Digital Bits: Bill Gates quiet on HD DVD at CES keynote presentation

[radagast]

"Well... the Microsoft counterstrike for HD-DVD never materialized this evening. I spent a couple hours waiting in line to get into Bill Gates' big CES opening keynote presentation, and it ended up as much ado about nothing with respect to the format war at least. The house was packed as you'd expect, but not a single time in the entire hour did Gates or his associates mention the HD-DVD format, which is interesting, because VERY reliable sources had informed us that, prior to Warner's Friday announcement, as much as 30 percent of the presentation was originally devoted to HD-DVD developments connected to the Xbox, Xbox Live, etc. Neither did Gates announce any kind of ultimate Xbox 360 with a built-in HD-DVD drive, though he did reveal that British Telecom and other CE companies will be partnering with Microsoft on Xbox-based media devices.


...I hadn't been to one of Gates' keynotes before, and this was apparently his last (as he's stepping down from his role at Microsoft to get more involved with his foundation), but it was largely geared toward hard-selling Microsoft products and services with the help of various celebrity appearances, video clips, etc. Bill is nothing if not the ultimate software guy - a 21st century Barnum. But again, there was not a single mention of HD-DVD.

One last note this evening: That idea I floated yesterday, that the BDA should offer an olive branch to HD-DVD consumers? I mentioned it to senior BDA executives this evening, and I think you can safely say that they're going to move forward with something along these very lines in the weeks ahead. We'll post more when we can, but the idea was definitely warmly received. In fact, plans are already in the works. We'll post more on this as things develop."


Comments?

[JasonS]

That makes perfect sense. We've heard multiple reports over the past couple days about how Paramount wants out of their contract and how Universal isn't commenting on HD DVD at all. Something is definitely brewing in camp Blu right now. Let's keep the good news coming!

[T-Town Oil]

i think its time to bring the celebrity mugshots back to life (i think its you that used them?!?!)

[Seretur]

There isn't going to be a counterstrike.

Microsoft is already behaving as if HD DVD has never existed, and the rest of the benighted members of the Red camp are trying to realign themselves to the new reality. Helping out the decent people who supported HD DVD is a nice gesture, but ultimately necessary: the big fight ahead is for the domination of Blu-ray over DVD, and all the high definition enthusiasts have to be included, if it's to pan out. Even those who were on the losing side of the tracks.

(This doesn't go for the shills and FUD spreaders, of course: let them eat crow and/or watch downloads, whichever feels worse.)

[Razzy]

"..prior to Warner's Friday announcement, as much as 30 percent of the presentation was originally devoted to HD-DVD developments connected to the Xbox, Xbox Live, etc. Neither did Gates announce any kind of ultimate Xbox 360 with a built-in HD-DVD drive.."

I guess Warner dealt that idea a death blow. M$ will soon announce they will be installing a PS3 inside every 360 Ultimate.

[DTMoney84]

I agree...while its safe to assume that HD followers would ultimately buy Blu anyways with the demise of HD rather than letting the time and money invested in to their Hi-Def systems go to waste, offering up a deal to those who bought would speed up the growth of Blu-ray and just be a good marketing decision overall.

[jw]

Originally Posted by Razzy

"..prior to Warner's Friday announcement, as much as 30 percent of the presentation was originally devoted to HD-DVD developments connected to the Xbox, Xbox Live, etc. Neither did Gates announce any kind of ultimate Xbox 360 with a built-in HD-DVD drive.."

I guess Warner dealt that idea a death blow. M$ will soon announce they will be installing a PS3 inside every 360 Ultimate.

or at least a Blu add on

[richard lichtenfelt]

And there was much celebratory revelry!


Microsoft used hd dvd for all its worth and will now walk away and never look back.

[Blu-Ray Buckeye]

Originally Posted by Seretur

There isn't going to be a counterstrike.

Microsoft is already behaving as if HD DVD has never existed, and the rest of the benighted members of the Red camp are trying to realign themselves to the new reality. Helping out the decent people who supported HD DVD is a nice gesture, but ultimately necessary: the big fight ahead is for the domination of Blu-ray over DVD, and all the high definition enthusiasts have to be included, if it's to pan out. Even those who were on the losing side of the tracks.

