Blu-ray Wins?

[Nacster]

Apparently Sony had changed their stance on the Blu-ray Technology and were in discussions with Toshiba who were supporting HD-DVD about joining forces to make one standard format in the next generation of DVD technology..Well it seems that Sony got their wish..Sounds like good news for the PS3 :cheesygri


http://ps3.ign.com/articles/611/611379p1.html

[JayPatel]

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000207042841/

not true, Toshiba has just extended the capacity of HD-DVD to 45 GB via 3 layers.

[tkl]

I don't think anybody wins except the consumer. Who the heck wants two HD-DVD formats ?

They are combining the best of both technologies.

[shabby]

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000207042841/

not true, Toshiba has just extended the capacity of HD-DVD to 45 GB via 3 layers.

I can see it now, hd-dvd burners come out that burn to 1 layer at 2x then 4x then 8x then 16x. Then they release the dual layer burners, and then they finally release a triple layer burner.

[mahjongmaniac]

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000207042841/

not true, Toshiba has just extended the capacity of HD-DVD to 45 GB via 3 layers.

wow, the #s keep :arrowu:'ing...

so when's the "10-layer" disc coming? :cheesygri

[Nacster]

Apparently tis true..Now apparenty both Sony and Toshiba r denying reports that the two companies have come to an agreement on a single format..Link provided below >:(

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/611/611512p1.html

[JAC]

http://www.betanews.com/article/Unified_NextGen_DVD_Format_Unlikely/1117126539

Yeah, stupid-ass Sony's headed for another Beta, methinks.


Toshiba is the creator of the HD-DVD disc, which it has touted as the superior of the two formats for its backward compatibility. HD-DVD discs actually have two layers of data that would allow the discs to still play on older players.

Buy a new machine? I don't think so. Go Toshiba!

[porphyra]

Yup, they are headed for sure disaster. All they have to do is take a page from the multichannel audio's story. SACD and DVD-Audio sound familiar. Both have failed miserably, and a large reason being the competing formats and exclusivity of labels releasing material on one or the other. By the time Universal players came out, it was too late and the damage had already been done. What started out as the next CD replacement was a still-born.

Every issue of Sound & Vision magazine laments over the failure of these 2 formats. And the verdict is that if a resoultion is not reached between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, we are going to see a repeat of the multi-channel music story.

[mark_in_2k]

I think that the winner depends on timing. If the Toshiba consortium finalizes the specs and releases it's disc sometime before Xmas, they may have a winner on it's hands. It has the backwards compatibility sorted (although I'm not sure if current DVD players are able to output at 720p/1080i. Is it just a case of whatever the videos resolution is, that's what's displayed on an HDTV??) and would probably be cheaper to purchase movies on HD-DVD.

Sony however would not be ready for the Xmas season as it's planning on rolling out Blu-Ray when the PS3 launches approx. 12 months from now. Toshiba should have a good headstart by that time.

Another factor to consider is the marketing power of these companies. In this case, IMO, Sony has the upper-hand with the "bigger is better" line. Just look at E3; I believe the PS3 came out looking better than the 360 to many people. Pretty amazing when you consider it wasn't even running realtime stuff 90% of the time.

Let's not forgot the HDTV situation. These TV's are only in a tiny fraction of homes in N.America when compared to regular SD TV's. To get the true benefit of either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD many people will have to purchase new HDTV's. Add that cost to the cost of a new blu-ray player (if you go with Sony), the price of movies, and things start getting expensive.

At the end of the day, it's just going to be another wait and see approach to find out who the clear winner is going to be.

[luthair]

I don't think timing or backwards compatibility is going to determine a winner, the only thing that matters is which format will hollywood studios go with.

Edit: Also just because a HD-DVD might be readable by a DVD Player, it doesn't mean that Hollywood will go with the same file format or encryption.

[chdude3]

Yeah, stupid-ass Sony's headed for another Beta, methinks.I certainly hope so. Bunch of a-holes trying to force YET ANOTHER proprietary format down people's throats. Maybe I'll boycott PS3 in protest.

[Ryan]

I heard that adult movie makers are going with blu-ray. Format war over. :razz:

[bmaz]

I certainly hope so. Bunch of a-holes trying to force YET ANOTHER proprietary format down people's throats. Maybe I'll boycott PS3 in protest.
I don't know much about what happened with betamax, but I do know that Sony has backing from over 100 companies, therefore Blu-Ray is not Proprietary, It is a standard. Whether or not it survives is another issue.
I think Blu-Ray wins or at the very least we will have two formats on our hands.



