Re: *** Official HTF HD Formats Industry/Retailer/Studio Support Thread
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Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet
Actually, Sony had been developing the blue-laser for HD disc media long before the DVD forum decided to switch from a red laser. Originally, the DVD forum and Toshbia were going to try to put HD media on standard DVD discs at 720p resolution using lots of heavy VC1 compression to get everything to fit. The DVD forum only went with a Blue laser in order to compete with Sony's BD spec once it was clear that it was a viable format.
Sony was also the first to try to get merge-talks going with Toshiba. Sony wanted to keep their 50GB disc structure (their format's strength) and go with Toshiba's better software and codecs (VC1/AVC, advanced audio etc.). Toshiba was the one that walked out of those talks because they didn't want to let go of the 30GB disc structure. Sony actually ended up adopting Toshiba's advanced software anyway, so BD is actually a "merged format" without the official label.
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The DVD Forum did not approve the original specs for HD DVD using the red laser, but this decision was not based upon anything Sony was doing with the blue laser -- they simply wanted something with more capacity. You make it seem as though Sony instigated the DVD Forum's decision to improve the specs. The blue laser had become commercially viable in the mid-1990's, and Sony had no hand in its development. The DVD Forum and its many members including Warner Brothers wanted a cost-effective solution to HD optical. The reason the Forum would not approve Blu-Ray is because it was clearly not cost-effective -- this is why Sony took its disc structure and ran with as much support as they could muster. In 2004, Microsoft, Universal, Warner, Paramount
and Disney were supposedly on board with HD DVD, so the support was always there. Why did Disney suddenly jump to BD exclusively and abandon HD DVD? Sony apparently threw $ around from the start in an attempt to squash the competition before the was ever started. Yet we are now upset that Toshiba has retaliated with a similar tactic.
If Blu-Ray had decimated HD early and became the only option for HD optical media, hardware prices would no doubt still be hovering around $1000, or we'd all be stuck with a videgame console for playback. Look at FOX and their $40 titles (all on single-layered, 25GB discs with no features), or the announced $50 Spiderman 3 disc from Sony. Even with competition in the marketplace, these companies think they can bilk the consumers who want their products. The format war has been the best thing for HD optical, and this new move will finally give the more consumer-oriented format the edge.
Blu-Ray's advantage was always touted as capacity, specs, and better quality than HD DVD. When this proved to be a non-issue, they started with the studio support advantage. Now that is also being restructured. One simple truism has always existed -- HD DVD is much less expensive to produce both in hardware & software -- and this simple fact has been an advantage for them since Day 1. The fact that Blu-Ray decided to release a semi-complete format at twice the price didn't help either.
to this. Awesome.
