Implications of HD-DVD Emulator? - Blu-ray Forum

ikbradley · 12-14-2007, 02:38 PM

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=16645

December 14, 2007

Microsoft Releases Xbox 360 HD-DVD Emulator
Officials from Microsoft have announced the release of an Xbox 360 HD DVD emulator, aimed at allowing film studios and disc authoring companies to simulate the behavior of HD DVD content without the need to burn a new HD DVD disc, which remains a costly procedure.

The emulation tool will be one of the first commercially available and reinforces Microsoft’s commitment to the format over the Sony backed Blu-ray technology. The emulator uses an Xbox 360 and attached HD DVD Player together with specialized emulation software to enable playback from a network storage share, portable hard drive or optical disc.

“We are committed to supporting and advancing the HD DVD ecosystem, and the new Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator reflects these efforts by providing developers with the software-based tools they need to efficiently deliver the highest-quality content,” said Jordi Ribas, general manager of HD DVD at Microsoft.

“Microsoft developed the Emulator to help save studios and postproduction houses time, resources and costs involved with the creation of HD DVD content, and let them focus on what really matters — pushing the envelope with the format.”

Setting up the Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator involves downloading the software via Xbox Live and paying a onetime licensing fee of $2,999. Further information can be found at Microsoft’s website.

POSTED: 05.37AM PST, 12/14/07 - David Jenkins - LINK

This is a really strange thing that I really don't know what to make of it. $2999 licensing fee? Does this mean that you rip the discs and put it to HD? Is this just a legal Slysoft? What the heck is MS thinking?

CptGreedle · 12-14-2007, 02:40 PM

It won't affect consumers since it is geared to the 3 studios that support HD DVD. In other words, its just more hype.

Skyhawk · 12-14-2007, 02:48 PM

Good question. How has the free MHP Open Source Emulator at Sourceforge affected the war for those of us who like to play with BD-J at home?

Of course being a cheapo, free for me is better

Sonny · 12-14-2007, 02:54 PM

Wtf!!...

Rustmonsteru · 12-14-2007, 02:56 PM

obscure.

haushausman · 12-14-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikbradley

[url]“We are committed to supporting and advancing the HD DVD ecosystem..."

Ecosystem? Like the one I have growing on the bowl of my toilet?

JTK · 12-14-2007, 02:57 PM

Smoke and mirrors.

spicynacho · 12-14-2007, 02:57 PM

I can see the press releases now... American gangster is delayed 6-8 weeks because our authoring platform got a RROD.

LMAO

androvsky · 12-14-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikbradley

This is a really strange thing that I really don't know what to make of it. $2999 licensing fee? Does this mean that you rip the discs and put it to HD? Is this just a legal Slysoft? What the heck is MS thinking?

No, it's not like that at all. It's for people making HD-DVDs, before the encrypted disc ever even exists. What it does is allow you to test the interactive features you're putting together without having to press or even burn a disc. Things like that are quite handy so you don't waste a $20 disc to discover a typo in the menu code.

WickyWoo · 12-14-2007, 03:02 PM

It's a development tool, nothing else. Since 1/3 of HD DVD users use 360, and the only way to get it output to other things, since the 300 people watching HD DVDs on PCs are all watching rips, is to burn a disc (which even with Blu-ray, you're talking a very long time to burn), and the blanks are very expensive.

It's efficiency, and probalby some internal tool MS has been using all along anyway just offered up to developers to try to squeeze that last few bucks out. Any devhouse doing HD DVD development might want one of these, because it'll pay for itself in blanks and wasted time alone in a few months

I wouldn't be shocked if Sony has a smiliar playstation 3 tool alrady made or one they can code up quickly. It's definately useful

ikbradley · 12-14-2007, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by androvsky

No, it's not like that at all. It's for people making HD-DVDs, before the encrypted disc ever even exists. What it does is allow you to test the interactive features you're putting together without having to press or even burn a disc. Things like that are quite handy so you don't waste a $20 disc to discover a typo in the menu code.

Thanks for this. I wasn't aware that authoring tools weren't capable of this. That's a little strange that it wasn't available before hand.

Skyhawk · 12-14-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by androvsky

No, it's not like that at all. It's for people making HD-DVDs, before the encrypted disc ever even exists. What it does is allow you to test the interactive features you're putting together without having to press or even burn a disc. Things like that are quite handy so you don't waste a $20 disc to discover a typo in the menu code.

You don't even need the free xleTView for BD-J (Blu-ray-Java) emulation. Most people use WinDVD, PowerDVD, or Digital Theatre for testing and running their completed BD-J applications. All these products come with the BD-J platform classes, so all you have to do is add the directory containing the .jar files to your classpath (I use Eclipse as an IDE) and you're good to go!

Once you compile your Blu-ray Java project, you're ready to run it on your PC with any of the above products that you likely already have installed. No disk burning necessary folks.

