HD DVD v. Blu-ray

[weaktwos]

First this morning it's Paramount announcing they are reverting to HD-DVD only (except for Indiana Jones), then Fox renewing their dedication to Blu-ray.

Here's an interesting interview with Paramount.

Comments

[zonereyrie.livejournal.com]

Not 'except for Indiana Jones', but 'except for all of Spielberg's films'.

It looks like Paramount and Dreamworks were paid off for this move - $50mil and $100mil, respectively.

[zonereyrie.livejournal.com]

Paramount has been dual-format, releasing both HD DVD and Blu-ray - it looks like they were just paid-off to go HD DVD exclusively. Which means they'll get none of my money. Oh well.

[zonereyrie.livejournal.com]

Blu-ray != Sony, it is a consortium product. Sony is just part of the consortium.

It is looking like the money may have come from Microsoft - they'd actually like to see the war continue and BOTH formats fail in the end. MS is pushing direct downloads as the future, so if they can stall adoption of the new formats long enough for downloads, such as via Xbox Live. to catch on - they win in the end.

On the other side, Disney, Fox, and MGM have restated their commitment to be exclusively Blu-ray and Fox and MGM announced 29 titles that will be released this year, while last week Disney announced more titles - including releases out into 2008.

I think the best thing that will come out of this move is that the BDA is going to gang-tackle the HD DVD camp and we'll see some aggressive release schedules, marketing, and pricing through the holidays. The BDA is going to go at HD DVD no holds barred now, looking to swamp it outright this year. Sony has already committed $100 million to marketing.

It is going to get bloody. :-)

[zonereyrie.livejournal.com]

The combo discs have been kind of a bomb - HD DVD studios have been moving to bundle packs with the HD DVD and a DVD in one box. It is actually cheaper to press two discs than one combo disc, because the combo discs have a much higher reject rate. The same thing killed DVD18 - it is cheaper to put two DVD9s in one box.

Plus no one likes dual-sided discs - nowhere to put a decent label, and both sides of the disc are vulnerable.

[cotharyus.livejournal.com]

So while you two are getting into the details of things I haven't got time to follow, but actually care a good deal about (mostly because I enjoy quality entertainment) - who/what format is Apple behind? Do they even care?

Point: I haven't got any use for Microsoft. Macs are all I run that aren't totally opensource, so I just as well throw in with what works with ....what I use!

[zonereyrie.livejournal.com]

Yes - Blu-ray. Apple is a member of the BDA (Blu-ray Disc Association, the governing body for Blu-ray) and has openly backed BD.

We'll probably see BD drives as an option in Macs as the price comes down - some think maybe later this year. Right now you have to add them on after-market.

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

There is that credit card deal that gets you $150 off if you get a Sony Credit card and make a purchase on Sony Style online. :D

[brittadotcom.livejournal.com]

Does that special still work if you already have a Sony credit card? ;) Of course I still don't have an HD TV so I doubt I could tell any difference in DVD playback until I'm forced to buy a TV...