Beginning of the End for HD-DVD?

[fliprayzin240sx]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080107/ttc-lifestyle-us-it-electronics-consumer-e0bba4a_1.html

Warner Bros jumped ship and joined Blue-Ray...

[ALEXTHESUS*PECT]

i didn;t know blu ray outsold hd dvd 2 to 1! you know sony is happy!

[Taniguchi_Is_#1]

probably. i called HD DVD's demise the first time i saw a disney commercial advertising blu-ray only for their movies.

[0100]

Yeah I saw this happening for awhile.

[Dutchmalmiss]

Yaay. I was hoping my PS3 bias would be justified in the future. I think I was just too lazy to buy the HD-DVD drive for the 360.

I hope everyone would just turn over to Blu-Ray already, so I can get my Blu-Ray copy of Transformers, haha!

[origin_s135]

i love blu-ray, don't worry i still love you too 360. so you're saying they didn't come out with a blu-ray for transformers? wth that sucks.

[Dutchmalmiss]

i love blu-ray, don't worry i still love you too 360. so you're saying they didn't come out with a blu-ray for transformers? wth that sucks.

Only DVD and HD-DVD for now......

[exitspeed]

Honestly, I don't favor either. I don't own either. I won't until there is a decided victor. I'm not wasting money on movies until then either.

So as soon someone throws in the towel (which seems like it's gonna be MS), I'll start buying movies in that format.

I hate this shit with a passion.

[WIKID S4TEEN]

Yaay. I was hoping my PS3 bias would be justified in the future. I think I was just too lazy to buy the HD-DVD drive for the 360.

I hope everyone would just turn over to Blu-Ray already, so I can get my Blu-Ray copy of Transformers, haha!


Sorry Bro, Transformers was not released in Blu-Ray, only HD :(.
I felt Sony/BR would win since the begining. But I won't buy a BR player just another ps3 :D WOOOT-WOOOOT!

[Dutchmalmiss]

Sorry Bro, Transformers was not released in Blu-Ray, only HD :(.
I felt Sony/BR would win since the begining. But I won't buy a BR player just another ps3 :D WOOOT-WOOOOT!

Yes, I know that. It would, however, be released in Blu-Ray once the format is won in their favor.

I feel ya, exitspeed. I made a big gamble in purchasing the PS3, but it seems like I made a smart decision so far.

[Bobafreak]

what is this bluray and hd you speak of? i just have dvd. too much technology for me. i miss the days of 8 tracks.

[WIKID S4TEEN]

Honestly, I don't favor either. I don't own either. I won't until there is a decided victor. I'm not wasting money on movies until then either.

So as soon someone throws in the towel (which seems like it's gonna be MS), I'll start buying movies in that format.

I hate this shit with a passion.


I know what u mean. This sh** is expensive. I work for a company that is A/V related. So I get hook ups. One thing I gotta say is,
if ur TV is not 1080P (full HD), buying HD-DVD or BR is NOT worth it.

[Bobafreak]

yeah im behind on this i like my big screen but the kids are starting to tear shiz up so i need to get a hd flatscreen for the wall. Im tired of maccaroni and cheese marks and dirty fingers on the bottom of my screen!!!!!!

[hijack3d]

Wow. I honestly thought HD would be on top since I know most TV companies (well at least Cox in San Diego and Time Warner in Kansas City from my experience) offered free HDTV with their packages. But who knows. I rarely have time to watch a movie these days anyway...

[TheSquidd]

Oh I have a way better format , it's called the internets.

I hate format wars.

Both brands have turned me off, I just want one to win so I can have a 20Gig disc to burn backups of all my digital photos to.

As it stands I'd need a bout..... 200 DVDs.

yeah im behind on this i like my big screen but the kids are starting to tear shiz up so i need to get a hd flatscreen for the wall. Im tired of maccaroni and cheese marks and dirty fingers on the bottom of my screen!!!!!!

Hahah DONT HAVE KIDS

[kensreliableb18b]

woo hoooooo my ps3 wont have a crappy future! <--blu-ray part of it atleast.

i thought it was pretty obvious which one was better: blu-ray>hd-dvd what with the capacity and all, but i was just worried that the average consumer would favor hd-dvd over blu ray because they were already familiar with the term "dvd." great news.

[mehsilvia]

The battle continues. Neither one can claim victory and tracking this shit can be exhausting. Both camps release info and numbers claiming "victory", but its all shit. It aint over till its over.

And for the majority of us, a great up-converting DVD player (1080i) is gonna give you killer picture out of your regular DVD's. Your just gonna miss all the "extras" that HD-DVD has to offer.

Oh yeah, and i said HD-DVD cause Blu-Ray still hasnt done SHIT with their Interactivity. Blu-ray players are just recently getting Ethernet, but still not for content. Just to make it easier to download the 1000's of Firmware updates that are required. If you do go Blu-Ray go PS3. Its the only advanced player that will survive. Most these other models (like my Sony S300) will not be upgradeable.

Dont get me wrong, i just want High Definition and Feature rich interactivity too - So I bought one of each (thats right Bitches, im BALLIN!).

Both formats are great, but HD-DVD still is cheaper (hardware) and a hell of alot of Interactivity & Features as a result of the internet connectivity.

It aint over. And its not the first studio to pick one over the other.


