Digital Trends: Optical HD Battle May Be Over: HD DVD Wins - Page 2

ppltd · 12-24-2006, 11:55 AM

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Originally Posted by Dave Moritz

I think that if New Line goes Bluray only and Universal ever switches to Bluray only it will a sure sign that the war is over.

You are probably right, but I doubt that will happen, at least any time soon. And the longer this war goes on, the more installed base we will see on both sides. This will make it harder for the studios to deliver to only one camp or the other.

Edwin-S · 12-24-2006, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppltd

You are probably right, but I doubt that will happen, at least any time soon. And the longer this war goes on, the more installed base we will see on both sides. This will make it harder for the studios to deliver to only one camp or the other.

That isn't entirely true. Betamax had a large installed base but studios eventually stopped supporting the format. I can see the same thing happening to one of the two competing formats. Video formats that accomplish the same purpose never seem to coexist. One eventually loses. At least that appears to be the pattern when you look back at past format wars.

ppltd · 12-25-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwin-S

That isn't entirely true. Betamax had a large installed base but studios eventually stopped supporting the format. I can see the same thing happening to one of the two competing formats. Video formats that accomplish the same purpose never seem to coexist. One eventually loses. At least that appears to be the pattern when you look back at past format wars.

It is hard to mix the two wars together. Beta had problems, expecially the limited length that would have forced many releases into multi tape sets. HD and BD do not have this problem. Additionally, if I recall correctly, there was a steep difference in hardware prices. Beta had little chance of winning in the consumer arena.

Edwin-S · 12-26-2006, 02:56 PM

I guess we will have to disagree. I think some comparisons can be made; however, my main observation is that past video format wars result in a single winner. Two competing formats do not go on to coexist peacefully. Eventually one format wins and the other fades into oblivion. I believe the main reason is due to studios being unwilling to dump resources into maintaining support for a format with declining market share.

Dave Moritz · 12-26-2006, 03:45 PM

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It is hard to mix the two wars together. Beta had problems, expecially the limited length that would have forced many releases into multi tape sets.

If I remember correctly hardware for beta was exspensive and there was a smaller collection of titles as well. Studios over a short time backed off and it did not take VHS long to become the winner of that format war.

While the two format wars are not exactly the same they share some similarities. And IMHO the beta vs vhs war is relevent and can be compaired to the HD-DVD vs Blu-ray. Unlike the game platforms that have and can coexist peacfully. The home video market only has room for one format and it is basically impossible for for them to coxist. In the short term both HD-DVD and Blu-ray can both exist but I do not see studios backing both for any great length of time.

IMHO there are more movies coming out for Blu-ray and less movies coming out on HD-DVD. If this trend keeps up it will be a sign to me that HD-DVD may be going under. Especially with very little harware support compaired to Blu-ray. And another area that bothers me is that while HD-DVD likes to boast about lossless audio. There are not many titles that take advantage of lossless audio. Blu-ray however with Fox video help is providing a strong number of lossless DTS-HD audio tracks. IMHO HD-DVD needs to not only offer more lossless audio, they need to offer more players from different companies. I do not see HD-DVD remaining viable and sucsessful if they do not have a good selection of hardware, and a continuing supply of software.

I own a HD-DVD player and I have been very happy with its performance. How every because I feel that between what Blu-ray has to offer with hardware, software and the companies backing it. And with a lot more titles coming out with lossless audio on Blu-ray. For me it makes more sense to support Blu-ray over HD-DVD. If HD-DVD does manage to become the winner I have no problem buying that format and will most likely upgrade my current HD-A1 to a better player with 1080p video and HDMI 1.3. But IMHO this war will go on for at least another year, maybe two at the most.

Jeff Adkins · 12-26-2006, 04:48 PM

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however, my main observation is that past video format wars result in a single winner. Two competing formats do not go on to coexist peacefully. Eventually one format wins and the other fades into oblivion.

I believe CED had a pretty large installed base before it lost the videodisc war to laserdisc.

Quote:

If I remember correctly hardware for beta was exspensive and there was a smaller collection of titles as well. Studios over a short time backed off and it did not take VHS long to become the winner of that format war.

Actually, VHS didn't overtake Beta in terms of hardware units sold until 1984. That's what the Wikipedia says, so take it for what it's worth.

Wade Shapiro · 12-31-2006, 10:39 PM

My family went with the Beta camp....my parents, my grandparents, my aunt and my uncle all had Betamax machines (all but one of which still work to this day! 2 Toshibas and 2 Sanyos, one additional Sanyo bit the dust). So, the fact that me and my parents decided on HD-DVD first could be a bad sign for the format LOL.

I can't stand Sony as a company because of their business practices as well as personal experience (problems with every Sony product I've ever owned and terrible customer service to back it up). I also believe HD-DVD to be the better format. That being said, I did snag a 20 gig PS3 over the holidays primarily to buy the BluRay specific titles. It did kill me to give any money to the "dark side," but what can I say I am a HD and techo-junkie

Dave Moritz · 01-01-2007, 05:13 PM

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It did kill me to give any money to the "dark side," but what can I say I am a HD and techo-junkie

While I am not a big Sony fan ether as far as the company itself goes. We all know that Microsoft is the true dark side.

SteveA · 01-10-2007, 12:25 PM

"HD DVD Wins"
"Mission Accomplished"
"Dewey Defeats Truman"

See a pattern here?

Dave Mack · 01-10-2007, 01:48 PM

We LOVED our Betamax! Was a great unit!