Wired: Hey HD DVD: It's Not Just a Flesh Wound

[jopemoro]

And the articles keep piling up:

http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/...d-dvd-its.html

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by jopemoro

And the articles keep piling up:

http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/...d-dvd-its.html

Toshiba doesn’t really believe that HD-DVD will win or it will survive. I think they are just trying to put themselves in a better bargaining position.

[Blu-Generation]

A reply to the article by an hd-dvd fan.

The only advantage Blu-Ray has is that it holds more data. They don't tell you that the data is extremely close to the surface of the disk though. The slightest scratch and your disk is ruined.

If "they" (BDA) didn't tell us that, then how did this person know?

What a dud.

I bet you he/she didn't know about the Hard-coating technology (scratch-resistant).
No wonder they continue to support their HD-dead format. Sad really.

They refuse to look at facts, even now.

[Zazou]

I should stop reading these articles. Well, the articles are ok but some of the comments from members of the public simply beggar belief. Why can't people get it into their thick skulls that Sony and Blu-ray are not the same thing. There are plenty of other highly respected manfacturers that make Blu-ray players and will continue to do so. In this instance the article didn't help by calling it Sony's Blu-ray format. These next few months can't pass quick enough, so that all this nonsense is put to bed once and for all.

Lee

[Denzelio]

Who will be next to give up on HD DVD - Major Studio, Minor Studio or Retailer

[Chau808]

Originally Posted by Denzelio

Who will be next to give up on HD DVD - Major Studio, Minor Studio or Retailer

Neil Young?

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by jopemoro

And the articles keep piling up:

http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/...d-dvd-its.html

"Seriously, Toshiba, what are you going to do?--Bleed on Blu-ray?"

(Okay, let's be honest: The metaphor HAS now officially rooted itself in our Format War vocabulary. You know it. We know it.)

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Zazou

I should stop reading these articles. Well, the articles are ok but some of the comments from members of the public simply beggar belief. Why can't people get it into their thick skulls that Sony and Blu-ray are not the same thing. There are plenty of other highly respected manfacturers that make Blu-ray players and will continue to do so. In this instance the article didn't help by calling it Sony's Blu-ray format. These next few months can't pass quick enough, so that all this nonsense is put to bed once and for all.

Lee

You are correct. Many companies were involved in the development of the Blu Ray technology. However, Sony is generally recognized as the founder and the main supporter of Blu Ray. As far back as 2003, many articles refer to the Blu Ray technology as Sony’s Blu Ray. In fact, companies sue Sony for Blu Ray patent violation rather than the Blu Ray association.

Format founders are listed as Sony & Philips:
http://www.msu.edu/~okboleen/tc201/bluray.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu_ray#History

The main supporter is listed as Sony:
http://www.techspot.com/articles/blu-ray_vs_hddvd/

Target Technology sues Sony and not the Blu Ray Association:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/25/t...ent-infringem/

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595-5969815.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/17/bu...erland&emc=rss

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/5/prweb522878.htm

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9751998-1.html

http://www.gizmocafe.com/tv-video/blu-ray.aspx

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,11...1/article.html

http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/5/emw522878.htm

[johnnyd1]

Originally Posted by Zazou

I should stop reading these articles. Well, the articles are ok but some of the comments from members of the public simply beggar belief. Why can't people get it into their thick skulls that Sony and Blu-ray are not the same thing. There are plenty of other highly respected manfacturers that make Blu-ray players and will continue to do so. In this instance the article didn't help by calling it Sony's Blu-ray format. These next few months can't pass quick enough, so that all this nonsense is put to bed once and for all.

Lee

Yeah I agree. I just read the article and began to scan the comments. I came upon the "Rabid Red Ant" drool and closed the page. It's one thing to talk fact, but some of these Ant's are whacked !

[Grant Matrix]

Hmmmmmm.....