Enjoy your cheap and/or free BD-J emulators

bhampton · 12-14-2007, 03:36 PM

Resorting to letting people pirate them is not the best way to try to salvage HD DUD. But,.. nothing is below Microsoft. I am surprized though how quickly they seem to be moving to a "fly by the seat of our pants" approach. I bet they used to think things through a little better.

I've have seriously eliminated 98.645% of my dependence on MS and I'm so happy about it.

I still have a PC in the basement that I used twice in the last year, however, what I still need,.. I've already got. So,.. I think they can safely go the way of the dodo now.

-Brian

WickyWoo · 12-14-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resorting to letting people pirate them is not the best way to try to salvage HD DUD. But,.. nothing is below Microsoft. I am surprized though how quickly they seem to be moving to a "fly by the seat of our pants" approach. I bet they used to think things through a little better.

THis is not letting people pirate. This is a dev tool. Without the hardware to support it, it's useless.

However, In all honesty you're not the first person to postulate that they've purposely not closed the copy protection door tight to try to undermine HDM in general

bhampton · 12-14-2007, 04:01 PM

Hey,

Just think about Microsoft and piracy in the past. Many suggest it's helped them and I fully believe it.

I remember when DOS 6.2 came out.... It was expensive but then again.. If you built a PC back then you likely just got it from someone else. I think piracy has been their friend for a while, because it made them more popular. It must be hard for them to figure out exactly how to manage it as these days it's considered less and less of a good thing.

=Brian

soniqstylz · 12-14-2007, 04:04 PM

Soooo... HD-DVD movies being played from a hard drive...

Does this prove the Microsoft-wants-downloadable-movies conspiracy?

STI Jaguar · 12-14-2007, 04:07 PM

This is Not unlinke Steam for Half Life 2?

bhampton · 12-14-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote "Does this prove the Microsoft-wants-downloadable-movies conspiracy?"

I think it proves HD DUD's aren't worth the disc they're printed on.

eat_me_cool · 12-14-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by androvsky

No, it's not like that at all. It's for people making HD-DVDs, before the encrypted disc ever even exists. What it does is allow you to test the interactive features you're putting together without having to press or even burn a disc. Things like that are quite handy so you don't waste a $20 disc to discover a typo in the menu code.

Unlike Blu-ray, you couldn't burn a HD-DVD test disc for $20, you had to press a whole production run before you could test it.

This tool allows HD-DVD developers do what Blu-ray developers have been able to do for a long time - perform a test run.

Frumious Boojum · 12-14-2007, 05:06 PM

How it will affect things:

Pretend you're put in charge of working on this new setup for playing the HD-DVDs. Your boss gives you this XBox 360 and the player, along with trusting you with the company's financial information to buy $2,999 worth of licensing. So, with all this, you go into your office, hook up the XBox 360 and player, log on to XBox Live. You get distracted by the latest game that they released. An hour later, you think, "Uh oh, I better go get that license." So, on your way to get the license, you find a couple more new demos that you must play now. Two hours go by, you think, "Man, I really need to do that now -- no distractions this time!" So, you go waste $2,999. Plus tax, where applicable. So, you finally have it. But, then five more hours go by while playing some Assassin's Creed.

A few months later, due to mysterious technical difficulties, the biggest release of the summer is post-poned until next spring.

Spring comes and the whole project is dropped as HD-DVD fades into obscurity.

So, I say, go ahead and distract the programmers with a bunch of video games!

12-14-2007, 02:38 PM	#1
ikbradley Senior Member Member since:Aug 2007	Implications of HD-DVD Emulator? http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=16645 December 14, 2007 Microsoft Releases Xbox 360 HD-DVD Emulator Officials from Microsoft have announced the release of an Xbox 360 HD DVD emulator, aimed at allowing film studios and disc authoring companies to simulate the behavior of HD DVD content without the need to burn a new HD DVD disc, which remains a costly procedure. The emulation tool will be one of the first commercially available and reinforces Microsoft’s commitment to the format over the Sony backed Blu-ray technology. The emulator uses an Xbox 360 and attached HD DVD Player together with specialized emulation software to enable playback from a network storage share, portable hard drive or optical disc. “We are committed to supporting and advancing the HD DVD ecosystem, and the new Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator reflects these efforts by providing developers with the software-based tools they need to efficiently deliver the highest-quality content,” said Jordi Ribas, general manager of HD DVD at Microsoft. “Microsoft developed the Emulator to help save studios and postproduction houses time, resources and costs involved with the creation of HD DVD content, and let them focus on what really matters — pushing the envelope with the format.” Setting up the Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator involves downloading the software via Xbox Live and paying a onetime licensing fee of $2,999. Further information can be found at Microsoft’s website. POSTED: 05.37AM PST, 12/14/07 - David Jenkins - LINK This is a really strange thing that I really don't know what to make of it. $2999 licensing fee? Does this mean that you rip the discs and put it to HD? Is this just a legal Slysoft? What the heck is MS thinking?

