Posted Aug 12, 2007 at 06:01PM by Glen D. Listed in: Gadgets, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Tags: Sony, VHS, Betamax
Ó

Format War - Image 1The Washington Post recently posted an article on its site called "Sizing Up Blu-ray and HD DVD" which some of you may be interested in. You can check it out by clicking on the read link below, though those of you closely monitoring the new format war will probably not find anything new there.

One interesting part of the article, though, was a quote from PC Magazine editor Lance Ulanoff. "My advice now: If you can hold out for a better-performing, lower-cost multiformat [HD DVD and Blu-ray] player, do so," he says.

There's been talk but little evidence that such a player is even in the works, but it's an interesting concept worth exploring. It will probably come a few years from now, but the question begging to be answered is "can we wait?"

Companies on both sides of the format border are doing everything to make everyone who's still using old-fangled DVD players to make a choice and join their cause. Sony, as everyone knows, has taken the bold step of equipping the PlayStation 3 with a Blu-ray drive. The gambit raised the price tag on the gaming console, but has resulted in an early lead for Blu-ray. The HD-DVD camp, on the other hand, will tell you that their format is the more preferred one judging by stand-alone player sales. It's a rivalry reminiscent of Betamax versus VHS and Netscape versus Internet Explorer.

At this point, it would be really tough to say which line of players will eventually own the market and which one will become novelty gadgets. How this cookie crumbles is ultimately your choice as gaming is seen as a major determining factor here. Have you made the choice, or are you still happy on the outside looking in?


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36 Comments


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   by Quixand - 2007-08-12
 » personally

as a movie lover and a regular consumer of video shops i don't see the advantage of owning HDDVD player over Blu Ray...

Blu Ray has more than satisfied me in my Hi Def movie needs, have bought 28 Blu Ray movies (i have an even 30 movies counting Talladega and Casino Royale which i got for free cause of the PS3).


   Re: Sam (Unregistered) - 2007-08-12
 » YOU HAVE TO BE RETARDED TO BY DVDS

I dont see why people make such a big deal about HD dvds and Bluray dvd when you can download movies for free with the same quality


it guess it is just the stupid fanboys

   Re: Quixand - 2007-08-12
 » so you mean

the millions who buy HDDVD, Blu Ray, and DVDs are all retarded fanboys????

oh man you are right on the ball and all the video retail outlets should now close shop!!!! we should now kill an entire industry cause of your say so!!!

   Re: @ Sam (Unregistered) - 2007-08-12
 » ..

No, they're just not poor bastards like you

   Re: sam (Unregistered) - 2007-08-12
 » no im not saying it all fanboys

no im not saying that there all fanboys but all this bluray and hd dvd stuff started because of the Xbox 360 and PS3 and for the retarded that said im poor thats why i own a nice home and have a 360 and ps3 and dont live in a apt. and play pokemon on my game boy color you retarded B I T C H

   Re: John (Unregistered) - 2007-08-12
 » HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

good one sam you still play your game boy color and pokemon!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   Re: qual (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » ok.....

so now we have... dvd fanboys?

and by the way downloading is nowhere near the quality of blu ray or even hd dvd

   Re: i dunno (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » Sam, you are a retard

So people who don't break the law are retards?

Downloading movies for free off the internet, just b/c you can, is perfectly okay with you, even though that is illegal and you can get arrested for it.

Why don't you just go ahead and burn DVDs for people and sell them for like $10? There is nothing wrong with that either, right?

F*cking idiot!

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   Re: dopey (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » ...

he obiously havent experienced HD in his life.

   Re: Romstahl (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Pokemin

I play Pokemon in HD!

   Re: Vietone - 2007-08-14
 » ...

To even say that a downloaded movie form the internet is the same quality as the physical medium itself makes you an idiot.

I know what you talking about, there are groups of there that rip HD DVD and Blu-ray movies but they have to re-encode them to reduce the size and they don't look nearly as good.
   by Mister Common Sense (Unregistered) - 2007-08-12
 » Um...

Bluray has won. The time to wait it out in case one fails is over, HD DVD failed.


   Re: Mister Common Sense - 2007-08-13
 » .

I'd just rather wait and make them both suffer. Format wars are bad for consumers. Maybe next time they'll agree on one format?

   Re: me (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » MCS

you were just saying how blu ray sucks ass and hd dvd is da shiznit, now you think format wars are stupid? You really are a stupid fanboy... once your side is losing you must retreat. Good idea for you.

   Re: Folding Junkie! - 2007-08-13
 » Look again!

The first MCS is unregistered!

   Re: Thabor (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Lets be serious..


All fanboy posturing aside Bluray hasn't won yet.

When the PS3 released I did some research, and decided that most likely scenario was that dual format players would be available before a winner was decided. And if one format were to actually win Blu-ray would be it. So there was pratically no risk for picking up a PS3 and being able to enjoy one of the Hi-Def formats for a year or two while I wait for dual players to become affordable. Also given the specs on the PS3, the ease of firmware upgrades, and the price it was the only clear choice for a BD player since chances are the final BD spec would be supported on it.

