Blu-Ray Wins the next generation movie format, HD-DVD loses
Toshiba to give up on HD DVD, says Reuters
The format war for next-generation DVDs may be over: Blu-ray is the winner. And now wait for the fireworks..
February 17, 2008 9:59 PM
Reuters is reporting that sources within Toshiba, which has been the principal driver of the HD DVD format, is getting ready to admit defeat. That of course would mean that Sony's Blu-ray is the only one left standing in the hi-def war that already feels like it has gone on longer than the US elections. (What do you mean, it has?)
Toshiba's cause has suffered several setbacks in recent weeks including Friday's announcement by U.S. retailing giant Wal-Mart Stores that it would abandon the HD DVD format and only stock its shelves with Blu-ray movies.
Of course, it was the decision at Comdex by Warners to go with Blu-ray that cut HD DVD down. After that the more recent decisions by the Blockbuster film rental group and now Wal-Mart to go with Blu-ray have hammed the nails into the coffin.
[Japanese broadcaster] NHK said Toshiba would suffer losses running to tens of billions of yen (hundreds of millions of pounds) to scrap production of HD DVD players and recorders and other steps to withdraw from the business.
Even Microsoft is considering adding Blu-ray support to the Xbox - oh, the turncoats (er, pragmatists?) - for Microsoft was initially a key backer of HD DVD: Bill Gates said that its DRM was less restrictive than Blu-ray's.
So what's next? We can expect the following in short order:
1) hackers to focus their attention on cracking the Blu-ray codes so they can make copies of Blu-ray films.
2) PC makers to begin including Blu-ray players as standard.
3) retailers to come off the fence and start putting Blu-ray players in prominent positions, next to those vast TVs, and suggesting that Sir (or Madam?) might like to buy...?
4) Sony executives to do little jigs around their desks and sing the company song really loudly in bars.
5) Sir Howard Stringer to smile and mean it for the first time in ages.
One thing I'm not sure about is how soon Apple will introduce a Blu-ray drive in its machines - because it seems to be moving towards a driveless (or just DVD-based) model.
So, are you left with a useless HD DVD player or discs? Do tell us what imaginative use you've thought of for them...
I have the HD-DVD player for Xbox 360. And I think its better than Blu-Ray. Plus its more affordable. HD-DVD does however ahve the ability to make a comeback in the coming years.
^Most consumers think HD-DVD was the better choice (because it is). However, Blu-Ray has gotten much better support from Sony and the big movie companies. HD-DVD officially died when Warner Bros went pro-blu. The rest of events after that are really just lines of it's eulogy.
I have the HD-DVD player for Xbox 360. And I think its better than Blu-Ray. Plus its more affordable. HD-DVD does however ahve the ability to make a comeback in the coming years.
Wow. I guess I shouldn't judge til I actually DO see an HD DVD movie. I've only seen Blu-Ray though.
Imo, Blu-Ray is still neat. Plus guys, I talked to a sales person at Best Buy and (I think it's mentioned in this thread , but more movie companies are signed to Blu-Ray, which explains the double, if not, more in Blu-Ray movies compared to HD DVD).
I like the Blu-Ray format better though. (DVD packaging wise). I don't like the HD DVD set up...
Wow. I guess I shouldn't judge til I actually DO see an HD DVD movie. I've only seen Blu-Ray though.
Imo, Blu-Ray is still neat. Plus guys, I talked to a sales person at Best Buy and (I think it's mentioned in this thread , but more movie companies are signed to Blu-Ray, which explains the double, if not, more in Blu-Ray movies compared to HD DVD).
I like the Blu-Ray format better though. (DVD packaging wise). I don't like the HD DVD set up...
So I guess I'm a Blu Ray fan
HD DVD is better, it has better menu's, plus they BOTH have the same quality in res, and framerate. Neither is clearer than the other, so they may as well produce it for both.
, but more movie companies are signed to Blu-Ray, which explains the double, if not, more in Blu-Ray movies compared to HD DVD).