Comments on: The Format Wars are Over… Blu-Ray Wins? http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-format-wars-are-over-blu-ray-wins/ Upgrade Your Lifestyle Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:30:12 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Ben http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-format-wars-are-over-blu-ray-wins/#comment-60024 Ben Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:44:14 +0000 #comment-60024 I wish HD DVD would hurry up and die. - It's a complete waste of time, and slowing down the Hi-Def player market. - No one apart from the die hard tech fans (and PS3 owners) will part with the cash for a Hi-def player, until they come down in price. The benefit for PS3 owners of course, is that if HD DVD wins the format war (which it won't) - at least they won't end up with an extinct player - they can still play games on it, rather than watch it gathering dust. - That's why basing the PS3 on bluray technology was a master stroke by Sony. - People will buy a games console alone to play a specific game, but they won't buy a Hi-Def player for a particular film in a particular format. Hopefully the number of PS3 blueray players will factor in the decision of studios to support the format over HDDVD. - At the end of the day it comes down to number of Sales. - If 5 times more people own bluray players, it makes sense to release films in that format. I wish HD DVD would hurry up and die. – It's a complete waste of time, and slowing down the Hi-Def player market. – No one apart from the die hard tech fans (and PS3 owners) will part with the cash for a Hi-def player, until they come down in price. The benefit for PS3 owners of course, is that if HD DVD wins the format war (which it won't) – at least they won't end up with an extinct player – they can still play games on it, rather than watch it gathering dust. – That's why basing the PS3 on bluray technology was a master stroke by Sony. – People will buy a games console alone to play a specific game, but they won't buy a Hi-Def player for a particular film in a particular format. Hopefully the number of PS3 blueray players will factor in the decision of studios to support the format over HDDVD. – At the end of the day it comes down to number of Sales. – If 5 times more people own bluray players, it makes sense to release films in that format.

]]> By: al myers http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-format-wars-are-over-blu-ray-wins/#comment-60023 al myers Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:33:29 +0000 #comment-60023 go to <a href="http://www.thedigitalbits" title="www.thedigitalbits" target="_blank" ref="nofollow">www.thedigitalbits</a> and check out their "why we support BluRay". It answers just about every issue raised here and quite a few others. Personally, I bought a Sony BD player a couple of weeks ago and love it. For me, the deciding factor was studio support. go to http://www.thedigitalbits and check out their “why we support BluRay”. It answers just about every issue raised here and quite a few others. Personally, I bought a Sony BD player a couple of weeks ago and love it. For me, the deciding factor was studio support.

]]> By: rockin ross http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-format-wars-are-over-blu-ray-wins/#comment-60020 rockin ross Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:26:51 +0000 #comment-60020 hi all i own a ps3 and so far have 1 game and 5 blu-ray films so please add me to the list of people that brought one for the player. I have noticed that many hi def disc reviewers use the ps3 as their player of choice simply because it is so good with the blu-ray movies, offering 1080p/24fps the picture quality is stunning and with regular firmware updates it can only get better. I must say somthing which bothers me is the price of discs in say, HMV or VIRGIN are overblown, why would i buy a blu-ray in one of these stores for £30 when i could buy them from other places for £20 or even less. with these ridiculous prices they are holding back the formats. <br /> <br /> finally. get your act together universal i want kong on blu-ray.imagine the sales figures for that disc alone. YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENCE !! hi all i own a ps3 and so far have 1 game and 5 blu-ray films so please add me to the list of people that brought one for the player. I have noticed that many hi def disc reviewers use the ps3 as their player of choice simply because it is so good with the blu-ray movies, offering 1080p/24fps the picture quality is stunning and with regular firmware updates it can only get better. I must say somthing which bothers me is the price of discs in say, HMV or VIRGIN are overblown, why would i buy a blu-ray in one of these stores for £30 when i could buy them from other places for £20 or even less. with these ridiculous prices they are holding back the formats.

finally. get your act together universal i want kong on blu-ray.imagine the sales figures for that disc alone. YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENCE !!

