of this format war been look at co-existance as a realistic option or is this now one of the stages of dealing with a loss (denial)?

No, they wanted only HD-DVD, but this year they started saying things like "it will still play upconverted DVDs" and "both formats can coexist" and the like.
They are showing more and more signs that they are thinking twice about this format war.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by SpikesBluBlooded

Well, I agree to a certain extent. Toshiba is definitely being unrealistic (pretty much sounds like a defeated attitude), as retailers and consumers both have clearly indicated that they do not want it.

Now about your comment regarding the studios: this would be very, very, very bad. Just look at what's being done with the Warner titles, and games that are being released for both PS3 and XBox360. In both instances the product is being "dumbed down" to be compatible with both platforms, sacrificing the superior benefits of the better of the two to keep costs down.

This would be the WORST scenerio for consumers, and if we're going to do that, we might as well just adopt HD DVD and ditch Blu-ray altogether (uh, no, not really) since the studios wouldn't be taking full advantage of what Blu-ray could do. This would never be accepted by the public, as is apparent already from the slow adoption of the Hi-def formats. Plus, you're asking people to go from what they've always had (a single player that plays all movies) to having to have 2? Ya, right. Good luck with that. See you in line at the soup kitchen.

Simply put, Toshiba is admitting, in so many words, that they CAN NOT WIN as the sole format of choice, so they want people to settle for a draw. And if we, as consumers, did accept that, what would stop a third, or fourth party from deciding that they can come up with a better or comparable format and get a studio to back them exclusively?!

Finally, if there was a gaming platform that could play all the games available (as DVD plays all the movies available) for cheaper, how many people would be jumping at the console that only plays SOME of the games that they want? This just doesn't make sense, and quite frankly, it's insulting.

Oh, believe me, I don't want dumbed down versions of anything, and I want BD to win, but, if there were two formats, which isn't feasible, it would only be acceptable if they OPTIMIZED them for each one. This of course will not happen.

[Beta-guy]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

Well I hope they "save face" more often, it makes them and HD-DVD look bad when they say things like that. You won't find Blu-ray saying that.
I just hope WB goes Blu, and then Uni... leaving the weak Paramount all high and dry.... BD will win this, it is just a matter of time. Toshiba can be in denial all they want.

look at the sales fr this quarter, BD has consistently beat HD-DVD, with the Blu-ray looking for no less then a win and HD-DVD looking to settle for a draw, the smart money on on BD, and I'm expect Warner to switch next year, Universal a bit later (I hope)

[SpikesBluBlooded]

Originally Posted by sj001

Oh, believe me, I don't want dumbed down versions of anything, and I want BD to win, but, if there were two formats, which isn't feasible, it would only be acceptable if they OPTIMIZED them for each one. This of course will not happen.

You're absolutely right, the dollar comes first, and it would be cheaper to make minor changes to play on both than to optimize both seperately...

[SpikesBluBlooded]

You know what, in light of this, once it's been verified, this is actually great news for Blu-ray, because slowly but surely Toshiba is admitting defeat. I agree with a great many of the posters here, this is an attempt to save face...

[fronn]

Of course the losing side sees both co-existing, as that's the best they can realistically hope for.

[CptGreedle]

We all hope WB will see reason. So far they have. But until they make an official announcement I will not hold my breath.
If some of the rumors are true, then it is in the bag... WB already loves Blu-ray, and some Uni execs are supposedly hanging around BD factories...

If all goes well, HD-DVD will be in its death throws by 4Q '08.

[ikbradley]

If both formats can co-exist that I'm sure the shareholders at Toshiba would like to know why. Without an exclusive license on HD media how in the hell is Toshiba expecting to recoup the sunk costs in the development and subsequent money pit it has fallen into?

The one thing that can be said is that at least both sides are being civil and learned to share

[SpikesBluBlooded]

I'm just waiting for the press release from Toshiba that basically reads: 'In light of supporting a duel format environment, we will begin manufacturing Blu-ray players to offer our customers the best of both worlds'... effectively hammering the last nail in the coffin of HD DVD.