The same wasn't true for 360 with HD-DVD because Microsoft had already missed the boat. With their large installed base they can't enable the drive for games without a big backlash, meaning if HD-DVD wasn't able to hold on long enough I would have wound up with a bunch of expensive HiDef coasters, and a mostly useless add on.

At this point while Blu-ray is defainately leading, it hasn't gained any ground a while. I attribute this mainly to the lateness in finalizing specs, and working out kinks in their BD-J implementation. HD-DVD is catching up on catalog releases because studios wan't to hold on for some of the picture in picture and interactive features which aren't working in Blu-ray yet. Unfortunately that is the only solid advantage HD-DVD has, and in a few months it will be gone.

Dual format won't save HD-DVD. It should actually help finish killing it. Once dual format players are cheap and the BD-J issue is resolved there won't be any good reason to publish in HD-DVD anymore. People who have a library will be safe, the existing stock can sell out, and all new titles will be published in the format with the largest installed base, which is Blu-ray...
   by fanboys are stupid (Unregistered) - 2007-08-12
 » fanboys are really stupid

go read avsforums.com and shutup.
2. QJ GO RESEARCH YOUR CRAP. THERE ARE 2 PLAYERS ON THE MARKET THAT ARE MULTIPLE FORMAT. QUIT LEECHING AND DO SOME REAL NEWs.


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   Re: F1 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » No sh*t

Everyone knows there are dual-format players. It doesn't end the format war.

   Re: i dunoo (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » no Sh*t

Yes, but they are not "LOWER COST MULTIPLATFORM PLAYERS" yet, now are they? Since they sell for the same price as a Blu-ray AND a HD-DVD player sold separately.



MP Player + $999
HD DVD Player + $399 (Toshiba)
Blu-Ray Player + $599 (PS3)



See how that works there, stupid? If you read the article and pay attention to the key words contained therein, you won't come across looking like a total f*cking idiot.




LOW COST!!!! Do you get it?

   Re: Mister Common Sense - 2007-08-14
 » .

Dual format players will get cheaper. They aren't a good alternative now, but will be commonplace in a year or two.
   by Mleep (Unregistered) - 2007-08-12
 » ...

Wait it out? Well not if you want one now. Blu-Ray is going to win anyway. Anyone who thinks otherwise at this point is dellusional.

But if you're waiting for more movies available for the formats then sure, wait it out, Myself, I'm in no hurry.

   by AoxomamoxoA - 2007-08-12
 » meh

Had the ps3 not come with bluray most people would take the articles advice and just wait it out. I dont really care either way. DVD, BR, HD...its all the same. Its still just a movie that you will probably only watch a handful of times.


   Re: F1 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » Get with the times

If you feel that way, go watch your VHS on your CRT TV.

   Re: jasper1605 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » lol

lol CRT. i actually prefer watching the movies that half to be hand cranked and have no sound
   by CHUCKINGROCKSATSPACESHIPS - 2007-08-12
 » Wow I'm CHUCKINGROCKSATSPACESHIPS And...

this is saying i'm logged in as everyones favorite "AoxomamoxoA" !!!!


   Re: Quixand - 2007-08-12
 » man!!!

there really is something going on between you two!!!

from here on out i'm not logging in to see the recent gaming news but to monitor the developments in this very weird and unlikely relationship...

yes... my loser meter just got a bump threefold (i know i'm gonna get that "get a life" comment for this so i figure i better beat everyone to the punch)

   Re: AoxomamoxoA - 2007-08-12
 » lol

do you believe in destiny, Chucking?

:P

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   Re: Stealth! - 2007-08-12
 » AoxomamoxoA

Do you believe in retardation, cause you have it buddy.

Anyway this war is going to end in a few months and Blu-ray is going to be on top its Common Sense, real Common sense. Unlike some who lack it.
   by CHUCKINGROCKSATSPACESHIPS - 2007-08-12
 » Weird

It didn't after comment submitted

   by doodad (Unregistered) - 2007-08-12
 » well it's pretty much over now

the moment Universal starts supporting bluray it will be the end... there's no chance that hddvd will win unless something major happens... in the end i don't care who wins cuz i'm still watching dvd's

   by CHUCKINGROCKSATSPACESHIPS - 2007-08-13
 » AoxomamoxoA Yes I Do

(blushing)

   by eh (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » wow

do you people think the USA is going to dictate the format. no its not. there are 100+ other countries out there that use hddvd and sell hddvd more than bluray. go research your *****.

   by /dev/null (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » to wait?

witing won't change anything.
go out and buy your favorite movie on your preferred format. it's the consumers that decide the winning format, not the industry.

   by AoxomamoxoA (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » suckin my *****

blue ray is better

360 sucks ass
blue ray FTW!!

   by elmer (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » jealous b.ast.ards

people who down hd movies are just jealous they cant afford new technology, so they are downing people who buys them..

   by Thomaticus (Unregistered) - 2007-08-13
 » Wait?

Its a lot safer to go with blu ray than it is to go with HD DVD... blu ray isn't going any where... so you might as well hop onto the gravy train now...



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