]]> By: Paul http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-format-wars-are-over-blu-ray-wins/#comment-60022 Paul Mon, 06 Aug 2007 11:22:55 +0000 #comment-60022 Ultimately it will all come down to cost. I, like the writer, don't care who wins the war, as long as I get the most for my money. I own a PS3 and have one Blu-ray movie (it came bundled with the unit). I won't buy any more in the for seeable future because of the cost of the discs. I also own a XBox 360 Elite but have no plans to spend the extra money to get the HD player.<br /> <br /> I have a 10yr old 53" Sony projection TV. I still can't justify buying a HDTV yet but I find movie, television, and games look just fine on my big screen. As salaries don't nearly coincide with our wants and dreams, why would I pay $30 for basically the same thing that I can get for as little as $10 on DVD? Take, for example, the high def discs that came out this week. Am I getting more by seeing "Hot Fuzz" in HD? Is it worth more to see "Shooter" in 1080i? "Shaun of the Dead" is hilarious, but I already own it on DVD, is seeing the blood spatters a little better worth another $30? The answer for most people would be no. (and yes I am aware "300" came out this week and would look far better in 1080i, but there are so few movies out now that justify the expense of the format)<br /> <br /> The manufacturers are rushing to put out mediocre movies in High Def. Why? We all know that the players will eventually drop in price like all good electronics do, but what about the discs? Why would I buy an HD or BluRay disc player when I can get a far less expensive up convert DVD player and a cheaper disc for the 80% of mediocre movies I might want to own? I am truly happy that the 1080i format exists, but to pay 2 to 3 times the amount you would pay for DVD makes no sense. Hopefully the industry will see that soon, no matter which format wins. Ultimately it will all come down to cost. I, like the writer, don't care who wins the war, as long as I get the most for my money. I own a PS3 and have one Blu-ray movie (it came bundled with the unit). I won't buy any more in the for seeable future because of the cost of the discs. I also own a XBox 360 Elite but have no plans to spend the extra money to get the HD player.

I have a 10yr old 53″ Sony projection TV. I still can't justify buying a HDTV yet but I find movie, television, and games look just fine on my big screen. As salaries don't nearly coincide with our wants and dreams, why would I pay $30 for basically the same thing that I can get for as little as $10 on DVD? Take, for example, the high def discs that came out this week. Am I getting more by seeing “Hot Fuzz” in HD? Is it worth more to see “Shooter” in 1080i? “Shaun of the Dead” is hilarious, but I already own it on DVD, is seeing the blood spatters a little better worth another $30? The answer for most people would be no. (and yes I am aware “300″ came out this week and would look far better in 1080i, but there are so few movies out now that justify the expense of the format)

The manufacturers are rushing to put out mediocre movies in High Def. Why? We all know that the players will eventually drop in price like all good electronics do, but what about the discs? Why would I buy an HD or BluRay disc player when I can get a far less expensive up convert DVD player and a cheaper disc for the 80% of mediocre movies I might want to own? I am truly happy that the 1080i format exists, but to pay 2 to 3 times the amount you would pay for DVD makes no sense. Hopefully the industry will see that soon, no matter which format wins.

]]> By: Ian Bell http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-format-wars-are-over-blu-ray-wins/#comment-60021 Ian Bell Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:22:52 +0000 #comment-60021 TDG had updated the article an hour after sending it to us but unfortunately I had left for the day (Friday). Fact#8 has been updated.<br /> <br /> Sorry guys! TDG had updated the article an hour after sending it to us but unfortunately I had left for the day (Friday). Fact#8 has been updated.

Sorry guys!

]]> By: Johnathan http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-format-wars-are-over-blu-ray-wins/#comment-60017 Johnathan Mon, 06 Aug 2007 07:09:07 +0000 #comment-60017 "Just last week, Target and Wal-Mart announced that they would sell only Blu-ray players in their brick-and-mortar stores."<br /> <br /> Wal-mart made no such announcement. If they had it would be plastered everywhere. “Just last week, Target and Wal-Mart announced that they would sell only Blu-ray players in their brick-and-mortar stores.”