If you really want your fucking head to explode, check out these websites:

http://www.highdefforum.com/index.php
http://www.highdefdigest.com/

[fliprayzin240sx]

Im just happy cuz my $600 PS3 will stop being a fucking $600 paperweight. Now im just waiting for SOny to start releasing their damn games!!!

[theronin]

wonder how much money was exchanged to make this happen.

[Bobafreak]

do any of you still own vhs? i plan on collecting them just in case all dvds fail.

[Matej]

yeah im behind on this i like my big screen but the kids are starting to tear shiz up so i need to get a hd flatscreen for the wall. Im tired of maccaroni and cheese marks and dirty fingers on the bottom of my screen!!!!!!
TV's are obsolete, I'm watching HD cable on my monitor as I'm typing this haha, my PC doubles as a high end TV with Tivo and all the features plus more, even a remote that can be reprogrammed.
Blue-ray drive? Check. HD DVD drive? Check. Set shows premiering four weeks from now to be ripped straight to disc or harddrive or to the internet in high quality without commercials? Check. :bigok:

[Bobafreak]

No i cant own a computer at my house due to my g/f saying it takes up "our time" and i can do that at work. lol

[fliprayzin240sx]

Yah thats the catch with who wins the High Def DVD war, more and more people are downloading HD movies online.

Hmm, now that I think about it, how come the movie industry doesnt go after people who download pirated movies? Atleast not as hardcore about it compared to RIAA when it comes to pirated music???

[SimpleS14]

Got to know my PS3 can have a good use in the future and it looks like I can invest in a 1080p HDTV in the future as well. Once supply and demand shift production costs, I can finally archive data on a 50GB disk since burners and disk will be cheaper.

[h23]

Honestly, I don't favor either. I don't own either. I won't until there is a decided victor. I'm not wasting money on movies until then either.

So as soon someone throws in the towel (which seems like it's gonna be MS), I'll start buying movies in that format.

I hate this shit with a passion.

I agree, you know no matter what there will be some new improved, higher detailed system out there in 2 years anyways.. I'll stick to just regular dvd's for now.

[Bobafreak]

Yah thats the catch with who wins the High Def DVD war, more and more people are downloading HD movies online.

Hmm, now that I think about it, how come the movie industry doesnt go after people who download pirated movies? Atleast not as hardcore about it compared to RIAA when it comes to pirated music???

Too many forums and torrents to stop them all same thing with music. Go to downtown la the street vendors have even upgraded the movie quality. some dont even have the video camera shot look no more. Its better. Well...some.

[fliprayzin240sx]

SHiet I saw I am Legend in Philippines a week before it even came out in the states, I left Philippines and they still havent even started playing it in the movies there. What kinda copy was it? Screeners...they need to go after those people before anything else.

[max2damax]

Wow. I honestly thought HD would be on top since I know most TV companies (well at least Cox in San Diego and Time Warner in Kansas City from my experience) offered free HDTV with their packages. But who knows. I rarely have time to watch a movie these days anyway...


HD TV is not the same as HD-DVD, high definition is the format, hd-dvd and blue ray are just the media its delivered on, blue ray has way more space on single cd so that alone makes it my favorite. and looks kooler cause its blue:mrmeph:

[mehsilvia]

Interesting article from the HD-DVD camp.
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS35203+07-Jan-2008+PRN20080107
Worth the read.

And the website they have listed in this article:
www.TheLookAndSoundOfPerfect.com

Gets you excited about the capabilities HD has to offer in the near future. I do hope that Blu-Ray and HD-DVD get their shit together and BOTH have these things avail and working on their players. Or if one is decided, this shit better work.

[ManoNegra]

PC + broadband (T1 if you're a baller) = w1n!

[atom]

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUST20151820080108

Bye bye HD-DVD.

[SimpleS14]

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUST20151820080108

Bye bye HD-DVD.


Looks like I can get Transformers on Blu-Ray in the near future.

[iwishiwas-all*]

yea its a bit ironic too, apple is on the blu ray camp while microsoft is on HD d vd. I would say hd dvd is done within the year.

[Dutchmalmiss]

Looks like I can get Transformers on Blu-Ray in the near future.

you can say THAT again. YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[exitspeed]

Oh please please make it happen.

[exitspeed]

THE NAIL IN THE COFFIN! *the announcer's voice from NBA Jam*

Microsoft May Turn to Blu-ray
The people get what the people want.
by Martin Robinson, IGN UK

UK, January 9, 2008 - Following something of a disastrous week for backers of HD-DVD technology, with the announcement of Warner Bros defecting to its chief rival and murmurings of Paramount going the same way, Microsoft has revealed that should the tide turn towards Sony's technology it would consider supporting the Blu-ray with the Xbox 360.

Speaking to Reuters, group marketing manager for Xbox hardware Albert Penello said, "It should be consumer choice; and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider." Microsoft has previously aligned themselves to Toshiba's technology, offering an HD-DVD add-on for the Xbox 360 and having been rumoured to be implementing a HD-DVD drive for future incarnations of its console.

Warner Bros's recent defection to Blu-ray technology sent shockwaves through the industry, even forcing Toshiba to cancel its Consumer Electronics Show presentation earlier this week. However, Penello was ultimately supportive of HD-DVD, stating that "…I've seen this battle declared over so many times. I want consumers to have a voice in this and I think there are a lot of consumers who bought HD-DVD who are going to have a say in how this shakes out."

[Slidewayz Inc.]