12-14-2007, 03:36 PM	#13
bhampton Blu-ray Count Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:981 Blu-ray collection:2537 DVD collection:67 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:18	Resorting to letting people pirate them is not the best way to try to salvage HD DUD. But,.. nothing is below Microsoft. I am surprized though how quickly they seem to be moving to a "fly by the seat of our pants" approach. I bet they used to think things through a little better. I've have seriously eliminated 98.645% of my dependence on MS and I'm so happy about it. I still have a PC in the basement that I used twice in the last year, however, what I still need,.. I've already got. So,.. I think they can safely go the way of the dodo now. -Brian Last edited by bhampton; 12-14-2007 at 03:40 PM.

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12-14-2007, 02:40 PM	#2
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	It won't affect consumers since it is geared to the 3 studios that support HD DVD. In other words, its just more hype.

12-14-2007, 02:48 PM	#3
Skyhawk Member Member since:Nov 2007	Good question. How has the free MHP Open Source Emulator at Sourceforge affected the war for those of us who like to play with BD-J at home? Of course being a cheapo, free for me is better

12-14-2007, 02:54 PM	#4
Sonny Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray reviews:6 Trading Score:1	Wtf!!...

12-14-2007, 02:56 PM	#5
Rustmonsteru Expert Member Member since:Mar 2007	obscure.

12-14-2007, 02:57 PM	#7
JTK Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2006 Location:www.blurayoasis.com	Smoke and mirrors.

12-14-2007, 02:57 PM	#8
spicynacho Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	I can see the press releases now... American gangster is delayed 6-8 weeks because our authoring platform got a RROD. LMAO

12-14-2007, 03:02 PM	#10
WickyWoo Blu-ray Champion Member since:May 2007 Trading Score:2	It's a development tool, nothing else. Since 1/3 of HD DVD users use 360, and the only way to get it output to other things, since the 300 people watching HD DVDs on PCs are all watching rips, is to burn a disc (which even with Blu-ray, you're talking a very long time to burn), and the blanks are very expensive. It's efficiency, and probalby some internal tool MS has been using all along anyway just offered up to developers to try to squeeze that last few bucks out. Any devhouse doing HD DVD development might want one of these, because it'll pay for itself in blanks and wasted time alone in a few months I wouldn't be shocked if Sony has a smiliar playstation 3 tool alrady made or one they can code up quickly. It's definately useful

12-14-2007, 04:01 PM	#15
bhampton Blu-ray Count Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:981 Blu-ray collection:2537 DVD collection:67 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:18	Hey, Just think about Microsoft and piracy in the past. Many suggest it's helped them and I fully believe it. I remember when DOS 6.2 came out.... It was expensive but then again.. If you built a PC back then you likely just got it from someone else. I think piracy has been their friend for a while, because it made them more popular. It must be hard for them to figure out exactly how to manage it as these days it's considered less and less of a good thing. =Brian

12-14-2007, 04:04 PM	#16
soniqstylz Active Member Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:15	Soooo... HD-DVD movies being played from a hard drive... Does this prove the Microsoft-wants-downloadable-movies conspiracy?

12-14-2007, 04:07 PM	#17
STI Jaguar Active Member Member since:Mar 2007	This is Not unlinke Steam for Half Life 2?

12-14-2007, 04:12 PM	#18
bhampton Blu-ray Count Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:981 Blu-ray collection:2537 DVD collection:67 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:18	Quote "Does this prove the Microsoft-wants-downloadable-movies conspiracy?" I think it proves HD DUD's aren't worth the disc they're printed on.

12-14-2007, 05:06 PM	#20
Frumious Boojum Active Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Columbus, OH Blu-ray collection:115 Blu-ray reviews: 4	How it will affect things: Pretend you're put in charge of working on this new setup for playing the HD-DVDs. Your boss gives you this XBox 360 and the player, along with trusting you with the company's financial information to buy $2,999 worth of licensing. So, with all this, you go into your office, hook up the XBox 360 and player, log on to XBox Live. You get distracted by the latest game that they released. An hour later, you think, "Uh oh, I better go get that license." So, on your way to get the license, you find a couple more new demos that you must play now. Two hours go by, you think, "Man, I really need to do that now -- no distractions this time!" So, you go waste $2,999. Plus tax, where applicable. So, you finally have it. But, then five more hours go by while playing some Assassin's Creed. A few months later, due to mysterious technical difficulties, the biggest release of the summer is post-poned until next spring. Spring comes and the whole project is dropped as HD-DVD fades into obscurity. So, I say, go ahead and distract the programmers with a bunch of video games!

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