Comments on: R.I.P. HD DVD http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/ tech.gadgets.video.geekculture.gaming.kittens. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:38:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: C.A.Carr http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-51376 C.A.Carr Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:49:32 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-51376 "...though optimal FiOS networks are, maximally, at 30 Mbs" I think there's 50MBPS service available in the NYC area? But until American cities over 500,000 people have Tokyo's data infrastructure (with the availability of 100MBPS connections for a reasonable price), TheDude is probably correct. “…though optimal FiOS networks are, maximally, at 30 Mbs”

I think there’s 50MBPS service available in the NYC area?

But until American cities over 500,000 people have Tokyo’s data infrastructure (with the availability of 100MBPS connections for a reasonable price), TheDude is probably correct.

]]> By: Arlo http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50974 Arlo Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:28:15 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50974 HD-DVD definitely had a better website. HD-DVD definitely had a better website.

]]> By: Slushturtle http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50600 Slushturtle Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:22:19 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50600 Yeah, tough to hear this news. While I still think that HD DVD was the better and more polished standard, ultimately there's not much of a difference between the formats for the consumer. More people bought Blu, which prompted Warner to take sides, and the rest is history. I knew it was over when I walked into a Best Buy later last year and saw a tiny little display for HD DVD and THREE gigantic Blu-ray demo stands. Yeah, tough to hear this news. While I still think that HD DVD was the better and more polished standard, ultimately there’s not much of a difference between the formats for the consumer. More people bought Blu, which prompted Warner to take sides, and the rest is history.

I knew it was over when I walked into a Best Buy later last year and saw a tiny little display for HD DVD and THREE gigantic Blu-ray demo stands.

]]> By: Clee-cm http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50222 Clee-cm Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:53:16 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50222 I have been one of the fence sitters on this one, I am surprised that Toshiba gave up so soon, but Micro$oft is not going to be affected to much by this development. Toshiba has to swallow the billions of dollars they spent on the production line, I think that if Toshiba had finished development and production on schedule, they would have stood a great chance of kicking Sony's behind. Remember, HD-DVD was suppose to have a year's head start on Blu-Ray, but the thing that killed HD-DVD was M$ making the HD-DVD Drive a option on the Xbox 360. I am with Veronica on the Blu-Ray drive going into to the Xbox 360 directly, at this point, a rumor is a rumor. I will believe it when I see it. There is going to be some cost involved with switching drive technology, it is not going to be a free ride for Micro$soft if the decide to go Blu-Ray I have been one of the fence sitters on this one, I am surprised that Toshiba gave up so soon, but Micro$oft is not going to be affected to much by this development. Toshiba has to swallow the billions of dollars they spent on the production line, I think that if Toshiba had finished development and production on schedule, they would have stood a great chance of kicking Sony’s behind. Remember, HD-DVD was suppose to have a year’s head start on Blu-Ray, but the thing that killed HD-DVD was M$ making the HD-DVD Drive a option on the Xbox 360.

I am with Veronica on the Blu-Ray drive going into to the Xbox 360 directly, at this point, a rumor is a rumor. I will believe it when I see it. There is going to be some cost involved with switching drive technology, it is not going to be a free ride for Micro$soft if the decide to go Blu-Ray

]]> By: Jesse! http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50195 Jesse! Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:13:02 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50195 whoa, just saw this: <a href="http://www.notcot.com/archives/2008/02/cargo_blu_ray_m.php" rel="nofollow">blu_ray cosmetics</a> bring on the lawsuits! whoa, just saw this:

blu_ray cosmetics

bring on the lawsuits!

