Digital Trends: Optical HD Battle May Be Over: HD DVD Wins

Pete T C · 12-06-2006, 06:44 PM

Optical HD Battle May Be Over: HD-DVD Wins

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Trends

Nearly a year and a half ago I wrote a column saying that Blu-Ray wins or nothing does. This showcases the reality of doing predictions because while the analysis held up, events did not pan out as anticipated and by any current measure HD-DVD will end this year with a decisive win.

The basis for the prediction, which did accurately point out that Sony’s win here might actually cost them more than a loss, was the PS3 and the forecast volumes for that product. Back in August of 2005 we did know that HD-DVD, which used DVD production technology, would be easier to bring to market but it simply did not seem reasonable that Sony would put their PlayStation franchise at risk for anything but a technology they were absolutely certain they could bring to market on time.

That turned out to be incorrect. The problems with Blu-Ray have created extreme cost and execution problems for Sony and now their premier division (instead of being the profit center for Sony) is predicting they will take a $1.5B loss next year largely resulting from this decision. To put this in perspective, just think what would happen if Apple’s iPod group, instead of generating massive profit, suddenly dropped into massive loss. Now you can see why the Sony PlayStation division just changed out their top executives.

http://news.digitaltrends.com/talkback158.html

The author believes that Blu-Ray has no hope of "winning" and at best can make both formats lose.

Todd H · 12-06-2006, 07:03 PM

Let's see...Mr. Enderle is a member of the advisory boards of Toshiba, Intel, and Hewlett-Packard...all members of the HD-DVD Promotion Group. Yep, that makes him unbiased.

http://www.enderlegroup.com/profile_rob.htm

And people wonder why a lot of us are sick of this stupid format war. We have posters with signatures proclaiming their love for one format posting articles that take shots at the other format. I expect that at AVS, not here. Very disappointing.

Pete T C · 12-06-2006, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd H

Let's see...Mr. Enderle is a member of the advisory boards of Toshiba, Intel, and Hewlett-Packard...all members of the HD-DVD Promotion Group. Yep, that makes him unbiased.

http://www.enderlegroup.com/profile_rob.htm

As per your link he is also a member of the advisory board of Dell, who is in the Blu-Ray camp.

In addition he has worked for and with: Microsoft, HP, IBM, Dell, Toshiba, Gateway, Sony, USAA, Texas Instruments, AMD, Intel, Credit Suisse First Boston, GM, Ford, ROLM, and Siemens. Doesn't sound too biased to me - let's face it, he is and has been involved with many of the major electronics companies out there.

Robert Crawford · 12-06-2006, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd H

Let's see...Mr. Enderle is a member of the advisory boards of Toshiba, Intel, and Hewlett-Packard...all members of the HD-DVD Promotion Group. Yep, that makes him unbiased.

http://www.enderlegroup.com/profile_rob.htm

And people wonder why a lot of us are sick of this stupid format war. We have posters with signatures proclaiming their love for one format posting articles that take shots at the other format. I expect that at AVS, not here. Very disappointing.

In the end, it's not going to matter as the market will determine which format wins this war, if there is any viable market left worth winning. Furthermore, you can always place individuals on "Ignore" if their postings bother you.

Todd H · 12-06-2006, 07:39 PM

You're right...worked...as in past tense.

Let me ask you a few questions. What do you hope to gain by posting this opinion article with a super large font headline proclaiming "Optical HD Battle May Be Over: HD-DVD Wins?" Why do you feel the need to trumpet the merits of HD-DVD while lambasting Blu-Ray? Are you receiving compensation for this? Are you honestly hoping to sway readers from the Blu-Ray camp to HD-DVD? Do you work for one of the companies associated with HD-DVD? Why do you care who wins the war? Did Sony run over your dog and knock up your sister?

These are serious questions that you and your fellow fanboys of both formats need to answer. Because a lot of us that are neutral are sick of this crap. I swear I hope both formats fall flat on their face and the competing companies have to actually work together on a format.

**HTF Ads**

Todd H · 12-06-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Crawford

In the end, it's not going to matter as the market will determine which format wins this war, if there is any viable market left worth winning. Furthermore, you can always place individuals on "Ignore" if their postings bother you.

You're right Robert. And I apologize for getting angry. It's just that this stupid format war and its associated fanboys are starting to get on my last nerve. I've been a member here for over seven years and I've never seen anything like this here at HTF. From now on anyone that posts crap like that goes on my ignore list. Thanks.

ppltd · 12-06-2006, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd H

These are serious questions that you and your fellow fanboys of both formats need to answer. Because a lot of us that are neutral are sick of this crap. I swear I hope both formats fall flat on their face and the competing companies have to actually work together on a format.

Todd, the linked article was an opinion piece, not a news report, and should e taken as such. When reading these, remove the opinion and look at the facts in the article and form your own opinion. Nothing to get riled over.

As opinion, it makes no difference where the writer worked. In this industry, the most fluent writers have often been members of many boards, organizations and forums, and this does not is any way discount their comments or opinions. As a consultant, and owner of a small consulting firm, I have memberships in numerous organizations; organizations that often have opposing views. It is just the way of business.

If you look at the HD-DVD organization board, you will find many BD supporting companies. All of these companies are hedging their bet, and that is the way it should be.

As far as the article, while you may not agree with his interpetations of the facts, it is hard to ignore what was stated, and hard to ignore the position this war has placed these fledgling and poorly supported for formats. His final comments on the possible death of both might not be far from the truth.

But this will all work itself out one way or the other in the not to distant future. In fact, IMHO, in a lot less time then I thought just a few months ago.

Todd H · 12-06-2006, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppltd

Todd, the linked article was an opinion piece, not a news report, and should e taken as such. When reading these, remove the opinion and look at the facts in the article and form your own opinion. Nothing to get riled over.

As opinion, it makes no difference where the writer worked. In this industry, the most fluent writers have often been members of many boards, organizations and forums, and this does not is any way discount their comments or opinions. As a consultant, and owner of a small consulting firm, I have memberships in numerous organizations; organizations that often have opposing views. It is just the way of business.

If you look at the HD-DVD organization board, you will find many BD supporting companies. All of these companies are hedging their bet, and that is the way it should be.

As far as the article, while you may not agree with his interpetations of the facts, it is hard to ignore what was stated, and hard to ignore the position this war has placed these fledgling and poorly supported for formats. His final comments on the possible death of both might not be far from the truth.

But this will all work itself out one way or the other in the not to distant future. In fact, IMHO, in a lot less time then I thought just a few months ago.

I have no problem with an opinion article. I have a problem with the original poster adding the headline at the beginning of the thread in a super large font proclaiming "Optical HD Battle May Be Over: HD-DVD Wins" as if the battle was over and his preferred format won. It smacks of fanboyism and is something I'd expect from 12 year olds arguing over which game console "rulz" or "sux." This place used to be free of this tripe, but has steadily declined since the format war started.

As for the possible death of both formats, I can only hope it comes to pass. Hopefully what follows their deaths is supported by the entire industry. This is a needless war and all parties are to blame. I would have been more than happy to wait another year until a common format was agreed on. Now I have to wait until there's a winner because there's no way I'm buying into a format that may be extinct in a year or two.