Gizmodo: nextgenerationdvd

HD DVD Losing Its Arsenal in Japan [Format Wars]

Haroon Malik — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 23:59:26 EST

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.

Blu-Ray made up 90% of all next-generation DVD player sales. Now, we aren't mathematicians, but that is a hell of a lot. In fact, it is so much, looking at this image now actually leaves a ferrous-like taste in our mouths, due to its shocking, 90% increased, ironic eye candy status. [Japan Today; image via Picasa Online]

Father of DVD Not Happy With Prodigal Son [Home Entertainment]

tgrumet — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 14:30:10 EST

With a nickname like "The Father of DVD," I guess Warren Lieberfarb can say pretty much anything he wants about the format these days. And yesterday, he gave a surprising speech in which he blasted Blu-ray. Taking the next-generation DVD battle another step into uglytown, Lieberfarb said Hollywood is acting like a bunch of lemmings, following blindly into Blu-ray's camp because of console battles rather than following their best interests. Accusing Sony of strong-arming the industry, he had this to say:

If you ever read "The Art of War," you will see all of Sony's moves, including taking all its enemies in the same tent and then leaving them empty-handed, are things that they have done historically. They did the same thing to Matsushita and Betamax, they did the same thing to Matsushita on compact disc, they did the same thing to Matsushita on the digital video camcorder.

Those are some strong words, Dad. Of course, it's interesting to note that Lieberfarb is working with Toshiba and Microsoft as a consultant, so best take this with a grain of salt.

"Father of DVD" blasts Sony's Blu-Ray plans [Arstechnica]

Warner Bros. Straddles Fence With Next Gen DVD Pick [Home Entertainment]

tgrumet — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 13:52:06 EDT

Yes, here's yet another scratch in the catfight that is next generation DVD. Warner Brothers has decided to release DVDs in Blu-ray as well as the HD-DVD format. This follows Paramount Home Entertainment's decision last month to also support both Sony- and Toshiba-backed formats. Because Warner Brothers had formerly backed just HD-DVD, this is a big score for Blu-ray. Of course, playing both sides of the fence is the easy way to go, so we'll see what happens once the actual hardware is sitting on shelves—hopefully by early next year.