HD-DVD always sucked for $5 more buy a Blu-ray DVD and get a PS3 u think its to much bout its a great deal. $100 more then a 360 and you get a $500+ Blu-Ray DVD player and you can mod the PS3 to be your computer like i did also with Linux with it.

[Dutchmalmiss]

HD-DVD always sucked for $5 more buy a Blu-ray DVD and get a PS3 u think its to much bout its a great deal. $100 more then a 360 and you get a $500+ Blu-Ray DVD player and you can mod the PS3 to be your computer like i did also with Linux with it.

Wow, I couldn't read that.

On the other hand, HD-DVD camp is tapping out quicker than I imagined. Seems like they have no choice anyways. So this means a Blu-Ray player attachment drive for the 360 (sounds wierd, huh?) or an added 360 trim sometime in a near future with an internal Blu-Ray drive like the PS3.

[exitspeed]

Wow, I couldn't read that.

On the other hand, HD-DVD camp is tapping out quicker than I imagined. Seems like they have no choice anyways. So this means a Blu-Ray player attachment drive for the $360 (sounds wierd, huh?) or an added 360 trim sometime in a near future with an internal Blu-Ray drive like the PS3.

Well there was supposed to be a big announcement by MS about the 360 soon (I think it was CES). The speculation was built in HD-DVD. Yea, guess not.

I really hope this wraps up quick.

[max2damax]

http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/502/7176nelson-haha.gif to all of those who bought a HD-DVD player when they first came out for like a $1000

[SimpleS14]

Wow, I couldn't read that.

So this means a Blu-Ray player attachment drive for the 360 (sounds wierd, huh?) or an added 360 trim sometime in a near future with an internal Blu-Ray drive like the PS3.

lol....it was hard reading Slidewayz Inc.'s post indeed.

It might be possible that Microsoft will give its Xbox console a complete rehaul and include internal blu-ray drive.

[exitspeed]

lol....it was hard reading Slidewayz Inc.'s post indeed.

It might be possible that Microsoft will give its Xbox console a complete rehaul and include internal blu-ray drive.

I don't see it happening actually. For one, they said they are still going to back HD-DVD until it's done basically. I'm thinking the war will be done at the end of this year. Then they need to make a deal with Sony for the BR player which takes time, then implement it into the console. We're talking a good 1 1/2. By then MS will be talking XBox 720 specs.

[mehsilvia]

http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/502/7176nelson-haha.gif to all of those who bought a HD-DVD player when they first came out for like a $1000

And the same for every Blu-ray & Combo-player purchased. NONE of them are compatible with HD interactive via the web, or much else the future of high definition has to offer.
Only the high dolla ($650) PS3 has a future. Its the only upgreadable and network capable Blu-ray out there.

The rest of us are basically :boink: Come to think of it, no one who purchased today (or previously) wins.

At least my players are wonderful at 1080i up-conversion of my old DVD's :-/

[fliprayzin240sx]

The best news is that people are gonna start buying PS3s. If you think about it, PS3s are best blue-ray players out there. SOny constantly updates the software and adds more capability to it almost every month.

[SimpleS14]

The best news is that people are gonna start buying PS3s. If you think about it, PS3s are best blue-ray players out there. SOny constantly updates the software and adds more capability to it almost every month.


I'm pretty sure someone (besides Sony) will come out with a Blu-Ray player that will allow firmware updates via internet or USB drive.

There is a player coming out that is cheaper than a PS3: http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9845215-67.html

[Slidewayz Inc.]

you cant understand my typing cause you dunno what Linux is probably. Probably using Windows with all your virus's.

[theicecreamdan]

do any of you still own vhs? i plan on collecting them just in case all dvds fail.

My favorite christmas present was a VHS tape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgU3pXK2Ls0

[exitspeed]

That is so RAD. BACKFLIP for teh winz!

[Dutchmalmiss]

you cant understand my typing cause you dunno what Linux is probably. Probably using Windows with all your virus's.

Really, are you serious?

HD-DVD always sucked for $5 more buy a Blu-ray DVD and get a PS3 u think its to much bout its a great deal. $100 more then a 360 and you get a $500+ Blu-Ray DVD player and you can mod the PS3 to be your computer like i did also with Linux with it..

Now reread what you posted and tell me why you neg repped me for complaining about your lack of grammar skills.

[Edgar]

i'm so behind on technology
i still need to get a tv for my room LOL

[Bobafreak]

wooooo preach^ i know nothing of this hdtv, hd, blu ray mumbo jumbo like said before, THOSE WHO HAVE VHS TAPES THEY WANNA GET RID OF, HIT ME UP!!!

[exitspeed]

Bay Fights Format War
Transformers helmer takes another stand for Blu-ray.
by IGN Staff

February 13, 2008 - Transformers helmer Michael Bay has long been an outspoken supporter of Blu-ray. He even threatened to quit Transformers 2 after Paramount's decision to go exclusively with HD DVD. Of course, Bay took a chill pill and has now begun work on the sequel, but Blu-ray's recent victories in the format war (the support of Best Buy and Netflix) have him speaking out once again.

"Blu-ray's better, and I told everyone, " the director says in an interview on HomeMediaMagazine.com. "I was very vocal about it. I knew HD [DVD] was not going to make it."

"Am I thrilled? It really wasn't my fight, but remember what I said in the press? I was kind of saying HD [DVD]'s going to lose," he continues. "No one believed me."

