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Format Wars
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format wars
Netflix Goes Blu-ray
Netflix has just announced that they will exclusively purchase Blu-ray DVDs instead of HD DVDs for their hi def rental option. While the company had formerly supported both formats, their stock of HD DVDs will be phased out completely by the end of this year. Netflix clearly agrees with everyone else that HD DVD is dead, and disco is happy to finally have some company. [reuters]
hd dvd
Onkyo Dropping HD DVD Support?
Onkyo appears to be the latest HD DVD defector, announcing they're "suspending" support for the format. This comes on the heels of Blu-ray and Warner's coup de grace and less than a year after Onkyo announced its lone HD DVD player, the DV-HD805. They haven't closed the door all the way, but does anyone else see Onkyo "resuming" support for HD DVD? [Wesley Tech via Crunch Gear]
blu-ray
Sony Reduces Blu-ray Lasers' Size and Cost
With Blu-ray destroying the competition, the availability of cheaper units is going to be a big part in the future success of the format. That is why Sony's recent success in shrinking the basic Blu-ray reader/writer module is a turn for the better. The new modules will pave the way for thinner drive bays and cheaper players.More »
question of the day
Question of the Day: What Are You Going to Do With Your HD DVD Player?
Given the untimely death of HD DVD (the people's format), one has to wonder—what will become of all the hardware out there? So, our question to you is: what do you plan to do with your now defunct HD DVD player?
format wars
HD DVD Losing Its Arsenal in Japan
The HD DVD troopers are surely fighting the losing battle, as new research from Japan details a surge in Blu-Ray recorder ownership. The study surveyed buying trends from 2,300 electronic stores across Japan, and the statistics showed that next-generation DVD-unit sales rocketed from 6.1% in October to 20% in November and December. As the next-generation recorders have a higher price point, they managed to account for some 35% of the total DVD player market value. However, Blu-Ray walked home with the largest market share of the two. More »
image
WTF: Buy 2 HD DVDs Get a Blu-ray Disc Free?
Well played, Mr. Blu-ray fanboy. Well played.
*Image taken in the Virgin Music section of Myer Sydney City store on 26 December 2007. [phlog] Thanks Derek!
home entertainment
Toshiba Wants Combo HD Player
Toshiba president Atsutoshi Nishida weighed in today with his opinion on a dual-format HD DVD/Blu-ray player, joining the chorus of other manufacturers who have edged ever closer to a unified format for high definition DVDs. Nishida said to an annual shareholders meeting:"We have not given up on a unified format. We would like to seek ways for unifying the standards if opportunities arise."These electronics manufacturers are probably growing weary of this costly format war, which looks more like the VHS/Betamax debacle every day. Samsung just last week vacillated on its plans to put together a combo player, where a middle manager first said the company would make a combo player and a couple of days later Samsung's PR-meisters beat a hasty retreat. Other manufacturers such as LG have also expressed interest in a truce as well. More »
home entertainment
LG was the first to publicly announce it would manufacture a universal player capable of displaying both HD DVD and Blu-ray content, and now on the eve of launching the BD-P1000, the first Blu-ray player to go on sale in the United States, Samsung said yesterday that it's also working on a combination Blu-ray and HD DVD drive. Kim Du-Hyon, an assistant manager at Samsung's product planning division told reporters that the company is confident the Blu-ray format will prevail over HD DVD, but indicated the company would be willing to hedge its bets if HD DVD proves to be more popular than anticipated:
Samsung's Combo HD DVD/Blu-ray Player?
LG was the first to publicly announce it would manufacture a universal player capable of displaying both HD DVD and Blu-ray content, and now on the eve of launching the BD-P1000, the first Blu-ray player to go on sale in the United States, Samsung said yesterday that it's also working on a combination Blu-ray and HD DVD drive. Kim Du-Hyon, an assistant manager at Samsung's product planning division told reporters that the company is confident the Blu-ray format will prevail over HD DVD, but indicated the company would be willing to hedge its bets if HD DVD proves to be more popular than anticipated:"We don't have a plan to make an HD DVD-only player but are considering a universal player. We are preparing HD DVD [support] now and if we launch a universal player it will be the end of this year or early next year."According to insiders, LG and Samsung are not the only companies thinking about manufacturing a combination player. Looks like this is going to be similar to the DVD+R/DVD-R conundrum, where both ended up occupying space in most DVD burners. That's the best reason yet to wait before buying into any of these two overpriced and underperforming HD disc formats. More »