Wal-mart made no such announcement. If they had it would be plastered everywhere.

]]> By: Phil http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-format-wars-are-over-blu-ray-wins/#comment-60019 Phil Sat, 04 Aug 2007 17:11:38 +0000 #comment-60019 I am going to have to disagree with both you and Chris, as Chris also has omitted some strong facts. So let me explain...<br /> <br /> FACT #1: Blu-ray has been formatting their discs in a single layer format (25 GB), while HD DVD has been formatting with a dual layer format (30 GB). This means that if they were to start putting out series-based Blu-ray DVDs in a dual layer (and using the MPEG-2 at 20 Mbit/s format), they would be able to put up to 11.2 hours on a single disc, opposed to 6.6 hours with a HD DVD. Meaning...<br /> <br /> FACT #2: While a HD DVD is cheaper in terms of hardware, you will be finding yourself purchasing two HD DVD box sets for a single season of a TV show. This ends up meaning that unless you are buying it for just movies, you will be paying more for the HD DVDs that you would have with Blu-ray DVDs.<br /> <br /> I will also not mention that Chris omitted a lot of facts, such as the fact that the second generation Sony Blu-ray player, Sony's portable Blu-ray player, Hitachi's Blu-ray camcorder, and Pioneer's BDC-2202 Blu-ray computer drive were all announced this year.<br /> <br /> That, and Java creator James Gosling, at the conference, suggested that the inclusion of a Java Virtual Machine as well as network connectivity in BD devices will allow updates to Blu-ray Discs via the Internet, adding content such as additional subtitle languages and promotional features that are not included on the disc at pressing time. This means that if you purchased a Japanese Blu-ray DVD, there is a good chance that you can download english subtitles for it.<br /> <br /> Plus, also, FUNimation announced that they support Blu-ray which can mean larger sales in the Blu-ray market... as they hold majority sales in the market. Plus, with partnerships with ADV and Geneon... as well as licensing partnerships with Toei, Gonzo, and Kadokawa... This could eventually lead other anime and anime licensing companies to support Blu-ray.<br /> <br /> Overall... While HD DVD players are cheaper, and may have a lead in sales, Blu-ray discs will be seen as a cheaper option in the long run. Which in turn means that for $499, you can pay $50 for a single Bu-ray DVD season box set of a TV series... or... $100 for 2 HD DVD season box sets of a TV series. That, and you would not have the option of downloading new subtitles for a HD DVD player. I am going to have to disagree with both you and Chris, as Chris also has omitted some strong facts. So let me explain…

FACT #1: Blu-ray has been formatting their discs in a single layer format (25 GB), while HD DVD has been formatting with a dual layer format (30 GB). This means that if they were to start putting out series-based Blu-ray DVDs in a dual layer (and using the MPEG-2 at 20 Mbit/s format), they would be able to put up to 11.2 hours on a single disc, opposed to 6.6 hours with a HD DVD. Meaning…

FACT #2: While a HD DVD is cheaper in terms of hardware, you will be finding yourself purchasing two HD DVD box sets for a single season of a TV show. This ends up meaning that unless you are buying it for just movies, you will be paying more for the HD DVDs that you would have with Blu-ray DVDs.

I will also not mention that Chris omitted a lot of facts, such as the fact that the second generation Sony Blu-ray player, Sony's portable Blu-ray player, Hitachi's Blu-ray camcorder, and Pioneer's BDC-2202 Blu-ray computer drive were all announced this year.

That, and Java creator James Gosling, at the conference, suggested that the inclusion of a Java Virtual Machine as well as network connectivity in BD devices will allow updates to Blu-ray Discs via the Internet, adding content such as additional subtitle languages and promotional features that are not included on the disc at pressing time. This means that if you purchased a Japanese Blu-ray DVD, there is a good chance that you can download english subtitles for it.