.....Also just because a HD-DVD might be readable by a DVD Player, it doesn't mean that Hollywood will go with the same file format or encryption
Current DVD Players won't read HD-DVD at all, I don't know where you got that from.
Initially HD-DVD had 2 things going for it, Backward Compatability and manufacturing cost versus Blu-Ray bigger capacity.
Now Blu-Ray will also have backward compatability and the cost is now said to be on par with regular DVDs.
Blu-Ray will rule the PC arena for sure despite Microsoft being on the other side.
Blu-Ray has backing from 3 of the biggest companies in the PC industry, HP, Dell and Apple (also backing HD-DVD).
Blu-Ray also has backing from all the major Optical Disks Drive manufacturers from Lite-On, LG, Philips, Pioneer, TDK etc......
Studio support for both formats are about even.
What its really gonna come down to is Price for the readers (players), and Availability (who reaches first to the market).

[chdude3]

therefore Blu-Ray is not Proprietary, It is a standard.In name only. Developed by Sony, and forced upon everyone else with money and/or strongarm tactics. They were absolute dicks in their discussions with Toshiba; not willing to compromise in the least. I hope the format fails as poorly as Beta did; it would teach them to get along with others, something that can come in useful with business.

[jjboy]

"I think that the winner depends on timing. If the Toshiba consortium finalizes the specs and releases it's disc sometime before Xmas, they may have a winner on it's hands. It has the backwards compatibility sorted (although I'm not sure if current DVD players are able to output at 720p/1080i. Is it just a case of whatever the videos resolution is, that's what's displayed on an HDTV??) and would probably be cheaper to purchase movies on HD-DVD."

I don't think current DVDs can hold enough information to output at 720p or 1080i. Currently mpeg2 dvd's resolution is only 720*480 Thats why new formats are coming up to deal with the problem.

[bmaz]

In name only. Developed by Sony, and forced upon everyone else with money and/or strongarm tactics. They were absolute dicks in their discussions with Toshiba; not willing to compromise in the least. I hope the format fails as poorly as Beta did; it would teach them to get along with others, something that can come in useful with business.
You sound like you have something personal against Sony.
Unless you were apart of the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD meetings I don't see how you can make those statements.
I bet you also think that XBOX 360 is superior to Sony's PS3.
Let go of the past and move on.

[chdude3]

You sound like you have something personal against Sony.No, they've made some solid products, several of which I (have) own(ed) and enjoyed.


Unless you were apart of the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD meetings I don't see how you can make those statements.I'll see if I can't dig up the link and accompanying text. I mean come on, have people already forgotten about the Sony exec who pawned off the faulty square button on the PSP as a feature and not a flaw?


I bet you also think that XBOX 360 is superior to Sony's PS3. Let go of the past and move on.The past? You're talking about future consoles not yet released. As to which is superior, spec-wise I'd say the PS3 has the CPU advantage, but as I've said before, specs mean nothing without usable features and a solid game lineup - which is why of the current gen consoles I own only a Gamecube.

[seefuthead]

45 freaking gigs?? internet speeds better hurry up so we can download 45 gig blu ray rips. haha

[bmaz]

.....The past? You're talking about future consoles not yet released....I made two different statements using two different sentences.


45 freaking gigs?? internet speeds better hurry up so we can download 45 gig blu ray rips. haha
Pay attention, the 45 GB disk is the triple layered HD-DVD disc.
Blu-Ray currently has 25 GB per layer, though I doubt the 200 GB that they have in their labs has 8 layers.

[The Digital Dolphin]

Hrm... I think people will not be downloading uncompressed BluRay ISO's... at least not in 2 years when they've started to reach the 150-200GB point :cheesygri ....well, not those of us with 10GB-60GB monthly bandwidth limitations at least! :lol:

[cmge]

Hrm... I think people will not be downloading uncompressed BluRay ISO's... at least not in 2 years when they've started to reach the 150-200GB point :cheesygri ....well, not those of us with 10GB-60GB monthly bandwidth limitations at least! :lol:
same.. those badhwidth cap is gonna suck... getting those damn warning letters from Rogers just to d/l a measely game?!...

unless of course u dont have a cap on bandwidth

[sfu_lifer]

same.. those badhwidth cap is gonna suck... getting those damn warning letters from Rogers just to d/l a measely game?!...

unless of course u dont have a cap on bandwidth
Not to mention Blu-Ray recorder costs. I definitely think the piracy focus will be on the Xbox 360 and Revolution first thanks to affordable disc prices.

[jjboy]

No, they've made some solid products, several of which I (have) own(ed) and enjoyed.

I'll see if I can't dig up the link and accompanying text. I mean come on, have people already forgotten about the Sony exec who pawned off the faulty square button on the PSP as a feature and not a flaw?

The past? You're talking about future consoles not yet released. As to which is superior, spec-wise I'd say the PS3 has the CPU advantage, but as I've said before, specs mean nothing without usable features and a solid game lineup - which is why of the current gen consoles I own only a Gamecube.

