The misinformation by HD DVD thread...

[Proteus]

I have started this thread based on a suggestion by Richard that we put this information all in one place, so, here goes:

Over the past 1.5 years the HDDVD promotion group, Toshiba and others have been publishing misinformation, misleading claims and 'fudging' numbers and statistics to try and promote their format.

I believe this is an unethical marketing approach (being in the marketing business for over 15 years) and they should be called on it. The single best way to do this at this time seems to be to start a thread here outlining each and every bit of misinformation they have propagated and _a legitimate source_ that debunks it. If possible, try to include the dates they misinformed and any other information that indicates a time window.

Please keep this thread to listing the 'FUD' that was spoken and the link to the source debunking it. Discussion and commentary can be had in another thread. I want this thread to be as easy as possible for media folks, industry and others to find a quick easy reference showing all the fallacies HDDVD has used to try and deceive the public consumer. If you simply must discuss, start another thread and add a *HDDVD lies* after the title to indicate it is in response to this thread.

If I can find the time, I will try to keep a running list in this post of the things reported here. If someone else would like to do the cut/pasting, please feel free and I will just paste it in here (you can PM it to me if you need to).

Thank you.

The HDDVD lies and misinformation is listed below (I am putting them in quotes to easily separate each topic so don't freak out if it's not exactly what you stated please):

X-Box 360 and Toshiba are making a 360 with built in hd dvd
http://www.geek.com/microsoft-toshib...d-dvd/?rfp=dta

Toshiba slips up and spills the truth:
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/11571.cfm

Toshiba makes claim that Kmart is 'HDDVD Exclusive':
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/new...ticle_ID=11448

Kmart refutes the Toshiba claim:
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...re_Purple/1137

51GB HDDVD 'May be ready'
http://www.allthingshidef.com/ME2/di...88ED28CC20D6D3

Six days later... Will it work? Still in testing?!
http://www.allthingshidef.com/ME2/di...5F8B8367819859

Paramount claims record sales of Transformers HDDVD (before the week even ended):
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/pr_pa...ers_week1.html

The truth comes out that they 'fudged' the numbers:
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.co...at-stupid-lie/
http://www.highdefdigest.com/tags/show/Paramount
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/new...ticle_ID=11439

The HDDVD group has consistently argued that the Picture Quality/Audio Quality of both formats is the same.

Here is a source that actually collected disc review data from all over the web to do a statistical analysis of the quality of each showing that Blu-ray did indeed have better Picture Quality:
http://www.dvdfile.com/index.php?opt...6326&Itemid=11

*Note: Would like some more sources for PQ, but also sources for AQ. Thank you.*

The HDDVD Promotions group as well as studios such as Universal and Paramount have consistently tried to allude to Spielberg films being available on the HDDVD format only to be forced to issue apologies. (I would like more sources for these)

This article makes reference to some of the misinformation and includes Spielberg's true stance as a Blu-ray only supporter (more sources here would help as well):
http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/ne...VD-plans.phtml

The BDA and several prominent PC manufacturers respond to refute many inaccurate claims (would like some direct sources for this 'FUD') by Microsoft and Intel concerning the Blu-ray format:
http://www.blu-raydisc.com/Article-14858.html