Why Blu-Ray is going to win the format war

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garvani

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#13932 6-Jun-2007 10:11

Heres a very interesting article i found. I was on the hd-dvd format bandwagon up until i read this and did some research on it myself. Thought id share the article for those who are thinking of upgrading to either format

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/soapbox/soap060107.html

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#73596 6-Jun-2007 11:02

DVD will win the format, as it's cheaper and everyone has DVD player. And most DVD players that come out today has HDMI and can upscale to 1080p even. What that article failed to say is that DVD outsold all HDDVD and Blu-Ray given the same period for POC and Matrix Boxset. Also what it failed to say is that there's 3 movies in a Matrix Boxset which technically 3 times more HDDVDs as reported. Also, it failed to see that may people have existing DVDs of the similar title and why should they fork out more money to buy another copy of the same movie when both players can do upscaling (or is it only HD-DVD player that can upscale DVD?!)

Regardless what, HD DVD era is just annoying and I don't give much care about it for now.. My next set up will consist of DVD player with HDMI and upscale and enjoy my existing DVDs and cheaper DVDs than HDDVD/Bluray.

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sbiddle

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#73598 6-Jun-2007 11:08

Upscaling still can't deliver true HD. I've watched King Kong HD and the DVD upscaled next to it and the DVD just looked terrible.

I don't think either will really have any luck in the near future and it's a shame. A HD format is sorely needed but because of the politics involved the fact we don't have a single standard is a tragedy.

garvani

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#73600 6-Jun-2007 11:17

Thats all very true but with the price of the drives coming down, more and more people will be convinced to upgrade. Have you witnessed a blu-ray movie on a high end plasma or lcd? Its rather impressive i have to say. Thats not even considering the interactivity of the new formats (although probably pretty gimmicky)
Its an article about next generation dvd's so its not going to mention dvd sales, in reality it would have been a 10-20x fold win for dvd over the same period but thats not the point of the article. And yes i agree why bother spending more money on dvd titles you already own, both formats will upscale your dvds to 720p+ but in saying that your still not going to be getting the quality of said movie in blu-ray /hd-dvd format.

richms

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#73608 6-Jun-2007 11:47

Yeah, like upscaling makes it look any better then the interlaced crap that infests DVD. It was a format pushed out a couple of years too early. If only they had waited and seen that CRT was to die they wouldnt have made the mistake with keeping it interlaced.

Thankfully 1080p looks to be winning out on the HD front.

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#73611 6-Jun-2007 12:07

I don't reckon there'll be a clear winner in the end. IMHO, we're more likely to end up with dual-format players rather than going format-specific.

Sales figures show that, dependent on location, people seem to favour one format over another, though that could be just local marketing and availability. If Europe go one way and the US the other way, we're not really going to have a definite conclusion to the "war". Also, Warner announced (at CES?) that they'll start releasing titles on THD (the dual-format disc) late-2007 and other studios are apparently interested as well. What difference will this make? In the end, it might not be the studios who end up settling the debate but the distributors, in whom the real power lies.

Just one clarifying question about the sales figures you often see quoted. They usually refer to HD-DVD titles versus Blu-ray software sales - they are comparing apples with apples aren't they?

Lastly, Sony don't have a very good track record with introducing new formats. Is there any real expectation that this will be the one battle they win? (btw, I own a good number of Sony products so I'm not anti-Sony)

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Fossie

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#73633 6-Jun-2007 14:06

bah hd-dvd will win...mmm combo discs..backwards compatible

garvani

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#73638 6-Jun-2007 14:27

Fossie did u even read the article? blu ray is 100% backwards compatible, there is some BS going around that it cant play dvd's what a joke. Combo players aparently are going to be horrendusly priced $1500 US..

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Fossie

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#73639 6-Jun-2007 14:45

combo disc being one side dvd and the other hd-dvd.

chiefie

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#73640 6-Jun-2007 14:47

"Daddy! Mommy! Please don't fight! Can't you see Blu-Ray and HDDVD are enough to tear us apart!!! Let's just stick together as DVD family!"

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Fossie

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#73641 6-Jun-2007 14:49

"Now, as was the case then, backwards compatibility is not mandated by official specifications, so it's going to be a matter of choice for each individual hardware manufacturer."

hadders

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#73644 6-Jun-2007 15:11

Who cares who wins? I don't. I just want there to be one standard, this VHS vs BETA all over again and it's stupid.

Also, DVD and "a high definition" option will become the norm. It's a case of how much money you're prepared/got to part with versus what you want for your viewing/audio experience.

The same exists right now for LCD/Plasma TVs, there is the Standard and then the High-Def camp. If you have the money and want the high-def you go down the $3000+ TV route, otherwise, you buy the acceptable alternative.

In fact, it's marketing genius when you think about it. The industry has managed to create two streams of users and caters to your wallet and desires.

stuzzo

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#73649 6-Jun-2007 15:47

I'm inclined to support chiefie to some extent. The quantum leap was to the DVD standard from analog(VHS).
I,ve got high definition via a projector and its not a huge gain from upscaled DVD. The main problem is that current display technology can't really resolve the higher output adequately so there's some catching up to do there. Blu-ray/HD-DVD does offer higher resolution sound of course.

hadders

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#73658 6-Jun-2007 16:06

Have you seen a Sony Bravia 1080p TV with a BluRay player on display? It IS impressive and with a Standard LCD/Plasma showing DVD next to it, CLEARLY a much brighter image (TV) and a higher resolution that makes DVD look fuzzy and washed out.

In terms of sound, offering the new DTS2 and DD7.1 is nice, but for me, I'm happy with DTS1 and DD5.1. My AMP and speakers are setup for that and I see no need to rush out and buy additional speakers and new Amplifier.

I think you'll find this is the case and how we've ended up with the standard of DVD and the "audio/video"-philes wanting their High-Def formats.

I'm not sure we'll see High-Def filter down into the mainstream market as that's what DVD offers and at a price point most people are happy with.

My frustration comes from having the dual High-Def formats, for now, I'm not jumping on board and probably won't commit till there's a clear winner?

But will there be? If MS goes with Toshiba for the XBox then Toshiba's HD standard is now more widespread than needing a seperate player and like the PS3 is available as a "bundled" choice.

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#73683 6-Jun-2007 19:03

Currently I won't be touching either format, Until such stage as DRM is freed or I can copy them with ease.

HDMI ew, DRM, DRM, DRM.
aka: Run for the hills.

Until then. I'll continue to buy and then RIP the current DVD's to remove all the copyright, legal notices, Macrovision, menu's and other related rubbish and using the bought discs just for show. (and also so they they don't get wrecked by naughty fingers or careless feet.)

cshwone

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#73687 6-Jun-2007 19:13

My minor contribution is that Blu Ray is the way I will be going for one reason.

I will be upgrading to a full 1080p TV soon and was torn as to which format I would go plus I was looking to purchase an Oppo DVD upscaling player as well.

Sony's latest upgrade to the PS 3 will now upscale DVD's and PS2 games to 1080. (Additionally it will now perform as a media centre using TVersity or Media Player 11) As its a Blu Ray player, the resultant single HDMI connection plus convergence of capabilities makes it a no brainer.

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