You own the gamecube for its solid game lineup? Consider it doesnt even have MGS 3 , DMC or any tradional rpgs, I am quite suprise to hear what you said. :D

[taro-chan]

You own the gamecube for its solid game lineup? Consider it doesnt even have MGS 3 , DMC or any tradional rpgs, I am quite suprise to hear what you said. :D

OT:
Wow.. um.. ok.
Granted I own both a PS2 and Gamecube, hearing someone bash Gamecube like that just annoys me. Try playing some of the Gamecube games out there. So it doesn't have as many RPGs as PS2 (thats why I got a PS2), but there are awesome titles out there for Gamecube. Resident Evil 4, Paper Mario, Tales of Symphonia, Skies of Acaida: Legends, Metroid, Zelda coming soon. Take a look at gamerankings.com. This GC is the only console this gen to have a game in the top 5. It has 2, Metriod and RE4. (Yes I know Capcom is porting it, but lol.. PS2 graphics vs GC. IBDiskReadError)

Anyways, Blu-Ray will be here for a bit... and maybe fade out as time goes by. Anyone remember the MD and the HiMD? Very popular format in Asia and failed terribly in North America. There were also other company's that supported the MD, such as Panasonic. Yet it still fails. Time will tell.

[WiZZLa]

I don't know much about what happened with betamax, but I do know that Sony has backing from over 100 companies, therefore Blu-Ray is not Proprietary, It is a standard
"Backing" doesn't necessarily make something a standard.

[_pOtEnZa_]

i just read in the may 16th issue of video business that toshiba anounced that their HD-DVD technology will now feature double sided disc , with one side containing about 35gig of HD content and the other side containg the good old 8gig that will play in standard dvd player soo ppl wont have to buy the HD dvd player right away, but when they do, they wont have to buy th emovie in Hd format again, so i think thats pretty good news for us consumers

[ainsane]

Thats crazy that the HD-DVD discs can play on older DVD players. That's a major bonus.

But 'Blu-Ray' sounds way cooler! ;)

[chdude3]

You own the gamecube for its solid game lineup? Consider it doesnt even have MGS 3 , DMC or any tradional rpgs, I am quite suprise to hear what you said. :DI don't even know what DMC is, and I've never really liked the new MGS games. My answer is still yes - GCN has the exclusive games I want, as well as enough cross platform ones to last quite a while. It's also cheap and gives a better audio/visual presentation than the PS2. About all it lacks, in my opinion, is decent online capability.

[taro-chan]

I don't even know what DMC is, and I've never really liked the new MGS games. My answer is still yes - GCN has the exclusive games I want, as well as enough cross platform ones to last quite a while. It's also cheap and gives a better audio/visual presentation than the PS2. About all it lacks, in my opinion, is decent online capability.
DMC = devil may cry

[guest10586]

I don't even know what DMC is, and I've never really liked the new MGS games. My answer is still yes - GCN has the exclusive games I want, as well as enough cross platform ones to last quite a while. It's also cheap and gives a better audio/visual presentation than the PS2. About all it lacks, in my opinion, is decent online capability.

You don't like MGS? If you don't like that then your opinion holds no weight at all.

[taro-chan]

You don't like MGS? If you don't like that then your opinion holds no weight at all.Do we really need fanboyism here? He is entitled to his own opinions. Not everyone likes the same types of games.

[chdude3]

You don't like MGS? If you don't like that then your opinion holds no weight at all.Wow - it's just that, my opinion. I realize that everyone doesn't agree with me that Nintendo's game lineup is the strongest - that's patently obvious. But I don't look down on people who like MGS - the game just isn't for me.

Is your musical taste worthless just because your CD collection is filled with stuff like Hanson or Spice Girls? No. Listen to whatever you want - you like it simply because you like how it sounds. Play the games you want because you enjoy them.

Anyways, it looks like the format war will be around for this generation; each side has industry backing, and each format presents its own unique pros and cons.

[Tulsytsan]

I think the determining factors for the success of any new technology, are price and availability. Sony's arrogance has cost them in the past. Everyone knows that Beta was far superior to VHS but Sony wouldn't let go of Beta and VHS became widely available and ultimately cheaper. Let's face it the vast majority of consumers don't care how technologically superior a product is. They want it cheap, they want it now, and they want lots of content. The minority of audiophiles and videophiles will not determine what the new standard will be... it will be Mr. and Mrs. X who don't know anything other than the fact that they now have to buy yet another peice of electronics at outrageously high prices, and possibly finally replace all their favourite movies....again! Backward compatability could be a major plus.

[_pOtEnZa_]

Thats crazy that the HD-DVD discs can play on older DVD players. That's a major bonus.

But 'Blu-Ray' sounds way cooler! ;)

HD-DVD also uses a blu-ray ;)