]]> By: The Dude http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50093 The Dude Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:51:27 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50093 LMFAO @ Veronica, or anyone else, legitimately thinking that downloads will be the norm while Blu-Ray is viable. It seems to be a 'sour grapes' excuse used on behalf of those that unfortunately adopted into a format that was obviously destined to fail with HD-DVD. They won't be, let me count the ways: 1. Download speeds aren't high enough to allow for genuine high-def downloads. Outside of select countries with dense urban populations, most of the western market does not have access to fiber optic. If they're lucky they have access to cable broadband, which is constantly being capped and throttled by telecomm companies. If they can't stand the bandwidth constraints of torrents, don't expect them to be onboard with their support for everyone downloading high-def movies. 2. Storage is not high enough for downloading and storing high definition content, especially when each high definition release is over 25 GBs. You'd need boxes that literally have 50+ TB of storage in order to allow for movie lovers to readily download, and store, their content. Perhaps the studios could forego sotrage if they wanted to completely stream content, though optimal FiOS networks are, maximally, at 30 Mbs, which is well below the threshold for Blu-Ray's 54 Mbs bitrate, and even so I'm not sure that with FiOS the telecomms would want everyone downloading high-def content continuously as it would burden their network. It's an unrealistic proposition. Digital "Downloads" are only going to cut into the rental market such as on demand, pay-per-view, and netflix. They are no threat to Blu-Ray while it is a viable format for the next 10+ years. LMFAO @ Veronica, or anyone else, legitimately thinking that downloads will be the norm while Blu-Ray is viable. It seems to be a ’sour grapes’ excuse used on behalf of those that unfortunately adopted into a format that was obviously destined to fail with HD-DVD.

They won’t be, let me count the ways:

1. Download speeds aren’t high enough to allow for genuine high-def downloads. Outside of select countries with dense urban populations, most of the western market does not have access to fiber optic. If they’re lucky they have access to cable broadband, which is constantly being capped and throttled by telecomm companies. If they can’t stand the bandwidth constraints of torrents, don’t expect them to be onboard with their support for everyone downloading high-def movies.

2. Storage is not high enough for downloading and storing high definition content, especially when each high definition release is over 25 GBs. You’d need boxes that literally have 50+ TB of storage in order to allow for movie lovers to readily download, and store, their content. Perhaps the studios could forego sotrage if they wanted to completely stream content, though optimal FiOS networks are, maximally, at 30 Mbs, which is well below the threshold for Blu-Ray’s 54 Mbs bitrate, and even so I’m not sure that with FiOS the telecomms would want everyone downloading high-def content continuously as it would burden their network.

It’s an unrealistic proposition.

Digital “Downloads” are only going to cut into the rental market such as on demand, pay-per-view, and netflix.

They are no threat to Blu-Ray while it is a viable format for the next 10+ years.

]]> By: davidjtate http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50060 davidjtate Thu, 21 Feb 2008 04:46:47 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50060 @Veronica: I admire you for sticking to your guns, and I definitely agree that an all-downloaded, all-digital content distribution model is eventually imminent. But I'm just not sure your Average Joe/Jane is ready to give up owning a piece of plastic with a movie burned on it that he/she can watch whenever he/she wants for a digital download that he/she can only watch for 24 hours. We need some better downloaded-content consumer options before they can really take off, I think. @Veronica: I admire you for sticking to your guns, and I definitely agree that an all-downloaded, all-digital content distribution model is eventually imminent. But I’m just not sure your Average Joe/Jane is ready to give up owning a piece of plastic with a movie burned on it that he/she can watch whenever he/she wants for a digital download that he/she can only watch for 24 hours.

We need some better downloaded-content consumer options before they can really take off, I think.

]]> By: Jesse! http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50015 Jesse! Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:59:29 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-50015 Rumor or not... it seems HD DVD is dead. I thought for sure it would win out for the following social marketing reasons only: * it's name: HD DVD. People know what HD means. They know what DVD means. They have no idea what a blu-ray and whether or not it wants to sting you. * Blu-ray, backed by "we are eternally proprietary" Sony, almost killed it with their PS3's coming in at about $1 billion US with a stock of about 12. Beta-max, memory sticks? bad names, bad history, never won before so... But then I found out that MS was backing HD DVD... and well, that pretty much spelled the end of it for me. Either way, I'm going back to analog television piracy as soon as everyone "switches" to digital. Hang on to your wire hangers! Rumor or not… it seems HD DVD is dead. I thought for sure it would win out for the following social marketing reasons only:

* it’s name: HD DVD. People know what HD means. They know what DVD means. They have no idea what a blu-ray and whether or not it wants to sting you.

* Blu-ray, backed by “we are eternally proprietary” Sony, almost killed it with their PS3’s coming in at about $1 billion US with a stock of about 12. Beta-max, memory sticks? bad names, bad history, never won before so…

But then I found out that MS was backing HD DVD… and well, that pretty much spelled the end of it for me.

Either way, I’m going back to analog television piracy as soon as everyone “switches” to digital. Hang on to your wire hangers!