Bay's Transformers 2 is slated for a June 26, 2009 release. And we hope the format war will be ancient history by the time it comes to DVD.

[max2damax]

yea, also best buy and net flix are going blue ray only as well

[origin_s135]

I'm pretty sure someone (besides Sony) will come out with a Blu-Ray player that will allow firmware updates via internet or USB drive.

There is a player coming out that is cheaper than a PS3: http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9845215-67.html

the latest update is AWESOME, it let's you play divx files now!

[Dutchmalmiss]

Bay Fights Format War
Transformers helmer takes another stand for Blu-ray.
by IGN Staff

February 13, 2008 - Transformers helmer Michael Bay has long been an outspoken supporter of Blu-ray. He even threatened to quit Transformers 2 after Paramount's decision to go exclusively with HD DVD. Of course, Bay took a chill pill and has now begun work on the sequel, but Blu-ray's recent victories in the format war (the support of Best Buy and Netflix) have him speaking out once again.

"Blu-ray's better, and I told everyone, " the director says in an interview on HomeMediaMagazine.com. "I was very vocal about it. I knew HD [DVD] was not going to make it."

"Am I thrilled? It really wasn't my fight, but remember what I said in the press? I was kind of saying HD [DVD]'s going to lose," he continues. "No one believed me."

Bay's Transformers 2 is slated for a June 26, 2009 release. And we hope the format war will be ancient history by the time it comes to DVD.

Since Bay's Transformers seemed to be the most visually stunning film of '07, other directors/producers/etc may listen to his statements since he apparently says Blu-Ray is best. Yaaaaay. :)

I'm still getting a future Blu-Ray release of Transformers even if I already have the DVD, haha.

[S14DB]

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/daves-download/2008/2/12/netflix-abandons-hd-dvd-in-favor-of-blu-ray.html
http://news.sky.com/skynews/xml/article/tech/0,,91221-12817,00.html

[ericcastro]

Non of it matters
YOUR SHOWS ARE SHOT ON 35mm FILM !!! NOT HD:bowrofl:

Which ever ones cheapest will probably win. Like how VHS beat BETA. Even though BETA was superior in quality. The companies make up a lie, and feed it to the masses.
the thing that may change is America is SO dependent on haveing the newest and up to date stuff. That we may be alright with throwing our ENTIRE DVD collection out and switching to BLUERAY. And trust me, the companies love this. You bought it on VHS, now you have it on DVD, now you have a HDTV, now you have the special edition/HD DVD,.....how to get more money??.......you need the Blue ray player and to update your entire catalog to BLUERAY !!!!!

We are the real suckers in the consumer game www.storyofstuff.com

[azndoc]

Yay....

I just bought my little bro a PS3 so I guess it was a good choice.

Then again I really didn't want to buy him a PS3, I just wanted him to shut up about it.

[exitspeed]

Non of it matters
YOUR SHOWS ARE SHOT ON 35mm FILM !!! NOT HD:bowrofl:

Which ever ones cheapest will probably win. Like how VHS beat BETA. Even though BETA was superior in quality. The companies make up a lie, and feed it to the masses.
the thing that may change is America is SO dependent on haveing the newest and up to date stuff. That we may be alright with throwing our ENTIRE DVD collection out and switching to BLUERAY. And trust me, the companies love this. You bought it on VHS, now you have it on DVD, now you have a HDTV, now you have the special edition/HD DVD,.....how to get more money??.......you need the Blue ray player and to update your entire catalog to BLUERAY !!!!!

We are the real suckers in the consumer game www.storyofstuff.com



Movies are shot in HD though, aren't they?

[S14DB]

Movies are shot in HD though, aren't they?

I dunno, I wouldn't call cloverfeild a movie...

Blueray can handle almost 2x the data.

[ericcastro]

I dunno, I wouldn't call cloverfeild a movie...


lol


And really crappy indie movies that I work on and you never see are shot on HD. lol

A couple movies occationally are shot on HD. But they put panty hose over the CCD chip and use softening filters to smooth out the image. See, even HD is trying not to look like HD. Its just WAY more detail than you need! the mass consumer is a little misguided by it all.

movies are shot on 35mm for the most part. Music videos are. Big TV shows are. Its just looks better. easier to use. faster. and, looks better :)


Plus, you guys REALLY dont wanna see a close up of girls in HD. ANy girl, any celeb, any model. It would wreck the illusion for you.

[exitspeed]

http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/55836262.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1939847EC77F5F8D1CEE773A4041C8B496C A40A659CEC4C8CB6

Alien vs. Predator, Round Two
Ring the bell on DVD and Blu-ray!
by IGN DVD

February 14, 2008 - As humans, Aliens, Predators and Predaliens shake off the blood and battle-scars of their last encounter, Fox Home Entertainment today announced the release of Aliens vs. Predator – Requiem to DVD and Blu-ray Disc on April 15, 2007.

[sideways7]

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=4276480&page=1


Prospects for a resolution to the high-definition DVD format war seemed to come into sharper focus on Monday as Best Buy bby and Netflix nflx separately announced plans to promote Sony's sne Blu-ray format over Toshiba's HD DVD.

