Thread: HD Format War "News"

Originally Posted by go

The average consumer would never spend $450 (cheapest Bluray player now) for some titles that look marginally better than DVD that the average consumer currently owns a player.

Once again, your technical analysis comes up a bit short. As far as "looking better", the increase resolution of both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray from DVD is a GREATER increase than was the same jump from VHS to DVD.

Now, if you want to talk about convience, etc. then there's nothing much to be sold on for new adopters. But you certainly can't make your case by marginalizing what is anything but in regards to improve picture quality.

Originally Posted by Unfiltered

They're all about a downloading service. I can't seem to find the interview where the M$ clown was quoted on his HD format position, but that was their focus.

Of course, we all know how well M$ does with forecasting "what the consumer wants." (The 360 comes to mind.)

Is that sarcasm?

Well, if M$ has the $$$$ to spend, they might as well invest it in companys who are responsible for providing fiber lines across the country. Any ideas? Level 3? This really is the future....investing would be a great idea at this point.

Originally Posted by Unfiltered

They're all about a downloading service. I can't seem to find the interview where the M$ clown was quoted on his HD format position, but that was their focus.

Of course, we all know how well M$ does with forecasting "what the consumer wants." (The 360 comes to mind.)

Yes . . . it's about stalling things long enough that data streams in the country can build up to be able to handle what is needed for high-def streaming video. Add to that interactivity so when someone watches a movie, then can they pay for the extras that they want, sell stuff from the movie, etc.

Of course, unless business models change, I believe people will reject any and all downloading methods as long as the studios promise to provide content for a limited time. The whole idea behind this (and what we'll eventually see in the realm of the TV world as well) is that every time you watch a movie, you'll be paying a fee. It's Divx all over again.

Originally Posted by Mr. Irreverent

Is that sarcasm?

The second part was sarcasm, yes.

Originally Posted by dgrycan

It's Divx all over again.

I know what you're saying. Ironically, Dreamworks and Paramount were both pro-Divx 10 years ago. Hmmmm.

Any of you dudes know any insider info as to when these fiber lines get the green light (on a mass level) please let me know in advance so i can purchase stock.

Originally Posted by Unfiltered

MS PAID Paramount and DW Ani for this move. That's why I blame them.

Microsoft has adamantly denied that is true.

All Toshiba HD-DVD players are region free. How is that for lack of DRM. (DIVX)

Dgrycan - you lament that people don't want downloadable movies but I as one person and others in this thread have said the opposite. People do want the convenience. Most people rent their movies, not buy.

Microsoft has also said they think 2 optical systems can work too. So if you want the other optical solution buy a cheap HD-DVD player.

BTW - Fox was pro Divx too.

Mr Irreverent. Verizon is taking the lead into bringing Fiber into the home. But I say don't forget about Google. They want a piece too.

Originally Posted by go

All Toshiba HD-DVD players are region free. How is that for lack of DRM. (DIVX)

Dgrycan - you lament that people don't want downloadable movies but I as one person and others in this thread have said the opposite. People do want the convenience. Most people rent their movies, not buy.

This trend isn't true anymore. The raw numbers prove it. Purchasing is up, and renting is down. That has been the trend for the last half-decade.

You don't mind downloading because you have your teeny little TV set that isn't big enough to display all the flaws provided by overly compressed 720p video. When people start seeing the difference as to what full blown HD video can provide, they will EASILY see the difference. The whole "good enough" argument is a little old, don't you think?

Originally Posted by go

Microsoft has adamantly denied that is true.

For someone that knows a lot about politics, you sure are easily fooled.

The HD-DVD Forum paid this money. Where does the HD-DVD Forum get all of this cash?

That's like me giving money to someone else, then asking them to give money to you, and then saying "I didn't give you any money."

Of course, we learned today that things aren't completely exclusive to begin with. Paramount included clauses that allows them to release some movies on Blu-ray, and in fact, specifically disclosed that all Speilberg titles fell into this clause. There are apparently different triggers as the agreement goes along, and it could last AS LONG as 18 months.

This deal sounds better and better for Paramount. HD-DVD needed exclusives for this holiday season - they only had Bourne to market, which couldn't compete with what Disney and Sony was releasing. Now they can add Transformers and Shrek to even the playing field.