Plus, also, FUNimation announced that they support Blu-ray which can mean larger sales in the Blu-ray market… as they hold majority sales in the market. Plus, with partnerships with ADV and Geneon… as well as licensing partnerships with Toei, Gonzo, and Kadokawa… This could eventually lead other anime and anime licensing companies to support Blu-ray.

Overall… While HD DVD players are cheaper, and may have a lead in sales, Blu-ray discs will be seen as a cheaper option in the long run. Which in turn means that for $499, you can pay $50 for a single Bu-ray DVD season box set of a TV series… or… $100 for 2 HD DVD season box sets of a TV series. That, and you would not have the option of downloading new subtitles for a HD DVD player.

]]> By: Ian Bell http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-format-wars-are-over-blu-ray-wins/#comment-60018 Ian Bell Sat, 04 Aug 2007 12:34:45 +0000 #comment-60018 I am with CptGreedle on this. I own a PS3 and do not have a single game for it. The truth is that it's currently the cheapest and most full-featured Blu-Ray player for the price right now. I use mine solely for movies, although it's a huge bonus that I can play games as well. For the money there isn't a better deal out there. Do the matth and it makes sense. I am with CptGreedle on this. I own a PS3 and do not have a single game for it. The truth is that it's currently the cheapest and most full-featured Blu-Ray player for the price right now. I use mine solely for movies, although it's a huge bonus that I can play games as well. For the money there isn't a better deal out there. Do the matth and it makes sense.

]]> By: CptGreedle http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-format-wars-are-over-blu-ray-wins/#comment-60013 CptGreedle Sat, 04 Aug 2007 11:33:08 +0000 #comment-60013 I can not agree with the way you portray the PS3 users. I for one purchased over 20 Blu-ray movies before ever buying a PS3 game. I still use my PS2 to watch DVDs, because it works better than other DVD players I've used. And my PS3 is my main system for all my discs. I simply do not have enough HDMI inputs to hook everything up as a separate stand-alone devices.<br /> You can not say that the average HD-DVD user has more movies than the average Blu-ray player owner if you firs argued that you don't know how many PS3 systems are used to watch movies. Not to mention it is irrelevant. If system A has 1 billion people using it, and own 1 disc each, and system B has 1 thousand who have 4 discs each, well 1 billion still outsells 4 thousand so guess which will get more support, system A. It's the sales figures that matter!<br /> This is just a bad article. Simply put it has inaccuracies toward both sides, and too much generalization and assumptions.<br /> Don't forget the PS2 helped DVDs become what they are today! I can not agree with the way you portray the PS3 users. I for one purchased over 20 Blu-ray movies before ever buying a PS3 game. I still use my PS2 to watch DVDs, because it works better than other DVD players I've used. And my PS3 is my main system for all my discs. I simply do not have enough HDMI inputs to hook everything up as a separate stand-alone devices.
You can not say that the average HD-DVD user has more movies than the average Blu-ray player owner if you firs argued that you don't know how many PS3 systems are used to watch movies. Not to mention it is irrelevant. If system A has 1 billion people using it, and own 1 disc each, and system B has 1 thousand who have 4 discs each, well 1 billion still outsells 4 thousand so guess which will get more support, system A. It's the sales figures that matter!
This is just a bad article. Simply put it has inaccuracies toward both sides, and too much generalization and assumptions.
Don't forget the PS2 helped DVDs become what they are today!

]]> By: Nelson M http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-format-wars-are-over-blu-ray-wins/#comment-60016 Nelson M Fri, 03 Aug 2007 21:21:53 +0000 #comment-60016 @James M<br /> <br /> I think the reason why Sony did not give thier ego a small vacation this time is because back when the DVD format thing was going on, they did not get the royalties they were supposed to get from Toshiba for supporting DVD. <br /> @James M

I think the reason why Sony did not give thier ego a small vacation this time is because back when the DVD format thing was going on, they did not get the royalties they were supposed to get from Toshiba for supporting DVD.

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