Carlo_M
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Oct 31, 1997
- Messages
- 13,392
I agree that monopoly does not describe Apple's situation. But you don't need to be a monopoly for the Justice Department to find you enforcing policies that are anti-competitive in nature. Not saying they are with BD, but just pointing out that you don't need to be classified as a monopoly to be found guilty of anti-competitive practices.
I don't think BD will be the next SACD/DVD-A because I'm fairly certain it's already eclipsed both in terms of sales and market penetration. If BD goes away, it will likely be because Jobs got it right in predicting that all physical media gives way to downloadable content, not because of its firmware situation. When I talk to people who don't have a BD player yet, the answer I never get is: "because of the firmware updates/compatibility issues". The answers I do get are:
1. Cost.
2. Don't own HDTV.
3. Can't tell the difference (or a significant difference) between DVD and BD.
4. No good reason to upgrade.
None of which would be solved even if firmware was not an issue.
I don't think BD will be the next SACD/DVD-A because I'm fairly certain it's already eclipsed both in terms of sales and market penetration. If BD goes away, it will likely be because Jobs got it right in predicting that all physical media gives way to downloadable content, not because of its firmware situation. When I talk to people who don't have a BD player yet, the answer I never get is: "because of the firmware updates/compatibility issues". The answers I do get are:
1. Cost.
2. Don't own HDTV.
3. Can't tell the difference (or a significant difference) between DVD and BD.
4. No good reason to upgrade.
None of which would be solved even if firmware was not an issue.