]]> By: Matt http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49939 Matt Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:07:47 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49939 Wait, didn't Blu Ray win this war two years ago at CES? They even had a newsletter that proclaimed their victory! Wait, didn’t Blu Ray win this war two years ago at CES? They even had a newsletter that proclaimed their victory!

]]> By: Vance http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49754 Vance Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:39:45 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49754 As I wrote over on Ryan's blog (btw, thanks for not using his animated gif!): Long live the procrastinator! I have been simply too lazy to try to figure this BR v. HDDVD dispute out and, once again, my sloth has paid off! I am still putting off the “type of Hi-Def” TV decision, and the “iPhone v. rest of the field” decision, so if you policy-influencers would hurry up and get those sorted out, I would appreciate it! As I wrote over on Ryan’s blog (btw, thanks for not using his animated gif!):

Long live the procrastinator! I have been simply too lazy to try to figure this BR v. HDDVD dispute out and, once again, my sloth has paid off! I am still putting off the “type of Hi-Def” TV decision, and the “iPhone v. rest of the field” decision, so if you policy-influencers would hurry up and get those sorted out, I would appreciate it!

]]> By: eric f. http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49736 eric f. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:57:38 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49736 Look at it this way. Unless the movie studios start licensing every single movie for same day online release as their DVD release, people are always going to want a DVD or Blu-Ray player. So far, they feel it has been profitable to put a month delay on OD and DL content after the DVD release, so I doubt this will change very soon. until then, the 360 needs a Blu-Ray player to be "cutting edge" otherwise they're simply offering old content. Look at it this way. Unless the movie studios start licensing every single movie for same day online release as their DVD release, people are always going to want a DVD or Blu-Ray player. So far, they feel it has been profitable to put a month delay on OD and DL content after the DVD release, so I doubt this will change very soon.

until then, the 360 needs a Blu-Ray player to be “cutting edge” otherwise they’re simply offering old content.

]]> By: Kato http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49735 Kato Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:55:44 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49735 Yea, I'm pretty bummed about this since I chose the wrong side. Now I have an $180 doorstop in my Xbox HD-DVD drive, as well as about a dozen movies in a soon to be obsolete format. But then, one of those is Serenity, so maybe it was worth it. :) Yea, I’m pretty bummed about this since I chose the wrong side. Now I have an $180 doorstop in my Xbox HD-DVD drive, as well as about a dozen movies in a soon to be obsolete format.

But then, one of those is Serenity, so maybe it was worth it. :)

]]> By: Cyril http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49691 Cyril Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:20:47 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49691 I totally agree with @ksimp about ‘HD downloads will be the norm soon’. The majority of people are far from this : they don't really know what HD mean, have poor internet connexion (thanks to high prices in some European countries), etc... Above this, even if i'm buying/downloading stuff on the net, i love much more having things in my hands, like beautiful DVD collectors (poor shelves !). ## note to self : maybe i should touch more my twitter friends or they will think i don't love them ? :-) ## @Veronica let's wait few weeks before the official announcement from Toshiba and then Microsoft will clarify this. In my opinion, if MS want to focus on gaming, okay no Blu-ray player is necessary. But if they want to push the XBOX360 as the ultimate Media Center, then they have no choice to go to Blu-Ray : the market is not mature enough, at least in Europe ! I totally agree with @ksimp about ‘HD downloads will be the norm soon’. The majority of people are far from this : they don’t really know what HD mean, have poor internet connexion (thanks to high prices in some European countries), etc… Above this, even if i’m buying/downloading stuff on the net, i love much more having things in my hands, like beautiful DVD collectors (poor shelves !).

## note to self : maybe i should touch more my twitter friends or they will think i don’t love them ? :-) ##

@Veronica let’s wait few weeks before the official announcement from Toshiba and then Microsoft will clarify this. In my opinion, if MS want to focus on gaming, okay no Blu-ray player is necessary. But if they want to push the XBOX360 as the ultimate Media Center, then they have no choice to go to Blu-Ray : the market is not mature enough, at least in Europe !

]]> By: Veronica http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49544 Veronica Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:09:30 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49544 it's a ruuuuumor! whatever, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but I'm sticking to my guns! it’s a ruuuuumor! whatever, if I’m wrong, I’m wrong, but I’m sticking to my guns!