Best Buy, the No. 1 consumer electronics chain, said that beginning in early March it will provide more shelf space and marketing for Blu-ray players and software than it will for similar HD DVD products.
"We're trying to be a customer advocate," says Mike Vitelli, Best Buy's senior vice president for home solutions. "Consumers want some clear direction. We're stepping out and giving them that recommendation."
The change was based on the company's view that "there are more lines pointing to the blue side" in the battle with HD DVD, Vitelli says.
Home video rental service Netflix reached a similar conclusion: It has stopped buying HD DVD discs.
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"We expect that all of the studios will publish in the Blu-ray format and that the price points of high-def DVD players will come down significantly," Ted Sarandos, Netflix's chief content officer, said in a statement.
Blockbuster bbi said last year that most of its stores would offer just Blu-ray discs for high-def rental.
Toshiba's Jodi Sally said in a statement that the company, which recently slashed prices for HD DVD players, "will continue to study the market impact and the value proposition for consumers."

Many consumers who want high-def home video have stayed on the sidelines while Hollywood studios and consumer electronics companies pushed the incompatible formats.
Blu-ray supporters — including Disney dis, Fox, Lionsgate lgf and Sony's film studio — say their discs can pack substantially more digital data that can be used for bonus features and games.
HD DVD's camp — including Universal, Paramount, DreamWorks Animation dwa and Microsoft msft— say that its format is more versatile and stable.
Blu-ray got a big boost last month when Warner Bros., the No. 1 home video distributor, said it would offer just high-def movies and TV shows in that format beginning in May.

Studios in the Blu-ray camp accounted for about 66% of all video sales and rentals in 2007.

Toshiba's strategy to win customers with low-priced players is "a Hail Mary (pass)," says NPD entertainment analyst Russ Crupnick. "It's a format that's not going to be supported much longer."
adsonar_placementId=1280605;adsonar_pid=42753;adso nar_ps=-1;adsonar_zw=165;adsonar_zh=220;adsonar_jv='ads.ad sonar.com';
Blu-ray supporters say that the latest announcements mean the format war is all but over

[exitspeed]

It'll be over in a matter of weeks hopefully:


Format War: HD-DVD to Surrender?
Death watch begins for Toshiba.
by IGN Staff

February 15, 2008 - Given recent marketplace advances made by rival Blu-ray in the format war, the word on the street is that Toshiba could be about to surrender and give up on HD-DVD.

Reliable industry sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that it could happen in weeks.

Officially, Toshiba spokesperson Jodi Sally told the trade newspaper that they're still believers in the technology, but seemed to hint that a change is coming.

"Given the market developments in the past month," Sally said, "Toshiba will continue to study the market impact and the value proposition for consumers, particularly in light of our recent price reductions on all HD DVD players."

Sources tell THR that Toshiba's price cuts could be costing them some serious jack -- as much as several hundred dollars for each player sold. And unfortunately for the tech manufacturer, the sales jump they'd hoped for never materialized. That, coupled with the big-name retail defections of late, has reportedly convinced the company to prepare for defeat.

It seems like just a matter of time. We'll keep tracking the format war, and bring you news as it breaks!

[exitspeed]

And the hits keep on comin!

Wal-Mart Goes Blu
Retail giant kicks HD-DVD while it's down.
by IGN Staff

February 15, 2008 - Super ginormous world-conquering retailer Wal-Mart is ditching flailing high-def home video format HD-DVD in favor of rival Blu-ray.

According to the company's official blog, by June Wal-Mart will only be carrying Blu-ray movies and hardware -- in addition to standard def and up-convert stuff, of course. Wal-Mart has not announced any short term pricing changes, but costs are expected to drop as Blu-ray technology proliferates.

Meanwhile, Wal-Mart's Senior VP of Home Entertainment Gary Severson issued a statement explaining the decision. "We've listened to our customers, who are showing a clear preference toward Blu-ray products and movies with their purchases," he said.

This news, which may very well be the death blow to HD-DVD, comes on the heels of Blu-ray lovin' announcements by Best Buy and Netflix.

Just today, industry insider paper The Hollywood Reporter quoted "reliable sources" within HD-DVD manufacturer Toshiba as basically saying that it's all over, but the crying.

[sideways7]

Its OVER.

If Wal Mart can kill Toys R Us it can kill HD-DVD. :w00t: :Owned:

[ryguy]

SHI-BAM! Me owning a PS3 now looks a little less silly. If BD would have failed, my disappointment in the PS3 would have been complete.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Also, didnt all the online video rental companies like netflix and such switch to having ONLY Blu-ray instead of both?

[S14DB]

Also, didnt all the online video rental companies like netflix and such switch to having ONLY Blu-ray instead of both?

http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=171585&page=2

[Dirty Habit]

Transformers Bluray. Do It Nooooow!!

[Flipzide]

Toshiba quits HD DVD business
TOKYO - Toshiba said Tuesday it will no longer develop, make or market HD DVD players and recorders, handing a victory to rival Blu-ray disc technology in the format battle for next-generation video.

"We concluded that a swift decision would be best," Toshiba President Atsutoshi Nishida told reporters at his company's Tokyo offices.

The move would make Blu-ray — backed by Sony Corp., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., which makes Panasonic brand products, and five major Hollywood movie studios — the winner in the battle over high-definition DVD formatting that began several years ago.

Nishida said last month's decision by Warner Bros. Entertainment to release movie discs only in the Blu-ray format made the move inevitable.

"That had tremendous impact," he said. "If we had continued, that would have created problems for consumers, and we simply had no chance to win."

