BETAMAX vs. VHS parallel to Blu-ray vs. HD DVD

[richteer]

Originally Posted by ReduxInflux

But I was just an infant during all of this, so my knowledge only drinks from the fountain of the textbook. For those of you who have a more intimate understanding of this and how it parallels (or doesn't) our current Blu-Ray/HD-DVD situation, I would love to hear your thoughts...

The parallels you observe are quite correct. Beta, despite being technically superior, failed because it wasn't licensed to other manufactures. Sony wanted to go their own way, and it backfired this time.

This time, Sony has learned from that lesson, and Blu-ray is licensed to numerous companies, including Sony's competitors. Toshiba is making the same mistake Sony made back then (except their technology is NOT superior to the alternative!): going it alone despite overwhelming evidence that that is not the best way to do it.

For whatever reason, Toshiba hasn't licensed HD DVD to its competitors (or at least, hasn't done so in a way that is attractive to 3rd parties), and will lose at least partly because of that.

Frankly, I'm amazed about how many HD DVD players have been sold, especially since the beginning of 2007. I guess being first and having a huge amount of bullshit on their side has helped... But one has to wonder at the mental faculties of people who choose to buy into HD DVD now. *shrug*