(This doesn't go for the shills and FUD spreaders, of course: let them eat crow and/or watch downloads, whichever feels worse.)

That's my take as well, which is the biggest blow to any remaining true believers on the red side of the aisle. The fact that they didn't even address it is devastating. "HD-DV-who?"

[owa]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Buckeye

That's my take as well, which is the biggest blow to any remaining true believers on the red side of the aisle. The fact that they didn't even address it is devastating. "HD-DV-who?"

Yeah, that was pretty surprising (to me anyway) especially after all the rumors of the x360 ultimate.

[WriteSimply]

I think that it is very generous of the BDA to prep for an exchange program for HD DVD players. If Toshiba is not going to give up, then let their former consumers decide for them. *threesnapsandatwist*

I don't know what they'll do with the discs but for the machines, I think public destruction of them all should be documented. In fact, maybe while they're exchanging the players, they can hold a contest on the best spectacular way to blow HD DVD players into smithereens. I think Adam and Jamie from Mythbusters should be invited.


fuad

[TruBlu2]

Originally Posted by JasonS

That makes perfect sense. We've heard multiple reports over the past couple days about how Paramount wants out of their contract and how Universal isn't commenting on HD DVD at all. Something is definitely brewing in camp Blu right now. Let's keep the good news coming!

Paramount doesn't want out of the contract. As I have been saying, leave paramount to dangle in the wind. paramount is a bastard step child who should be treated accordingly.

We need to focus our efforts to Universal. We all want Universal, so lets go get em. Extend the branch to Universal. We also want Weinstein, lets get them as well.

Cheers

[Blu-Ray Buckeye]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

I think that it is very generous of the BDA to prep for an exchange program for HD DVD players. If Toshiba is not going to give up, then let their former consumers decide for them. *threesnapsandatwist*

I don't know what they'll do with the discs but for the machines, I think public destruction of them all should be documented. In fact, maybe while they're exchanging the players, they can hold a contest on the best spectacular way to blow HD DVD players into smithereens. I think Adam and Jamie from Mythbusters should be invited.


fuad

Invite Kari.

[Blu Titan]

Well, M$ just told everyone all there is to know. There is no more HD DVD. I support the idea of the BDA extending some sort of concessions to HD DVD fir their "surrender". IT will make for a faster, cleaner resolution to the "war:.

[zipbags]

Originally Posted by richard lichtenfelt

And there was much celebratory revelry!

That picture...Oh...I am going to be sick.



Seriously. M$ might be doing blu a big favor. If Uni and Paramount see M$ leaving them dry. They may be more open to switching quicker and even possibly going exclusive.


.

[davidPS3]

Can't wait to see the spin the red team puts on why no mention from Bill on HD DVD.

[PeteS]

Originally Posted by radagast

" ..We'll post more on this as things develop."
Comments?

We'll watch eagerly for the news. Yes, the HD-DVD folks were being used as expendable pawns by M$ to promote confusion in the HiDef market. HD-DVD is finished, our real enemy now is the lingering uncertainty M$ created. I think the olive branch is a very good idea.

[spam.curitiba]

Originally Posted by radagast

One last note this evening: That idea I floated yesterday, that the BDA should offer an olive branch to HD-DVD consumers? I mentioned it to senior BDA executives this evening, and I think you can safely say that they're going to move forward with something along these very lines in the weeks ahead. We'll post more when we can, but the idea was definitely warmly received. In fact, plans are already in the works. We'll post more on this as things develop."


Comments?

so what are they going to do with those that stuck with blu through this whole thing?

[xwingsct]

Originally Posted by Razzy

"..
I guess Warner dealt that idea a death blow. M$ will soon announce they will be installing a PS3 inside every 360 Ultimate.

You mean Bluray drive right ?

[radagast]

Originally Posted by T-Town Oil

i think its time to bring the celebrity mugshots back to life (i think its you that used them?!?!)

Yes that's me.