Warner joined Sony Pictures, Walt Disney Co. and News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox in that move.

Nishida said his company had confidence in HD DVD as a technology and tried to assure the estimated 1 million people, including some 600,000 people in North America, who already bought HD DVD machines by promising that Toshiba will continue to provide product support for the technology.

Both HD DVD and Blu-ray deliver crisp, clear high-definition pictures and sound, which are more detailed and vivid than existing video technology. They are incompatible with each other, and neither plays on older DVD players. But both formats play on high-definition TVs.

HD DVD was touted as being cheaper because it was more similar to previous video technology, while Blu-ray boasted bigger recording capacity.

Only one video format has been expected to emerge as the victor, much like VHS trumped Sony's Betamax in the video format battle of the 1980s.

Nishida said it was still uncertain what will happen with the Hollywood studios that signed to produce HD DVD movies, including Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation.

Toshiba's pulling the plug on the technology is expected to reduce the number of new high-definition movies that people will be able to watch on HD DVD machines. Toshiba Corp. said shipments of HD DVD machines to retailers will be reduced and will stop by end of March.

Sales in Blu-ray gadgets are now likely to pick up as consumers had held off in investing in the latest recorders and players because they didn't know which format would emerge dominant.

Despite being a possible blow to Toshiba's pride, the exit will probably lessen the potential damage in losses in HD DVD operations. Goldman Sachs has said pulling out would improve Toshiba's profitability between 40 billion yen and 50 billion yen ($370 million-$460 million) a year.

The reasons behind Blu-ray's triumph over HD DVD are complex, as marketing, management maneuvers and other factors are believed to have played into the shift to Blu-ray's favor that became more decisive during the critical holiday shopping season.

Once the balance starts tilting in favor of one in a format battle, then the domination tends to grow and become final, said Kazuharu Miura, an analyst at Daiwa Institute of Research in Tokyo.

"The trend became decisive I think this year," he said. "When Warner made its decision, it was basically over."

With movie studios increasingly lining up behind Blu-ray, retailers also began to stock more Blu-ray products.

Friday's decision by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the largest U.S. retailer, to sell only Blu-ray DVDs and hardware appeared to deal a final blow to the Toshiba format. Just five days earlier, Netflix Inc. said it will cease carrying rentals in HD DVD.

Several major American retailers had already made similar decisions, including Target Corp. and Blockbuster Inc.

Also adding to Blu-ray's momentum was the gradual increase in sales of Sony's PlayStation 3 home video-game console, which also works as a Blu-ray player. Sony has sold 10.5 million PS3 machines worldwide since the machine went on sale late 2006.

HD DVD supporters included Microsoft Corp., Intel Corp. and Japanese electronics maker NEC Corp.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 game machine can play HD DVD movies, but the drive had to be bought separately, and Nishida said about 300,000 people have those.

Worldwide sales of personal computers with HD DVD drives total about 300,000 worldwide, including 140,000 in North America and 130,000 in Europe, he said.

Recently, the Blu-ray disc format has been gaining market share, especially in Japan. A study on fourth quarter sales last year by market researcher BCN Inc. found that by unit volume, Blu-ray made up 96 percent of Japanese sales.

Sony said it did not have numbers on how many Blu-ray players had been sold globally.

Toshiba's stock slipped 0.6 percent Tuesday to 824 yen after jumping 5.7 percent Monday amid reports that a decision was imminent. Sony shares climbed 2.2 percent to 5,010 yen after rising 1 percent Monday.

Also Tuesday, Toshiba said it plans to spend more than 1.7 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) for two plants in Japan to produce sophisticated chips called NAND flash memory, which are used in portable music players and cell phones. Production there will start in 2010.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080219/ap_on_bi_ge/japan_toshiba

It's officially over.

[exitspeed]

Awesome! I'm glad it is over. Now people can get serious about BR.

[CAPTAINNEO]

man. glad i didnt pick sides. just a few months ago, i was close to buying the hd-dvd add on for my 360. they had all kinds of rebates and free movies included...guess they knew it was coming.

[Dutchmalmiss]

Yaaaaay! Now let's wait on the speculations for any upcoming blu-ray equipped xbox 360 news.

EDIT:

Too late, haha.
http://bink.nu/news/blu-ray-xbox-360-planned-by-microsoft.aspx

[Daniel.]

Finally. Time to save for a BR player

[fliprayzin240sx]

Yaaaaay! Now let's wait on the speculations for any upcoming blu-ray equipped xbox 360 news.

EDIT:

Too late, haha.
http://bink.nu/news/blu-ray-xbox-360-planned-by-microsoft.aspx

Sooo, question is how, how much Sony gonna charge Microsoft for them to use blu-ray technology? They gotta make money back somehow from all that lost revenue on selling PS3s the last year and some change...might as well make microsoft and 360 Sony's new bitch...:bigok:

Timeline:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142584-page,1/article.html

[ryguy]

lol I comitted to Blu-Ray like 8 months ago. Looks like I made the right decision.

[Onitsukagirl]

you know, i'm kinda glad I haven't purchased an HD DVD Player. I knew that one day, one of the two was going to lose out. I was never really sure who would win the battle but i'm glad I didn't buy any movies on hd dvd. For those that did, what are you going to do with your HD Dvd stuff?

