The High-Def Format War Is Over--Now What?
Toshiba withdraws support for HD DVD, and Blu-ray is the new high-def standard. Not all our readers are pleased.
Kellie Parker, PC World
The high-def format war is over, and Blu-ray is victorious. Our first story this week discusses some pros and cons for the consumer; the second reviews the history of the format war; and the third reports on Toshiba's decision to abandon HD DVD. Visit our DVD & Hard Drives Info Center for the latest news.
Our most recommended stories this week cover the latest high-def news, plus a cell phone slide show and an admonition from Google about safety online.
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End of the High-Def Format War: Five Pros and Cons for the Consumer
riff7raff says: Don't forget old-style DVDs, because they are going to be around for quite some time. I'm perfectly happy with what I have for now. So sit back, relax, and wait it out. The [Blu-ray] prices will eventually get down to acceptable levels.
Gosseyn says: I think the pessimism about BD player prices is unfounded. Now that the format war is over, lesser-known brands will start licensing to produce BD players, confident they won't be wasting the investment on a dead format. The more companies producing players, the greater the availability of lower-cost players. Look what happened to VCR prices once VHS became the de facto format, and JVC started licensing everybody and their brother to make VHS VCRs.
Tone says: I think HD DVD and Blu-ray have missed the boat. Who wants an HD player infected with DRM, saying you don't have the rights to play a disc. Who says five years down the road you will still be able to play your high-def or DVD movies. I believe legal downloaded movies will be fair more popular.
AlecWest says: Eighty percent of all TVs manufactured today are high-def. But 80 percent of all TVs owned today are not. I think the marketplace is missing the big picture. Our economy is headed toward inflation (or worse) and Joe/Suzy Consumer are perfectly happy with what they've got (standard def). I doubt if they're waiting for their economic stimulus checks to arrive in May to take the high-def plunge.
Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.
HD DVD vs. Blu-ray Disc: A History
zman00 says: If this is true and the format war is finally over, then two things will happen. (1) Consumers will begin to buy into the new high-def format if they haven't already. (2) Other customers who have already bought into the HD DVD format will request some sort of compensation, which they probably will not get. But all in all, my idea of the winner was correct, which means my friend owes me about 100 bucks.
JeffAHayes says: If, unlike me, you're flush with cash, go ahead and buy a Blu-ray player and enjoy all the format offers for the next couple of years or so. But mark my words, it won't be for as long as you hope.
Nortearbor says: Hey! You forgot to include that Apple announced its support of Blu-ray on March 10, 2005, six months before Microsoft and Intel decided to support HD DVD.
Mpheadley says: It would be interesting to go back and try to find reported sales figures on both players and especially movies on both formats. I say this because I think truly it was the sales or rental figures of the movies themselves that propelled the key decisions of companies such as Blockbuster, Netflix, WalMart, Warner Bros, etc., which in turn led to Blu-ray winning.
Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.
Toshiba Abandons HD DVD
eMJay says: It's about time they stopped wasting shareholders' money. They never really stood a chance this time around. It's clear now that they should have jointly produced the next-generation disc with Sony when the proposal was put forward a few year ago. This time they got burnt. The early adopters that wouldn't listen now have to wake up to find that they have a mini museum in their living rooms.
Juvegic says: I am happy that the war is over. I am sad that I will not be able to afford a Blu-ray disc player any time soon. Having both formats was driving prices down on both ends. Format conflicts are good to drive prices to a reasonable level.
Kitrax says: Who here thinks Sony will once again try to pull off another rootkit scheme now that Blu-ray has won. I'm glad the "war" is over...but why did it have to be Sony? I hope there is an ever-present eye watching Sony's actions, waiting for the day that they slip.
Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.
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