[Beta-guy]

Originally Posted by ikbradley

If both formats can co-exist that I'm sure the shareholders at Toshiba would like to know why. Without an exclusive license on HD media how in the hell is Toshiba expecting to recoup the sunk costs in the development and subsequent money pit it has fallen into?

The one thing that can be said is that at least both sides are being civil and learned to share

I think that civility went out the window when Paramount got that $150 million that's when the real war started, b4 that both formats did co-exist...

[Whytewash]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

We all hope WB will see reason. So far they have. But until they make an official announcement I will not hold my breath.
If some of the rumors are true, then it is in the bag... WB already loves Blu-ray, and some Uni execs are supposedly hanging around BD factories...

If all goes well, HD-DVD will be in its death throws by 4Q '08.

Ill bet that Paramount is the only studio left supporting the DUD by this time. Warner will be ours and Uni will def be making Blu. Maybe not exclusive but that isnt the point. As long as we have them neutral and Warner exclusive, its check mate

[Mericalis]

Originally Posted by ikbradley

If both formats can co-exist that I'm sure the shareholders at Toshiba would like to know why.

If I heard this, I might be pulling out and selling my shares if the company I was backing started saying this because it makes it sound like this will be niche technology. Sorry, but this could be extremely stupid on Tosh's part.

[CptGreedle]

Originally Posted by Whytewash

Ill bet that Paramount is the only studio left supporting the DUD by this time. Warner will be ours and Uni will def be making Blu. Maybe not exclusive but that isnt the point. As long as we have them neutral and Warner exclusive, its check mate

Paramount is too weak to carry a format, and did little if anything to help HD-DVD when it changed positions. It would crumble like a paper cut under a steamroller.
They'd have to make BD if Uni leaves; even if WB stayed neutral, the instant Uni goes neutral Paramount would have to give in.

[Mericalis]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

We all hope WB will see reason.

To allow WB to see reason, we have to show that Blu-ray sales are constant while HD DVD isn't. As we have seen throughout the year, HD DVD hasn't been constant SO FAR, but the next few weeks will be crucial--including our off weeks like next week.

[Beta-guy]

I'm buying 2 Warner BD's next week.

[Mericalis]

Originally Posted by Beta-guy

I'm buying 2 Warner BD's next week.

Oops, I really didn't mean to move off topic about WB, sorry.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

If Toshiba really believes both formats are going to coexist, why don't they make a Blu-ray disc player too???
Put your mouth where your money is Toshiba! Support Blu-ray if you think they will both last and you will see sales go up, and HD-DVD go down!

It wouldn't halfway surprise me if Toshiba announced a combo/dual format player at CES 2008.

[ikbradley]

Originally Posted by Mericalis

If I heard this, I might be pulling out and selling my shares if the company I was backing started saying this because it makes it sound like this will be niche technology. Sorry, but this could be extremely stupid on Tosh's part.

Exactly. Here's an approximate dialogue between the two:

Shareholder: "So uh, what's this about both formats co-exisiting? Does this mean that you are going to license your technology to other manufactures?"

Toshiba: "Uh, yes that's exactly it. We are heading to the promised land, where Blu-ray and HD DVD can hold hands, and there will be garlands and laughter and music to fill the air".

Shareholder: "But the consumers expect the $100 HD DVD player, does this mean that the other manufactures are capable of producing an at cost $35 player?"

Toshiba: "Well not exactly, because we subsidized the production of our players, the cost of other manfactures will depend on their willing to subsidize".

Shareholder: "Ok, so the manfactures either compete with you by adding features or subsidize to price equity"

Toshiba: "Exactly, but we are in a good position to make money from the studios and licensing, so we can afford to subsidize... as for the other manufactures... maybe they'll find that money does grow on trees..."

Shareholder: "Wait, are you saying that we get money from studios and possibly from a manufacture that wants to compete with our subsidized units? Do we get money from Paramount and Universal? What about this Blu-ray thing?"

Toshiba: (Backs away slowly... backpeddles.... backpeddles... points off to the distance and says) "Hey look it's Optimus Prime!"

[Teazle]

Toshiba seeking coexistence? For them that's the thin end of the wedge ...

[m_tyson]

It's good to see that Toshiba is comfortable with studios being exclusive to one optical format, because about 12 to 18 months from now they will all be exclusive to Blu-ray.