[mehsilvia]

For those of us who did puchase a HD DVD, we plan to watch our HD DVD's :bigok: lol

And for $200, my Toshiba HD DVD is one of the best up-converting DVD players ive owned, so i plan to use it as my primary DVD player as well. No loss in my eyes, considering i got 7 free HD DVD's with the player ($30 x 7 = $210)

Oh, and for those of you who PWN a Blue-ray player (like myself) - check yo self. Most likely your player is obsolete and well, ur fucked. As i mentioned before, most Blue-ray players released to date do not have Ethernet and so they will NOT be capable of much of the HDI (interactivity) that is compimented by the Internet.

So. This IS good news, now lets hope Sony and the HD-Forum gets off their FUCKING ASS and finishes the Blue-ray specifications, so no one else wastes their GOD DAMN money on obsolete hardware.
/rant

Can anyone say Laser Disk? (another $1000 i wasted back in the day) :fawk2:

[Yoshi]

Sooo, question is how, how much Sony gonna charge Microsoft for them to use blu-ray technology? They gotta make money back somehow from all that lost revenue on selling PS3s the last year and some change...might as well make microsoft and 360 Sony's new bitch...:bigok:

Timeline:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142584-page,1/article.html

Um no.
MS is now fully commited to on-demand HD content via the 360... it's just a matter of time before that spreads... most industry mags (CS stuff, not gaming mags) feel that MS supported HD-DVD to buy time until their on-demand HD content went live. I just watched Shoot'em Up in HD last nite... Wow. Say what u want about the movie itself, I like that I could tell how much Clive's leather jacket cost by the quality of the leather's grain.

MS will undoubtably support bluray for tool and apps for the wintel boxes (actually, they already do to a basic degree), but I'd be completely shocked if they went for a bluray 360 player.... seems like to much of an overlap of internal programs (tho admittedly, it woudn't be the first time would it?).... next gen of consoles tho? THAT will be interesting.

[4thHorse]

For those of us who did puchase a HD DVD, we plan to watch our HD DVD's :bigok: lol

And for $200, my Toshiba HD DVD is one of the best up-converting DVD players ive owned, so i plan to use it as my primary DVD player as well. No loss in my eyes, considering i got 7 free HD DVD's with the player ($30 x 7 = $210)

Oh, and for those of you who PWN a Blue-ray player (like myself) - check yo self. Most likely your player is obsolete and well, ur fucked. As i mentioned before, most Blue-ray players released to date do not have Ethernet and so they will NOT be capable of much of the HDI (interactivity) that is compimented by the Internet.

So. This IS good news, now lets hope Sony and the HD-Forum gets off their FUCKING ASS and finishes the Blue-ray specifications, so no one else wastes their GOD DAMN money on obsolete hardware.
/rant

Can anyone say Laser Disk? (another $1000 i wasted back in the day) :fawk2:

Thats why if your looking for a BR player you get a PS3. Best one on the market, get firm ware updates, and it plays games as a bonus.

The good news to all of you guys that bought HD dvd players is that now that the format has lost you can still pick up a ton of HD dvds on the cheap very soon

[origin_s135]

Finally. Time to save for a BR player

just get a ps3! damn they really need transformers on blu-ray.

[S13SilviaGirl]

Thats why if your looking for a BR player you get a PS3. Best one on the market, get firm ware updates, and it plays games as a bonus.

The good news to all of you guys that bought HD dvd players is that now that the format has lost you can still pick up a ton of HD dvds on the cheap very soon

hell yeah, our PS3 is pretty much a movie portal! haha. oh and surfing the net on a 47" screen can be bad ass :)

[hattenDriftR1]

Oh, and for those of you who PWN a Blue-ray player (like myself) - check yo self. Most likely your player is obsolete and well, ur fucked. As i mentioned before, most Blue-ray players released to date do not have Ethernet and so they will NOT be capable of much of the HDI (interactivity) that is compimented by the Internet.

So. This IS good news, now lets hope Sony and the HD-Forum gets off their FUCKING ASS and finishes the Blue-ray specifications, so no one else wastes their GOD DAMN money on obsolete hardware.
/rant

Can anyone say Laser Disk? (another $1000 i wasted back in the day) :fawk2:


Those "obsolete" blu-ray players still play blu-ray discs. So I guess that wouldn't make them obsolete?

[SimpleS14]

Those "obsolete" blu-ray players still play blu-ray discs. So I guess that wouldn't make them obsolete?

He's referring to the blu-ray profile and profile 2.0 requires an internet connection.


http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9808376-1.html

[hattenDriftR1]

He's referring to the blu-ray profile and profile 2.0 requires an internet connection.


http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9808376-1.html

I know that. I was pointing out that those early blu-ray players are not obsolete just because they don't allow the user to use the new features.

[S14DB]

I don't think BluRay will really take off till Sony finishes the BluRay Factory in Taiwan. Until then it is hard to produce BluRay porn cause Disney doesn't want porn produced on the same machines that their product is produced on. This is after they had problems with porn discs getting mixed in their titles. They use every Current factory to produce their discs. Bluray porn titles have been growing at 10 to 1 over HD-DVD in Japan but not in the US cause of Disney and cause some of the Big HD-DVD factories are in the US.

Going to be interesting to see the "phantom" growth in BluRay...