]]> By: googleman81 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49538 googleman81 Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:43:22 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49538 http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/18/xbox-360-blu-ray-player-rumor-returns-right-on-cue/ :) http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/18/xbox-360-blu-ray-player-rumor-returns-right-on-cue/

:)

]]> By: Wes http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49534 Wes Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:25:55 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49534 Unless MS is able to offer a blu-ray add-on without having to subsidize the cost, I don't see this as a path MS should go down at this point. I agree with VB. Their strength since the beginning has been online infrastructure, so strategically it would make better sense to spend more capital and marketing into pushing for more downloadable content, and improvements to media center functionality. As I mentioned above, I don't think we're at the right point where bandwidth, storage space and minimal compression will make downloads more attractive to the average person watching on their large screen HDTV, but in the medium term I agree that we will be there soon enough. Unless MS is able to offer a blu-ray add-on without having to subsidize the cost, I don’t see this as a path MS should go down at this point. I agree with VB. Their strength since the beginning has been online infrastructure, so strategically it would make better sense to spend more capital and marketing into pushing for more downloadable content, and improvements to media center functionality.
As I mentioned above, I don’t think we’re at the right point where bandwidth, storage space and minimal compression will make downloads more attractive to the average person watching on their large screen HDTV, but in the medium term I agree that we will be there soon enough.

]]> By: Clintus McGintus http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49464 Clintus McGintus Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:41:02 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49464 I was trying to read this on my iPhone this morning while waiting for breakfast but too much going on around me with the kids. Glad you twittered the post :) I too am surprised that they are just going away. I really thought it was going to be like the dvd wars where they would just both exist and everyone would have dual players. But I guess it has a lot to do with the fact that we are watching content on these discs, not just putting things on them. And so when big companies make decisions, things change, people move. I agree that everything will soon be downloadable and discs will be a thing of the past. Even backups will be digital. I also agree that I don't think MS will come out with blu-ray player, not needed for gaming. Downloads FTW! I was trying to read this on my iPhone this morning while waiting for breakfast but too much going on around me with the kids. Glad you twittered the post :)

I too am surprised that they are just going away. I really thought it was going to be like the dvd wars where they would just both exist and everyone would have dual players. But I guess it has a lot to do with the fact that we are watching content on these discs, not just putting things on them. And so when big companies make decisions, things change, people move.

I agree that everything will soon be downloadable and discs will be a thing of the past. Even backups will be digital. I also agree that I don’t think MS will come out with blu-ray player, not needed for gaming. Downloads FTW!

]]> By: Charlie http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49456 Charlie Mon, 18 Feb 2008 03:55:03 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49456 I liked HD-DVD, mainly because the price point was a little less than Blu-Ray. Now to be fair with Blu-Ray, it did have more storage than an HD-DVD, but still HD-DVD cost slightly less, not a whole lot, but less than Blu-Ray. I liked HD-DVD, mainly because the price point was a little less than Blu-Ray. Now to be fair with Blu-Ray, it did have more storage than an HD-DVD, but still HD-DVD cost slightly less, not a whole lot, but less than Blu-Ray.

]]> By: Veronica http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49447 Veronica Mon, 18 Feb 2008 03:35:50 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49447 I don't agree! I will be shocked if MS makes a blu-ray player, at least for the Xbox. Downloads are coming, and will be the norm, sooner than you think! I don’t agree! I will be shocked if MS makes a blu-ray player, at least for the Xbox. Downloads are coming, and will be the norm, sooner than you think!

]]> By: ksimp http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49438 ksimp Mon, 18 Feb 2008 03:22:56 +0000 http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/02/rip-hd-dvd/#comment-49438 @eric.f, Nail on the head. When I hear 'HD downloads will be the norm soon', I quickly think of my non-geek friends/family/acquaintances, who don't own an HDTV, still use dial-up or at best DSL, and are just now learning the differences between analog and digital TV because they're being forced too. This way of thinking is still the norm. I've been a software developer for 10 years, and a large % of my contemporaries don't have the setup/equipment to accomodate HD downloads. Physical media, at least in the video format, will be viable for a long time. @eric.f, Nail on the head. When I hear ‘HD downloads will be the norm soon’, I quickly think of my non-geek friends/family/acquaintances, who don’t own an HDTV, still use dial-up or at best DSL, and are just now learning the differences between analog and digital TV because they’re being forced too. This way of thinking is still the norm. I’ve been a software developer for 10 years, and a large % of my contemporaries don’t have the setup/equipment to accomodate HD downloads. Physical media, at least in the video format, will be viable for a long time.

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