Why is Toshiba so invested in HD DVD?

[Marcusarilius]

Why is Toshiba so invested in HD DVD? Do they have more invested than just making HD DVD players? Or is that not the case? In other words, why fritter away 150 Mil for Paramount exclusivity? Do they own HD DVD movies/software? Do they own any movie studios? If they simply make the HD DVD players, why not start making Blu-ray players as well and let the consumer decide the winner in the end? Current sales in favor of BD must tell them that HD DVD is on it's way out. They can't be idiots, so what is going on here that I simply do not understand at the moment? Can anyone clue me in please… Thank you blu camp. Mark

[Papi4baby]

Royalties. And i believe they are even more restrictive than the BDA with their hardware when it comes to sharing with the other CE.

[Proteus]

Tens of BILLIONS in licensing fees is at stake.

The Paramount thing bought them some time and that's all. In reality, it was not worth the $$ for them, but I don't think they counted on Warner and Walmart shooting them down. Truthfully, I think they thought they would be able to buy all three, no problem. When they only got Viacom signed it greatly diminished their plan as I see it. In fact, it seems the plan has backfired pretty hard at this point.

Toshiba is now widely accepted as a company that has to buy support because it's format, HDDVD, isn't good enough to stand on it's own now.

Walmart seems to have completely been offended by this 'offer' going so far as to say they won't be carrying the supacheapo Venturer player. I have a feeling we will be seeing a _very_ Blu Walmart this holiday.

The only caveat to all of this is: Can Blu-ray keep up with demand? BS about yields aside, there are still very few Blu-ray replication plants, comparatively and manufacturers would have to significantly increase production _now_ if the holidays is going to blow up. Will be interesting to watch.

[Rustmonsteru]

It's very simple: Toshiba owns the big patents on dvd.

They would like to maintain that position of power & avenue of cashflow in the next generation of media as well.

[Proteus]

Originally Posted by Rustmonsteru

It's very simple: Toshiba owns the big patents on dvd.

They would like to maintain that position of power & avenue of cashflow in the next generation of media as well.

Which is probably _more_ the reason why they are spending so much to prolong the war... So they can continue to cash in on DVD by delaying the explosive release of a new format they get no cut of.

[Luis_A51]

Royalties from disk sales. Maybe even royalties for all future HDDVD players. Keep in mind though that they're thinking long term. They certainly arent making money now with their subsidised players and the way they throw movies around like confetti.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

Royalties from disk sales. Maybe even royalties for all future HDDVD players. Keep in mind though that they're thinking long term. They certainly arent making money now with their subsidised players and the way they throw movies around like confetti.

Amazing! Sounds like one Hell of a gamble that they are going to lose on in the end any way. Obviously they have never played poker. Sometimes you have to walk away from the table and just accept your losses before you lose anymore. Why commit one's self into total annihilation and bankrupsy?

[Rustmonsteru]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

Royalties from disk sales. Maybe even royalties for all future HDDVD players. Keep in mind though that they're thinking long term. They certainly arent making money now with their subsidised players and the way they throw movies around like confetti.

Aye, they're looking to nab a decades worth of cashish. What's a little money up front?

[Papi4baby]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

Royalties from disk sales. Maybe even royalties for all future HDDVD players. Keep in mind though that they're thinking long term. They certainly arent making money now with their subsidised players and the way they throw movies around like confetti.

Yup they also have all the rights to the HD DVD hardware tech, so yeah more money from that. And like i said, they wont share that with no one.

[blackhawktraffic]

Because they make crappy computers haha.

[bootman]

According to them, it's because <cue movie man voice>"it's more explodier"!

[TruBlu2]

Because they invented it!!

And they are Persians.


WE ARE SPARTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Live Blu or Die

[Anthony P]

Amazing! Sounds like one Hell of a gamble that they are going to lose on in the end any way. Obviously they have never played poker. Sometimes you have to walk away from the table and just accept your losses before you lose anymore. Why commit one's self into total annihilation and bankrupsy?

It's not like Poker, the difference is that if BD does not win , even if HD DVD loses, Toshiba wins.

In theory there are 4 outcomes

1)BD becomes the next standard
2)HD DVD becomes the next standard
3)none replace DVD
4)both together replace DVD

without going into details why some of them are extremely only #1 is a loss for Toshiba (and even then not a total loss because BD players are also DVD players and so some royalties go to Toshiba).

All Toshiba needs to do to win is slow down BD adoption enough so that #1 does not happen. In this respect it is more like a sports match (then a poker game) where one team is trying to kill time to get what they want.

[lch]

Originally Posted by Papi4baby

Yup they also have all the rights to the HD DVD hardware tech, so yeah more money from that. And like i said, they wont share that with no one.

sound like they are following the path as what sony did wrong with beta.