[ryguy]

I know that. I was pointing out that those early blu-ray players are not obsolete just because they don't allow the user to use the new features.
Isnt that pretty much the exact definition of obsolete? So you're telling me that my IBM Aptiva PC from 1995 isnt obsolete because Windows 95 runs perfectly on it and it has a working dial up modem and 2X CD-ROM drive?

[hattenDriftR1]

Isnt that pretty much the exact definition of obsolete? So you're telling me that my IBM Aptiva PC from 1995 isnt obsolete because Windows 95 runs perfectly on it and it has a working dial up modem and 2X CD-ROM drive?

If you want to get technical, then no, your IBM isn't obsolete. Although its use is very limited. In fact, big corporations still use very old IBMs to run AS400.

Back on the Blu-Ray subject. Those old blu-ray players still and always will do what the new blu-ray players do as well, and that's playing blu-ray discs. My copy of Resident Evil:Extinction will play on both old and new players. The only difference with the old player is that I wont be able to view whatever bonus material there is that runs on 2.0 firmware.

[pbcstylez]

HD DVD sale 9.99

http://shop2.outpost.com/%7B8thIM0eiXsULIyvq5FrH7A**.node2%7D/search;jsessionid=8thIM0eiXsULIyvq5FrH7A**.node2?q uery_string=&sort=price&order=asc&order_by=p03a&cat=-59250&pType=pDisplay&from=0&to=24

[kandyflip445]

I never even look at bonus footage or materials so I couldn't give a damn about the 2.0 profile. lol

[Dutchmalmiss]

http://gear.ign.com/articles/857/857582p1.html

Sony seems to have something up its sleeve if they're going to let 360's with blu-ray compatability cut into PS3 sales.

[exitspeed]

I think it's still in their best interest to let MS throw gobs of money at them to let them use BR players. Sony isn't in real good shape right now, so I think they need to bring in as much money as possible from the BR license. I don't think it'll cut into the PS3's sales much. It's on the very beginning of a strong upward swing so...

[Dutchmalmiss]

I think it's still in their best interest to let MS throw gobs of money at them to let them use BR players. Sony isn't in real good shape right now, so I think they need to bring in as much money as possible from the BR license. I don't think it'll cut into the PS3's sales much. It's on the very beginning of a strong upward swing so...

Yeah I don't think it should cut into sales much either, but before your comment, I would've thought that Sony'd do whatever they can do to kick MS to the ground. It makes more sense now, haha. As long as PS3 will do as good (if not, better) than the PS2, AND as long as blu-ray sales pick up to a good sales rate, then I think Sony has nothing to worry about in that department. Then Sony can focus on fixing other things (TVs, PCs/laptops, phones) haha.

OT sidenote: Sony Ericcson's Xperia phone looks sick though.

[atom]

Sony doesn't have MS by the balls yet seeing as how DVD will still be the dominant medium for the forseeable future. So MS won't be shelling out tons of cash for BR compatibility. Sony still needs to secure it's spot and MS knows that. Once BR becomes the defacto next gen medium they'll be raking it in anyways, no need to burn bridges.

[exitspeed]

Yea cause if BR gets into the 360, that's a Sony player in every 360 household + all the PS3's, and stand-alone players.

I really wanted to put some stock into them before the announcement.

[BustedS13]

I think it's still in their best interest to let MS throw gobs of money at them to let them use BR players. Sony isn't in real good shape right now, so I think they need to bring in as much money as possible from the BR license. I don't think it'll cut into the PS3's sales much. It's on the very beginning of a strong upward swing so...

sony's in fine shape... they just peaked around 2000. but they're still doing better than they were in the 90's, and really, the 80's and 90's were when sony was THE name in consumer electronics... but yeah, with blu ray and the ps3 finally picking up speed, sony's about to stomp some balls.

[S14DB]

The Blu-Ray market is much larger than the PS3 market. Blu-ray proliferation over DVD is much more important that the PS3 vs 360. If M$ wants to pay for it even better.

You have a 3way battle of Wii vs 360 vs PS3. The quality of the games is more important than format. People will still want a Wii even after the 360 gets Blu-Ray.

[BustedS13]

don't make this a console war thread >.< besides, everybody knows that the wii sells because it's cheap :)

[exitspeed]

don't make this a console war thread >.< besides, everybody knows that the wii sells because it's cheap :)

I disagree. You've obviously missed the point...

But you're right. Lets not turn it into that.

[BustedS13]

I disagree. You've obviously missed the point...

But you're right. Lets not turn it into that.

I HATE YOU :(

[mrmephistopheles]

They've taken all the HD-DVDs off the shelf and put them in a bin for 30% off here.
Sucks to be Toshiba.

[BustedS13]

i agreed to buy an HDDVD player if my roommate bought a PS3. good thing he's been putting that off, because now i don't have to live up to my part of the bargain

[S14DB]

HD-DVD players for 360 are $49.95 at BB here.

[exitspeed]

HD-DVD players for 360 are $49.95 at BB here.

Wow, $50 for something thing that is almost useless. :goyou: I really don't see what the point would be in purchacing one now.

[ryguy]

Wow, $50 for something thing that is almost useless. :goyou: I really don't see what the point would be in purchacing one now.

Well, I guess it might be worth it if you scooped up A LOT of *discounted* movies for it, movies that you would watch lots of times.

OT sidenote: Sony Ericcson's Xperia phone looks sick though.

Never never never ever again would I ever buy a Sony Ericsson phone after the last turd of a phone I bought from them.