Maybe, just maybe Toshiba is going to spend 2.7 million to congratulate Blu-ray on its victory and bow out of the format "war" with a bit of style and pizzaz. What better way to do it and come out with a little bit of dignity than doing so during the biggest advertising event of the entire year?

Ok, so I am probably high on crak right now, but I can dream...

[PaulGo]

I also like this article:

HD DVD's Hail Mary: A $3 Million Super Bowl Ad
Peter Kafka | January 29, 2008 9:36 AM
During the last boom, would-be Web companies spent most of their ad budget on Super Bowl ads, in a futile attempt to convince people that they mattered. This year's replay: Toshiba, who will reportedly shell out $2.7 million for an ad promoting its three cheapest players, even though it has already lost the format war to Sony's (SNE) Blu-ray.

Nonsensical quote: "It has always been our strategy to reach HDTV owners, using advertising on football is just one vehicle," said Toshiba to Home Media.

Translation: We paid for the ads and committed to the Super Bowl buy before Warner killed our format this month, and we're just playing out the string.

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/01/...r-bowl-ad.html

[Blu Blur]

If Toshiba wanted to "do" something my advice would be the following:

1. Announce a Blu-ray player

2. Offer a mail in rebate for purchase of said player for all those who bought a Tosh HD-dud player.

3. said Blu-ray player would also be compatible with HD-DVD discs as an appology for making people choose a side and risk wasting money.

4. Immediately make a statement that the format is Dead pull all product from shelves and make MS discontinue the add on drive.

[haushausman]

So they are buying a Super Bowl spot... Wow. I thought they'd of given up and put that 3 million towards the 150 million they lost in bribes.

In another thread I replied that Sony and the BDA were not stupid for not having a Super Bowl spot. I change my opinion.

They need to counter-act the HD-DVD ad. Not that HD-DVD has a chance still, but to keep this thing from dragging out further.

[The Big Blue]

From the comments....

DH DVD doesn't have to have ANY studio support to remain a useful format.

[DefTechPioElite]

HDDVD totally is the "Black Knight" of HDM. That's awesome.

[mystiksuicide]

As of late of actually have begun to enjoy the format war. If Toshiba can't do the honorable thing then let's sit back and watch them die a slow, painful, expensive and humiliating death.

Let me get some and watch the massacre.

[haushausman]

Last line: "So to the HD DVD camp I say this: You've put up a good fight, guys, but seriously, what are you going to, bleed on Blu-ray? Let's move on with our lives."

LOL!!! That's hilarious.. yet so true.

[DefTechPioElite]

What the hell is this "root kit" mess everyone one there keeps talking about?

[PaulGo]

Another interesting article on how Toshiba is starting to bleed.

Will Toshiba's Profit Drop Hurt HD DVD?
The company says profits fell 25 percent.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (January 29, 2008) -- Toshiba today said its operating profit fell 25 percent in the third quarter due largely to falling prices of flash memory chips.

However, the decline could put more pressure on the company to abandon its stake in the sagging HD DVD high-def disc format.

HD DVD is competing with the Sony-backed Blu-ray format for the new high-def disc audience. However, since Warner Bros. endorsed Blu-ray this month, HD DVD player and disc sales have badly trailed its rival.

There are now only two major studios -- Universal and Paramount -- releasing films in the HD DVD format, compared to five for Blu-ray.

Toshiba's stock has fallen 11.5 percent since the Warner endorsement, according to Reuters.

The stock drop -- combined with overall company losses -- could force Toshiba's top executives to revisit its investment in HD DVD.

The company this month announced a sharp cut in HD DVD player prices and said it will air a HD DVD commercial during this Sunday's Super Bowl.
See:
Toshiba to Run HD DVD Ad During Super Bowl

But if those efforts do not produce immediate results, Toshiba will have to answer to shareholders already wondering about the company's shrinking bottom line.
http://www.tvpredictions.com/toshiba012908.htm

[Lee Christie]

Haha. This analogy is gunna stick forever and I love it.